One Year of Coffee, Cookies, and Community: Kanuck Roasters in Armação de Pêra

Kanuck Roasters in Armação de Pêra is a cozy café owned by a Canadian couple. Kerri is from Vancouver and her husband, who is half Portuguese, is from Toronto.

They decided to leave the big city life for the tranquility of the Algarve. Wanting to become closer to the local community, they decided to open a café. Rather than take shortcuts, they chose to do everything from scratch, even to roast and prepare their own coffee. Living in a nearby Alporchinhos, it was important to them to open their business close to their home. If you are coming from the Albufeira direction, you will find their café at the entrance to Armação de Pêra.

Kerri explained that her lifestyle back in Vancouver was completely different, as she worked as an ER nurse. Today, she continues to work remotely in clinical research, so running the café is helping her two Portuguese girls, who have already become a part of the family.

Ongoing passion

“Coffee roasting is a whole science and we were always coffee lovers, but now our passion has taken on a completely new dimension. I took a Green Bean Coffee Course and we attended Porto Coffee Week, where we gained a lot of valuable experience. Now we also sell our coffee beans,“ Kerri shared.

Moving to the Algarve

Moving to the Algarve with teenage children was a challenge, but now they are well settled and their café has helped them to create social connections.

Last autumn, they launched a Thursday Run Club, where all levels were welcome to join a run from the café to the boardwalk leading to Galé Beach. This autumn, they plan to continue the tradition.

The café hosts a little library, where you can bring your book and exchange it for another one or take as many as you would like for just €5. They also organise art exhibitions to help artists promote their work, and visitors have the opportunity to purchase artworks directly from the café.

Homemade cookies

Kanuck Roastes is also known for their homemade cookies with various flavours, like Nutella, pistachio, or Oreo. While their main focus is coffee, they offer a variety of light snacks. Customers can even order sourdough bread from Padaria Santa Isabel. Corn, carob, carrot or seed loaves, you can stop by to try first and then make your order. “We try to use local products whenever we can, because it not only supports the community but also means better quality,” Kerri said.

“At Kanuck, we warmly welcome your furry friends. We are proud to be a pet-friendly coffee shop where dogs are always welcome.“ Keri shared, adding with a smile, “Many times, conversations with our clients begin through their pets.”

First anniversary

In early October, Kanuck Roasters celebrates its first anniversary, and I wish them many more successful years to come.

Café is located in Urbanização Quinta da Torre, open from 9till 4, on Sundays 9 to 3. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Tereza Pedro is originally from Slovakia and now based in the Algarve, with a master’s in mass media. Passionate about lifestyle and storytelling, she captures the essence of daily life through a blend of creativity, international perspective, and coastal living—all while raising her son.