Sista
Barista
Sista Barista is a cosy cafe on a bustling corner in Waterloo. Run by two sisters and their daughters, it’s a family business in the truest sense. And from it’s first day, Sista Barista has always been about creating a space for the community. So when Covid threatened to close their doors, they resisted and instead extended their hours to offer delicious bites and coffee to their neighbors and nearby essential workers.
A place for family and community
Family-Owned Cafe
Above
The Sista Barista crew—
Nadia, Wendy, Ayanna and Kay
Tell us a bit about yourself
06 JUL 2020 We are Sista Barista Cafe run by two sisters with a love for speciality coffee, who hired their daughters—it’s been a family affair ever since. We are all born and bred in London and have lived and been a part of this community for most of our lives, if not all!
Above
Wendy and Kay —
the sisters who started it all
Above
Homemade Chocolate Chip Banana
Bread and Zesty Lemon Loaf
How have the last few weeks or months shaped or impacted your Practice?
It’s safe to say that by hook or by crook we were determined to stay open. For two reasons: one we wanted our business to survive, so we found a way to do it safely and responsibly; and two, we knew that there were people in our community who would benefit from us being open.
We tried the best we could to help some homeless members of our community out with cups of teas and breakfast throughout the day. We also are a stone’s throw away from St Thomas’ Hospital, whose staff were, and still are, working flat out to take care of us as a country. Nowhere else was open—we were like a little oasis in a city desert, so we did our best to play our role. Community is at the heart of everything we do. People and our customers mean the world to us, so we tried our best to show that by working longer hours and opening our little shop door 7 days a week, 7am til 6pm.
If we are talking about Black Lives Matter in regards to our business and family, then I can proudly say nothing has changed for us at Sista Barista. We have always mattered; we have always had the utmost respect for our culture and our community within it. Our heritage is Jamaican and English; we have grown up in London but with Black in our blood and bones. It is the very heart of who we are and will always be. We are proud to use our platform online to support other Black-owned businesses. We have also been able to showcase our part in the peaceful protests, which have been an inspiring part of lockdown and probably the thing that has kept our hearts the warmest. To be able to reinforce the notion of togetherness within our community has been a proud and encouraging moment for us as a Black family.
Above
Nude coffee and Sista Barista
supports the NHS
Community is at the heart of everything we do.”
Above
Happy customers
How are you coping at home?
If you’re still at home and live in London, just know that Sista Barista is open and waiting for you with open arms; if you need a chat over your coffee, we gotchu 😉 🤛🏽
Above
Monday’s Melt. Thinly Sliced
Pastrami. English Cheddar.
Dill Pickles. Mustard.
Above
An assortment of
popular drinks for summer
Above
Lightly toasted Smoked Salmon,
Cream Cheese, Avocado Bagel
Above
Homemade Gooey Gluten Free
@greenandblacks Dark Chocolate
Raspberry infused Brownies
What has inspired you recently?
Here’s our list: Our key workers, Peaceful protesters, Our community.
What are you looking forward to?
World Peace and swimming.
Above
Ayanna and Nadia
How can people support you?
Come down to Sista Barista Cafe for some specialty coffee and homemade food. Share and spread the word on our Instagram @sistabaristacafe. Buy a gift card and leave a raving 5 star review on Google ✨
Above
Wendy and Kay