Hanan Martha, owner of Calypso Cafe in the Coronado Cays neighborhood, proudly showed me around her newly-expanded and enhanced shop. The cafe, a favorite for Coronado locals, offers fresh and delicious breakfast, lunch, and dinner as well as a variety of salads and cold drinks.
Now the cafe is better than ever. Hanan recently took down an adjoining wall to reveal a new space, and the area was tiled and painted to match the rest of the cafe. Calypso Cafe now includes an extra grocery and dining space (pictured above), and Hanan has plans to add dinners-to-go, homemade soups and salads, hummus, and more in a refrigerated case in the next week or two. Currently her new space offers drinks, wine, ice cream, fresh produce including apples and milk, and fresh bread. Hanan plans to soon start offering her own homemade bread, too.
“It will be like an Italian market,” Hanan explained. A one-stop neighborhood shop for basic food necessities and ready-to-eat, homemade meals. “We will also offer bottles of wine starting at $8,” Hanan added with a smile.
Hanan reported that a lot of her customers had been asking her to offer some groceries and sundry items. “I live here [in the Cays], too,” Hanan said, “and it is difficult to get groceries.” Cays’ residents must drive down to Imperial Beach or up to Coronado to go shopping, but now they can ride their bikes down the street to pick up items for dinner or breakfast.
The cafe also offers a dog-friendly patio and outdoor seating in addition to the new indoor tables. When I was there, three middle schoolers were eating together without their parents (so idyllic for kids!), and then, as I was leaving, they hopped on their bikes and peddled home.
“I think people who don’t live in the Cays don’t know they can come here to eat and shop, too,” Hanan said. “But everyone is welcome. Just give a friendly wave to the security guard as you drive through the gate.” Calypso Cafe is located on the water in the Cays; after turning right at the guard station, just take your first left at the fire station and then turn left again after crossing over the small bridge.
After the new shop is up and running, Hanan plans to host a complimentary grand opening with wine tasting and appetizers. “All are welcome!” she says. Check back on the Coronado Times calendar for details in the coming weeks.
