For most locals, Aberdeen Square has long been an odd place to visit.
It is usually deserted and stuck in an ongoing transition of small shops opening and closing.
But recently, there has been a bit more life injected into the quiet hallways, and it is more than just the rise of anime and character shops.
A new spot called Butter & Joy has officially joined the lineup.
The cafe opened back in late November, taking over the unit previously occupied by Carry Cafe near the second-floor escalators.
If you have been scrolling through Red Note (Xiaohongshu) this past month, you have likely already seen the hype building around this place.
Inside, the space is simple and clean.
It features a large ordering counter and a collection of white tables perfect for lounging or getting some work done.
The owner is actually a former software developer who left the corporate world to start this shop.
While they carry the standard lineup of Americanos and lattes, the real allure here is their specialty menu.
The signature item is the Butter Vienna, a rich butter coffee topped with a massive layer of cream.
They also offer unique options like a Cookie Butter Latte and an Extra Rich Latte.
We tried the Butter Vienna, and it definitely delivers on the name.
It has ample cream and serious depth, but be warned: it is quite heavy.
It won’t be for those who prefer something light.
If you want the flavour without the heaviness, the standard Butter Latte is likely the better move.
But coffee options are surprisingly slim when it comes to Aberdeen Centre and Aberdeen Square.
So Butter & Joy makes for a necessary addition to the complex.
It joins a list of recently opened food spots breathing new life into Richmond, like Enishi, And Drinks, and Baking Factory.
For more new and upcoming food spots in Metro Vancouver, take a peek at our tracker here, and subscribe to our weekly newsletter here.
Address: 2nd Floor Aberdeen Square, Richmond BC