8. Lips Cafe
Located in the heart of Little Caribbean, Lips Cafe is a casual coffee shop, Caribbean restaurant, and cocktail bar; some consider it an art museum as well. Mother and son pair Donna and Jamane Weekes opened Lips Cafe in August 2019 on Nostrand Avenue between Martense Street and Linden Boulevard, just around the corner from where Jamane grew up. Jamane previously worked as a real estate market analyst before switching gears, while Donna works in fashion. She launched a clothing line called Ethel Fashion. The Weekes wanted to share their St. Vincent’s and Caribbean culture in a creative atmosphere that pulls together elements of a more traditional coffee shop and bar.
Lips Cafe offers over a dozen varieties of coffee, including a latte, red eye, americano, and dirty chai. In addition to green and blue matcha, there is a selection of Ethel juices including ginger or mango lemonade. Bake and saltfish is a popular breakfast item, while lunch options include a selection of salads with salmon or shrimp. Nine wraps are listed on the menu, such as jerk chicken, ham, and turkey. Dinner meals include a variety of rice bowls with plantain, steamed cabbage, and creamy spinach. There are five types of rasta pasta, prepared with a selection of cheeses, spices, and sweet peppers. Lips cocktails come in every color of the rainbow, including the Purple Lip with lavender and butterfly pea flower, and the Orange Lip with tequila, rum, and mango.