Attention Readers,
I’m back and in full-force. Today I will be spilling my best kept coffee secrets with you. As a self-proclaimed coffee connoisseur, I’ve mastered what makes a good coffee good, and which are the best spots in Miami. I’ve made this list over the years and I’m ready to share it with you.
As a Cuban, I believe nothing beats a cafecito. Fortunately, living in Miami, there are so many great places to get a cafecito, which won’t be hard to miss. If you’re visiting or you’re from here and you’re looking for all the hidden gems, this is where my guide will come in handy. I’ve numbered each spot in order of best coffee quality, best flavors, and best craft. Brace yourselves, the caffeine overload may be real the next couple of days. And if you’re not in Miami, get yourself over here and come give these spots a try. I promise, you won’t regret it.
Beware: this list may be dangerous to any coffee lover.
1. Brewing Buddha Cafe & Arthouse
The best of the best. This small gem is one of the best kept secrets in Miami, especially when it comes to coffee. The shop itself has a very cool, laidback vibe. It has a shabby chic decor, with eye-catching art on the walls, and greens all over the cafe. Think industrial meets greenery. Even though it is small, the layout makes you feel at home, and welcomed. Brewing Buddha is perfect for studying or getting work done, while tuning the rest out. Now to talk about the coffee, it is spectacular. Their menu has countless options, and the coffee is hand selected, and made in small-batches. They’re known for their lattes, they all have a unique flavor. Brewing Buddha also carry nitro’s, matcha’s and a selection of food.
Some of my favorites lattes are the banana bread, the pistachio, and the salted caramel. The lemon cookie matcha is amazing! I had it two weeks ago and I cannot stop thinking about it. It’s flavors you wouldn’t think of putting in coffee, yet it tastes amazing. My favorite thing about their coffee is how smooth, and well balanced it tastes. The lattes tend to be a little on the sweeter side than regular coffee, but because of how it’s made, it’s not overly sweet. The food is pretty good too. I’ve personally only had the avocado toast which comes with feta and jam, but it is amazing. Their ingredients are always fresh, and certain things aren’t on the menu, you have to ask for them. Everything is ordered on a regular basis so that it stays fresh.
My best friend and a few other friends have tried a handful of their food and nitro’s and they rave about it. I even got one of my guy friends to try the pistachio latte, granted that he’s not an avid coffee drinker, and hates very sweet things, and he called me raving about it. He’s hooked. This place deserves a 10/10. I was honestly hesitant about sharing it because I love it so much and I’d hate for it to become overcrowded. There is something special about hidden gems, but I had to share it. I couldn’t keep this place off the list.
2. Pasión del Cielo
This one was a tough call to make. I was stuck between Pasión del Cielo and the next spot because of how good they both are. This coffee brand has been around for some time, and I fell in love with it years ago, while studying there for countless hours. They have a wide variety of coffee from all over the world. The coffee is very rich. You can taste the strength, the smoothness, and the flavor from the first sip. Aside from offering a wide range of coffee’s, they also offer a lot of flavors (if you’re into that kind of thing), many styles of coffees, and delicious snacks.
Photo: Pasión del Cielo
Pasión carries my favorite kind of coffee, Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee, and they sell it by the bag as well. It’s strong, bold, and rich. I absolutely love it. The coffee has such a distinct smell and taste. I give it a solid 7 in strength, it’s not too strong or too soft. When I’m craving a treat I order an iced latte with caramel drizzle on the sides of the cup, two pumps of vanilla and two pumps of caramel, with more caramel drizzle and cinnamon powder on top. This is probably the sweetest drink I order. Otherwise, I order the Jamaican Blue Mountain as a double espresso. It just depends what I’m feeling for. Their assortment of baked goods are really good. I’ve tried the empanadas, pastries and banana bread. They have various locations throughout Miami and they’re all great.
3. Pura Vida
As you probably know, Pura Vida has taken over Miami. It has become a hotspot for locals and tourists. They have a great selection of food and coffee, and everything is always fresh. But, there is one item in particular that I have to brag about, their iced cappuccino. It’s is so good, in fact, they introduced me to the iced cappuccino. But, when they came out with their pistachio syrup, it got ten times better. Pistachio coffee has become one of my favorite things, I don’t know if it’s because I’m obsessed with all things green lately, or what, but it is amazing.
If you didn’t know, Pura Vida sources all of their things and uses the best of what they can find. Everything is fresh and of good quality, hence, the prices. I am selective about additives, and usually won’t add much to my coffee, with the exception of a sweet drink, when I am craving it. When I heard of this syrup, I was hesitant to try it so I asked for it on the side. Let me tell you, it doesn’t taste like most syrups. It doesn’t taste phony and full of chemicals, you can actually taste the pistachio. They make a really good hot cappuccino, and espresso as well. Their coffee is good overall and the quality speaks for itself. I haven’t tried something of theirs I didn’t like. Everything is full of flavor and so well balanced.
Aside from the food and the coffee, its such a nice little spot to hang out at, whether its for a business meeting, having lunch with a friend, just going alone to enjoy some quiet time. Pura Vida has a beach town vibe, and it’s very chic with it’s neutral decor. Think 1 Hotel Miami Beach in a cafe. My favorite location is the Design District location. It’s the one I frequent the most. Although it’s always busy, there’s something so settling and peaceful about it. My favorite time to go is in the morning after a workout to just sit there on my computer doing some work and enjoying my own company. I feel sheer quiet and peace, as I focus and tune in. It’s become one of those places I like so much that no matter how busy it gets. I can still tune in and focus on what I’m working on.
4. All Day
Rated number one cup of coffee in Miami by Vogue, I had to give All Day a try when they re-opened earlier this year. And let me tell you, they did not disappoint. I thought I knew what options were when it came to coffee… until I came here. They serve their coffee’s by ounce, from 3 to 16 ounces. They give you the option of ordering your coffee wet, dry, or iced. There have house syrup options and milk alternatives. You name it, they have it.
Although they have a lot of selections for their coffee, they’re not huge on flavored coffee, which is good. The syrups they do have are pretty simple, like cane, vanilla or lavender, and they’re made in house. The coffee here is very rich and strong. Just a little and you’re good! I prefer my coffee simple, and bitter most days, and dang, do they have options.
They also make coffee drinks which I haven’t tried. One is a cold brew with limeade and the other is a Thai iced coffee with bitters. People seem to love them. All Day also offers iced coffees, pour overs and nitro’s. Their chai is known to be one of the best as well. In addition to the coffee, they have a very eclectic menu. It’s definitely an experience I recommend.
The place itself is chic and spacious. It has a very relaxing vibe to it. There are many tables to sit at inside, an outside area, a bar, and a “ventanita”, which translates to a window. Here in Miami there are many places where you walk up to the outside window and order your coffee and food to go. It’s a quicker option if you aren’t dining in. During the week, All Day is less crowded and its easier to work. During the weekends it gets busier, and I don’t recommend it, just to make room for everyone that wants to sit and eat.
Something really special about this place is that a lot of their food and baked goods are made in-house, and the ones that aren’t, are sourced locally. They are very transparent about where they get their ingredients and everything is always fresh. They pride themselves with being “conciously-sourced“, using “worldclass” ingredients. Aside from that, All Day makes one of the best banana breads I have ever had. I won’t describe it so that it can be a surprise. You’ve got to give them a try.
5. Panther Coffee
As a Miami native you have to know about Panther Coffee, they are one of the best the city has to offer. They are based here and the coffee is roasted in small batches , sold per beverage or by the bag. Depending on the location, the menu will vary. Most locations have an extensive menu list, while others are in building or hotel lobbies. The traditional menu will carry the basics: different style coffee’s, tea’s, matcha’s and chai’s, along with refrigerated bottled drinks. The more extensive menu’s will be in the main locations and they offer coffee by the bag, espresso flights, baked goods, oatmeal, you name it.
I recently ordered a lavender cappuccino and an empanada and both were good. Although I wasn’t a fan of the lavender, the coffee itself was still good. They had a lot of tempting baked goods, and in the little Haiti location you could see how they brew the coffee in the back.
Most locations are great to get work done. There is always a flow of people, but nothing too disrupting. The ambiance is quite nice and you get to drink great coffee, both a bonus. Their coffee is always very smooth and well made. It shocks me just how well they prepare it. That’s the beauty of small batch coffee. It’s simple, but not basic. You can never go wrong with Panther coffee.
6. The Sister Yard
The SisterYard was introduced to me at Smorgasburg Miami, by a friend who raves about their coffee. My friend wouldn’t stop talking about their coffee and when we went, she made a beeline straight to their booth. I was hesitant to try it, it seemed to have a lot of coconut components, and although I love coconut, I didn’t know how I felt about it in my coffee. My rule with most things in life is “you have to try it once” and if you don’t try it you won’t know if you like it. I apply this mostly to food and adventures. I had to uphold my rule so I tried my friend’s coffee and to my surprise, it was better than I could have ever imagined.
My brain, alongside with my tastebuds, were confused because I couldn’t pin point what all the flavors were and how the coffee could have been made. When I eat something, mentally, I try to think of what’s in it and how it was prepared, but this time I couldn’t. I knew there was coconut in it but I really couldn’t put it together. I met the sisters’ brother at the booth and he explained the process to me. Even then, I couldn’t believe how smooth and delicious it tasted, while still being very strong.
The Sisters’ toast unsweetened and un-sulfered coconut flakes and mix the coffee in. Then, they pour coconut water over it and allow it to sit for 24 hours. This is how they accomplish the smooth, rich and toasty taste in the coffee. But even crazier than the taste of the coffee is the story of how the SisterYard came to be.
Two sisters, Yamilet and Cristina Correa, were hosting cooking classes on the weekends in their backyard in Miami. Aside from these classes they were both working full-time jobs. As a result, they came up with this coffee idea as a method to have something ready and accessible in the midst of their busy lives. They offered the coffee to their friends and family, but never did they imagine so many people would end up enjoying it too. Once COVID hit, the classes suddenly came to a stop. Out of this, The SisterYard was birthed and so many people have since come to love it.
The beauty of the SisterYard is that it is original. Aside from their coffee being smooth, it’s so strong. Every time I order it, I have to pace myself while drinking it because the caffeine jolt is real. You can find them at Smorgasburg every Saturday in Miami, as well at La Latina. They are also all over New York. Saturday’s they are at Smorgasburg in World Trade Center, Williamsburg and Prospect Park. Their coffee is also sold in Retail and Pine in SoHo, E’s bar (in an espresso martini), and throughout various bars in the West Village. If you’re located in New York, you can order bottles of concentrate directly from their website, which are delivered Wednesday’s and Friday’s. You won’t regret it.
7. Macondo Coffee Roasters
On a mid afternoon, after being out all day, I was in search for a good coffee and I found Macondo’s Kendall location. What caught my eye the most was their extensive coffee list They have a chalkboard menu with drawings of the different coffee styles, which explains to their clients what each means. It was very cute. They offer basically every coffee style you can think of. Their entire menu is extensive. They offer many tea’s, coffee flavors, and food.
When I went, I ordered a mocha latte. I was craving something sweeter, as I usually am when I go artisanal coffee shops. Although it was sweet, it was more bitter than I expected, which I liked, strong and bold.
Macondo’s coffee is 100% Colombian. They work with farmers who grow less than 2,000 coffee plants to ensure quality. The coffee is hand-selected, blended, and brewed. The quality is obvious. Their food options are also deemed to be on the healthier side, offering breakfast, bowls, salads, and wraps. But of course, being a coffee shop, they also have pastries, Colombian delicacies, and even pizza’s.
They have three locations in Miami, North Miami, Doral and Kendall. I’ve heard great things about the Doral location, but I’ve only gone to the Kendall shop. I am due for a visit to the Doral location in the coming weeks.
8. Dr. Smood
A trendy boutique Cafe located all throughout Miami, you can’t miss Dr. Smood. If you’re a local New Yorker you’ll know about them as well. They are in all the areas to be in New York and Miami. Deemed as the healthiest Cafe, their options are hard to complete with, which come with a price tag to match this much sought after variable. Their coffee covers all the basics and more. They offer every style of coffee, a good selection of tea’s, their elite cold pressed juices, various smoothies, and a long list of healthy food options. Dr. Smood prides themselves with their different mylks, including hawaj, which is a mix of Yemeni spices.
Their menu was created to be anti-inflammatory, meaning that most of it is plant based, and everything is organic, and dairy-free. It makes eating on the go healthier. Their concept is healthy fast food.
What sets them apart is the vibe that they offer in each of their cafe’s. It’s trendy and simple, which alludes exclusivity. Dr. Smood locations are usually more industrial looking. They are all designed with brick and black interior decor. It’s such an oxymoron of a layout while offering a healthy green lifestyle. It’s everything Miami and New York offer as a city, the beauty of variety while maintaining simplicity. I always feel good being in any of their cafe’s. The crowds I’ve encountered are usually creatives, people intently working on their laptops, or small groups of friends chatting. There is never a crowded room, people come and go, no loud groups. It’s so nice if you’re aiming for a more focused work environment. If you want a taste of either big cities, come give Dr. Smood a chance.
9. Cafe Bonjour
This last one has the key to my heart. Located in South Miami, Cafe Bonjour is an authentic French cafe. They are a hidden gem that prides themselves in their French cuisine. When you walk in you are greeted with the smell of pastries, butter, and coffee, all the things the French love. I feel like I’m in Paris every time I come here.
Their coffee is one of my favorites because its strong and bitter. No sugar added, no additives, just coffee. My favorite coffee to order from them is a cappuccino. Even with milk, the coffee notes stand out. You can’t go wrong with any of their coffee’s, simple and delicious.
They have amazing croissants and pastries, and they offer breakfast and lunch. The French toast they make is also so delicious. It reminds me of the French toast from Ladurée in SoHo. Everything is made fresh daily, so once they sell out, they sell out. Their most famous item is the concord cake. I’ve yet to try it, but days before Mother’s Day they were completely sold out. Since they’re a cafe, they close at 3 p.m. If you want to go somewhere local, pay Cafe Bonjour a visit.
After sharing all of these spots, I hope you find one you love. This guide is completely biased and composed of all of my personal favorite coffee shops. I refused any external sources and input to make this list, as I wanted it to fully come from my experience and opinion. Let me know in the comments below what you think, and if you decide to visit any of these coffee shops.
-XX,
Keren Nicole
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