This is Even, a Mile-Ex hybrid café-roastery with deep intent

There's a particular alchemy that happens inside the best cafés that take their craft seriously—not with pretension, but intent. It’s that careful balance of space, aroma, sound, and human connection that transcends the simple act of serving coffee, and in the Mile-Ex, it’s the unassuming corner that feels both hidden and perfectly placed where Even Café and its roastery has set up shop.

Andrew Werbowyj, the founder who dusted off the garage door to Dispatch Café’s first location, raised it again in the final days of fall 2024 under a new banner that would draw from his work experience, travels, and a deep connection to Montreal.

Something brewing

Werbowyj's connection to Mile-Ex runs deeper than convenience. "When I first moved to Montreal, I lived in Mile-Ex, so signing the lease felt like a homecoming," he recalls. "It was like coming full circle."

“Coffee has been an integral part of my life for years. It’s more than a beverage; it’s a ritual, a passion, and a constant in my daily routine. I’ve always wanted to create a space where I’d love to spend time, a space that feels personal and welcoming, and I believe others would want to spend time there too,” he adds.

It's a modest mission statement that belies the decade of expertise and careful planning behind this hybrid coffee space, but the devotion behind it is immediately evident in the space itself.

A thoughtful collaboration with Future Simple Studio balances raw and refined elements that are more than aesthetics; the brick bar and cork wall are acoustic solutions that transform what could be a harsh, echo-filled room into something warmer, more intimate. Custom metalwork defines the small bench tables, perfectly sized for two glasses and a pastry—just enough for a conversation without excess.

If the space feels cohesive, it might be because the team came together with similar synchronicity: Jair Garduño Vazquez, now the café manager, was working at Éclair when he met Werbowyj and connect over coffee talk. Pauline Ménard, the head roaster and barista, joined after a friend's introduction and a tour of the raw space. Rounding out the quartet is Kassandra Lara Picazo, a composer who shares both a love for coffee and a Mexican heritage with Jair. 

"Together, we've built a team that's full of energy, laughter, and dedication," Werbowyj says. "The camaraderie we share translates into the experience we create for our customers."

What's striking about Even isn't that it's trying to revolutionize café culture—it's that everyone involved seems genuinely content to contribute to what already exists, but with their own particular attention to detail.

"We're not trying to change coffee or café culture; we're here to enrich it," Werbowyj explains. "Montreal's café community is incredibly supportive, and we're excited to learn from our customers as we grow."

Process, passion, and a pulse

“Montreal’s coffee scene has been evolving, with a strong emphasis on values like quality and transparency, driven by deeply passionate individuals. At Even, our team shares this passion—everyone here treats coffee as a profession and brings expertise to the table,” Werbowyj explains.

“We’re not just serving coffee; we’re delivering craftsmanship and an uncompromising focus on quality. Our physical space reflects that same intention, tying the experience of coffee to an environment that is both thoughtfully designed and welcoming.”

Even's distinguishing feature might just be the in-house roastery—a relatively rare setup in Montreal that allows complete control from bean selection to final cup. This integration creates what Werbowyj describes as a unique experience for customers, reducing the distance between roasting and serving, between bean and cup.

Developing roast profiles that highlight each bean's distinct character, making minute adjustments as they coax out complex flavors, recent offerings include a washed SL28 varietal from Costa Rica's Don Joel and a special natural process from Ethiopia's Faficho Bombe. The options showcase their range, with small-batch production ensuring freshness, and the roaster’s level of control lets Even fine-tune each roast to bring out the best possible flavours.

It comes down to the cup

The pour-over menu showcases coffees you won't find elsewhere in the city—maybe not even across Canada—from producers who push boundaries of what coffee can be. But despite the rarity, there's nothing pretentious about how the team discusses their offerings. 

"Being a small team means we're able to keep things personal," says Werbowyj. "Everyone on the team knows the coffees inside and out, which allows us to connect with customers in meaningful ways. Those moments of sharing knowledge and passion—that's where the magic really happens." 

Even's branding, developed in collaboration with Wedge Studio, exhibits the same meticulous attention found in their coffee. The retail coffee box features an angle that mirrors the café's bar and a color matched to a brick from the physical space—ensuring customers take "a piece of Even home," as Werbowyj puts it.

This insistence on cohesion extends to their online presence. "When people visit our social media, we want it to evoke the same feeling as stepping into the café," he adds. It's an approach that understands modern café culture exists both in physical space and digital realms.

Beyond the third wave

When asked about fitting into the waves of coffee culture, Werbowyj sidesteps rigid categorization. While Even shares values with third-wave coffee—quality, transparency, and deep knowledge of sourcing—they seem more interested in day-to-day excellence than fitting a movement.

"The idea of a 'fourth wave' is intriguing, and we're curious to see how it develops," he notes. "For now, we focus on our core values and the work we do day-to-day, ensuring every interaction speaks to our vision."

That vision, ultimately, is refreshingly straightforward: "I want everyone who comes into the café to leave feeling happier than when they arrived."

It's a simple sentiment, but walking through Even's doors—taking in the aroma of fresh-roasted beans, the gentle acoustics, the sight of the team working with quiet confidence—you get the sense they've created something quite rare: a place that delivers exactly what it promises, without excess or shortage.

In a city with countless cafés, that might be the most distinctive quality of all, with an allure that’s embodied by Even’s name: A place that smooths everything out into one gently intentional and immersed experience.

Even Café is located at 267 Rue Saint-Zotique Ouest.