Today we’d like to introduce you to Richard Barton.
Hi Richard, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Our Journey
For eight years, our family poured heart and soul into Herb + Olive, our café in Marlborough, New Zealand. It was a place built on community, good food, and connection, a reflection of our roots and the values we carried with us.
When life led us across the Pacific to Southern California, we brought that same spirit with us. Inspired by my grandmother, Bonnie Dawn, and the Scottish meaning of her name Beautiful Morning we created Café Dawny in Carlsbad. “Dawny” also nods to the early surf sessions we call back home inNZ – the love of chasing the waves and the sunrise at the beach.
At Café Dawny, we roast our own beans under the label Ripple Roasters, sharing coffee that’s bold, bright, and memorable. Our menu reflects both our Kiwi heritage and California lifestyle fresh seasonal hearty sandwiches, made with our own focaccia, classic New Zealand–style meat pies, pastries and gluten-free and vegan options to make everyone feel at home.
This is more than just a café. It’s our family’s story of growth, movement, and belonging where a new community gathers around great food, strong coffee, and the joy of a dawning day.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Opening Café Dawny in California hasn’t been without its hurdles. We had to learn a whole new set of rules and regulations, rebuild our supply chain from scratch, and adapt our Kiwi roots to California tastes, introducing meat pies while also offering more gluten-free and vegan options.
Unlike Marlborough, where we had a loyal community, in Carlsbad we had to start fresh, making connections one by one. On top of that came the personal challenge of moving our family across the world and navigating life in a new culture. It’s been a leap of faith, but one that’s made Café Dawny even more meaningful.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
At Herb + Olive in Marlborough, we became known for fresh, seasonal food made with care vibrant salads, hearty sandwiches, New Zealand style meat pies, and baking that always balanced comfort with quality. Our food philosophy was simple: showcase the best ingredients, keep flavors honest, and make everything approachable for the whole family.
That same ethos is at the heart of Café Dawny. We bring with us the Kiwi classics our Marlborough community loved like savory meat pies and wholesome sandwiches and pair them with the California freshness of produce driven salads, plant forward dishes. Our goal is to make the café a place where everyone finds something they love, whether it’s a flaky pastry, a meat pies or a cup of our own Ripple Roasters coffee.
What sets us apart is the way we weave together those two food cultures: the warmth and familiarity of New Zealand café food with the light, health conscious California approach. It’s a blend that feels both comforting and fresh and that’s what people remember us for.
What are your plans for the future?
Looking ahead, our focus is on deepening Café Dawny’s roots in the Nth County community, continuing to grow our customer base and refine our menu so it reflects both our New Zealand heritage and the California lifestyle. We’re excited to expand Ripple Roasters, not just for the café but also as a brand in its own right, reaching more people who connect with our coffee story.
Longer term, we’d love to explore a second location,. We’re also working on ways to bring a little more of New Zealand to California, whether that’s through special events, wine dinners – pairing NZ wine with Local cuisine or new menu items that highlight our roots.
Most of all, we’re looking forward to creating a space where food, coffee, and community come together, a place that feels like home for locals and a discovery for visitors.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Cafedawny
