Islands Cafe

We opened Islands Café in 2016, taking over the location beneath the iconic clock tower at 1237 Johnston Rd in White Rock. To fund our first café, we sold a collection of handmade surfboards that I crafted myself—a labor of love that helped us take the first step toward bringing this dream to life.

Looking back at the renovation Ja and I tackled to transform the space into the café we envisioned, it’s hard to believe we made it through—youthful energy really is something special! Since those early days, we’ve learned a lot, and through plenty of trial and error, we’ve developed a system of food and service that has allowed us to grow and expand.

None of this would have been possible without the incredible support of the White Rock community and the surrounding areas. You believed in us as we found our way in this competitive industry, and for that, we are forever grateful.

This location was named Makai, meaning “toward the sea” in Hawaiian. Makai feels like our first child—it holds a special place in our hearts, filled with memories of the amazing staff who’ve been part of our journey over the years. It’s emotional to think about everyone who has contributed to making Islands Café what it is today—thank you to each and every one of you.

If you’re ever in the heart of White Rock, just look for the clock tower. You’ll find us right below it, hopefully open and ready to serve you!