12 Florida Cafés Specializing In Cuban Coffee And Pastries
Florida’s vibrant Cuban culture has gifted us one of life’s greatest pleasures: the irresistible combination of authentic Cuban coffee and pastries.
For years, I’ve wandered through Miami’s bustling streets, Tampa’s historic districts, and small towns in between, searching for the perfect colada and the flakiest pastelitos.
These cafés are far more than breakfast stops—they’re cultural institutions, where the hum of Spanish conversation flows as effortlessly as the café con leche, and the sweet scent of guava-filled pastries mingles with the bold, rich aroma of freshly brewed Cuban coffee. Each visit feels like a warm embrace, steeped in tradition and brimming with flavor.
1. Versailles Bakery – The Crown Jewel of Little Havana
Standing in line at Versailles’ famous ventanita (little window) remains my favorite Miami ritual. The morning crowd buzzes with energy as locals order coladas to share and debate politics over steaming cups of liquid heaven.
Their guava pastelitos strike the perfect balance between flaky and sweet, while the ham croquetas offer savory perfection in bite-sized form. The café con leche here comes with a side of community—elderly Cuban gentlemen playing dominoes nearby and tourists snapping photos of this cultural landmark.
Pro tip: Visit early morning to watch Miami wake up, Cuban-style!
2. Delicias Cuban Bakery – A Family Tradition Worth Savoring
Grandma Rosa would approve of Delicias’ perfect pastelitos. Each location maintains that impossible-to-fake family bakery feel—where recipes seem passed down through generations rather than corporate training manuals.
My Saturday morning weakness? Their cortadito paired with a warm cheese pastelito, still crackling from the oven. The staff remembers regular customers by name and order, creating that neighborhood feeling that chain cafés try desperately to manufacture.
Family-owned businesses like this preserve authentic Cuban flavors while adapting to modern Florida life—no wonder they’ve expanded to multiple locations without losing their soul.
3. The Cuban Café & Bakery – St. Augustine’s Taste of Havana
Tucked among St. Augustine’s historic streets hides this gem serving the strongest café Cubano I’ve ever sipped. One morning, completely jet-lagged, their colada transformed me from zombie to functioning human in three delicious sips.
Beyond coffee magic, their churros arrive piping hot, dusted with cinnamon sugar that clings to your fingers (and possibly your shirt). The empanadas deserve their own fan club—perfectly crimped edges containing savory fillings that complement their robust coffee offerings.
What makes this spot special? The way they’ve created a little Havana oasis in America’s oldest city.
4. Paladar Cuban Eatery – Where Nostalgia Meets Modern St. Augustine
Walking into Paladar feels like entering your Cuban grandmother’s kitchen—if she happened to have excellent taste in interior design. The aroma hits you first: caramelized sugar, coffee beans, and nostalgia.
My love affair with their guava and cheese pastelitos borders on embarrassing. Flaky layers shatter delicately, revealing the perfect sweet-tart filling that pairs magically with their strong, slightly sweet café con leche. Breakfast sandwiches here come on freshly baked Cuban bread—crisp outside, cloud-soft inside.
Unlike some tourist traps, Paladar attracts a healthy mix of locals and visitors, always a good sign in a vacation town.
5. Casa Rojas Cuban Bakery & Café – Cape Coral’s Sweet Escape
“You haven’t tried Casa Rojas yet?” My Cape Coral friend looked genuinely concerned for my wellbeing. After one visit, I understood why locals guard this place like a treasured secret.
Unlike flashier establishments, Casa Rojas focuses on perfecting classics rather than reinventing them. Their cortadito achieves that elusive balance—strong enough for coffee purists yet approachable for newcomers to Cuban coffee culture. The pastry case showcases flaky delights arranged like edible artwork.
What keeps me returning whenever I’m in Southwest Florida? The genuine warmth of the staff who treat first-timers like returning friends.
6. Azúcar Cuban Café – St. Petersburg’s Rising Star
“Just opened last year,” whispered my Tampa friend as we approached Azúcar, “but already crushing it.” One bite of their ham croqueta confirmed her assessment—crispy exterior giving way to creamy, savory filling that transported me straight to Havana.
Despite being the new kid on Florida’s Cuban café block, Azúcar nails the fundamentals. Their guava pastries achieve that perfect balance of flaky and chewy, while their Cuban sandwich might start arguments among traditionalists—in the best possible way.
The coffee arrives strong enough to wake the dead yet smooth enough to savor slowly in their cozy space decorated with vintage Cuban photography.
7. La Segunda Central Bakery – Tampa’s Historic Bread Kingdom
Founded in 1915, La Segunda feels like stepping into living history. The intoxicating aroma of their famous Cuban bread—baked with palmetto leaves creating that signature split top—hits you before you even enter.
My Tampa ritual includes their medianoche sandwich (like a Cuban but on sweeter bread) and guava turnover that somehow stays crisp despite Florida’s humidity. Their newer café locations maintain the quality while adding comfortable seating where you can linger over perfectly crafted café con leche.
Fourth-generation bakers still use original recipes here, proving some traditions shouldn’t be modernized. Their flan alone justifies the drive from anywhere in Florida.
8. Mi Isla Bakery – Florida City’s Hidden Treasure
Blink and you might miss Mi Isla, tucked between nondescript buildings in Florida City. But locals know—this unassuming spot serves pastelitos warm from the oven that would make Cuban grandmothers weep with joy.
The café con leche arrives in no-nonsense mugs, perfectly balanced between strong coffee and steamed milk. No fancy latte art here—just honest, delicious coffee that pairs perfectly with their pastries. I’ve driven 40 minutes out of my way just for their guava-cheese combination pastelito.
Family photos line the walls alongside Cuban memorabilia, creating that authentic neighborhood bakery atmosphere that chain stores spend millions trying to replicate.
9. Havana Tea & Coffee Company – Downtown Miami’s Espresso Sanctuary
Surrounded by Miami’s gleaming skyscrapers, this tiny café serves as downtown’s Cuban coffee embassy. Business suits and construction workers stand shoulder-to-shoulder at the counter, united by their need for proper café Cubano.
Their cortadito saved me during a particularly brutal deadline week—the perfect ratio of espresso to steamed milk delivered in those iconic little white cups. The pastry selection remains small but mighty, focusing on executing classics perfectly rather than offering endless varieties.
What makes this place special? The baristas who remember your order after just one visit and the way conversations between strangers flow freely in line.
10. Tinta y Café – Coral Gables’ Sophisticated Cuban Corner
“Pretentious?” My Miami friend laughed at my question. “No, just particular about their coffee.” She was right—Tinta y Café elevates Cuban coffee traditions without sacrificing authenticity.
Their cortadito arrives with a side of sparkling water to cleanse your palate before the first sip. The café’s bookshelf-lined walls and artistic vibe attract university students and professors from nearby campuses. Unlike some traditionalists, they’ve embraced specialty coffee techniques while maintaining Cuban flavor profiles.
Their pastries lean less sweet than most Cuban bakeries—a refreshing change that lets the quality ingredients shine through. The guava-filled options still maintain that perfect balance of tart and sweet.
11. La Colada Gourmet – Miami’s Modern Cuban Coffee Laboratory
Forget everything you thought about traditional Cuban coffee spots! La Colada Gourmet blends old-world techniques with new-school presentation, creating Instagram-worthy drinks that still respect Cuban coffee traditions.
Their signature cortadito comes with latte art that would impress even third-wave coffee snobs. Yet the flavor remains authentically Cuban—strong, slightly sweet, and utterly satisfying. The pastry selection offers both classics and creative spins, like guava-filled croissants that bridge Cuban and French pastry traditions.
The sleek, minimalist space attracts a younger crowd than old-school ventanitas, proving Cuban coffee culture continues evolving while honoring its roots.
12. Pastelmania Bakery – Miami’s Pastry Paradise
The name doesn’t lie—Pastelmania’s display case stretches seemingly endlessly, filled with every Cuban pastry variation imaginable. First-timers often stand paralyzed by choices, while regulars march confidently to their favorites.
Beyond the expected guava pastelitos, they offer regional specialties rarely found outside Cuba. Their coffee program matches this ambition—serving everything from quick coladas to leisurely café con leches. The bakery buzzes with rapid-fire Spanish conversations and the constant ding of the service bell.
My personal obsession? Their coconut-filled pastelitos—a variation I rarely find elsewhere but now crave constantly. Worth every calorie and the inevitable sugar crash!