Meet: Nicole Liu, Owner of Vester Cafe

Nicole Liu, owner of Vester Cafe, grew up in the hospitality industry, starting with her parents’ restaurant and eventually gaining experience in event management, training as a sommelier, and more. While she never thought she’d open her own cafe, she now owns two successful Vester locations, one in Southie and the other in Cambridge. Her passion for creating welcoming spaces and her deep understanding of the hospitality industry have made her a successful entrepreneur. Today, Vester Cafe is known for its cozy atmosphere, carefully curated menu, and loyal customer base.

Nicole opened Vester Cambridge in 2018, and the Southie location followed in 2022. She told us her favorite memory in the neighborhood was visiting the space while it was under construction. While it may have been hard to picture the space, a concrete building, back then, she said, “It’s really exciting to see what we’ve developed ever since.” The cafe’s name was inspired by Nicole’s solo trip to Copenhagen in 2014. She spent much of her time in Vesterbro, an up-and-coming meat-packing district with unique restaurants, funky bars, and eclectic shops. After falling in love with this district, when she got the opportunity to open her very own special spot years later, the name Vester came immediately to mind!

For those who haven’t been to Vester, you’ll find the vibrant cafe and networking spaces on A Street in South Boston and in Kendall Square in Cambridge. The Southie location offers large tables and areas to work, meet up with friends, or host meetings. Nicole described the space as “light and spacious while remaining a really intimate facility.” Conveniently located and easy to access, it’s the perfect spot to escape your usual workspace and enjoy some delicious food and drinks as a bonus! Beyond the café menu, Nicole and her team also provide catering services and host events across both locations. Vester Cambridge recently opened its new dining room, along with a beer and wine list curated by Nicole herself. Take the Red Line over to their Cambridge location to check it out!

When we asked Nicole about her reasoning for choosing Southie as Vester’s second location, she said, “It feels like somewhere you would live. It has your local gyms, local markets, and an amazing food and beverage scene, so it feels really homey.” We could not agree more with her, as that is one of our favorite things about our neighborhood as well! As she spends a lot of her time in the neighborhood, she let us know another one of her favorite spots is Petula’s. A perfect day could include coffee and working at Vester Cafe, followed by Petula’s for an after-work drink and meal!
Check out Vester Cafe Southie for your next networking meeting, WFH day, or a quick lunch break with friends during the week. Follow their Instagram (@vestercafe) for new specials and offerings, and check the website for hours, event details, and catering. Watch the full interview below of Nicole to learn more about Vester!