Miami hasn’t always been a city known for its independent coffee houses. But a fairly recent interest in craft coffee has changed all that. There are more options than you’d think to get work done in the city that are not Starbucks. Here are some of the best ones.
1. Panther Coffee
When Panther Coffee opened in Wynwood, they exploded in popularity. You couldn’t get an iced coffee without waiting in a line that snaked out into the courtyard. Now they have a couple of locations in Miami Beach and Coconut Grove. The Miami Beach location is the most comfortable to work at with bigger chairs and tables to sprawl out on. But all three locations have their addicting specialty roasts that are done in-house.
2. All Day
Like the name suggests, All Day is the kind of place where you can settle in for a long productive work session. The hot downtown coffee house boasts an extensive menu of coffee and eggs (and other breakfast items) to satisfy breakfast lovers no matter what time it is. They have a series of special rotating drinks so you’ll never get bored of going there. If you like the sweet taste of Thai iced coffee, let that jolt you into productivity.
3. The Café at Books and Books
Books and Books is part café and part bookstore, so it creates the perfect work-friendly atmosphere of a library with plenty of food and drink to stay fueled up. It was two locations, one in Miami Beach and one in Coral Gables. The former is surrounded by the pedestrian traffic of Lincoln Road, so the Coral Gables location is a better place to work. Though if you’re after a unique craft coffee experience, you won’t find it here. They serve illy coffee.
4. Pasion del Cielo
For real coffee connoisseurs, Pasion del Cielo is probably more your speed. They have coffee beans from all over the world including Brazil, Colombia, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Java. You can customize your coffee however you like by selecting the perfect bean and all your desired add-ins. With its mix of tables and couches, the atmosphere is cozy and inviting. The Dadeland location has the most seating and gets less packed than the Coral Gables location
5. Vice City Bean
A downtown spot where you can stay caffeinated and productive is Vice City Bean. It’s a quasi-industrial space with plenty of natural light pouring in. The seats are spaced out so you never feel like you’re sitting on top of anybody else. Their coffee comes from Michigan roasters Madcap Coffee Company. If you’re a fan, this is a good place to stock up on Madcap for your home. And in addition to good coffee, they also have flaky gourmet empanadas.
6. MIAM Café
MIAM Café sits inside Wynwood’s large and recognizable zebra-striped building. They serve breakfast until 3 pm, which is perfect if you’re a late riser, though they also offer a lunch menu. The openness of the café’s design makes it conducive to productivity. By the way, the name has nothing to do with Miami; it’s the French word for Yum. It’s a little bit like a joke that always needs explaining. But don’t let that deter you from visiting this great café to work.
7. Mister Block
Providing another alternative to Panther Coffee in Wynwood, Mister Block perfectly blends art and coffee. Either the patterned floor or the funky bearded drawings on the wall make you feel like you’re in a surrealist painting. They’ll stencil a bowler hat on your cappuccino to boot. The courtyard is massive and has a lot of comfortable covered seating, so on a breezy day, you can get your work done outside without the sun bearing down on you.
8. Aroma Espresso Bar
You’ll find this comfortable coffee shop just off of 5th Street on Collins Avenue in South Beach. Aroma Espresso Bar has comfy diner-style seating inside and plenty of outdoor seating if you prefer to people watch. The Wifi is free and strong so you can stay connected while you enjoy a latte or an affogato. Skip the traditional breakfast options and try the Mediterranean shakshuka with two sunny side up eggs in a spicy tomato sauce.
9. Small Tea
Alright, so this isn’t technically a café, but Small Tea is a great place to get some work done in Coral Gables. It has a well-designed and comfortable interior, and a decent menu that includes breakfast items and sandwiches. It’s a cozy place to bring your laptop or have a meeting. If you do like tea, their selection is downright impressive. And they have canisters where you can smell each of them before you pick one.
Or you know… you can go to Starbucks like all the other basic bitches in Miami.
Leave a Reply