I came to Anima Mundi with a hankering for a large iced coffee and a need for enough space to plug in my portable monitor. In the year of the ever-optimizing self (think of the vampiric Bryan Johnson), it can be hard to give ourselves permission to stop and smell the roses. This cafe, originally conceived in Costa Rica, feels more like a wellness retreat than a coffee shop.
You pass through a modern apothecary, surrounded by teas, herbs, crystals, and books touting expertise on everything from Tarot to chakras. Stylish modern hippies man the counters in flowing silks and messy up-dos. There's a casual warmth, a feeling that seems to say, “take off your Apple Watch, you're off the clock.”
The garden's fire pit serves as the focal point, with mystics offering impromptu readings at the tables. Yes, a cafe this chic will undoubtedly attract the revolving door of people coming to take a warmly lit photo and leave, but all press is good press — so as long as they geo-tag the cafe, I can't complain.
Come here to unwind and turn your mind off, but be wary of the schedule or you might end up smack dab in the middle of a reiki circle.