Andon Cafe, described as the world’s first AI-run café, opened on 18 April 2026 in the Vasastan district of Stockholm, Sweden. The café uses an AI agent named Mona for management functions, while human staff handle customer-facing work and order fulfilment.
Andon Cafe and Mona
Andon Cafe is located in Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, in northern Europe. Mona is an AI agent developed by Andon Labs, a Y Combinator-backed startup. The system is used for high-level operational tasks in the café.
Management Functions Assigned to AI
- Mona handles sourcing of supplies for the café.
- Mona manages finances and tracks business operations.
- Mona sets the menu for the café.
- Mona is involved in hiring human staff.
- Mona also applies for permits needed for operations.
Human Role in the Café
The café is not fully automated, and human employees remain part of daily operations. Staff members serve customers, fulfil orders, and manage tasks that require direct human interaction.
Customer Interface and Display
Customers can interact with Mona through a wall-mounted phone inside the café. A digital display shows a live profit counter in Swedish kronor, the currency of Sweden.
AI System and Operational Limits
Public references to Mona’s AI backbone differ across sources, with Claude and Google’s Gemini 3.1 Pro Preview both mentioned in separate accounts. Mona has also been linked to operational errors such as over-ordering 3,000 nitrile gloves and excessive toilet paper.
Experiment in Real-World AI Use
Andon Labs uses the café as an experiment to test whether artificial intelligence can manage real-world business operations. The company has stated that human staff are to receive guaranteed pay and legal protections during the experiment.
Last Modified: April 24, 2026