I’m a confessed coffee addict. On days I’m too sleep- and/or caffeine-deprived to work the coffeemaker, I’ve resorted to scoring a drive-through jolt. But when I want more than a lip-lock with a Solo® cup, I head to one of the many indie coffee shops in St. Pete and beyond, where the owners embrace local sourcing, and a community-driven vibe creates as much of a buzz as the java itself.
Café Bohemia
A mom-and-son shop, Café Bohemia specializes in homemade food and hometown talent. Though Bonnie (mom) and her baristas can turn their Ybor City roast into anything from a straight cup of joe to a mint mochaccino, coffee is but an accessory here. Bonnie makes all of the café’s treats herself – from coconut-frosted lemon cake to falafel, favoring local ingredients and vendors (turns out she and I frequent the same neighborhood produce stand).
Outside in the courtyard, hula hoops hang in anticipation of a twirl, and musicians and poets share the stage, back-dropped by super-sized artwork. Bonnie tells me the canvases I’m admiring were painted on the patio during a live art show last Friday. She invites me back for an opening, held once a month or so as the art on display changes. I’ll be back sooner – Thursday night means open mic (and drink specials). Hours: Tues. and Weds. 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Thurs.-Sat. 11 a.m.-midnight.
Kahwa Café and Espresso Bar
Kahwa’s fashionista baristas, lounge-y soundtrack and sleek interior (a bar the color of espresso; silver accents such as stirring spoons) are spa-like. But don’t let the pretty face deceive you. Kahwa knows coffee – roasting five blends a few minutes away from the café with a team of just three people, including owners Raphael and Sarah Perrier.
Perhaps it’s Raphael’s French heritage, for the approach channels winemaking: My barista describes Kahwa’s Meltem blend as “earthy and fruity,” the result of blending six coffees from Africa and Indonesia. You can purchase any of Kahwa’s blends by the pound or by the cup – the drink menu is minimalist in the traditional European style.
My cappuccino was smooth, and the croissants looked patisserie-perfect (I later learned they were – flown frozen from France and baked here). And just because the baristas are all dressed up doesn’t mean you have to be. Weekdays, expect an upbeat hum as post-workout joggers, newspaper-readers and professionals ease into the day. Hours: Mon.-Fri. 7:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.; Sat. and Sun. 8 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Mazarro's Italian Market
If you can get a seat at the bar at Mazarro's Italian Market, order coffee and biscotti – you can literally watch more beans roasting and the biscotti baking as you partake. If you can’t find a seat (and they are hard to come by on a Saturday morning), pour yourself a cup of coffee from the self-serve carafe and stroll the market. Some Saturdays, a mandolin player serenades shoppers.
Just don’t ask for anything “skinny” here – much of the coffee menu reads like a dessert list, and baristas tempt you with bakery samples as they move through the market. Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat. 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Other great places to get your brew on:
If the mural at Cappucino's Bakery & Café / Altro Posto Wine Bar doesn’t take you to Italy, let the Espresso Granita Latte (sweet and creamy frozen espresso) do it.
At Eco Bean Organic Coffee House, you'll find fair trade, organic coffee, plus a few vegan bakery choices, in a cozy-chic corner store.
