EMMAUS, Pa. — The faith-based brunch destination known for fresh, locally sourced ingredients is expanding its hours to include dinner service three nights a week beginning November 1st.
Café 23, located at 318 Main Street, will serve dinner Thursday through Saturday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Owner and founder Rebekah Doyle says the expansion addresses a community need for quality evening dining options.
Doyle opened the café to pursue a long-held dream of creating a business that offers healthy yet delicious food, inspired by her late husband Jonathan’s determination to start a new career after a severe illness.
The café bears his name, derived from the number 23, which Doyle received as a sign during his illness and continues to see as a reminder of his support.
“Our heart has always been to create a space where people feel nourished — body, mind, and soul,” Doyle said. “Extending into dinner service allows us to share that same warmth and community connection in the evenings.”
The evening service transforms the daytime café into an intimate dinner setting with handhelds, shareable plates, and curated wine and beer selections from local vendors.
The menu features the same high-quality ingredients that have become the café’s signature, including favorites like the Jonathan Quesadilla and Samson Breakfast Sandwich, as well as new evening specials.
Doyle said the community’s support during brunch hours demonstrated the demand for more gathering spaces.
“Our community deserves more options for dining and nightlife, and I’m excited to continue filling that void,” Doyle said.
The dinner expansion will also feature a rotating lineup of live local musicians. The café has previously hosted artists including Lindsay Jordan Music, Hannah Noel, and Jerry, a musician whose nostalgic style Doyle noted brought energy to the room.
Plans include themed nights, such as game nights and open mic events, as well as special pop-up gatherings designed to provide entertainment without requiring residents to travel outside the community.
The café’s dinner service represents what Doyle describes as a natural progression for the business, extending its mission of creating meaningful community connections beyond afternoon hours.
More information is available at cafe23lv.com.
