In 2001, John moved to Burnaby from Winnipeg to start a small coffee shop with his cousins. Since then, the shop has become a second home for many of their patrons. Designed as a traditional coffee shop with a comfortable atmosphere, La Fontana Caffe has built a diverse customer base of dedicated clientele.
"The industry has definitely moved towards convenience," explains John. "The larger corporate chains of coffee shops just try to get people served as quickly as possible. Our shop really values the personal touch – the small-town atmosphere."
La Fontana Caffe has become a staple coffee shop in the Burnaby area. With exceptional homemade food and a welcoming attitude towards informal groups and clubs in the area, La Fontana Caffe is a communal place to relax.
This café takes an old school Italian approach with some modern twists. They keep the coffee simple and classic. Regulars are invited to linger all day. The addition of board games, movie nights and open mic events elevates it from mere coffee shop to cherished neighbourhood hub.
Full of comfy seating options, board games to while away the time and big screen TV for ad hoc showings of popular series, La Fontana is a home away from home. The congenial owner serves burgers that look and taste homemade. The servings are generous but there’s no need to disassemble the constituent parts of your burger in order to consume it. It’s easily a one-hander and a tasty one at that!