Voyager Labs: A Laboratory of Original Drinks on Notre-Dame West

Voyager Labs is not your typical coffee shop. The three partners behind the project—Anthony Benda (Myriade and Cordova), Scott Friedmann (Acid League, Big League Food Company), and Andrew Hochhalter—describe it instead as a “beverage laboratory.” While they do serve coffee, the real stars are the original and sometimes surprising concoctions made from various non-caffeinated ingredients.

“The name Voyager Labs embodies our commitment to seasonal and local ingredients as the cornerstone of all our drink formulations. We plan to leverage our preservation technology to capture snapshots of flavors, reflecting the ever-changing seasons,” explains Andrew Hochhalter, who oversees research and development.

The space’s futuristic design features the distinctive signature of the Gauley Brothers, known for projects like Izakaya Regashi, Atwater Cocktail Club, and Milky Way. At the front of the shop, illuminated by a series of yellow LED tubes, is a long L-shaped bar lined with Voyager Labs’ state-of-the-art equipment. The stunning Modbar espresso system, with its pumps hidden beneath the counter (but visible through a glass opening), is truly a sight to behold.

The back of the space, separated by a transparent partition, is reserved for staff offices and the lab, where Andrew develops his formulas. While there are no seating areas or tables, you can stand at the long bar and watch him work.

A one-of-a-kind concept

The menu, projected on the wall in illuminated letters, is divided into three categories, with constantly evolving content: Coffee, Coffee+, and Lab. The first, unsurprisingly, includes the usual specialty coffee offerings—filter, flash brew (a personal favorite!), espresso, and more. The second category features hybrid drinks, blending coffee with various ingredients. For example, the Tonic, an espresso mixed with sparkling water and quinine, or the Amaro, made with cardamom, maple, and mandarin, piqued our curiosity.

Finally, the Lab section is dedicated to coffee-free creations. The Mist, a cousin of the London Fog made with Earl Grey tea, vanilla, beetroot, and Maldon salt, was particularly comforting. The Antidote, a sparkling lime and electrolyte drink, was refreshingly bright. Some of these creations will even be available for retail as powders, allowing customers to enjoy them at home.

Drink prices range from $3.50 for a classic espresso to $8.50 for some of the Lab’s more complex creations. The beans used for the various coffee types also rotate regularly, offering opportunities for delightful discoveries like Luna, an excellent micro-roaster from Vancouver, which was featured during our visit.

It’s worth noting that Voyager Labs offers drinks exclusively to go, with no food options on the menu. However, Notre-Dame Ouest has plenty of nearby spots if you’re looking to pair your beverage with a snack: Campanelli, BarBara, Cordova, Arthurs, Rustique, and the Dalla Rose ice cream shop are just a few steps away.

As of now, the café is open from Friday to Sunday, 10 AM to 4 PM, but opening hours are expected to extend to other days starting in the spring of 2024.

If you’re passionate about coffee and eager to try something new and original, a visit to Voyager Labs is a must.

Enjoy the discovery!

Written by Jean-Philippe Tastet
Photography by Mikael Lebleu

Last update: October 15, 2024

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