It took four years for couple Yvonne Spresny and Morgan von Mantripp to turn an old dream into reality: opening a coffee shop where they could roast their beans from various parts of the world. From Wales and Germany, they ironically found the perfect place in a cozy space in the Bonfim neighborhood in Porto, where they have been roasting and serving coffee since the beginning of the year (January 2nd, to be exact).
The couple met in Chiang Mai, Thailand when each were traveling separately through Southeast Asia, and discovered a shared passion for coffee. Von Mantripp had just completed a master’s degree in Philosophy in Southampton, Wales, while Spresny had recently finished a law degree in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. They never imagined they would fall in love in Thailand, but it was there that they bonded over countless cups of coffee. Together, they crafted a new, joint plan: to return to Europe and eventually open a coffee shop.
Spresny was back in Hamburg when the Covid-19 pandemic struck, prompting von Mantripp to join her for what was intended to be a few months. However, they ended up living together for almost two years, during which they both decided to immerse themselves in the coffee industry as baristas, gaining more experience. “We both have a background in specialty coffee and after traveling through Asia and visiting farms in Vietnam, the idea of opening a coffee shop took root in our minds,” she explains.
Upon moving to Portugal two years ago, they initially planned to settle in Lisbon. However, Porto ultimately captured their attention, prompting them to relocate to the city just a month after arriving. They found a home in Bonfim, a residential area away from Porto’s touristy areas. “We decided to stay long-term in Porto because we truly love the city and the country, and we see immense potential here,” Spresny says.
While von Mantripp started working in some of the city’s coffee shops, Spresny dedicated herself to freelance projects. Yet they soon realized it was time to pursue the promise they had made in Thailand. Although they prioritized the Bonfim area, they remained open to other commercial opportunities. But when they stumbled upon an abandoned building with a glass door in front of the Nossa Senhora da Saúde Chapel, they knew it was the perfect space. Here, Von & Vonnie finally came to life.
As an added bonus, the building boasted a spacious back room where they could roast coffee, complete with a small terrace. “The location was ideal because it’s slightly off-center, which aligns with our vision. We didn’t want to be just another downtown shop. Our location attracts customers who genuinely seek us out, allowing us to meet and exceed their high expectations,” Spresny adds.
Von & Vonnie has firmly established itself as one of the city’s premier micro roasters. The decision to roast their beans in-house, according to von Mantripp, was driven by their commitment to ensuring fair pricing for the coffee industry. “While we primarily engage with producers and importers,” he explains, “we meticulously vet these partners to guarantee ethical sourcing practices and fair trade.” This approach allows them to maintain control over the quality of coffee they serve to customers.
Their coffee selection features beans sourced from renowned producers in countries like Uganda, Colombia, Ethiopia, and Brazil. Currently, they feature coffee from Danilo Barbosa (red catuaí) of Brazil for espressos and milk-based preparations. “I especially like the chocolatey and muscovado sugar notes it has,” Von Mantripp explains. He is the one in charge of the roasting process, using a Stronghold S7 Pro located at the back of the store, with supervision from their trusty dog, Pata.
In addition to their exceptional coffee offerings, Von & Vonnie provides a selection of pastries and snacks crafted by Brazilian pastry chef Alice Castanho. Alongside traditional coffee shop fare like cinnamon rolls and cookies, they offer Brazilian staples such as pão de queijo (cassava-and-cheese puffs) and cakes like carrot with chocolate, reflecting a distinct Brazilian influence.
The diverse team, reflective of Porto’s multicultural identity, also includes English barista Sertaç Denizli. Their collective aim is to elevate the city’s coffee scene by introducing specialty beans and expanding perceptions beyond coffee as a mere commodity. “In Portugal, coffee is often seen as just a drink,” notes Spresny. “But we’re striving to shift that mindset.”
Von & Vonnie acknowledges that their specialty coffee comes with a higher price point, but they emphasize the value of indulging in coffee produced by exceptional growers. “We want to showcase coffee as a hedonistic experience,” von Mantripp adds, emphasizing their commitment to excellence within an industry that often overlooks the intricacies of coffee production. “I recently read an expression which I really loved, which was to see coffee ‘beyond its liquid state,’” he says. For him, the essence of their mission is encapsulated in this motto. At Von & Vonnie, they aspire to transcend the ordinary and celebrate coffee as a multifaceted experience.
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