Head OvYAR to this Cozy Persian Cafe!
- Tanya
- 5 hours ago
- 3 min read
At Yar Cafe, all are welcome--community and arts-focused, this new, cozy Persian cafe on W Broadway and Spruce is a space to slow down and connect. My last post...uhm from a YEAR AGO, ruh-roh...was coincidentally also about a cafe that had recently opened, Chez Nous. I can tell you right away that I am typing this blog post sitting at Yar Cafe--being in this new and inviting AND cozy space has motivated me to revisit my coffee blog.
"Cozy" is a word that reoccurs in a Yar's Google reviews--five stYARs by the way, 132 reviews so fYAR--and it makes sense. Tucked behind a set of stairs and right next to Salmon n' Bannock, when you enter, calming instrumental music fills your ears (my Shazam tells me it's Farsi jazz!). There are a few tables and a stool area, along with two individual, comfy/cushiony seating areas. On some surfaces, there are cute mirrors that are engraved and announce: YOU'RE LOOKING PREMIUM--self-love is key, everyone!
What catches my eye immediately, however, is the left-hand wall. All along it, there is art. Paintings of Vancouver scenes; photographs clicked in Turkey; abstract pieces; 3D paper art of fishes; curious ceramic mugs; jewelry; prints; prose; and more. These displayed works are by BC artists. The Yar Art Hub--"a place to see and be seen, to listen and to be heard"--showcases art primarily by independent and/or emerging artists. The arts and the community are cornerstones of Yar Cafe, a space where art can be shared, while cups of coffee are sipped! So if you're a BC artist, don't hesitate to apply for an opportunity to exhibit and sell your work. There are no fees for displaying works, though a small commission is applied to sales, as the cafe website indicates. (You'll see on the online application form that you can propose a workshop--I actually am considering doing so, for the literary YARts!)
Farhad and Pooneh are the kind masterminds behind Yar Cafe. Together, they have had years of experience when it comes to cafes, while Pooneh is also an artist. I have chatted with Pooneh a bit, about turmeric, funnily enough. When I was ordering on my third visit to the cafe (AKA today), I complimented her beautiful, pastel-yellow nails, and she mentioned they're good so far, until the turmeric hits! I could relate instantly and talked about how when I had braces as a teen, my bands would change colors literally because of turmeric!
You'll have noticed that thus far, I have focused on the atmosphere of Yar. The vibes for this cafe are truly strong. Past the coziness, it's the friendliness, community, and embracing of the arts that make me excited to return. Of course...it's the coffee and a specific baked good that call to me, too!
My first time at this cafe, I had ordered an oat cappuccino and a chocolate croissant. Both were solid! I appreciated the swirly heart-art on my cappuccino.
When I visited the second time, Derrick joined me, and we both had DELICIOUS mochas (mine was oat milk) and ADDICTIVE old-fashioned donuts! That day, the calm atmosphere helped me work on and finish (!) writing Chapter Five of my adult novel. (I was on a writing high after that, which was great.)
Today, I was so happy they hadn't sold out of the donuts, which I ordered another one of, as well as another oat mocha. Pooneh remembered that I love my baked goods warmed up--as does she! While I was supposed to be continuing writing Chapter Six of said novel, I couldn't help but write about Yar Cafe instead.
What does "yar" mean anyway? I was pleasantly surprised to learn that in Farsi, it has a similar meaning to what the word means in Hindi:
One of the cafe's mottos is: "If you're here, you're a yar." Through experiencing the cafe atmosphere and connecting with the baristas, I already feel included, and I do feel like a yar.
As I now (hopefully) switch over to writing Chapter Six of my novel, let me know what you think of Yar Cafe or if you're planning to stop by for the first time!
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