Coffee is a language spoken with flat white passion amongst caffeine-lovers. In college, the words “Starbucks” and “Dunkin Donuts” are often thrown around to members of the cappuccino clan, but college students seem to forget there are an abundance of other places known for their delicious and original coffee. When we are in a rush and need to quickly get a burst of caffeine, we don’t think about branching out and trying new places. Instead, the familiar aromas of easy-brew coffee spark our interest and beckon us with their quick ability to get the job done. But there will come a day when you are tired of drive-through coffee and want a drink that will fill your heart with au lait of warmth and love as you sip your brew. Below is a list of five coffee houses in South Florida to check out when you can’t espresso what you want.
- Your Big Picture Café
This coffee shop is just around the corner from NSU and is designed to be about you, the customer. The café as a place where people can feel comfortable, safe and calm and allows customers to take a step back and see how all of the little pieces of life fit together. They offer coffee, teas, herbs, food, books, gifts and live music gifts. The café offers workshops and classes in things like yoga, reiki training, wellness therapy and supplemental body care. It’s also open late, which is certainly beneficial to college students, particularly with midterms coming up. If you’re looking for a home away from home to relax and drink coffee, this is the place for you.
- The Groves Coffee House
The Groves is only five minutes from campus, serves breakfast items and opens at 6:30 a.m., making it the perfect place to go for early morning coffee runs before class. It’s also a great place to grab a quick bite to eat during lunch, with its long menu of sandwiches, salads and wraps to accompany their coffee, tea and shakes. If you’re craving a chicken Cuban sandwich and a snickerdoodle frozen Frappuccino at the same time, The Groves is definitely the place to go.
- Warsaw Coffee Company
This new and modern coffee house just opened this March after owners Scott Ojeda and Blasie McMackin decided they wanted to change the coffee community in South Florida. Their mission is to serve the best specialty coffee, and they roast coffee and bake pastries in house daily. Warsaw promises to carefully craft each cup to preserve the quality from seed to sip. The menu contains a variety of unique items, like affogatos—ice cream espresso floats, brie, honey and apple bruschettas, jojo tea and dulce de leche eclairs. If you are into specialty coffee drinks, trendy locations and an Instagram-worthy pastries, this is definitely the spot to be.
- Undergrounds Coffeehaus
Undergrounds Coffeehaus is a hip rec room for adults. It is part coffee shop, part library and part art gallery. There are tons of books to read and games to play; customers spend their nights playing board games on their balcony while sipping delicious java. They offer a signature coffee called the Aileen Special, named after its owner, and it is a personalized drink prepared after the barista asks you a series of drink questions. The atmosphere feels like a best friend’s living room, complete with dozens of coffees, teas, desserts and their famous tator-tots. Undergrounds even offers classes in dance and yoga on a weekly basis. If you want somewhere to go somewhere at night to just chill with your friends and have some great coffee, this place is your best bet.
- Panther Coffee
Husband and wife Joel and Leticia Pollock are co-owners of Panther Coffee. They source their beans from El Salvador, Honduras, Colombia, Kenya and Ethiopia. Panther’s goal is to roast and prepare the finest coffees in the world, so it takes many steps to brew their coffee, including vacuum pot pour-overs, French press and drip-brewing. Panther has poetry nights and live music and also serves pastries. Panther Coffee recently placed 8th in USA TODAY’s list of top 20 coffee shops in America. If you want to try a coffee house that has top-notch java in a trendy atmosphere, Panther Coffee is your go-to shop.
Your Big Picture Café
Address: 5935 S. University Drive
Davie, Florida 33328
Hours of operation: Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to11 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Groves Coffee House
Address: 5660 Griffin Road
Davie, Florida 33314
Hours of operation: Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. and
Sunday from 7 a.m. to -3 p.m.
Warsaw Coffee Company
Address: 815 NE 13th Street
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33304
Hours of operation: Monday through Saturday: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Undergrounds Coffeehaus
Address: 3020 N Federal Highway #5A
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33306
Hours of operation: Monday through Thursday from 12 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., Friday through Saturday from 12 p.m. to 1 a.m. and Sunday from 4 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Panther Coffee
Address: Wynwood 2390 NW. Second Ave.
Miami, Florida 33127 (there are also two other locations in Miami)
Hours: Monday through Saturday from7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and
Sunday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
