Luna Star Cafe

An oasis along the commercial strip in North Miami, this funky acoustic music stronghold has a relaxed community vibe, where customers do indeed know each other. It’s cozy, with a smattering of tables, a bar, and a stage that supports live music and readings. The friendly, casual service, then, fits right in.

Panera Bread

Panera is nothing like Burger King, KFC, Taco Bell, or any of those old-style chains that are ever-so-slowly sliding into obsolescence. This national bakery shares more in common with corporate cafés such as Starbucks and Einstein Bros., but with a whole lot more than just coffee and bagels. Like, for breakfast, a spinach and bacon […]

Paul Bakery Café

Reasonable prices, authentic light French café fare, a chic rustic atmosphere, and, above all, baked goods made with traditional artisan methods make this first outpost of a French chain worth a special drive. Pastries, especially the flaky-crusted buttery fruit tarts and chewy buttercream-filled macaroon sandwich cookies, are delectable, but Paul’s heart is its breads, made […]

Pilikia by the Pool

No money for a vacation this year? Cheer up, you live next to the vacation capital of the world — Miami Beach. Instead of a vacation, break out the swimsuit and sunscreen, and head over to Pilikia by the Pool for a cheap day in South Beach. Located poolside at the Art Deco South Seas […]

Segafredo Zanetti Espresso Cafe

By day, Segafredo is filled with people sipping lattes, reading newspapers, and playing backgammon. By night, the lights are dimmed, a DJ spins, and women wearing stilettos drink champagne cocktails. Sometime after dusk, a velvet rope and a valet parking attendant appear, and what was a cozy red, black, and gray coffee shop with upholstered […]

Tinta y Cafe

Miami Cuban café meets bohemian coffeehouse at Tinta y Café. A window outside dispenses Cuban coffee, pastelitos, and croquetas to sleepy 9-to-5 workers in need of a jolt en route to the office. Inside, mismatched couches and bookshelves re-create a living room where you can read or work while sipping coffee or eating lunch. The […]