If you find yourself in Coconut Grove needing a little pick-me-up, the area boasts a multitude of charming cafes where you can relax with a book, savor your daily cup of joe, or indulge in some hearty fare and sweet treats.
Berries in the Grove
Berries in the Grove is open daily from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., but it’s their breakfast and brunch that really draw in the crowds. The restaurant itself fully exudes that Coconut Grove charm. On the first visit, you might even mistake it for someone’s residence. The space itself is huge, meaning you can always pop by for coffee without having to wait. The expansive shaded patio is our favorite place to recline when we’re here, but the indoor seating is just as lovely.
The best part about Berries is that the menu is absolutely packed with options, meaning you can come here with the most diverse group of eaters and everyone is bound to find something that tickles their fancy. Breakfast standouts include the French platter—sliced brioche French toast, eggs, and a choice of protein (we recommend the chicken apple sausage). Another stellar option is the eggs Benedict served with the restaurant’s infamous crab cakes. As far as drinks go, Berries in the Grove makes some killer apple cider-based smoothies, frozen yogurt shakes, and homemade lemonade and iced tea.
Berries in the Grove is located at 2884 SW 27th Ave, Miami, FL 33133. For more information, visit their official website.
Books and Books Cafe
Books and Books is an endearing Coconut Grove independent bookstore that also doubles as a cafe. It’s the most beautiful bookstore in Miami, and the owners keep it stocked with interesting reads. When you’re done browsing through all the books, grab a seat in their cozy cafe inside or on the dreamy patio and enjoy a little coffee break.
Here the coffee is freshly roasted, and all ingredients come from local farmers’ markets and artisans. One of our favorite things about the Books and Books Cafe is that, aside from being surrounded by books, you’re getting some of the most friendly prices in the neighborhood. You can grab a delicious fair-trade coffee for $2 or beer and wine for as little as $5.50. The food menu is also well above your typical cafe bites, featuring delicious provisions like mahi mahi ceviche, the Cafe grilled cheese sammy made with Vermont sharp cheddar, and some incredible loaded salads. If things couldn’t get any better, the cafe also has a Monday-Friday happy hour featuring half off beers and $5 wine from 5 to 7 p.m., and live music on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday nights. If it hasn’t already, Books and Books might just become your favorite neighborhood hangout.
Books and Books Cafe is located at 3409 Main Hwy, Coconut Grove, FL 33133. For more information, visit their official website.
Calista Cafe
Calista Cafe is our favorite Greek home outside of Greece. The cafe is utterly cute and we adore spending a chill midweek afternoon here. Every visit feels like a mini getaway to Greece. Not to mention, the menu is packed with traditional Greek specialties made exclusively from fresh farmers’ market ingredients.
If you’re stopping for a quick break, don’t miss out on their delicious coffee options, from the frothiest cappuccino to rich Greek coffee. If you need a cold drink, do like the locals do and get yourself a frappe coffee. The perfect treat to go with the invigorating beverage is the cafe’s bougatsa—flaky phyllo pie filled with custard; and you can’t go wrong with any of the pastries, especially the decadent baklava cheesecake. If you’re in for a bigger meal, the cafe does have a full menu of traditional Greek dishes, salads, and wraps. On your way out, make sure to stop by the Calista market stocked with foods from the motherland, including Greek EVOO, cheeses, chocolates, sodas, canned food, pasta, honey, tahini, olives, beer, wine, and more.
Calista Café is located at 3333 Rice St, Coconut Grove, FL 33133. For more information, visit their official website.
Judith’s Market
Judith’s Market is an enchanting little cafe serving gourmet coffee and homemade food. The energy of the cafe is kept alive by wife and husband duo Judith and Range Watson. The couple originally opened Judith’s Market during the pandemic to sell their own honey, which quickly turned into a venture with delicious coffee and homemade goods to go with it all. On any given day, you can engage in one of the many events the couple holds, including classes and tastings of all kinds.
To complement the coffee, enjoy the cafe’s incredible flaky croissants and pastries like the pavlova. If you’re stopping by for a bigger bite, there are delicious salads, sandwiches, soups, and pizza. Our favorites — the prosciutto sandwich or the mortadella and pistachio sandwich served on ciabatta bread.
Judith’s Market is located at 3870 Grand Ave, Miami, FL 33133. For more information, visit their official website.
Panther Coffee
Panther Coffee knows its beans, and it shows. It earned a top spot in Miamians’ hearts as the go-to local coffee roastery, boasting several locations, including one in Coconut Grove. There’s a good amount of indoor and outdoor seating, making it the ideal cafe for working, chilling with a good book, or just people-watching.
Every caffeinated beverage here is stellar, but the creamy latte and the vanilla bean nitro truly have our hearts locked in. The nitro is smooth and velvety, providing a perfect balance of flavors that can jumpstart your day. Pair your drink with one of their buttery, flaky croissants for a truly delightful treat. Their pastries are crafted with as much care as their coffee, offering the perfect complement to any beverage. If you’re in the mood for something heartier, they also offer a selection of sandwiches, quiches, and empanadas.
Panther Coffee is located at 3407 Main Hwy, Miami, FL 33133. For more information, visit their official website.
