Cafe theme parties work well for birthday celebrations or just because gathering with friends. This can be simple with a few options or more extravagant with customized decor.
You could have a general cafe theme or specific. Specific options can include strawberry with food and drink options including strawberries. Or you could have a theme like space with drinks named after planets and stars.
Food and Drinks
There are many varieties in a cafe of food and drink choices which means there are different routes you can take for your gathering. The most important factor is your guests. Choose options that you know your guests would enjoy. For example, you wouldn’t want to serve cold brew if neither of your guests drink it or if it’s only one person, make a small batch or have another option for them.
Food
Food takes a back seat in most cafes with drinks being the start of the show; however, with your cafe, that doesn’t have to be the case.
Determine if you would like to stick with small pastries or heavier options like appetizers or even a main dish. This will depend on the time of day of your café themed party. If you’re having it in the late afternoon to evening time then a larger food option may be a more suitable option.
What Type of Food
Provide a mix of sweet and savory options. The amount of options you have is completely up to you and your guest list. Traditional bakery items like croissants, muffins, and bagels work really well. You could also include sweet breads, brownies, and cookies. This shows a beautiful cake with the sweets.
For appetizers, charcuterie and crudite boards work well with fruit salad, chicken salad or pasta salad. For heavier options, include meatballs, sausage rolls, or sandwiches.
If you’re serving during brunch hours, consider including pancakes, breakfast sandwiches, and parfaits.
Cooking and baking are great for a personal touch. If there is a particular item that you enjoy making, then make it. The others can be bought from local bakeries or even your favorite grocery store bakery. Have friends contribute their speciality dishes as well for a semi-potluck option.
Drinks
Beverages are the start of the show for a cafe party. This can go in many different directions, so it’s important to get a general consensus of your guest preferences.
Certain drinks can be made in large batches to be poured from a pitcher. This includes
- Lemonade
- Mocktails
- Cold Brew
Simple Options
Have an electric kettle with water and an assortment of tea bag options for hot tea. Make a large pot of brewed coffee. Provide cream and your preferred sweeteners for each.
Barista Drinks
These are drinks that need to be made at the moment, so this is when you play barista or have your guest make their own. Use an espresso machine for lattes and other espresso based drinks. Set out matcha and water to make the matcha based drinks. If having guests make their own, set out instructions with measurements needed for the ingredients.
Hot Chocolate
Hot Chocolate will make another great option. This can be made in a batch in a slow cooker or use the hot water and steamed milk with prepackaged instant hot chocolate for guests to make their own.
Water
An often forgotten but important drink option is water. Make pitchers of fruit infused water and unflavored iced water. You could also set out bottled water for ease.
Accompaniments
These are items that you can use to add to the drinks. Each guest can add their own to customize their drink.
- Milk: dairy and non dairy
- Sweeteners: honey, raw sugar
- Flavored syrups
- Ice
Decor
For a true coffee shop feel, use butcher block paper and wooden cutting boards or serving trays to display the food. Hand write signs and labels for the food. Plates can be in the color theme that you would like for your party.
Drinkware
Disposable hot and cold cups work well. There are beautifully printed options at stores like Home Goods and Hobby Lobby. You could also have a simple solid color.
To take the theme up a notch, create a logo. Add it to stickers to place on the cups or print napkins
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