Land to Sea feels like the kind of third place dreamt up and brought to life by friends who just wanted a cool place to hang out and a space to host things more so than a business. It’s a coffee shop sure, but it’s more than that, it’s a community space that celebrates culture and supports local creators. It’s the kind of place that is quick to become a neighborhood favorite among the lonely souls of young folk in the city, who share vague interests in creative arts, an addiction for coffee, an appreciation for the search for cultural identity, and a nostalgia for Chinese bakery classics.

Land to Sea is proudly Asian American. It doesn’t try to be traditional but does pay homage to the cultural heritage, both in the space and in the menu. The vibes give grainy film scenes from a different era, the back room gives neon night scene from a different part of the world, making for an interesting backdrop for the changing artwork exhibited. The menu has all the classic coffee drinks you need in a neighborhood coffee shop made with locally roasted beans, plus a solid tea menu that spans Chinese and Japanese teas and chai. The pastry case opts for egg tarts and bolo bread over the typical croissants and muffins. It’s just different enough to make it more than a neighborhood cafe but a destination, but truly what makes it so special is what feels familiar about it, and how fresh it is for the familiarity to be presented and brought together in such a way to invite an intersectional community to come together in everyday moments.