On the corner of Harbour Street in downtown Kingston sits a charming and inviting café: Danya’s Coffee Barrel. The streetside café has been operational since 2019 and is ideal for a breakfast meeting or a relaxing lunch with free and safe parking! A short walk from the parking lot offers a view of Kingston’s waterfront which can also be enjoyed by the lunch counter inside the café.

Arriving at the café I was greeted with kindness and pure purpose. The café’s general manager, Brittany Ho, shared with me that the café has always been her mother Danya Ho’s dream. Danya, who can be seen walking around the cafe greeting and mingling with guests, embodies a spirit of kindness. The café’s support is noticeable throughout the space with helpful signage showcasing “Useful signs to communicate with our deaf baristas”. Deaf Can coffee is the exclusive supplier of Danya’s, supplying them not only with premium quality coffee but also with a team of friendly, well-trained baristas ensuring a consistently exceptional coffee experience. The café has a speakeasy vibe with a modern rustic aesthetic including a Kemble piano donated by the late great Olympian Dr Arthur Wint and a rocking chair to sit and soak up each note while sipping your Deaf Can Coffee.

The menu features a variety of coffees, as well as signature blends, and offer creative and decadent beverages like lattes, cappuccinos, and espresso-based cocktails such as the Shakerato with unique flavour combinations. To complement the coffee experience the café also offers breakfast and lunch menu items including paninis, traditional ackee sandwiches, quiches and customer-favourite pork tenderloin on fresh house-made brioche bread. Salads are freshly prepared and available on the menu and pair perfectly with the iced teas. Warm meals such as soups, chilli and cornbread, lasagne and pasta are also available. While coffee is the star of the menu, the café also offers a curated selection of pastries such as a Boston cream pie and a pistachio bar. On today’s visit I opted for the snapper burger and red pea soup with a slice of lemon poppy seed cake which cost $4,200 and hit the spot!

Danya’s Coffee Barrel is a hidden gem that brings coffee drinkers under one roof and offers a relaxing dining experience with a focus on quality and a relaxed atmosphere!

Address: 42 to 56 Harbour Street, downtown Kingston

Opening Hours: Mondays to Fridays 7:00 am to 3:00 pm (Opens every last Saturday of the month from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.)