Coffee R2O: Roast-to-Order Specialty Coffee in Burnaby

Ever walked into a coffee shop, eager to try something special, only to be stuck choosing between the same three origins already roasted days—or weeks—ago? What if you could walk in, pick the green coffee you want, decide how dark you like it roasted, and then have it roasted right there while you wait?

Coffee R2O in Burnaby lets you do just that. The shop’s name is short for 'roasted to order', and that’s exactly what they do: customers select their green beans and desired roast profile, then watch the roast happen on-site. Most roasts take around 20 minutes, ensuring your coffee is as fresh as possible.

What Makes Coffee R2O Different?

Unlike most cafés that serve pre-roasted commercial or specialty coffee, Coffee R2O turns the typical coffee-buying experience on its head. Located in a light industrial area of Burnaby, the café has minimal seating—just a few tables and chairs—but makes up for it with a highly functional setup. Behind the counter are standard grinders and brewing equipment, but the real heart of the operation lies in the large, open back area: a fully equipped coffee roasting space.

How It Works: Choose, Roast, Brew

Here’s how the process unfolds. You start by selecting your green coffee beans from the options available—you can go with a single origin or ask to create a custom blend from multiple beans. Then you choose your preferred roast level: light, medium, or dark. The roaster takes over from there. The entire roast cycle typically lasts about 20 minutes. While your coffee is roasting, you can enjoy a brewed coffee made from another fresh batch. The key appeal? Everything is done to order, right in front of you.

Why Freshness Matters—And How to Get It Right

Freshness is central to the Coffee R2O concept. The shop’s owner emphasizes that coffee tastes best when it’s roasted, then ground and brewed as soon as possible. But there’s a twist: even though the beans are freshly roasted, he often advises waiting one to four days after roasting before brewing. This allows time for the excess carbon dioxide inside the beans to degas, which can improve clarity and balance in the cup—especially important for lighter roasts and pour-over brewing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to roast the coffee myself at Coffee R2O?

No, you don’t need to roast the coffee yourself. You select the green beans and specify your preferred roast level—light, medium, or dark—and the in-house roaster handles the roasting process for you on-site using professional equipment.

How long does the roasting process take?

Each coffee roast at Coffee R2O generally takes around 20 minutes. That means you’ll only have a short wait before your freshly roasted beans are ready for grinding and brewing.

Can I blend different beans together?

Yes, Coffee R2O allows you to create a custom blend by combining different green coffee beans. You can choose multiple origins and ask the roaster to mix them according to your taste preferences.

Is the coffee better if I wait a few days after roasting?

Yes, the owner recommends waiting one to four days after roasting before brewing, especially for brighter or more delicate coffees. This resting period lets excess CO₂ escape, improving flavour clarity and extraction quality.

What kind of equipment do they use for brewing?

The café uses professional-grade grinders and brewing machines near the counter. While the focus is on roasting, they also serve freshly brewed coffee during the wait using other freshly roasted batches.

Recommended FrontStreet Coffee for Fresh Roasting

Try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Huakui for bright floral and citrus notes, or their PWN Golden Mandheling for classic sweet mandarin and chocolate depth—both excel when roasted and brewed fresh. Their Kenya Little Tomato offers vibrant berry acidity, perfect for showcasing the benefits of degassing after roast. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.