The Best Cafés With A Social Conscience Around The World
The well versed foodie is spoilt for choice in many of the world’s global cities. With an array of wholefood markets, hipster coffee spots and restaurants offering a smorgasbord of delicious eats and drinks, there’s plenty to sate even the fussiest diner. However, an appreciation of good food and drink is a novelty for the world’s estimated 100 million homeless or three billion living in poverty. These cafés found in global cities around the world care for more than just your tastebuds.
1. Shebeen | Melbourne
Bar, Restaurant, Australian, Mexican
Fancy a Windhoek Light Beer from Namibia? Donations are given to mothers2mothers(m2m), who seek to eliminate the transmission of HIV between mothers and their babies, providing a ‘Mother Mentor’ and invaluable information to empower these mothers.
For those who prefer an aromatic red, there’s the Valdiviesio Merlot from Chile. These funds go to Room to Read, which works on improving children’s literacy skills and providing young women with the necessary support to complete secondary education.
Shebeen believes that everyone deserves basic access to education, income and healthcare. While offering an eclectic mix of drinks, Shebeen’s menu also includes several scrumptious meal choices, from the organic black bean noodle salad with miso lime dressing to a Mexican-style slow cooked chicken mole. Chowing down on a Vietnamese baguette or pork belly slider never tasted so good.
2. Café Retro | Copenhagen
Cafe, Beer
Curling up by the fireside on a mismatched, much-loved sofa with a wine in hand won’t be the only thing giving you the warm and fuzzies, know that you are supporting great causes.
3. The Clearing Barrel Bar and Coffeehouse | Berlin
Bar, Pub Grub
Meike Capps-Schubert, who runs the cafe, is a trained counselor with the Military Counseling Network e.V., the Clearing Barrel offers counseling support, and functions as a hub for political discussion and community resistance against ‘illegal wars and military occupation’. As well as functioning as a coffeehouse, the Clearning Barrel doubles as a bar and cultural hotspot at night, housing events, movie screenings and concerts. Speaking about the initiative, Meike said: ‘having this space available allows us to bring together in one place what we do personally, socially, culturally, and politically. I am very grateful for all of the help and support that we have received from the peace community and we hope that they will continue to support us.’
4. Merge Café | Auckland
Cafe, Australian
Although they had the best interests at heart, Lifewise came to realise that the soup kitchen, though solving the immediate issue of hunger, was fuelling a long term dependency. In what was a very difficult decision, the soup kitchen closed and was replaced by Merge Café, in a bid to create a self-sustainable model. Inspired and passionate about empowering Auckland’s homeless, Merge Café seeks to connect the needy with vital support services. Lifewise, does not discriminate, emphasising respect, freedom of choice and acceptance. Passers-by can enjoy roast meals for $5 and cooked breakfast for $3, with quiches, salads, bagels, sandwiches and sweets behind the counter for a minimal cost.
5. Cat Town Café and Adoption Center | California
Cafe, Coffee Shop, Cat and Dog Cafe, American
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