Hosting a Home Café? Create a Delicious and Energizing Menu!

Staying in is the new going out, with the home café trend taking both TikTok and our hearts by storm. A home café is a fun, unique take on hosting that uses your space to design a mini café. Get creative with your very own unique brunch bar. Home cafes are less prep and less cleanup than a dinner party or luncheon. These cute DIY cafes bring a touch of laid-back whimsy to any gathering.

Fresh café options go beyond the chips and dip to provide vibrant, energizing refreshments for your guests. Find your inspiration for the perfect menu to fit the occasion with delicious superfoods by Laird.

Start With Invitations

Get ready to announce the trendiest café in town, opening soon at a home near you! Send out invitations 2-4 weeks in advance so guests have time to RSVP. This will inform the quantity of food and beverages. Go green with digital invites that are easier to customize, design, and track. Apps like Sendo are perfect for finding your home café aesthetic. 

Include an overview of the menu (hot/cold beverages, light snacks, light entrees, dessert) and a section for guests to specify any dietary restrictions. This will help you keep track of specific needs.

Coffee Bar and Tea Time

Fill the café with energy by designing your own coffee bar and tea service. Imagine your favorite trendy hotel. Now take that inspiration to your kitchen counter by using baskets to display tea, light and dark roast coffee, and, of course, add-ins.

Coffee and tea have natural anti-inflammatory properties and contain many benefits. We recommend a selection of coffee creamers from our superfood line of healthy creamers. Our creamers are low in sugar, packed with micronutrients, and come in a variety of favorite flavors like classic vanilla, pumpkin spice, and peppermint. Add honey or agave, oat milk, and cinnamon to complement your hot beverage bar.

Hydration Station

Keep your guests hydrated with a variety of cold-pressed juices, mocktails or cocktails, and Laird's refreshing coconut water. Of course, mimosas are a classic café breakfast option, but don't be afraid to think outside the orange juice box. Mocktails for brunch are the perfect place to start. Looking for a simple hack to make any beverage a little fancier? Use a water infuser pitcher to add fresh berries. 

Add a Pop of Color (And Nutrients!)

Create a rainbow effect with a seasonal fruit board. Add kiwi, berries, oranges, and bananas to a cutting board and serve with toothpicks. Whip up a quick and easy fruit dip using vanilla greek yogurt and peanut butter or honey and vanilla extract. A pinch of cinnamon gives this dip a warm, comforting flavor and aroma.

You can add a side of cheese, mini muffins, and even dark chocolate shavings to complete the spread. A variety of jams make a great complement to a nutrient-dense brunch board, fresh from your café.

Don't Forget the Sweets

Of course, sweet treats are the best part of any café. Create your own faux glass case by serving dishes or displaying desserts around a donut tree. The possibilities are endless when it comes to serving up smiles! 

The best part of a home café is deciding on ingredients that won't leave guests feeling sluggish. Our vegan superfood brownie mix is easy to whip up for a decadent dessert that nourishes and energizes. Pair with other mini sweets like mini donuts, wafer cookies, and chocolate covered almonds for a delectable sampler spread.

Mini Entrees and Energizers

No café experience is complete without a main course. To keep the gathering light and satisfying, draw inspiration from a high tea platter with mini sandwiches. Serve a variety of sandwich options, and be sure to include a few plant-based sandwiches in the spread. Hummus and veggies are a great side to your mini entrees. 

If you're leaning into the breakfast theme, consider a crepe bar instead of a sandwich tray. Crepes are light, airy, and versatile, great with both savory and sweet toppings. Keep it simple with sliced bananas, nut butter spreads, and strawberries. For savory options, pair with cheese, grilled tempeh, and colorful peppers and tomatoes. Savory spreads that go well with crepes include basil pesto and tahini. 

Home cafés are a fun way to begin the morning of a hike or other recreational activity. Add an extra boost of protein and nutrients by arranging protein bars along with nuts and trail mix as an addition to your entree. You can even create snack packs for guests to take on the road or to their next event.

Tie Everything Together With Decor

The most iconic cafés come with iconic decor. Choose a color theme for your event to center table runners, napkins, and invites around. Solid and primary colors work best so as not to outshine the vibrant array of food and beverage options. Decor options might include an old-timey café chalkboard to write out menu options, seasonal flowers, and barstools.

Don't be afraid to think outside the kitchen when it comes to designing the space for your home café. You can create alcoves, utilize pantry and cabinet space, or use a bar cart as a versatile serving solution.

If you're feeling especially excited about your new café "brand," give it a name and print stickers to go on disposable, compostable coffee cups. This is a fun way to give your guests a little souvenir from visiting your charming café.

Ready for Launch Day

With a little planning and preparation, the big "launch" of your home café will be a big success. This fun trend is bringing people together. More and more health-minded foodies are opting to DIY a nutritious spread for a budget-friendly and convenient alternative to going out. With so many themes and possibilities, it's easy to see why home cafés all over the community are getting 5-stars from their patrons.

Looking for more creative ways to elevate your menu? Join the Laird Superfood Wellness Hub for foodie inspiration, superfood facts, and healthy lifestyle tips.

Sources:

https://www.themixer.com/en-us/trends/brunch-mocktails/

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/9-reasons-why-the-right-amount-of-coffee-is-good-for-you.