cotti coffee is a massive chinese coffee chain that has rapidly expanded to become a major global competitor since its launch in 2022. the brand brings a high energy, tech forward approach to its cafes.
the location on the ground floor of the city of lougheed mall in burnaby, right across from coles books, features a sleek and surprisingly roomy modern interior with about a dozen seats. the design is minimalist and bright, providing a clean space for a quick break within the mall.
the kiosk was out of order and i wasn't keen on downloading yet another app, even for a $0.99 first drink, since prices are already quite reasonable. i ordered at the counter instead and kept it moving. they do have a rewards program that lets you earn stamps for freebies.
on my visit, i had the iced matcha oat milk, though the matcha flavour itself was just meh. the pricing is a major draw, with my drink costing $5.99 and no upcharge for oat milk or tip prompt at the end. overall, the menu stays very affordable. the pastry case in particular stood out, with clearly labeled items like pistachio croissants and matcha danishes priced at $3.89, alongside other options like chocolate croissants and coffee cake, making it one of the more budget friendly cafe spreads around. for those looking for something more unique, they offer signature specialty drinks like the pampas blue coconut latte, which uses butterfly pea flower to create its striking blue hue and offers a silky texture with tropical fruity hints.
while the value and the modern aesthetic are definitely there, the drink quality made for a bit of a lukewarm first impression. overall, it earns a solid three stars. read more