Here in Miami, cafecitos are the go-to coffee choice in town, and ventanitas -- those wonderful walk-up cortadito-dispensing windows -- can be found on pretty much every corner. But when it comes to coffee, you know what can’t be found? Nothing actually, thanks to a slew of great coffee shops all around the 305. Every spot on this list hones their focus on using quality products and creating a low-key, friendly vibes atmosphere. Here are Miami’s best...
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Panther Coffee
South Beach (& other locations)
These guys need no intro. They are the godfathers of the local craft coffee movement, bringing back concepts like pour-overs, French presses, Japanese-style slow drips, and cupping sessions in a coffeehouse setting. Extremely popular, lines are usually out the door and the waits can be 20+ minutes. But hey, at least you can make a new friend while you’re waiting.
Vice City Bean
Downtown Miami
In between Wynwood and Downtown’s Arts and Entertainment District is a small, industrial-like space stocked with a wide array of java brews along with pastries and hot plates. The coffee shop doesn’t roast its own beans, but the owners, Ronald and Eva Baker, curate their most beloved blends from around the globe. Look for Madcap Coffee from Grand Rapids, Michigan or local brews from South Florida.
Pasión del Cielo
Kendall (& other locations)
Simply referred to as Pasión, this place offers 15 different single-origin beans from places all around the world... Hawaii, Colombia, Brazil, Jamaica, and Kenya to name a few. As for food, baked empanadas are the go-to here. With six locations and counting, it's in hardcore expansion mode (a South Beach and Doral spot are expected soon).
Juan Valdez Café
Downtown Miami (& other locations)
If you can’t make it to Colombia, this is the next best thing. Not only are the new full-service shops simply chic and sustainable, they feature photography of the coffee producers and other cultural novelties. Each of the stores has a special cupping session table, where you can get down to learning about the country’s premium beans and regions -- Santander, Cauca, Sierra Nevada, and Nariño.
specialTEA Lounge
Westchester
Don’t be fooled by this shop’s name. Its coffee game is strong too, thanks to items like iced Vietnamese coffee and the Dirty Grasshopper, a mix of coffee, mint, and Oreos. It also has tons of salads, sandwiches, and desserts on the menu to satisfy the hungry FIU crowd. We just need to start a petition for it to open on weekends.
Miam Cafe
Wynwood
If you can’t make it to Eternity Coffee Roasters in Downtown, try Miam Cafe instead. The Wynwood-based coffee shop brews Eternity and makes a pastry featuring its coffee too. It's the coffee duffin, which is a doughnut/muffin hybrid, boasting a creamy center filled with sweet paste made from Eternity Coffee Roasters. Pair it with a cup of joe and you’re good to go.
Cafe Curuba
Coral Gables
While the owner is originally from Colombia, she’s ventured away from traditional Latin coffee (see Juan Valdez above) and veered towards Italian-style traditionalism. This shop makes pan de bono with sweet guava filling, which is reason enough to visit, but opt to get your drinks to go, since the spot is tiny. As for the name, well, it’s Spanish for banana passionfruit. Lookie there, you learned something new.
Puroast
Downtown Miami
More than 25 years before Puroast’s flagship location in Downtown Miami opened, came the coffee shop’s signature brews. The brand, created in Southern California, is the product of brothers Kerry and Jim Sachs, who spent months abroad perfecting a single cup of coffee. Stop in and see for yourself.
Café Demetrio
Coral Gables
Opened in 1997, it claims to be the 'hood’s original coffeehouse. Order a Cafe Demetrio, its version of the cortadito, head straight to the outdoor, palm tree-covered courtyard, and... um, drink your coffee, obviously.
Eternity Coffee Roasters
Downtown Miami
For a really long time, decades really, people downtown had to settle for boring old chain coffee spots. These guys changed the scene, and expectations, with their single-origin coffee, San Franciscan roasters, and overall seed-to-cup lifestyle. Pro tip: they offer free parking in the Ingraham Garage; just make sure to ask for the validation.
ALL DAY
Downtown
One of the city’s best new coffeehouses is the progeny of Panther Coffee alum, Camila Ramos. The shop is sandwiched between The Corner Bar and Fooq's, and before you order, make sure you know the difference between wet or dry milked drinks -- as a barista is sure to ask which you prefer. Wet adds creamy, warm milk to your coffee, and dry tosses in thick froth.
Mister Block
Wynwood
This indie indoor/outdoor spot inside Wynwood Block is about to give neighboring Panther a run for its money. Come for the coffee (Counter Culture, here), but stay for the sweet decked-out terrace, products like Mast Brothers chocolate and Big Spoon Roasters peanut butter, and large homemade sandwiches and salads.
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Sweat Records
Little Haiti
Located inside Miami’s coolest record store, it is the only fully vegan coffeehouse in town. Not only does it use Panther Coffee and soy and vanilla almond milks, but everything is also recycled and environmentally friendly. The drinks go the extra mile in both flavor and name, like the Unicorn Love Bomb (double shot of espresso topped with vegan marshmallows) and Señor Mochanut (chocolate coconut latte).
Tinta y Cafe
Brickell
This Cuban-inspired spot is phenomenal. The space, which features mismatched and eclectic couches, tables, and accessories, offers everything from cortaditos and coladas to sachi-mochas and cafe con leche on ice. Pair a cup with its namesake sandwich -- el Tinta y Cafe -- topped with pulled pork and caramelized onions.
Alaska Roasting Company
North Miami
Not only is this Northern Miami bean-slinger one of the only purveyors of one of the highest-rated coffee beans in the world, Ethiopian Yrgacheffe, it also employs students from nearby JWU, which means all the pizza and baked goods are made in-house. The large space also offers comfy couches on which to sprawl after a few too many of said baked goods.
Warsaw Coffee Company
Fort Lauderdale
From the guys behind Tap 42 Bar & Kitchen, this 3,800sqft (go big or go home) industrial-style behemoth features a roasting area, a scratch-pastry kitchen, a walk-up bar with pour-overs and espresso, and a drive-through that accommodates 11 cars. It's serving coffee by local roasters Argyle Coffee. Warning: the homemade Pop-Tarts sell out extra fast, so plan accordingly.
BREW Urban Cafe Next Door
Fort Lauderdale
In 2013, people freaked out when this coffeehouse shut down, but it's popped up again inside C&I Studios, resembling an eclectic mix of a library, garage, and speakeasy, right on the railroad tracks. There’s also a courtyard out back, which features street art. This place brews local favorite Wells Coffee Co. and features a full liquor bar on Friday and Saturday nights.
B Sweet Coffee Shop
Design District
This hole-in-the-wall coffee shop features a variety of brews along with hand-crafted pastries all made onsite. Thomas Worhach, who’s dabbled with sweets for more than 30 years, whips up Nutella croissants, protein balls, and mini crème brûlée every day. Pro tip: come early as confections sell out quick.
Grind Coffee Project
Fort Lauderdale
Yoni, the owner, is a perfectionist and he will most likely be making your drink, which can alternate between Kuma, Panther, Ceremony, and Anodyne coffees with fun toppings like Nutella, balsamic vinegar, and candied bacon. There's also a coffee club, where for $30/month, you’ll get two 12oz bags of coffee, one from Egghead and the other from a roaster that rotates on a monthly basis. Just make sure to Google directions, cause it’s a little hard to find.
Subculture Coffee
Delray Beach & West Palm Beach
There’s nothing South Floridians love more than a spot that’s open late. On some nights, this one stays open until 2am. Everybody raves about the coconut lattes, because the coco mellows out the bitter edge. Décor is artsy and hip with coffee bean lamps and photo collage walls. They work with six single-origin coffees, and also offer wine, beer, and gelato. Both locations are in the heart of the action, so coffee can easily turn into beer and wine and vice versa.
The Seed
Boca Raton
Featuring both single-origin and specialty blends by Wells Coffee Co., it also offers a unique self-serve syrup bar with flavors like lavender and vanilla. But this spot takes it to the next level with homemade cold-pressed juices and smoothies. Make sure to grab a seat next to the great wood-paneled wall for your Insta pics, no filter required.
Harold’s Coffee Lounge
West Palm Beach
Offering the widely popular Intelligentsia Coffee (specifically Black Cat Project and El Diablo), the iced brews are the way to go. Brewed in ice-cold water for 12-14 hours in special machines, it reduces high bitterness and acidity. Located in the Northwood 'hood, Harold's is all about the local arts, showcasing it on its walls and in events like Lyrical Ink, poetry slams, and drum circle Thursdays.
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1. Panther Coffee
1875 Purdy Ave, Miami Beach -
2. Vice City Bean
1657 N Miami Ave, Miami -
3. Pasión del Cielo
8915 SW 72nd Pl, Miami -
4. Juan Valdez Café
101 NE 2nd Ave, Miami -
5. specialTEA Lounge & Cafe
10766 SW 24th St, Miami -
6. Miam Cafe & Boutique
2750 NW 3rd Ave Ste 21, Miami -
7. Cafe Curuba
2626 Ponce de Leon Blvd, Coral Gables -
8. Puroast Coffee
632 S Miami Ave, Miami -
9. Café Demetrio
300 Alhambra Cir, Coral Gables -
10. Eternity Coffee Roasters
117 SE 2nd Ave, Miami -
11. All Day
1035 N Miami Ave, Miami -
12. Mister Block Cafe
2621 NW 2nd Ave, Miami -
13. Sweat Records
5505 NE 2nd Ave, Miami -
14. Tinta y Café
276 SW 8th St, Miami -
15. Alaska Coffee Roasting Co.
13130 Biscayne Blvd, North Miami -
16. Warsaw Coffee Company
815 NE 13th St, Fort Lauderdale -
17. BREW Urban Cafe Next Door
537 NW 1st Ave, Fort Lauderdale -
18. B Sweet Coffee Shop
20 NE 41 St, Miami -
19. Grind Coffee Project
599 SW 2nd Ave, Fort Lauderdale -
20. The Seed
199 West Palmetto Park Rd, Boca Raton -
21. Subculture Coffee
509 Clematis St, West Palm Beach -
22. Harold’s Coffee Lounge
509 Northwood Rd, West Palm Beach
This gleaming, industrial-chic space in South Beach has constant lines out the door for local craft coffee, from pour-overs and French presses to Japanese-style slow drips. The beans are roasted on-site, and coffee drinks are served alongside cookies, savory bites, wine and beer. Local artwork lines the walls, and free WiFi makes this the perfect work space.
Vice City Bean in Downtown Miami is housed in a small industrial space that is stocked with a wide array of java brews along with pastries and hot plates. Owners Ronald and Eva Baker curate their most beloved blends from around the globe. Cold brew is a favorite, and they surprisingly serve gourmet empanadas in addition to the standard baked good selection.
This coffee shop in Kendall offers 15 different single-origin beans from places all around the world... Hawaii, Colombia, Brazil, Jamaica, and Kenya to name a few. You can also get smoothies, frappes and baked empanadas, which are a big hit here. The space is massive and industrial, with illuminated art lining the brick walls.
What started as a simple roasting company has expanded to coffee shops around the world, including this outpost in Downtown Miami. The space reflects the company's global values, featuring photography of the coffee producers and other cultural novelties. The store even has a special cupping session table, where you can get down to learning about the country’s premium beans and regions -- Santander, Cauca, Sierra Nevada, and Nariño.
SpecialTEA, regardless of its name, serves tea AND coffee based drinks to patrons taking advantage of comfy couches and free Wi-Fi. They serve 60 loose-leaf teas, fair trade coffee drinks, craft sodas, and food -- including wraps, salads, and pastries (with gluten-free and vegan options).
The small eatery, nestled inside the black-and-white Wynwood building, houses an industrial-designed breakfast and lunch nook, serving hot and cold meals along with a variety of freshly baked pastries. There’s breakfast all-day in addition to sandwiches, salads, and heartier foods like pastas made in-house and braised chicken.
This coffee shop's drink lineup includes brewed coffee, loose-leaf teas, and an assortment of espresso drinks. The food menu is always changing, but you can count on coffee-shop-classics like egg sandwiches and salads. Don't plan on sticking around too long though, because the shop is tiny and gets crowded easily.
This downtown location is Puroast's flagship brick-and-mortar, but the company had been making their brews for over 25 years prior. It was created in Southern California, the product of brothers Kerry and Jim Sachs, who spent months abroad perfecting a single cup of coffee. The shop is beautiful, spacious and clean, and the music is low and easy on the ears, perfect for getting work done.
The husband and wife team who run Café Demetrio call it Coral Gables' oldest coffee house, and offer guests a place to enjoy Florida weather and European-style coffee drinks. Visit for a variety of coffee drinks, pastries, lunch options, desserts, and maybe even a glass of red wine on the outdoor patio.
This downtown roastery is laudable if for no other reason than that they offer free parking downtown. On top of that, they custom-brew each cup with their single cup pour over the bar, and brew the beans in small batches daily.
This downtown Miami coffeehouse is the progeny of Panther Coffee alum, Camila Ramos. The shop is sandwiched between the Corner Bar and Fooqs, and before you order, make sure you know the difference between wet or dry milked drinks -- as a barista is sure to ask which you prefer. In addition to espresso drinks, All Day offers homemade iced teas and an open, inviting space in which to socialize.
This Wynwood indoor-outdoor space provides chocolates, baked goods, and homemade sandwiches that have become as popular as their coffee drinks. The space is as impressive as the espresso program, with bright, colorful walls that work with trendy artwork on the walls to create a vibrant and welcoming space.
Don't let the name trip you up: inside this indie record store you can find a premium espresso bar. Menu highlights include signature coffee drinks like The Devastator and the Unicorn Love Bomb among the more traditional latte and cappuccino. Munching on all-vegan treats while perusing rows of vinyl makes for a relaxing afternoon.
This Brickell Cuban-inspired restaurant features mismatched and eclectic couches, tables and accessories From cortaditos and coladas to sachi-mochas and cafe con leche on ice, there's something for everyone. Pair a cup with its namesake sandwich -- el Tinta y Cafe -- topped with pulled pork and caramelized onions.
Based in Alaska, but brewed and baked on location in Miami, Alaska Coffee Roasters serves the highest-quality coffee beans alongside salads, and baked goods in this counter-service cafe. It also employs students from nearby JWU, which means all the pizza and pastries are made in-house. If you're feeling lethargic after your gut-busting intake of sweet treats, the space offers comfy couches on which to shamelessly sprawl.
From the guys behind Tap 42 Bar & Kitchen, this 3,800-square-foot (go big or go home) industrial-style behemoth features a roasting area, a scratch-pastry kitchen, a walk-up bar with pour-overs and espresso, and a drive-through that accommodates 11 cars. In addition to serving coffee by local roasters Argyle Coffee, the space also offers education cooking courses by the executive pastry chef.
Resembling a mix of a garage, library and speakeasy, and located right on the railroad tracks, BREW is a local favorite. With Wells Coffee Co. coffee on offer as well as a full liquor bar on Friday and Saturday nights, you can stop by C&I Studios anytime of a day for any kind of drink.
B Sweet serves -- you guessed it -- sweet and savory eats in Buena Vista opened by a veteran and former "Top 10 in US" pastry chef according to Chocolatier Magazine and his Argentine wife, who's a veteran at smuggling cookware back from her homeland. The protein balls and chocolate croissants always pack a flavorful and filling punch to their dessert menu. In addition to sweet offerings, B Sweet also serves savory grilled cheeses, soups and salads.
The coffees at this cozy, relaxed spot alternate between Kuma, Panther, Ceremony, and Anodyne, as do the fun toppings like Nutella, balsamic vinegar, and candied bacon. Just make sure to look up directions first because is small and hidden, and you just might miss its Hungry Bear-adjacent entrance.
The Seed has both single-origin and specialty blends by Wells Coffee Co., but what is truly unique is their self-serve syrup bar with flavors like lavender and vanilla. Not to mention their homemade cold-pressed juices and smoothies.
Everyone raves about Subculture Coffee's coconut lattes, and for good reason — the sweet cream of the coconut drives out the bitter edge of the freshly brewed artisan coffee. You'll find yourself wanting one at all hours of the day, which is fine because this place is open until 2am sometimes. You can drop by and and get one to go (it's conveniently located in the heart of the city), or have a seat inside the artsy shop, complete with photo-collage wall art and coffee bean lamps.
Located in Northwood, Harold's Coffee Lounge brews the ever-famous Intelligentsia Coffee (specifically Black Cat Project and El Diablo). Cold drinks are a must here, as this San Diego favorite is a pioneer of cold brewing coffee, which it brews for 12-14 hours and serves on tap. Come if you're feeling artsy — Harold's is covered in it. It also hosts events like Lyrical Ink, poetry slams, and drum circles on a regular basis.