New Café and Bistro Opens in Lush Pinecrest Gardens Space

As someone born and raised in Pinecrest, I've spent my whole life wandering the lush paths of Pinecrest Gardens, even back when it was still Parrot Jungle, before Watson Island took it, and our parrots, away. I've seen the special place transform from a beloved attraction into a community hub for area families, bike riders, and those frequenting the Pinecrest Gardens Sunday Farmer's Market (add it to your late summer bucket list). But until now, there's never been a café here that feels like a true extension of this magical place — a spot where you can eat, study, work, or bring your kids, all while being wrapped in a green embrace of banyan trees, wild orchids, and other native plants.

Bohemian Spark Café isn't a place you rush. It's a place you linger. You order a breakfast sandwich and a hot vanilla latte, then you take your time to eat, to smell, to breathe, to enjoy. The air is softer here, the noise replaced by the gentle rustle of leaves and the laughter of toddlers. By the corner, you'll find a mother cooing at her newborn baby under a warm blanket by the black baby grand piano. There's a cozy reading nook and play area for children, a gorgeous patio shaded by ancient trees, and the kind of serenity you rarely find in Miami. Yesterday, I spent six hours working here without even realizing it. I glanced up at the clock, and it was suddenly 4 p.m. Owner Carmen Rodríguez has created something extraordinary, not just for Pinecrest Gardens, but for the entire community. And soon, the quaint cafe will begin dinner service in September. "We're going to have cocktails on brunch days and Saturdays and Sundays," she says, smiling. "Pinecrest Gardens hasn't had a restaurant operating here in 35 years. The last time they had a restaurant was when it used to be Parrot Jungle. They had Juan Valdez, but it was only coffee. And then the kitchen they remodeled from what it used to be in 2018. They were going to do a concession, but 2020 came, and this was pushed back. Finally, in 2023, they opened up the concession, and I won."

Winning that concession wasn't luck — it was a vision. "You have to submit your proposal, and 21 restaurants applied," Rodríguez recalls. "I was blessed that they chose me."

The Menu is Simple, Delicious, and All in the Family

Bohemian Spark is as much about family as it is about food. "Right now, only three of us are working here," Rodríguez says. "My daughter, her boyfriend, and I, who is a culinary chef in the kitchen. It's literally a small family business."

I tried the breakfast sandwich, which was absolutely soft, made with fresh ingredients, and hit the spot just right. Accompanied by a cortadito and later a great vanilla latte, I had the most perfect afternoon working (and writing this article), from there. What's funny is that I had no intention of visiting for the sake of a story, but I left so touched by her and the beautiful space that I had to rush to my keyboard as quickly as possible. It was as if my fingers had a life of their own.  In a city where dining often means fighting for parking and shouting over the noise, this café is a breath of fresh air —literally. It's the kind of place that makes you slow down, savor the moment, and remember why living in Pinecrest feels like living in a secret garden.

Bohemian Spark Café at Pinecrest Gardens. 11000 SW 57th Ave., Pinecrest; 305-280-2628; pinecrestgardens.org or visit their more up-to-date Instagram page, instagram.com/bohemiansparkcafe.