Building Community: The Art of Living Retreat Center Cafe

The soothing, low murmur of activity, the smell of freshly-baked pastries, the feeling of curling up in a cozy chair with a good book—there’s nothing quite like a cafe. The Art of Living Retreat Center cafe—located right next to the main dining hall, adjacent to the Just Heavenly gift store—offers a warm and cozy escape from the brisk mountain air outside. It’s the perfect place to unwind after a chilly hike, or to watch the snow fall outside the window as you count down the minutes to your next spa treatment. The cafe is eclectic and homey. Handmade knits are thrown over vintage couches by the crackling fireplace, and the walls are covered in watercolors, wall hangings, and photographs.

Community and Connection

Even when we’re alone, a cafe has this wonderful atmosphere that creates a kind of collective mood—a quiet companionship between patrons as they write, read, catch up on emails, or simply unwind with a steaming cup of tea. It’s an escape within an escape, a place to relax outside of your program or schedule. The cafe also serves as a meeting place, where you can connect with old and new friends, mentors, and teachers, and build upon those relationships. 

It boils down to community. It’s a place where we can foster bonds.

Nutritious and Delicious

The cafe offers everything from indulgent home-baked treats to healthy snacks, and locally produced “Boone Bars”—including gluten-free and vegan options. If part of your retreat experience includes clean eating, not to worry—you can still enjoy the cafe without breaking your commitments to yourself. The cafe offer something for everyone, including desserts and healthy choices, so that parents can come with their kids and not offer them something sugary, and people on Panchakarma can come and honor that and still be in the space.

On cold days, visitors love the heat from the electric fireplace while they snuggle up in one of our afghans or select the perfect pashmina shawl or sweater from the store’s large inventory.

The cafe is located downstairs, next to the main dining hall and the gift store. Stop by between classes for a cozy place to reconnect with your fellow retreat-goers—and don’t forget to grab a cup of hot apple cider over the holiday season. We hope to see you there soon!