Bonhomie Coffee is “Dripping in Culture”
A Haitian-inspired coffee pop-up gathers community for LAKOU
On the same day “No Kings” protesters marched through Seattle and across the U.S., Haitian-inspired coffee pop-up Bonhomie Coffee hosted LAKOU, a celebration of coffee, culture, music, and pride at Flora + Fauna in Pioneer Square.
In Haitian Creole, lakou refers to “the communal courtyard, a gathering place, often shared by generations of families, neighbors, and friends.” Michelle and Victoria Dean, the creative entrepreneurs behind Bonhomie, aimed to create a cafe experience around four components: consistent drinks, welcoming staff, an ever-evolving nature, and a space “dripping in culture.” This was to be the first of a many recurring LAKOU gatherings.
From behind their coffee cart, the couple and their team member Jephthah warmly greeted each guest who stepped through the door of the plant and record shop, filling dozens of orders of Mango Matchas (ceremonial matcha, mango syrup, lime zest, almond) and Bannann Dous Lattes (espresso, caramelized sweet plantain syrup, oat milk). Friends, families, and strangers gathered to sip, connect, and behold the store flush with greenery. I sensed them dancing with the idea of becoming plant parents—while actually dancing to DJ Kween Kash mixing music from across the black diaspora (R&B, KOMPA, Afrobeats, hip-hop, and house).
It was easy to see why. The space itself, where Bonhomie currently has a residency, mirrored the energy of Michelle and Victoria: bright, grounding, and soulful. With winding emerald vines, buttercream-colored shelves, and music that set every hip in the room in motion, I felt like I was hanging out in the living room of my coolest friend. “Our goal is for Flora & Fauna to be a total vibe—a place that everyone feels welcome & loves to be in,” said Ashley Palmer, owner of Flora + Fauna. “Great vibes, great company, and a chill environment. Not only does Bonhomie provide amazing Haitian-inspired coffees, Michelle, Victoria, & their team make you feel so welcome to be in our space.”
While already a values-aligned partnership, the physical location of Flora + Fauna also complemented the spirit of Bonhomie’s business and of this event. “Pioneer Square has a rich history and artistic influence,” said Michelle. “LAKOU and our other events are a chance for us to bring our community together to experience the neighborhood and each other. As an LGBTQ owned business, we thought it was right to kick off this event series during Pride Month.”
The initial inspiration for Bonhomie grew from the intersection of Michelle’s coffee knowledge and fanaticism (from her background as barista) with her desire to celebrate Haitian culture. “While tinkering with Haitian coffee beans and flavors at home, I realized that I’ve always wanted to share the story of Haitian culture, and coffee and tea quickly became the perfect language,” she said.
Bonhomie—defined as “cheerful friendliness”—was a word she fixated on and the sounds of which, as noted on their website, also conjured associations with bon zanmi, meaning “good friend” in Haitian Creole. Michelle and her wife then began to build a business to be “a space for lovers of coffee and culture to gather with bon moun [good people].” Their first private pop-up was at a friend’s house in September 2024, and their first public pop-up was just two months later.
The flavors of the menu echo those that are nostalgic to Michelle and reflect her experience as a Haitian American. “Haitian flavors feel like home to me. The smell of chokola (Haitian hot chocolate), the nostalgia of soup joumou (squash soup), the taste of mangos from my parents’ trees,” she said. “I really pinpoint a nostalgic flavor and consider ‘how would that taste with coffee?’ Because a Haitian cafe in this form doesn’t exist (from my knowledge), I really feel free to play once I pin down a flavor profile.”
With drinks emerging seasonally, there is always a new, very intentional, addition to try. The hot Zoranj Latte was recently added to the menu, but it also goes by the name Broward Latte, after the area in southeast Florida where Michelle grew up. The drink features a house-made orange-vanilla syrup, Madagascar vanilla beans, and fresh navel orange—a warmth that was welcomed when Seattle was struck with a cold and rainy spell in the heart of June.
However, many support Bonhomie for more than its unique menu. “Michelle is definitely a TikTok star,” said Jordan Burns, stirring her iced Mango Matcha and sharing with me what drew her to Bonhomie. “That’s how I originally heard about the brand and their story: Someone who was feeling burnt out in corporate America, struggling to maintain their mental health, getting back to their roots, their Haitian-inspired flavors, trying to bring more of their culture and family together and sharing it with the rest of us. I always really appreciate when people are willing to share recipes from their homes. I think food connects at such a cellular level. That’s what made me want to come.”
That story resonated not just with Jordan, but many in the area who flocked to the first pop-up during their residency at Pizza by Ruffin in South Lake Union. On their first day open in late January 2025, a line formed long enough that some were waiting over an hour to order as the pair learned to serve at scale. “I cried because over 100 strangers were intrigued by my Haitian heritage,” Michelle shared. “The same heritage I was scared to share in my youth because I didn’t want to be made fun of. It felt magical to have dozens of folks speak Creole to me (most of our drinks are named in Creole). It feels even more wild that we have some customers who discovered us at that pop-up and to this day, they continue to support us at Flora + Fauna.”
While Bonhomie’s honest and transparent approach may have drawn in people of all backgrounds, it has also carved out a dedicated space for Seattle’s Haitian community. “[They are] super grateful for the taste of Haiti far from home,” said Michelle. “It has brought us together for celebrations like Flag Day and reminded us that nou la (we’re here) and that is powerful.”
Like many pop-ups, Michelle and Victoria originally viewed their coffee cart as a step on the path toward a physical brick-and-mortar cafe. However, after experiencing the distinct ways that popping-up through residencies and corporate events support the small business economy, they are now exploring all potential evolutions of Bonhomie. “In these few short weeks since Bonhomie has joined us, the foot traffic has grown considerably during coffee service hours,” said Ashley on the shifts she’s seen in her business since the beginning of Bonhomie’s residency. “Not to mention, Michelle is a wizard at social media, and we have noticed an increase in presence there as well.”
Ultimately, herein lies opportunity for small businesses: Hosting pop-ups creates potential opportunities to attract a new customer base by activating the space in a different way. “It's become clear to us that any space could be a cafe: an art gallery, a bookstore, a lobby, or even a retail store (with a few permits and a restroom agreement). I see Bonhomie Coffee having a presence in multiple neighborhoods in Seattle for lovers of coffee and culture,” said Michelle.
As a bass-heavy mix of “Kiss Me More” by Doja Cat fell over the room, I sipped my Kafe ak Lèt (spiced cold brew, condensed oat milk), swayed along to the polyrhythmic beat, and observed the overall conviviality of everyone. It’s easy in contexts like this to remember how we are all human beings, who soften at a disarming smile, an open hand, a place to be recognized, respected, and belong. We need these spaces and stories, so we don’t forget that this is the whole point. As Bonhomie continues to share culture, identity, and stories through coffee and tea (and music!), especially in a space as vibrant as Flora + Fauna, I have no doubt community will continue to build—and dance—alongside them.
Follow Along with Bonhomie Coffee:
You can find Bonhomie Coffee at Flora & Fauna Thursdays & Fridays 8AM-1PM and Saturdays 9AM-2PM. Follow them on social media to stay up to date on future events (including the next LAKOU). Visit their website to learn more of their story, buy Haitian coffee, or browse Bonhomie merch.
www.bonhomiecoffee.co
@bonhomiecoffeebar
Follow Along with Flora + Fauna:
florafaunaplants.com
@seattleplantsandrecords
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Another amazing read! Can’t wait to try their coffee soon!
The vibes were immaculate! Even better now that I know their story.