Over the past few years, major coffee chains have relinquished their grip on Orlando, while the local craft scene has bubbled to the top. Orlando’s coffee shops are a great way to get your daily coffee or tea fix — while you’re at it, enjoy a comedy or poetry night, and meet your neighbors. When you drink as much coffee as we do, it’s worth seeking out the shops that really do care about their brew.
Vita Luna Craft Coffee Bar
Address: Multiple locations, 321-270-7410
Formerly housed in Lil Indies seven mornings a week, owner Danny Alvarez is now working on a more permanent location for the craft coffee bar. The mobile coffee bar is ready to pop up almost anywhere at a moment’s notice, and you can find them at events around town. Follow their Facebook to stay up to date on where to find them and the opening of the new location.
Photo via lavanda_y_tomillo/InstagramMust try: Uganda Cold Brew
Photo via Vita Luna Cafe/FacebookVespr Craft Coffee & Allures
Address: 626 N. Alafaya Trail, 407-476-3093
Across Alafaya Trail from the circus that is Waterford Lakes Town Center is Vespr, a minimalist storefront peddling single-origin Joe and using mad-scientist-worthy brew methods like the Japanese Hario siphon method, to produce the smoothest cup of java.
Photo via laurengalantmusic/InstagramMust try: Cold Brew with Bourbon Maple Syrup
Photo via yasu_music/InstagramSaturday, Aug. 19
There Will Be Words: Saturday Night Special at Stardust Video and Coffee
Photo via kristina744/InstagramMust try: Americano on Ice
Photo via lobo787/InstagramLineage Coffee Roasting
Address: 3201 Corrine Drive, 407-205-8096
The gleaming white tiles and shiny coffee drippers lend Lineage, tucked into the back corner of East End Market, a laboratory atmosphere – which, given the seriousness of purpose displayed by those behind the counter, is not far from the truth. The Lineage staff goes deep, experimenting endlessly with roast times and brew techniques to bring out the very best from each single-origin, limited-edition bean. When you outgrow those whipped-cream-topped caffeinated milkshakes, let Lineage show you the way.
Photo via kiaracol/InstagramMust try: Lineage White Cold Brew Coffee
Photo via lineagecoffeeroasting/InstagramInfusion Tea
Address: 1600 Edgewater Drive, 407-999-5255
Some special places offer more than what’s on the table, and while the many, many teas and the creative snacks are wonderful here, just as much nourishment comes from the “third place” environment created by Christina and Brad Cowherd. If they’re on the seasonal menu, don’t miss cauliflower-chickpea tacos.
Photo via weekendwarriororlando/InstagramMust try: Hibiscus Lemonade with Green Tea
Photo via infusion_tea/InstagramFoxtail Coffee Co.
Address: 1282 N. Orange Ave., Winter Park, 407-951-7931
From the tiniest cortadito to the showiest siphon brew, Foxtail imbues its coffee with an appropriate level of drama. It’s reflected in the space – between the exposed ductwork of the soaring ceiling and the polished concrete of the floor, Foxtail is appointed with marble counters, brass lighting fixtures, black subway tile, reclaimed barn wood, and a dozen other exquisite finishes and fixtures. Foxtail roasts their own beans, and they serve the expected espresso drinks, as well as cold brew, pour-overs, presses and siphons; less expectedly, they offer as many as six different cold brews on tap, with at least one nitro at all times.
Photo via foxtailcoffeeco/InstagramMust try: Foxtail Matcha Latte
Photo via foxtailcoffeeco/InstagramDrunken Monkey Coffee Bar
Address: 444 N. Bumby Ave., 407-893-4994
Meat, though present on the menu, takes a backseat to healthy vegan and vegetarian fare at this urban coffeehouse. Chewy Anzac biscuits partner well with the Mojo Jojo, an instantly addictive coffee drink with cinnamon and sweetened condensed milk. Keeping it simple? Try a cup of their own roast, black, no sugar.
Photo via barbarakiester/InstagramMust try: Frozen Mojo Jojo
Photo via itsdebraanne/InstagramDowntown Credo
Address: Multiple locations, 407-519-0643
Espresso drinks (lattes, macchiato, cappuccino), pour-overs and cold-brews are served in four different spaces – College Park, Florida Hospital, North Quarter and downtown – all as sleekly simple as the menu. The erstwhile misnomer of a College Park café with “Downtown” in the name has been rectified with the addition of an actual downtown counter location in the Church Street exchange building. The pay-what-you-will model is intriguing, and it seems to be working out for them.
Photo via sydneyynorberg/InstagramMust try: Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cold Brew
Photo via downtowncredo/InstagramBarnie’s Coffee & Tea
Address: 118 S. Park Ave., Winter Park, 407-629-0042
The flagship location of the longtime Central Florida favorite is still serving elegant coffee beverages as well as breakfast, lunch and brunch on Park Avenue. The pour-over station offers a smooth cup, and we come back for the truffled grilled cheese and shakshuka again and again.
Photo via leandrocalves/InstagramMust try: Nitro Cold Brew
Photo via barniescoffeeandtea/InstagramAustin’s Coffee
Address: 929 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park, 407-975-3364
After the sun sets, Austin’s is less about fair trade and fresh roasting and more about moderately expensive microbrews. Squeeze between anarcho-hipsters for live bands, independent film screenings, spoken word and stand-up comedy open mics. Free wi-fi is a plus, as are the wildly painted (by late local artist Morgan Steele) restrooms.
Photo via austinscoffee/InstagramMust try: Hot Chocolate
Photo via palepuppie/Instagram
