Did you know that coffee is the most popular beverage in the world? Or that over 2 billion cups are consumed every day worldwide, with 600 million of those in the USA?
How do you like your coffee? I like mine iced with a hint of hazelnut. Other days require a hot shot of espresso. Fortunately, Cape Coral has plenty of choices when it comes to coffee. Here are 10 of my favorites (in alphabetical order):
Cafeteria El Chocolate Inc.
Owned by a father and son team, Robert and Christian Mena, this Cuban coffee shop and pizzeria was originally named after its signature hot chocolate. Cafeteria El Chocolate is located at 1419 SE 47th Terrace. The coffee is served hot or cold and includes cappuccino and espresso. I sampled the Pilon espresso and it was delicious…black and strong. The menu includes breakfast and lunch, with choices such as eggs and ham with Cuban toast, Cuban pizza, sandwiches, and spaghetti. They also serve fresh pastries baked daily,
Café You
Cafe You, an Australian-inspired coffee shop, was the vision of Marlies Laaper, a native Australian who wanted to create a relaxed, inviting coffee shop with a sense of community.
Café You is located at 1423 SE 10th Street, which is tucked away in Cape Coral’s industrial center. The décor is trendy shabby chic, with cozy seating and a warm and inviting feel. The Australian style coffee shop serves healthy, natural food alongside its authentic espresso coffee, roasted just steps away at Java D’oro. The menu offers gluten free, vegetarian and vegan options, with my favorite being the avocado smash. Café You will be expanding soon and will include a bakery with fresh bread baked daily.
Coffee Haus
Rosi and Roberto moved from Germany to Cape Coral in August of 2016 and opened the Coffee Haus, located at 2323 Del Prado Blvd S. Coffee Haus is open for breakfast and lunch and serves both American and German dishes. The breakfast menu includes items such as Breakfast Heidelberg and the Coffee Haus Egg Sandwich Deluxe. Lunch includes a variety of sandwiches, wraps, and salads. The Coffee Haus serves hot and cold coffee, both German and Americano, espresso, mocha, lattes, and smoothies.
Espresso To Go
This stand alone, drive through coffee shop, owned by Richard and Tammy Churlin, is located at 1518 Hancock Bridge Pkwy. Serving a special French roast house blend coffee, over 30 different coffee flavors, lattes, and for those with a sweet tooth, snickers, milky way and almond joy specialty drinks. Espresso To Go also serves ice cream, sundaes, and pastries. When you are in a hurry, the drive-through is quick and efficient. If you have more time, and the weather is cooler, enjoy the outdoor seating on the lake.
French Press
The French Press, located at 5789 Cape Harbour Drive, is owned by Benjamin Voisin and Valeria Zanella and Timothy and Meredith Hoffman, who also own Fathoms, located next door. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, the kind of place where everyone knows your name. The coffee shop serves organic coffee, roasted by Java D’oro, as well as breakfast sandwiches, gluten free crepes, paninis, salads, and sandwiches. Fresh fruits and vegetables are delivered every morning from local growers. The coffee shop partners with other businesses, including Norman Love Chocolates which can be purchased onsite, Orange Tree Coffee, Gretchen Kish Serrano, the creator of Paw Palettes Art Collection and Kimberly Hill jewelry creations. The French Press also makes their amazingly delicious artisanal gelato using organic milk, as well as a water based sorbet.
Gather
Gather, the newest coffee shop to open in the Cape, is also owned by Benjamin Voisin and Valeria Zanella and Timothy and Meredith Hoffman, owners of the French Press. Scheduled to open October 1st at Tarpon Point, it will feature a full breakfast, lunch, and dinner, including a variety of healthy options. The organic coffee will be roasted by Java D’oro. Sue McCormick, who helps run the French Press, is helping to create the vision at Gather. Both the French Press and Gather offer a scenic waterfront location, perfect for water and boat lovers.
Java D’oro
Java D’oro has been roasting gourmet coffee for SW Florida’s best coffee shops, restaurants, and cafés, as well as private residents who appreciate fresh coffee beans, for 20 years. The coffee roaster serves wholesale, retail and mail order customers throughout the country and provides a private label for distributors. The owner, Tony Latassa, shares the most important coffee attribute, freshness. “Two weeks after the coffee has been roasted, it has lost most of its properties and can no longer be called gourmet. It becomes just another coffee on a supermarket shelf, no matter how good it was when it was roasted.” That is why Java D’oro roasts to order and delivers the next day. Java D’oro is located at 905 SE 14th Pl.
Perk & Brew
Perk and Brew, located at 1021 Cape Coral Pkwy E, is owned by Theresa Knazek, from Cleveland Ohio, and Amy Smith, from Kitchener, Ontario. The coffee shop opened almost two years ago and has won Best Coffee Shop in the Breeze’ Best of the Cape competition. Perk and Brew serves breakfast and lunch but stays open some evenings, including Thursdays during their open mic night. All food is made from scratch in their kitchen. The coffee is roasted locally, in Matlacha, and wine, beer, and specialty cocktails are served as well. The recipes include a wide variety, such as their signature giant meatball bread bowl and quiche. Some of the recipes on the menu, like the chili and chocolate chip cookies, Theresa has been preparing since she was a young girl. Perk and Brew gives back to the community by supporting organizations like Visuality, ACT, Cape Coral Caring Center and the CCPD.
Scooters
Scooter’s, named after the co-founder’s daughter, began as a drive-thru coffeehouse in Bellevue, Nebraska in 1998 and is now approaching 200 locations in 14 states. Scooter’s coffee brand promises “Amazing People, Amazing Drinks…Amazingly Fast!” Pat and Suzi Thomas opened the first Scooter’s coffee shop in Florida in the summer of 2016. They are located at 1014 Del Prado Blvd S. Scooters serves hot and cold brewed coffee. My favorite was the Guatemalan Cold Brew which was steeped for a minimum of 12 hours. They also serve specialty lattes, espresso, tea, and smoothies. Breakfast sandwiches and pastries are available as well.
For you dog lovers… bring your pup in for a treat. Scooters loves dogs and partners with the Cape Coral Animal Shelter.
Tony & Ada’s
Tony and Ada’s is located at 2110 Chiquita Blvd South, in the heart of Fellowship Park at Cape Christian Fellowship. Tony and Ada’s is named after an amazing couple who helped found Cape Christian over 30 years ago. Their love of God and people created a feeling of belonging that you can still feel today. The coffee shop serves drinks, including cold and hot brew coffee, lattes, mochas, cappuccinos, tea, smoothies, and milkshakes. The menu also includes flatbreads, pizza, BBQ chicken, burgers, and salads. I indulged in one of the most amazing cinnamon rolls that I’ve tasted in a long time. Tony and Ada’s is a perfect place for families. Fellowship Park includes basketball courts, a splash pad and shaded play areas and is open 7 days a week.
So, whether you like your coffee hot and black, cold and sweet or something in between, there is more to the Cape than Starbucks!
