Fresh Press Coffee Bar

Absolute hidden gem! I loved the place the moment my friend tagged me in a photo on instagram. Chatted with the owner and her mom and they recommended the Shanghai Fog. You can tell they’re passionate about their services and use quality beans to brew their coffee. The interior is beautiful as well — really dig the white and tiffany blue theme!

Oh, how life changes, from living within 50 yards of Revolver, Timbertrain, JJ Bean, Coffeebar and Smart Mouth to… not. Now that I’m officially a homeowner in the ‘burbs, it was time to search out real (i.e. not Starbucks) coffee. I found a pretty good one at Fresh Press.
First: accessible this place is not. It’s located in a strip mall off No. 3 Road. When I think strip mall, I think, «plentiful parking,» but here it seems like every single space was «Reserved» for some business that wasn’t Fresh Press. Kind of annoying. But eventually I found my way in, not first without a little swearing about driving, parking and suburban life generally.
The space is charming. It’s been beautifully renovated, and it was nice and cozy-​warm on a frosty November afternoon. But it is SMALL. Expect to have people hear your conversations, or, be nosy, like me, and join in on other people’s conversations. Maybe you’ll make a new friend.
Questa, the owner, knows her stuff. She’s been training and working in the coffee industry for years and is really focused on providing a good coffee experience. I had a Kenya pour over, which she suggested I let cool a bit if I was going to drink it black (which I was), to really get the flavour of the coffee. She talked to be about starting to use Avalon Organic milk with her coffee, and about some of her plans in terms of coffees she wants to carry — I’m telling you, she’s a coffee expert!
Very limited selection of food here on offer — by the time I showed up in the afternoon there were a couple of sad, dry scones left in the case and that was it — so really, know that you’re coming here for the great coffee, and potentially a great conversation with Questa!

I really don’t expect much from an Espresso Bar in the middle of Richmond where Chinese food rules! But Fresh Press Coffee Bar is just a pleasant surprise!
2 kind of Singl beans with different tasting profile to choose from Mellow or Bold? regardless what espresso drink you order! I usually like a bolder flavour for my cappuccino drink vs a pour over. (+1) And if you opt for V60 Pour Over, the barista would match that with another bean.
Milk foamed perfectly with skilled latte art.
I usually don’t order any pastry at Coffee Shop but the Coconut Macaroon deserves a shoutout.
The shop is small but cozy. Tucked near the back of Lansdowne Strip Mall. Thanks Unilocal App as I doubt I would have find it if I just walking around.
Highly recommend if you are in the area!

4.5 (I wish there were more beans to choose from)
Q: What makes a great cup of joe?
A: great baristas + good beans
This place qualifies for both!
We were here on a wet Saturday morning.
The barista greeted us with a nice friendly smile and carefully went over their offerings + bean selection. I opted for a pour over while my accomplice opted for a latte. Both drinks were skillfully prepared.
She controlled the water flow of the pour over with immaculate precision. She definitely knows what she’s doing. (Some cafes just literally dump water over the beans — that’s not how it’s supposed to be done). Her latte pouring technique was also right up there with the best of them.
I’ll be back. I wish this place was located closer to my home.

Great atmosphere. Perfect cappuccino. Strongly recommend honey lavender chamomile tea latte.

I love your coffee. You’re the only good coffee shop in Richmond. I rarely have time to go. This morning I was so psyched to start my day with your coffee, but no one was there at opening. I couldn’t wait any longer.

I walked in and they were playing Cut Copy, nuff said. Great coffee, décor and ambiance. It’s also quiet enough that you can work here. Though I’m sure this hidden gem in Richmond will soon be getting busier!

Finally had time to check this place out! Cute and small coffee shop in the same strip mall as Scotia Bank. I’m not really a coffee drinker, but they offer a lot of different drinks. I ended up ordering the Shanghai Fog amongst all the tea latte flavours and I was pleasantly surprised! Would definitely return to try all the other tea lattes!

Good hand poured coffee with Chemex. Owner is nice, friendly and skilled in making coffee. Recommend it!

I saw this reviewed on the front page of Unilocal on April 7^th and decided to book mark this for future reference.
When I walked in I was overwhelmed with all the white inside. It was sleek but the fact that there was very little color reminded me of a scene from A Clockwork Orange.
It is very small, like very small with very limited seating, therefore, it is a grab and go situation.
It is a weird place to have a coffee shop in an area that really doesn’t fit it.
Lady at the til was nice although she was a little overly pushy to make the sale, however, that is just part of the culture that I am not used to.
Decent but very limited selection of pastries.
This place is inside the strip mall and somewhat very hard to find, therefore, look for unit 121.

I go to Richmond sometimes for business matters, one day I found this little coffee shop, I am so happy – now I have a place to go if I crave a real great latte or cappuccino. You don’t find this kind of stuff in Richmond, only here and there in Vancouver, mostly in Gastown or on Commercial Drive. Hope they get good business and someday can move to a bigger unit, it’s really too tiny there!

Great, Quiet little coffee shop for study, working alone or with partner.
Coffee flavours are special.

It’s great to have a local independent coffee shop that’s not starbucks or blenz around the neighbourhood. If you want something unconventional but great tasting coffee definitely come here. The owner is a a young woman and she is really friendly and nice too.
Will come back if I am around the area again.

Americano was well made
Mother and daughter running the store was very friendly, informative and a very cute combo.
$ 3 Americano was fair
I’d say this place could use a bit more room for reading/​studying.
I would come back.

Dropped by after reading all these reviews.
Tucked in the corner of this Lansdowne strip mall, next to New Link College, this is one of the relatively few hipster-​ish coffee shops in Richmond. The coffee is good. Not quite as deep in flavour as I prefer, but not bad. It’s a lot smaller than I expected, probably about 200 sq feet total. The location warrants little foot traffic besides people working in the office above or attending the ESL schools nearby, although it’s really not that far from the Lansdowne station.
It’s been open for about a year. Plenty of electric outlets, but they close fairly early at 5pm. The décor is matte white walls and faux wood highlights. There are the prerequisite bar stools, and a handful of in-​house baked treats.
I feel almost obligated to support this place. There’s just not enough of a coffeehouse culture in Richmond. I think the only similar café is Rocanini’s in Steveston. The coffee here is better than Rocanini’s though. I wish the space was bigger and the hours were longer but we can’t always get our wishes.

Richmond needs more of these places, really… it does. For a city… or an extension of Metro Vancouver, there really is no cool, hip, non-​franchise coffee shops. You can take your car and really go far right to Steveston Village, but there is nothing in the downtown of Richmond… until now. The hours here are not like those of Wave’s, the green mermaid, or Blenz… I don’t expect that, but coming in here it has a small charm to it.
It’s right in the middle of this plaza on the corner of No. 3 Road and Alderbridge, you do not really see it unless you can find the Langara College Continuing Education location, know where that is and you will find this place. When you enter this place you will notice that it is pretty small, a triangle wedged like shape, but even though it is a little step from the outside, because of the colors of this place. it’s bright, like white bright. From the tiled area behind the coffee bar, to the painted white walls, it lifts your spirits while you have your dark brew of whatever you are choosing. On this Saturday afternoon we came in here and shared an Americano. Sitting around waiting for the brew to hit the bottom of the cup we noticed the beautiful hand written menu on the side wall, someone here has some penmanship! Near that written menu is a small table, the only metal one in here, that is a blue tinge… gives off quite the effect. When you approach the ordering area you see some pastries behind glass, we kindly asked where they were from… and the answer: Cadeaux Bakery… not bad.
Eventually our cup of java was brewed, they are currently using Kafka… but I hear from the young lady making the coffee that they are in talks with Pallet… (yum… can’t wait!) The Americano was light on the taste, I wished it to be heavy, the coffee was not sour one bit, it was a nice change from the big boxes you get around Richmond. This seems to be a mother and daughter operation, as both of them work right behind the bar. I hope to come in when they change their coffee beans, and maybe try their other menu items but it’s the start of something good in a plaza that honestly is full of mediocre.

I love this place already. It’s beautiful and serene inside – reminds me of my favourite cafés in Gastown, actually.
I had been so worried I wouldn’t be able to find good coffee south of King Ed but here I am. Questa really knows her stuff!
As the other reviewers said, this is the only real café in Richmond (ex Steveston since it’s too far).
I got a cranberry waffle (delicious!) and a cortado (delicious delicious!).
I am a wuss when it comes to coffee, which means that I can only drink coffee without sugar when it’s good coffee. I had my coffee without sugar.

Perfect place to take a quick stroll after stuffing your face full of dim sum at Kirin. It’s a bit hidden, tucked on the side of a plaza, but it’s in a convenient location and easy to get to. My gf doesn’t even like coffee that much, but she loved the coffee here (she got the lighter Seattle blend). I consider myself a bit of a coffee snob and I loved the coffee also. I got the darker roast mocha and it was smooth and rich. The mother and daughter team are sweet and really know their coffee. Take your time to seek out this place, it’s worth it!

Richmond’s only coffee real coffee place. I would say Rocannini in Steveston is too, but depending on who makes your drinks i’s wildly inconsistent. Fresh Press on the other hand is a mother & daughter team duo who care about each drink they make, so it’s consistent all the time.
The espresso they’ve custom created is a blend Questa (daughter/​co-​owner) has come up with for East Van Roasters to roast. East Van Roasters in local roastery that helps women in the downtown eastside as a social enterprise. The Questa and her mom started Fresh Press with the intention of serving great coffee as well and team up with other socially conscious businesses locally in the lower mainland. They also serve Justea, which another socially conscious business in Vancouver that helps tea farmers in Kenya gain more the profit for the hand processed tea they produced.
Justea’s Earl Grey has to be one of the best Earl Grey’s I’ve had in a long while. The citrusy, almost mint sparkle is amazing. Which brings me to Fresh Press’s London Fog’s. Soooooo gooooood! A must have.
They also offer a few different bean choices for their Kone filter/​Chemex pour over coffee. All custom created blends by the owners.
A very friendly, quaint, little shop that provides great drinks (of they also offer pastries and lunches too) in the middle of Richmond of all places. I would have given them 5 stars, if there was a little bit more room to sit… but maybe that’s what makes this place what is it, a cozy, quaint café experience.
Definitely highly recommended if you’re ever in Richmond!

It was my first time visiting Fresh Press Coffee this afternoon and i’ve already decided it’s one of my new favorite little coffee shops!
LOCATION /​AMBIANCE: Located in Central Richmond across the street from Lansdowne Mall. It’s just a small shop but is very bright and inviting. There are only two little tables available and a small bar table.
TASTE: I’m not a strong coffee drinker so Questa, the owner, suggested I try their London Fog. It. was. amazing. As much as I want to try other things, i think i’ll be ordering this repeatedly for the next little while.
SERVICE: I love that this place is owned by a mother + daughter team! Both of them were friendly and accommodating. The mom even invited me to come watch as she made my london fog. :)
PRICE: Very reasonable!
Thank you Fresh Press, i’ll be back again and again :)