St. Petersburg is a city known for its eclectic stores and restaurants, and if you’ve ever taken a stroll down Central Avenue, the variety can be almost overwhelming! Everywhere you look, there seems to be another interesting business to check out. One that is especially eye-catching, though, is a little café right on the corner of Central Avenue and 21st Street. 2D Café at 2105 Central Avenue is based on a concept that first emerged overseas in Tokyo, Japan, featuring an interior designed to look like a black and white illustration. Its popularity led to similar restaurants opening worldwide, with the first 2D-themed Florida restaurant being Twenty Pho Hours in Orlando.
The 2D Café here in St. Petersburg opened earlier this year, offering a selection of coffee, tea, beer, wine, and food as well. You can find the 2D Café at 2105 Central Avenue, in the former location of Swah-Rey bakery. The café is described as “European-themed”, meaning you can stop by for a delicious French pastry or charcuterie board. I personally loved their iced matcha latte, the best part being that they offer non-dairy milk alternatives such as oat milk and almond milk! There is both indoor and outdoor seating offered, so you can enjoy your coffee rain or shine.
Aside from the menu, what makes this café even more interesting (and relevant to the St. Petersburg community!) is that all the illustrations painted on the interior and exterior of the building were done by local artist Chad Mize. Mize is a multimedia artist who has opened several galleries in St. Petersburg and will also be participating in the SHINE Mural Festival this year! According to owner Maria Merello, Mize was given creative freedom with the concept, so all the designs are original. He was also assisted by artist Andrea Pawlisz, who worked on the brushwork during the interior buildout. Ultimately, it’s clear that the right artists were hired for the job – the results are stunning! As soon as you step inside the café, everywhere you look, there are new details to be noticed – it feels almost like being inside of an art gallery.
2D Café’s motto, “Be the art”, can be seen on the wall as a neon sign. As Morello has stated, when customers enter the café, she wants them to feel like they’re inside their own comic book. Considering how important the arts are to St. Petersburg, it’s only natural that there should be a place where we can go to feel like we’re a part of what makes this city so unique. Whether you’re looking for a quick pick-me-up in the morning, a place to meet for lunch, or a snack on the way home from work, 2D Café is currently open from 8:30 AM to 6:30 PM, Wednesday through Sunday.
So why not stop by and spend some time in the world of comics!.•
