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Coffee is a big part of Hispanic culture. From Spanish lattes to cafè con leche, the bold flavors allow you to connect with the culture’s roots. Many communities residing in the Tampa Bay area have shared their culture with us through their coffee shops. I present to you the cutest Hispanic-owned coffee shops you must go to.
1. KUBANA CAFE
5130 S Dale Mabry Hwy #106, Tampa, FL 33611
Open all week, 7 AM-3 PM
Offering a spin on Cuban coffee, Kubana Kafe has some of the best lattes I have ever tried. The big guava latte had a flavorful guava drizzle that makes every other corporate coffee chain taste extra artificial. The dessert menu is mouth-watering, and honestly I had the hardest time choosing what to get. Everything looked so delicious. This can definitely be more of a sit-down chit-chat place with a lot of photo ops because of how everything is aesthetically organized!
Recommendation: Big Guava Latte, Dulce de Leche Cheesecake, Arroz con Leche
2. SOG Cafe
6102 S MacDill Ave Ste F, Tampa, FL 33611
Open all week, 7 AM-3:30 PM
This is the cutest study spot ever. A lot of sunlight, vibrant decor, and tasty food and coffee. I fell in love with this place from the moment I had the first sip. It’s honestly sad because I live so far away from it, but I genuinely yearn for this place. This Dominican-owned gem has a great mix of coffee, food, smoothies, and acai bowls (whatttt?! I know, it blew my mind too!). I tried their churro iced flat white, and it breaks my heart that I can’t have that every day.
As a plus, the baristas were so nice; they wrote the cutest message on my cup that I felt dread upon having to throw it away.
RECOMMENDATION: Churro iced flat white. (I will definitely be coming back and exploring the rest of the menu.)
3. Fin & Bean
3804 W Linebaugh Ave Ste C, Tampa, FL 33618
Open all week, 7:30 AM-9 PM
This is hands down the best study spot in Tampa. It is a one-of-a-kind aquatic-themed Cuban-owned café. Not only are they open late, but they have a variety of seating options from the patio to booths, couches, and regular tables. This is a place I would only be able to describe in Pinterest words with how coffee-shop-study-esque it is. During one of my study sessions here, I got four different drinks because of how addicted I became to their coffee. I didn’t get the chance to try the desserts, but you bet I will be back.
Recommendation: Spanish Flan Latte, Guava Latte, Reef Ham Melt
4. Mi CAFECITO
2202 W Platt St, Tampa, FL 33606
Open Wednesday-Sunday, 8 am-2 pm
This is a Colombian coffee shop tucked away in the heart of Hyde Park. They recently opened this storefront, as before they were running out of a coffee truck. While I was there, the owner was giving one of his family members a tour, and he seemed so proud of his work and accomplishments that I wanted to cry. The coffee shop offers a patio, bar, and table seating perfect for regular chatting and/or study dates. I never knew having an iced café con leche was an option before I went here; it was life-changing.
Recommendation: Iced Cafe con Leche, Arequipe
5. La Especial
9212 Anderson Rd, Tampa, FL 33634
Open Tuesday-Sunday 9 am-2 pm
Thursday-Sunday also open 6 pm- 10 pm
Cuban coffee truck right in front of a lake for cute photo ops. They had so many drink options to choose from that I wanted to buy everything. A lot of their flavors are more on the sweet side, perfect if you enjoy a sweet-treat kind of coffee. I’m definitely coming back to try their sandwiches because their empanada was hands down the juiciest lechón empanada I have ever laid my hands on. As a plus, they are surrounded by other Hispanic-owned food trucks that had such yummy offerings. You get a little piece of each country within the plaza.
Recommendation: Empanadas, Dulce de Leche Latte
⭐If you show this article to the owners at the coffee truck, they will give you a 10% discount on the order!
Honorable mention: Quiero Coffee, coffee pop-up
I haven’t been able to find a pop-up of theirs that I’m available to go to, but I have been eyeing this place for a while. If anyone has been, please, please, please let me know how it is, and is it okay to show up to a Pilates event just for the coffee? Asking for a friend.
I would be lying if I said that going on a hunt for the best Hispanic-owned coffee shops in Tampa wasn’t whimsical and filled with pure joy. I loved getting to see how each cafè expressed their culture differently, and the equal happiness it brought to each of the vendors. I highly recommend checking out these places, as well as looking into more locally owned coffee shops. No corporate-funded chain will ever beat the authentic, natural, cultural diversity that these cafès have to offer. I wish you all the utmost enchanting experience on the quest to find your new Hispanic-owned go-to coffee spot!