Brazen Poppy Bakery Restaurant — Restaurant in Parksville

Depends on what you're looking for - honestly, the food was great as was the coffee. However, trying to work on a laptop and eat/enjoy a coffee does not seem to be their desired clientele. If you want to get work done- go someplace else. Full disclosure: it was busy when we were there and yes we were still drinking our coffees and eating food that we had paid for when we were told it was not a cafeteria and told to give up our tables for other customers. I noticed the man who was drinking his coffee and reading a book, however, was not asked to leave. If a solution had been offered (e.g., switching tables so that we could work at the same table together - we had 2 of the little round tables between us) then this review would be different, but we were told that we were to finish our food and leave. Not good business practices, terrible customer service in this regard (ordering food, etc. was fine), and the worst experience I have had anywhere in Parksville. I will not be back.

Edited to add: we chose the spot because I am 7.5 months pregnant and thought would be more comfy in the chairs we originally sat in. My laptop was at no point plugged in and my husband’s was because he’d forgotten to charge his overnight. The second time we were approached it felt very angrily and I can see that this doesn’t seem to be the norm. While I will not return here, as it was a very upsetting situation for me, my goal with this review is to inform others who may be looking for a place to bring their laptop that there are better options available in...

This bakery café makes a great first impression. The space is bright and spacious, with warm wood accents and industrial-style lighting that create a cozy yet modern atmosphere. The counter displays neatly arranged menus for drinks and desserts, and the variety of sweets is impressive from cakes to pies and other small treats, all looking beautifully made and tempting enough to make choosing a challenge.

I ordered a matcha latte this time. The aroma of the matcha was rich, but unfortunately, the powder wasn’t fully dissolved, leaving some fine clumps that slightly affected the texture. If this detail were refined, it would be close to perfect. That aside, the other food and drinks were delightful, with thoughtful presentation and well-balanced flavors.

The staff were friendly, and the café was kept very clean, making it a pleasant place to linger. Whether you’re meeting friends, working on your laptop, or simply enjoying a dessert with coffee, this is a spot worth visiting. Overall, it’s a place I’d be happy to return to and try more of their...

What a great cafe! We visited Parksville in November 2021 and found this gem of a cafe as we were driving out of town looking for some lunch before we left. It looks pretty new and crisp inside but we were met with warm smiles and friendly conversation. The staff were so easy to talk to and very efficient with our orders. We had the soup and sandwich for lunch. Corn chowder had a very good flavour and was nice and hot, sandwiches were made with fresh, soft bread and fixings to our liking. My favourite part was a delicious latte and cinnamon knots to finish off our experience. Seems all of their food and beverage is very high quality. I recently read a review of a patron conducting his business in the cafe and gave a 2 star rating because the owners asked him to condense his workspace. Owning a business on the island is not an easy task and giving a business a 2 star rating because the patron wants to use the wifi, electricy and apparently the space for nearly free is not right. This is a privilege, not a right,...