Relax Cafe

Small café with comfortable furniture and delicious coffee.
Stopped into this little café on a weekend for a quick coffee with a friend and was delightfully surprised at the quality of this little shop. As soon as I saw the sandwiches they were selling, I wished that I hadn’t previously eaten lunch and could instead eat one of the enormous sandwiches. Instead I just got a huge coffee which was exactly what I needed. The coffee was fresh and hot and the place was quiet enough to have a good conversation. I wouldn’t hesitate to come back to this location.
Sure beats Starbucks or any of those other chains!

Great breakfast and lunch food, super friendly welcoming staff!

I went to relax café for the first time today and did not find it very impressive. I am used to going to good coffee shops on 17 ave or Kensington.
I went to relax café with the hopes of eating a delicious salad with lots of veggies, maybe some beans or nuts. Just something special for lunch that I couldn’t make at home. They have a garden salad on the menu for 6.95. When I asked what was in it, they explained that it has lettuce, cucumber and tomatoes. For that much money I could make A better salad at home! So I got a Reuben sandwich. It was really greasy, the opposite of what I wanted to eat!
My friend had the coffee, she said it was okay. She also noticed the muffins and banana bread where from Costco! Kinda weird. Seems like they are just not trying at all. I would not recommend this place.

Review #26 of Unilocal’s 30 Day Challenge 2012
I’ve been ogling this place for awhile since we spend a lot of time across the street at 4^th Spot. Even tried to grab a coffee one night after dinner but it was closed.
Finally the time arrived for us to meet. I dropped one of my kids at school mid morning and stopped in on my way back home. Immediately I felt warm & fuzzy when I walked in… loving the cozy and inviting ambiance inside. It’s relatively small with only a few seats available but I love the cushy pillows, chairs and fire place. It was also quiet at the time so I was able to order my coffee immediately.
My cappuccino was to go and one of the better coffees I’ve had around town. I noted they had some yummy lunch time items in the counter, a few muffins and some treats as well (nanaimo bars, etc.).
A quaint little neighbourhood café worth checking out. I see lunch here in my future and look forward to our next meeting.

I was thrilled to find a coffee shop when I moved into the Mount Pleasant neighborhood but I have been a bit disappointed.
The décor is nice but there is something a bit lacking. I think it is because the place is a bit uninviting; neon open sign, wrapped food & radio music. Also the coffee is generic for the price.
To compete in the café industry I recommend going with a better coffee bean (e.g ethically sourced), some books, and some non mainstream music. It wouldn’t take much to make this a go-​to place for me being it is just around the corner.

I’m currently enjoying my first time at Relax Café. I came during non-​peak hours, so there was no wait! The inside is cozy (fireplace! mounds of pillows!) and they have a sizeable outdoor patio. It looks to me like the owners put a lot of effort into the design and cleanliness of this place so that it can rival chain cafes. But it’s better than a ‘Bucks!
PROS:
–relatively central but not downtown with private (free) parking lot
–more snack and food options than I expected
–you can have a latte if you have dairy sensitivites! Plus, they don’t charge you extra for soy, rice or almond milk.
–good selection for drinks, both hot and cold
–personal service (the cashier brought my coffee to my table)
–fireplace and comfy bench seating with lots of pillows (yes that it a major PRO!)
–bright, modern, chill décor with lots of windows to look through if you’re pretending to be deep in thought ;)
–free wifi
–nice bathrooms
–independent, local ownership
CONS:
–Their menu is kinda scattered and confusing on hand-​written panels. That should be improved.
–I wish I lived closer.
–I wish it was open late.
I don’t find the prices here outrageous like some of the other Unilocalers. It’s about the same price as going to any chain, so you may as well support the little guy! I haven’t tried the food yet, but by the looks of the household stove in the kitchen, I think I will.
I’ll be back.

True to its name, I would say this is a relaxing café! I think mostly because of its size as it has maybe 5 tables and a window bench that seats maybe 4. There is a fireplace inside which would probably be cosy in the winter. I ordered a lemon tea for a reasonable $ 1.50 plus tax. For that they give a whole tea pot of hot water. I also thought it was nice that they asked if I wanted honey and they gave me a huge bottle of honey with a spoon. That’s awesome!
The desserts and sandwiches are small and don’t look like anything to write home about. They also look a bit overpriced. Next time I will try one to get a better sense of the the value.
Oddly enough the best thing about Relax is its bathrooms. Not only are they clean but they contain a circular mirror of positive messaging that will amp up your day. Kind of felt like I could take on the world while I was washing my hands!
I’d give it 3.5 stars rounding down. It isn’t anything special, but a very nice place to study and get some work done.

I really like the café. My girlfriend and I stop there every once in a while and the people are nice and they have free wifi. Espresso is really good too.

I stopped by this café for a coffee and snack while out and about this morning. I was almost tempted by the mac n cheese, which looks amazing, but I was in a bit of a hurry, so I tried a shortbread cookie and an american misto instead.
This is probably the best shortbread cookie I have ever had, and I would gladly pay $ 1.50 for it again! I know, $ 1.50 seems like a lot for a 2″ diameter cookie, but it was amazing. The server said it was herb flavored, I think maybe it also had some lemon zest in it. The coffee was good too :)

I usually stop in to Relax Café on 4^th Street NW once a month or so. Sometimes it’s for lunch, sometimes it’s for a coffee and muffin. Today was for a coffee and muffin, but they were all out of muffins. Normally I’d be bummed out but I decided on this great chocolate filled banana bread instead. BUT, their muffins are worth the unusually high price that they are. You have to see them to believe them — the muffins are big and almost seem to have Frankensteined out of their wrappers in some never before thought of way — and they have some great flavours.
They serve breakfast and lunch too, and lunch normally includes a good soup type option. I once had this Portobello stew that was impressive. Usually the food portions are a little too small, which normally is okay since most places give too much, but they are a little pricey for what you get. The quality is very good however.
The coffee is good too.
There is a gelato store attached next door, and it’s enjoyable but also a little high priced, but they did lower their original pricing per scoop so they must have had some feedback about this.
The owner is usually behind the counter, I can’t remember her name but she is super nice.
All in all, a great little place to grab a quick bite or coffee and snack.
I would have liked to be able to give a higher rating but the small portion size to price ratio needs addressing, but I’ve never been disappointed — even when they’ve run out of muffins.
MK

Today I ingested the most delightful brownie my teeth have had the pleasure of sinking themselves into. I kept hitting spots of skor bar, velvet smooth chocolate icing and chunky chocolate bits. I think I’m in love. It was a tough choice between the brownie and the crave-​like cupcakes they make on site, but the girl at the register sold me on the brownie.
Upside: Über friendly service, I wish this place would’ve existed when I lived up this way. I’m a little jealous of all the regulars that came and went while I indulged in the heavenly brownie (I just had to bring it up one more time, it’s that good). They were making requests for baked goods they’d like to see. The décor was also appeasing. Cool hues, a few different seating choices and a modern feel, I wasn’t the only one who made myself at home for a portion of the afternoon.
Downside: Despite the different types of seating, there isn’t actually a lot of room to hunker down for more than maybe a dozen people. Being that it seems to be a local favourite, I’d avoid it during peak times. Also, the menu is no longer shown on the tv as Lindsay K noted, but is available in laminated sheets by the front of the til. This was fine for a slow Sunday afternoon, but I could see it still being an issue in busy times like Mimi P experienced. They’ve got a good row of cupboards right behind the till, I’m not sure why they don’t just get blown up poster versions of the menu and hang them on the cupboard doors.
Beyond the brownie tip, here’s one more: the day old muffins are sold for $ 1 and they really only are a day old.
All in all though, the brownie and the girl behind the register have won me over. Relax Café gets four yums up. If you’re up in Mount Pleasant area, stop in for a boo. Oh, and they’ve got free wireless too.

Being the adventurous types, we are always on the look out for a new place to relax & have a great bev & snack. Since we live down the street I’ve been eager to try it out before taking my date there.
I was disappointed today shortly after stepping inside because there was no menu. I see from Lindsay K.‘s review it’s usually posted on the TV. Not today the Olympics were playing. :S
Being that it was high-​noon & the lineup was growing by the minute. I bailed. I couldn’t see the point of waiting my turn to get up to the till & ask the nice server to recite the menu & pricing. Followed by then being faced with the pressure to make a decision on the spot.
Better luck next time Relax Café.

I wish that I could say I love Relax Café, but I can’t because I don’t really.
I like that they have breakfast choices, but I don’t like that they only have two or three breakfast options to choose from. I like to have a bit more a selection than that when picking my breakie. They’ve got a lot of sandwiches and other lunch favourites, which is kind of nice. And the kitchen is right there behind the till, so you can actually watch your meal being made.
I think the prices in this place are a little high though. I mean, $ 10 for a panini at a café seems a bit pricey to me. I’d rather just stick to coffee and save my money for a fancier experience.
Relax has a pretty modern interior, which makes it pretty cool… or should I say relaxing?! I like that they have couches, tables, and high stools to sit on. The colours are very calming with browns and blues all over the place. The menu is shown on a TV, which changes every few seconds. I actually think this is pretty stupid because you have to wait for the next page to come on the screen, and the writing is so small you practically have to stand under it to be able to read it.
So, Relax just isn’t my kind of café. I wish it was, because I like the idea of it, but it’s just not. Too bad.