Seven New Orlando Coffee Shops You Should Know About
Coffee shops and pop-ups continue to open at a rapid pace in Orlando, and I welcome them all as long as their offerings are good. Here are six new coffee spots to acquaint yourself with in the City Caffeniated. From a Palestinian-American-owned truck to a Mexican-inspired shop, a Japanese Kei Van, and Vietnamese coffee, Orlando represents many cultures and tastes.
Saiko
Neighborhood: Orange Blossom Trail, not far from Sandlake and John Young Parkway
Seating: Mix of tables, couches,and bar seating.
Vibe: Perhaps the most unique setting of all the shops listed, Saiko is a coffee shop inside Orlando Racket Sports. After we placed our orders, we watched a foursome play pickleball and even cheered them on. After their match, one of the players, a woman, came over to talk to us, and we got to know her and how long she’d been playing the sport. Those are the types of stranger interactions I love, so I immediately loved the energy that surrounded the counter. If you are an introvert, you probably wouldn’t feel the same. I’ve seen people disparage the area the shop is in. It’s literally 1.5 miles from the Florida Mall, so if you go to that mall, you will be fine going into Saiko.
The Drinks: I tried three drinks. The Mango Sticky Matcha, the Monte Blanc (Cold Brew, Orange Oil, 6 Spice Cloud, Nutmeg), and the Roasted Peanut Latte. I loved them all. The Roasted Peanut was my favorite; it’s so hard to get a good peanut flavor in coffee, so I was really impressed. This place has gone viral over their matcha, and I loved the Mango Sticky drink. The good thing is, they have quite a few specialty flavors, so you are sure to find one that pleases you. When they are busy, you will absolutely wait for your drinks, as they are made with care and take time to come out (also because people often order multiple drinks in one order).
Aguila Coffee
Neighborhood: Ivanhoe Village (steps away from Yay Tiny Shop
Seating: Limited bar seating
Vibe: The Mexican-inspired coffee shop shares its culture through the drinks and goods (at certain times, you’ll find fresh conchas), while there is a mix of vintage Orlando throughout the space as well. However, Lake Ivanhoe is right across the street, so you can also take advantage of sipping on your drink with the waterfront view.
The Drinks: So far, I’ve been twice and I really liked the Horchata latte and their Mexican Mocha. Both were solid.
Zayn & Co.
Neighborhood: Find their truck in College Park at Digress Wine on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 7 AM - 3:30 PM or sell out.
Seating: No official seating since it’s a truck; however, you are welcome to use the patio at Digress Wine if you want to hang out.
Vibe: Friendly and welcoming to all. Hospitality efficiently radiates from the owners through their tiny truck window.
The Drinks: So far, I’ve had the Tahini Latte and the Pistachio Latte, both of which were good. For me, I like a stronger medium roast, so my next visit, I may request an extra shot of espresso, but I really appreciated that neither of these drinks was overly sweet. They also have freshly baked goods I need to try next time.
Follow them on Instagram to see where else they pop up.
Diablicos Coffee
Neighborhood: Pop-up that you can find inside the Suntrust Building downtown on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
Seating: Their space inside the Suntrust lobby is really nice. It’s a large bar with seating and plenty of other plush areas to sit and work. If you are worried about parking costs, they can validate.
Vibe: I used to work in this building, and I was shocked at the overhaul of the ground floor when I walked in. It was much nicer and more modern than it ever was before.
The Drinks: I only got one drink on my visit, the Hojicha latte that had a maple cold foam on it and it was delicious! Can’t wait to try more of their drinks.
Otaku
Neighborhood: Pop-up in the Baldwin Park area
Seating: Since this is a mobile pop-up, there technically isn’t any seating, but they do pull out some stools for patrons to use.
Vibe: The Kei Van is charming, and the owners were very friendly and open to answering questions about their process, the beans they use, etc.
The Drinks: I tried the Murasaki Latte, which is made with a homemade syrup, and I really liked it; the espresso came through really well. My partner got a regular hot latte, which he really enjoyed.
How to catch them: Fridays from 8-12, they are at the Village at Baldwin Park, and on Saturdays from 10 - 3 at a location you can find a link to on their Instagram (also very close to Baldwin Park).
Black Phin
Neighborhood: Winter Park (Orange Ave + 17-92)
Seating: The cafe has plenty of seating, and I’ve seen more people set up with laptops lately.
Vibe: The space is shared with the Harmon Collective, which houses a CrossFit gym and other businesses, but honestly, you won’t even notice there is a gym in the space. I’ve never seen or heard of people working out, as the space is big with several areas.
The Drinks: I love all of Black Phin’s drinks, from their Vietnamese coffees with different cold foams to their matcha drinks. I’m so happy they’ve found a permanent home here. If you need one of the baristas to explain the difference in some of the offerings, definitely ask, and they will help you out.
Dr. Drip
Neighborhood: Ivanhoe Village in the old Something Different space.
Seating: The space is quite large, with seating throughout, from tables and chairs to large couches.
Vibe: Mid-century modern furnishings are everywhere, and then when you get to the back, there are these opulent couches that sit around a pool table. There are vintage touches everywhere, from Mad Magazines to lava lamps.
The Drinks: I tried one of their lattes with an egg foam, and my friend got a matcha. I didn’t like the matcha at all, and the latte was ok (wasn’t strong enough for me). However, the space is so ample that it will likely be a favorite for those working remotely or looking for a third space that stays open late.
All coffees were paid for personally, and my opinions are my own. Go try for yourself!