Must-Visit Coffee Shops in Orlando
- Samantha Diaz
- Oct 6
- 5 min read
Living in Florida means Orlando isn’t just a vacation city to me — it’s a place I visit often, whether for work, weekends, or just to explore. Over time, I’ve discovered that Orlando’s coffee culture is just as vibrant as its theme parks (without the rollercoaster lines). Each café has its own flavor, not just in the cup but in the way it makes you feel when you sit down, take a breath, and sip. Here are some of my favorite stops — the places that keep me caffeinated, inspired, and always planning my next visit back.
The Glass Knife
The Glass Knife in Winter Park is one of those spots that makes you slow down the second you walk in. The cases of pastries sparkle like jewelry, and the atmosphere feels polished yet cozy. I ordered a vanilla latte that came in the prettiest mug and paired it with a slice of their signature chocolate cake. The cake was so rich and decadent that I found myself taking smaller bites just to make it last. Sitting by the window as the afternoon light poured in, I felt like I’d stumbled into my own little pocket of luxury.
Frosty Fox
Frosty Fox is all about creativity and fun. The drinks here look like works of art, but they taste even better. I tried an iced Vietnamese coffee, and it was bold, sweet, and smooth with that caramelized kick I love. Watching people walk out with colorful drinks topped with whipped cream and playful toppings made me smile — it’s a spot that doesn’t take itself too seriously but still delivers seriously good coffee.
Light on the Sugar Bakery Café
This café feels like stepping into something sweet and delicate, and it lives up to its name. I ordered a cappuccino and couldn’t resist a strawberry cream croissant. The croissant was flaky and buttery, with just enough cream to make it indulgent but not overwhelming. Sitting there, sipping coffee and enjoying pastry in a quiet corner, felt like the perfect little reset to a busy day.
Baldwin Perk
Baldwin Perk has that neighborhood charm I always look for in a coffee shop. I ordered a caramel latte, sat outside, and just enjoyed the view of locals strolling by with their dogs. It’s not flashy, but it feels familiar — the kind of café you’d want as your regular spot if you lived nearby. It’s where I’d go if I wanted a coffee that tastes like comfort and a place that feels like community.
New General Coffee
New General is part café, part boutique, and it has a calming, airy vibe that makes you want to browse as much as you want to sip. My matcha latte was light, refreshing, and perfectly paired with wandering the shelves of ceramics and textiles. It felt like a café designed for slow mornings, where you linger longer than planned and maybe even bring home something beautiful along with your coffee.
Sugar Dough Bakehouse
If pastries are part of your coffee ritual, Sugar Dough is a must. I ordered an almond croissant with my latte, and it was easily one of the best I’ve ever had — crispy edges, a soft, sweet center, and just enough powdered sugar to make it a little messy. The latte was smooth and balanced, cutting through the richness of the pastry perfectly. This was one of those mornings where breakfast felt like a full experience instead of just fuel.
Foxtail Coffee Co.
Foxtail is everywhere in Orlando, but each location has its own personality. I went to the Ivanhoe Village spot, and it had such a lively, buzzing atmosphere. My cold brew was bold and refreshing, perfect for the Florida heat, and the café itself was packed with energy — friends chatting, people working, and the steady hum of espresso machines in the background. It felt like the center of Orlando’s coffee scene.
Black Bean Deli
Part Cuban deli, part café, this one has my heart. I ordered a cafecito — strong, sweet, and bold — and paired it with a pastelito. The flavors instantly reminded me of growing up in Miami, with Cuban coffee as a part of daily life. It felt both nostalgic and energizing, like a little taste of home tucked inside Orlando.
Bynx
Bynx is part coffee shop, part record store, part bookstore, and somehow it all works. My latte was smooth and comforting, and sipping it while flipping through vinyl and shelves of books made the experience feel more like a treasure hunt than a coffee stop.
Qreate Coffee + Studio
Qreate combines coffee with creativity. My cappuccino was rich and perfectly balanced, and the café itself felt alive with energy — people working on laptops, photographers editing at tables, creatives brainstorming together. It’s a space that makes you want to sit and create something too.
Cafe Barista
Cafe Barista felt welcoming and grounded, the kind of café where your barista remembers your order if you visit enough. My latte had a creamy sweetness to it, and the vibe made me want to slow down and savor it.
Easy Luck Coffee & Bodega
Easy Luck is eclectic and fun. The coffee is great (my cappuccino was creamy and strong), but what I loved most was the atmosphere — playful, a little quirky, and always full of life. It’s a coffee shop with personality.
Haan Coffee
Haan Coffee felt polished and modern, with a focus on the craft. My cappuccino was bold, smooth, and felt precise — a cup you know was made with intention.
Lineage Coffee Roasting
Lineage is one of the names you hear often when people talk about Orlando coffee, and after visiting, I get the hype. The space feels bright and modern, with an energy that makes you want to linger, whether you’re working or just taking a break. My cappuccino was strong and silky, with that perfect balance of bold espresso and creamy milk that shows how much care goes into their roasting. What I loved most was how the café felt both polished and approachable — a spot that takes its coffee seriously but still makes you feel right at home.
Beignets & Brew
Sometimes you want coffee with a side of indulgence, and that’s exactly what Beignets & Brew delivers. My latte was smooth and frothy, but pairing it with a hot, sugar-dusted beignet made it one of my favorite Orlando coffee moments.
Craft & Common
Craft & Common has the aesthetic of a café you’d see in a magazine — bright, stylish, and full of plants. My latte was silky, and the vibe made me want to stay and people-watch for hours.
Stemma Craft Coffee
Stemma is smaller, but it has a community-driven feel that makes you want to keep coming back. My cappuccino was bold and foamy, and I loved the personal touches that made the café feel welcoming.
Cafe Taureau
Cafe Taureau felt like a little neighborhood secret. My latte was smooth, the atmosphere was quiet, and it was the kind of café you want to tuck yourself into with a book or some work.
KOS Coffee
KOS has a warm, welcoming vibe and coffee that doesn’t disappoint. My cappuccino was rich and creamy, and the café felt like the perfect balance between modern and approachable.
Orlando might be known for its theme parks, but its coffee culture is just as magical in its own way. Each café offered something different — indulgence at The Glass Knife, creativity at Frosty Fox, Cuban tradition at Black Bean Deli, and cozy neighborhood charm at Baldwin Perk. What I love most is how a simple cappuccino or latte can feel completely different depending on the space you’re in and the pastry (or pastelito) you pair it with.
Pro tip: Mix your stops. Try a classic café like The Glass Knife for something polished, then balance it with a neighborhood favorite like Baldwin Perk or a cultural gem like Black Bean Deli. Orlando’s coffee scene is about variety — and that’s what makes it worth exploring.
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