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What the Camera Doesn’t Show You: Review of Cedar & Moss Cafe
- Rachael Bell-Irving
- 17 hours ago
- 4 min read
The problem with taking cafe recommendations from social media is that the videos never show you the full picture. This has never been more true than with Cedar & Moss Cafe in Chilliwack, BC.
If you’re on social media at all then, like me, you’re probably sick of this overused hook, “Come with me to one of Vancouver’s most [insert enticing descriptive word] restaurant/cafe/bar!” It’s right up there with, “You’ll never believe this hidden gem,” and, “Top five secret spots!” (which are rarely very secretive).
I want to test if these establishments are actually good recommendations, or just good for the algorithm. Join me to see if this "hidden coffee shop," that, "[proves] fairytales actually exist," is actually worth it.
What Instagram Doesn’t Tell You
If you're travelling east, take exit 129 on the Trans-Canada highway, head south on Annis Road for half a second before taking a sharp left onto HackBrown Road, and then follow that for 1.5 kilometres, you’ll arrive at Cedar & Moss Cafe.
I first heard of this cute little cafe through a series of highly aesthetic and inviting instagram reels that promoted it as a hidden gem with a beautiful forest view. And that much is true. The cafe is a quaint corner unit with white walls contrasted against a black roof, and a cozy wooden interior.
What none of the instagram reels will tell you is that this nook of a cafe is actually the corner of the dining pavilion to the Charis Camp and Conference centre, a Christian summer camp and group rental space.
Of course, if you take a half a second to check out their instagram page or google listing, it very clearly states that it is part of this camp. I was not that observant or prepared, and at first thought we were going the wrong way.
As soon as the asphalt stops and the gravel begins, a mix of homemade and professional signs praising Jesus and promoting salvation through God pop up amongst the trees. My friend and I had a great giggle as we questioned if the “hidden gem of a cafe" was actually a commune in disguise.
Good news, it’s not. And this is no reason to not visit the cafe. I mention this so you can avoid the confusion that we experienced driving into what felt like a private community. Rest assured, you're going the right way.
Keep an eye out for the wooden sign that says “Charis Camp and Conference Centre” first, and then you’ll see Cedar & Moss off to the side.
A Great Cup for Coffee
There is a big parking lot in front of a log building, with spots specifically reserved for Cedar & Moss customers, which is great after driving into what felt like the unknown.
When we first pulled up, there was a gaggle of children playing with a large rope across the driveway that runs between the parking lot at the dining hall. This rope, it turns out, is the “gate” between the cafe and the camp.
The campers quickly dispersed and we got to enjoy the peace and quiet that the promotional videos promised. However, in the summer, I would recommend coming mid-morning or mid-afternoon to avoid interruption from the camp activities. If we had arrived around camp pick up or drop off time, I don't think it would as tranquil as advertised.
The large majority of seating is outdoors, either in lawn chairs or in black metal patio sets on a raised wooden patio. There is also a covered fire pit with bench seating for eight to ten people, if you get cozy.
There are outdoor lights strung across the patio, which is essential for any outside aesthetic space nowadays. The sound of the river that runs through Lexw Qwò:m Park fills the space between the trees, providing a beautiful backdrop to this corner of the property.
After getting our drinks and settling down on the benches around the closed fire pit, we both agreed it does deliver on the tranquility that was promised to us through social media.
The drinks were great! Their chai latte was made with real chai rather than syrup, which provide a quality drink, and the iced latte was balanced.
We didn’t try out the food on this occasion, but I was nearly enticed by the mix of muffins, loaves and cookies. We didn’t notice their panini menu until we were seated outside, but the offerings were good enough to make me wish we had come for lunch.
Final Thoughts
Would I drive all the way to Chilliwack solely for this cafe — no. It is not quite the remote forest oasis that the social media suggests.
If I was already in Chilliwack though, then I would make a detour to check out this cafe. The setting is lovely and the coffee tasty. Plus, dogs are welcome on the patio, so it could be a nice stopping point before or after a walk through Lexw Qwò:m Park.
Just be mindful that you’re heading across the road to the official park trails and not wandering around the camp property (the most recent one star Google review is quite the humorous read).
Overall the cafe was as cute as it was promised to be; we were just surprised to discover there was an entire other business attached to it. It broke the illusion that was so well-crafted in the many instagram reels that promoted it.
It's a good reminder of how much the internet romanticizes things. Not everything is as it seems, and not every cafe is as mesmerizing as social media claims it to be. But it did provide a great cup of coffee.
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