We headed to Vroom, in Cascais, keen to try the brunch and sample a few dishes from the menu. Our curiosity was piqued by the ham and tomato croissant and the matcha, prepared through a careful, intricate process. But one flight of stairs later, our appetite was quickly overshadowed by surprise: Vroom is far more than just a café. Downstairs, bathed in soft lighting, lies a spacious – and unexpected – area designed to host groups of up to eight people diving into virtual reality games. It’s a club within a café and the first of its kind along the Cascais coast.
Just a few steps from Gelba, Vroom was born from the vision of two Ukrainians, Robert Talabishka and Inna Markina, who wanted to bring to Portugal something they felt was missing: a space where technology and socialising could coexist naturally. “We started exploring the market in February last year”, Robert explains. “We realised there was nothing like this around here. Back in Ukraine we played a lot, and we always felt it was an experience that brought people together. So we thought: why not bring something we genuinely love?”
The result is a hybrid space that promises to keep evolving. Upstairs, Vroom is a modern, cosy café with fun music, specialty coffee, a matcha bar, cocktails, and a display of homemade cakes. Downstairs, it transforms into a Virtual Reality Club with fully equipped gaming zones, high-powered computers, and state-of-the-art headsets. “We have eight zones, which means we can host eight people at the same time. Each player has their own designated area and can jump, sit, run, do whatever they want”, explains Robert.
The games are diverse: from job simulators and shooters to space exploration and Angry Birds, plus more immersive experiences like horror or flight simulations. Time Out Cascais tried a game where you slice blocks to the beat of music (we attempted Daft Punk, but when it wasn’t available, we settled for Ukrainian pop techno).
The space was designed to be versatile, hosting birthdays, corporate events, private parties, and team-building activities. “It’s something that brings people together”, says Inna. “For example, last week we had a birthday party with 21 guests. The kids were playing downstairs, and after a while, the parents joined in too. It was so much fun. It’s an experience everyone can share – something you don’t usually get to do”.
Safety is a top priority: the walls are lined with padded, soundproof material, and each session is always supervised by assistants. “We want people to feel safe, especially the children. The games are adapted for different ages, but we’re very careful about that”, emphasises Robert.
Kids, to the table!
Vroom isn’t just about technology – the menu has been winning over a loyal crowd. “We’ve been open for about three months, and we’re still experimenting with new dishes”, explains Inna. The menu offers a selection of sweet and savoury options. We tried the ham and sun-dried tomato croissant (€12) – the one that had already won us over with its presentation alone – as well as the ricotta crepes (€9) and a slice of carrot cake (€4).
To accompany it, a simple matcha (€5) arrived beautifully presented, ready for an Instagram snap (without compromising on taste).
The café works with coffee from a Ukrainian roastery, Rostery Ukrainian Foundation, and also features products from small European producers, like Belgian butter and Óbidos liquor chocolate. “We offer customised drinks, like matcha with peanut butter, or fruit matchas made with natural purée”, adds Inna.
There’s also a small retail section, a free-to-use PlayStation area for customers, and a recently opened terrace that’s set to become one of the sunniest spots in town.
Beyond the fun side, Vroom also has a social dimension. Recently, the founders collaborated with an organisation supporting children from care homes, giving them the chance to experience virtual reality for the very first time. “It was a really important project for us”, recalls Inna. “Sixteen children came who had never encountered this before. We wanted to bring something new to the community – something people could try and that would make them smile”.
Future plans include expanding the menu, improving the terrace, and hosting more themed events. “There’s still a lot to do”, admits Robert. “We’re constantly experimenting, both with the café and the gaming area. Maybe in the future we could open another space, but for now we want to focus on this one and make it the best it can be”.
If you want to hire the space, an open 60-minute session costs €30 per person. For private events, it’s best to get in touch with Vroom directly.
Rua José Carvalho Araújo. Mon-Sat 08.00–20.00; Sun 10.00–20.00