Caffeination – Our Favorite Coffee shops in the Gables
In a city with so many businesses, there’s no doubt the hard-working people of Coral Gables often need a good dose of caffeine. If you’re an on-the-go coffee drinker or just looking for a place to rest your feet or get some work done, look no further. Here are our favorite spots:
Pasión Del Cielo
On the corner of Giralda Plaza and Galiano Street is Pasión Del Cielo, a relatively quiet spot except during lunch hour. Pasión’s unique premise: Customers can choose coffee beans from any of the 12 countries they import from. We went with medium-strength Brazilian beans for our Cinasugar Latte, a café con Leche with cinnamon-flavored syrup. A delicious combination. www.pasiondelcielocoffee.com
House of Per’La
Just around the corner from Ponce on Almeria is House of Per’La (2626 Ponce de Leon Blvd.), a small, trendy coffee bar with rustic décor and an abundance of hanging and potted plants. A favorite of local professionals popping in for a mid-morning coffee break, it offers all the basics, like lattes, cappuccinos, macchiatos, and cortaditos, with coffees they source and grind daily for freshness. We enjoyed a latte with vanilla syrup – and the faint hum of Indie rock. www.drinkperla.com
Café Demetrio
Inspired by the coffee houses of the 18th century, Café Demetrio (300 Alhambra Circle) is the oldest coffee house in Coral Gables. Its 1920s-era building is enhanced by Renaissance-style portraits, antique kitchen accessories, chandeliers, and an outdoor patio. Our go-to order: the original Café Demetrio, a cappuccino with cacao powder, milk, a double shot of espresso, and just enough sugar. www.cafedemetrio.com
Crema Gourmet Espresso Bar
The vibe at Crema Gourmet Espresso Bar (169 Miracle Mile) is bubbly and energetic, enhanced by EDM music and the babble of conversations with the occasional customer on a laptop. We waited inside on a comfy leather armchair for our Iced Latte, served in a glass mason jar, and took it to a sidewalk table to watch the passers- by; a great outdoor location at the Colonnades. www.cremagourmet.com
Café Grumpy
Whether you want a quick cup to go or a place to sit and work on your laptop, look no further than Café Grumpy (2516 Ponce de Leon Blvd.) Grumpy has a quiet, warm environment decorated with potted plants and quirky posters. We indulged in a latte with dulce de leche-flavored syrup – which we haven’t seen offered any- where else – a combo coffee and dessert. cafegrumpy.com
Tinta y Cafe
If your wish is to experience the best Cuban coffee in Coral Gables (in our humble opinion), then you’ll want to go to Tinta y Café (1315 Ponce de Leon Blvd.) You can order at the window or sit inside, which feels like a living room from the 1970s. We ordered an iced café con Leche, a perfect blend of strong Cuban coffee with sugar and enough ice to face the upcoming summer. www.tintaycafe.co
Starbucks
They’re worldwide, so it’s no surprise that Starbucks is also in the Gables, in two locations. The more spacious location with an outdoor order window is on the Mile near Salzedo (292 Miracle Mile; the other is inside Barnes & Noble (152 Miracle Mile). We enjoyed their most Instagram-able drink, an Iced Caramel Macchiato – espresso, milk, vanilla syrup, and a caramel drizzle. www.starbucks.com