Miami Beach isn’t the epicenter of great coffee, but that doesn’t mean you have to settle for room temperature hotel brew that’s been sitting out for over 36 hours. Instead, head to one of these Miami Beach coffee shops. They’re are all solid spots to pick up a cup of java, and perhaps something to eat too.
THE SPOTS
Bebito’s is a cafe just off Alton Road in South Beach with a ton of seating, some good coffee, and a small menu of mostly Cuban breakfast items. It’s a really solid spot to take a meeting since it’s quieter than 99 percent of the other coffee shops in South Beach, and there’s secluded seating upstairs where you can have a relatively private chat. There’s also some outdoor seating on the patio.
Panther’s Sunset Harbour location is pretty big, with indoor and outdoor seating. They have a long, communal table inside that’s good for getting some work done - but you can also come here on a pretty day, sit outside, and chat with a friend over some very strong cold brew. They have a small selection of pastries as well, and there’s a lovely waterfront park right across the street where you can have a little picnic.
Under The Mango Tree isn’t strictly a coffee shop - they’re more of a cafe specializing in healthy vegetarian breakfast dishes. However, the small South Beach spot does have some very tasty coffee drinks - like their superfood frap, which is espresso blended with cacao, maca, agave, almond milk, and cinnamon. You can get it hot or (if it’s the usual 1,000 degrees outside) frozen. They also have more straightforward coffee options, like espresso, macchiato, or lattes.
If you’re in North Beach, check out Cachito Cafe. They have a really long coffee menu with everything from a dulce de leche latte to a cortadito. But another good reason to stop by this place is for the food. Their empanadas are great and the affordable breakfast sandwiches will do the trick if your stomach has been growling from the second you woke up. They have indoor and outdoor seating, and this place works best for small groups of two or four.
Las Olas is a ventanita and cafeteria in South Beach. You can come here to eat (we love their Cuban sandwich) but if you’re on the hunt for caffeine, they do a great Cuban coffee, such as coladas, cortaditos, or a classic cafe con leche. It’s mostly a to-go spot, but there is some seating inside.
Crema isn’t a place we seek out for any reason other than convenience. It’s usually not hard to find an open seat or table here, and this little cafe has a decent amount of standard coffee options as well as some decent sandwiches, salads, and soups. And - while not necessarily affordable - the prices here are just a bit better than they are a block away on Lincoln Road. Is it the best restaurant in South Beach? No, but it can come in handy on a lunch break.
Bettant is a bakery first and foremost - and one of Miami’s best. So if you’re looking for food as well as coffee, this is a good choice. However, you can still come to this South Beach spot even if your sole objective is coffee. They do the basics here - espressos, lattes, coladas - with beans from local roaster Great Circle Coffee.
We usually only find ourselves at this Danish import when we have no other options or are in a rush, because it’s a tad expensive and definitely feels like a chain inside. Yet it’s a perfectly fine option if you, too, are in a rush or just want a decent cup of coffee and happen to be reasonably close to this place. There are three locations scattered around South Beach, but the one at 1600 Collins Ave is the most comfortable. It has a fair amount of seating, and, if you’re simply too hungry to wait for better South Beach options - get one of their sandwiches, which come on very thin rye bread and are a fine snack.
