The Coffee Shop Vibes Retro is a relaxed, conversation-driven retrospective that uses café-inspired prompts to reflect on what went well, what could be improved, and new ideas for future sprints.

When to use this template

Use this retrospective format when your team needs a fresh, friendly atmosphere to encourage open dialogue, especially after busy or stressful iterations.

How to facilitate

Welcome everyone by setting a relaxed 'café' mood and explain the coffee shop theme to help the team feel comfortable.

Invite team members to share in the Fresh Brews column, celebrating highlights and positive moments from the last sprint.

Move to Bitter Beans, encouraging respectful discussion about challenges or things that didn’t go as planned.

Transition to New Recipes, where the team brainstorms creative improvements and new experiments for the next iteration.

Review the main insights together and select high-impact action items to take forward.

Wrap up by thanking the team for their contributions and reflecting on how the coffee shop theme influenced the conversation.

Pro Tips

Share a virtual café background or play soft coffee shop sounds to enhance the theme and put the team at ease.

Encourage everyone to bring their favorite beverage to make the experience more immersive.

Prompt quieter team members with direct but gentle questions to ensure all voices are heard.

Summarize each column visually in real time so everyone can see the conversation's flow.

Keep the atmosphere light, but ensure actions are concrete and follow-up is planned.

FAQ

What if some team members are reluctant to share negative feedback?

Emphasize the friendly café theme as a safe space for honest sharing. Remind the team that discussing challenges is key to improving together.

How can we avoid the conversation getting too relaxed and losing focus?

Set clear expectations at the start, timebox each section, and recap major points after each column. Lightness supports openness, but structure maintains momentum.

Is this format suitable for serious or high-stress retrospectives?

Yes, the informal theme can defuse tension and open up honest conversations, provided you guide discussions constructively and ensure action items are captured.

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At a glance

Duration
40–60 min
Team Size
3-10 people
Columns
3 columns
Base Format
What Went Well, What Went Wrong, What We Want to Improve

Ready to get started?

Use this template to run your next retrospective

☕️ Coffee Shop Vibes Retro

Welcome to our cozy café! Let’s sip, chat, and reflect on our project like friends catching up over coffee—sharing hits, misses, and perfecting our blend for next time!

Template Columns

🥐 Fresh Brews (What Went Well)

☕️ Bitter Beans (What Went Wrong)

🧁 New Recipes (What We Want to Improve)

About this template