In 2024, French couple Arthur and Amanda de Bruc opened the second location of Matines Cafe in Wayne after seeing great success with their first venture, Cafe M in Savannah, Georgia. Matines Cafe also has a location in Chestnut Hill and recently opened Petite Matines Cafe in October, a children-centered cafe, also in Chestnut Hill.
Entering the Wayne location at around 10:30 a.m. on a Sunday, the cafe was almost full, to the point where the chatter made it hard to hear the hostess. The interior offered a charming and curated look, with classic rattan bistro chairs, couches with cozy throw pillows, and the brand’s signature forest green accents throughout the space. Patrons gathered here for a quick catch-up over coffee to brunch with their families. The wooden floors and plentiful natural lighting from the windows looking onto Route 30 added to the brightness and warmth of the space.
The food side of the menu featured a diverse assortment of options from breakfast to lunch, including sandwiches, tartines, quiches and boards for sharing. It also had ample options for vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free customers. It even had a section that thoughtfully catered to kids, complete with unicorn hot chocolate.
To start, I ordered drinks. The hot caramel apple chai was a seasonal fall special, but the flavor was artificial and the drink slightly watery. The iced matcha latte exceeded exceptions with its green color and strong flavor, especially since it came unsweetened.
After about 30 minutes, my food arrived. The Atlantic sandwich, priced at $15, was a flaky croissant filled with smoked salmon, tzatziki, avocado, cucumber and arugula. It also came with a simple side salad of arugula and sweet balsamic glaze. The smooth smoked salmon paired well with the soft and buttery croissant. Meanwhile, the $17 Lafayette sandwich featured slices of brie, pears, turkey, walnuts and arugula on a baguette, with the same side salad. While the baguette’s thick crust looked like it would be tough to bite through, the inside was soft and fresh. The combination of these ingredients was new to me, but the flavors complimented each other to create a comforting, mild sandwich. I did ask for it to be warmed, but it came out at room temperature. The presentation of both sandwiches leaned heavily on greens, creating the sense that I’d ordered mostly arugula, which is a green I don’t particularly enjoy and one that didn’t appear on the menu description.
The atmosphere of the cafe is lively and conversational, but its standout quality is its family-friendliness. Behind the hostess stand, I saw children’s books that sat ready for young patrons to borrow and enjoy and many families with young children dining. The service was friendly and warm, even when the cafe was crowded on a weekend morning. I did not feel rushed in the slightest. Matines Cafe offers an inviting setting to catch up with friends and enjoy a light, balanced meal.
Miya Cao can be reached at [email protected].
