21 Tampa Bay coffee shops to visit for National Coffee Day
It’s not like coffee needs a dedicated day to be celebrated; it’s pretty much an essential part of life. Though this list is useful year-round, since National Coffee Day is Sept. 29, we thought it would be fun to round up spots to get a cup.
Here is a list of coffee shops to try in the Tampa Bay area.
St. Petersburg
Bandit: Expect a long line at this popular spot in the Grand Central District, where you can try the fall/winter seasonal special maple bourbon latte made with Vermont maple syrup and Kentucky bourbon. Pair it with a fried chicken biscuit for total decadence. 7 a.m.-3 p.m. daily. 2662 Central Ave. banditcoffee.co.
Bad Mother: Located in the posh Station House downtown, the baristas at this spot have such serious latte art skills that they had a throwdown event earlier this year. They serve coffee from national roasters including Portrait Coffee and Black & White Coffee Roasters, and serve drip and pour-over. 260 First Ave. S. instagram.com/badmother_stpete.
Black Crow: With locations in the Grand Central District (2161 First Ave. S) and the Old Northeast (722 Second St. N), artisan craft coffees here have telling names like Jet Fuel and Red Eye, while cafe dolce selections include banana mocha and caramel sutra. 7 a.m.-4 p.m. blackcrowcoffeeco.com.
Kahwa Coffee Roasting Company: This local chain has expanded to multiple locations throughout Tampa Bay since its inception in 2006 and also sells wholesale. Kahwa has partnered with the St. Petersburg Arts Alliance on art coffee canisters bearing the designs of St. Petersburg artists. Currently, it’s the work of Carrie Jadus, who said of the canister wrapped in her painted sunflowers, “I think this is what a can of sunshine looks like.” Each canister is filled with Kahwa’s 10-ounce Sirocco House Blend, which is a medium-dark blend that has “notes of dark cherry and honey.” They are $24.99 and net proceeds benefit the St. Petersburg Arts Endowment. Available at all Kahwa Coffee locations and at kahwacoffee.com.
Pineapple Espresso: This drive-thru spot offers “wellness drinks” like the beet root latte with blueberry, plum and ashwagandha — rich in antioxidants that are supposed to lower blood pressure. It also serves breakfast and lunch. 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday-Tuesday and Thursday-Sunday. 3045 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. N. pineappleespressostpete.com.
The Blend: This spot that started downtown has grown with multiple locations in St. Petersburg, Tampa and Palmetto and is known for its coffee flights. The drive-thru location in the former Checkers at 6730 Central Ave. is convenient when traveling to or from the beach. theblendcoffeefl.com.
Paradeco Coffee Roasters: With a cute pastel interior, this downtown spot is a pleasant place to meet up with friends, take in the aroma wafting from the Bellweather Roaster and La Marzocco KB90 espresso machine, and enjoy a latte, drip or pour-over. It also serves light fare like toasts and oats. 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. 111 Second Ave. NE. 727-222-6458. paradecocoffee.com.
Uptown Eats: The line regularly stretches out the door at this popular spot. Its signature iced cooler combines house coffee and espresso, sweetened condensed coconut milk and a syrup blend. Pair it with a scone or other in-house baked good and you have yourself a treat. 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday and Wednesday-Friday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. 689 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. N. 727-810-3287. uptowneatsstpete.com.
Flatbread and Butter: Also located in Historic Uptown, you can be extra healthy with a turmeric-infused golden milk latte at this spot that has coffee and food. Milk options include luxurious macadamia nut while flavorings like lemon shortbread and fig hazelnut are in a realm of their own. As the name indicates, pizza is a big menu staple with lots of vegan offerings. 7:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. 497 Seventh Ave. N. 727-329-8698. flatbreadandbutter.com.
The Chelsea St. Pete: A cozy spot in the Warehouse Arts District, the shop serves Dancing Goats coffee. It offers drip and cold brew, regular and plant-based milks, and a variety of flavored syrups including strawberry rose and seasonal ones. Refillable growlers of cold brew are also available. 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Sunday. 2462 Fifth Ave. S. 727-200-6083. thechelseastpete.com.
Annex Coffee House: This new drive-thru in Gulfport is already popular with locals and offers drip and espresso, chai and matcha lattes. Prices are moderate: A 12-ounce latte is $3.85, a 20-ounce is $4.85. It also serves smoothies, bowls, baked goods, Cuban sandwiches, avocado toast and kombucha. 6 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. 5133 Gulfport Blvd. S. instagram.com/theannexcoffeehouse.
Grove Surf + Coffee: My colleague Michelle Stark visited this spot recently. Here’s what she had to say: “It’s a cool space, part coffee shop and part store, mostly selling swimwear, sunglasses and adorable stickers, cards and accessories. I opted for one of their signature espresso drinks, the Orange Vanilla Latte. It’s made with vanilla bean syrup infused with fresh orange peel, mixed with milk and espresso (made with beans from another St. Pete coffee shop, Bandit) and garnished with dried orange peel. It was quite refreshing, the flavors subtle and not too sweet.” 7370 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach. 727-289-3634. grovesurfandcoffee.com.
Tampa
King State: By day, it’s a chill coffee shop and a family-friendly place to grab a bite. From 5 p.m. to midnight every day except Tuesday, they serve up their signature craft beers and a rotating list of cocktails. 8 a.m.-midnight Monday and Wednesday-Sunday. 520 E Floribraska Ave. 813-221-2100. shop.king-state.com.
Buddy Brew Coffee: Named for a beloved Labrador retriever, the company sources specialty grade coffees from small farmers and women-owned co-ops. It has multiple locations in Tampa Bay including Hyde Park Village (1605 Snow Ave.) and Armature Works (1905 Market St.). Hours vary by location. buddybrew.com.
Blind Tiger: The coffee roasters opened their first cafe in Ybor City (1901 E Seventh Ave.) and now has seven Tampa locations. Among its specialty drinks are cafe bombon and espresso bombon, both made with sweetened condensed milk. Pair it with a Cuban sandwich for an authentic Tampa experience. blindtigercafe.com.
Spaddy’s Coffee: It started out as a food truck and now is a Seminole Heights staple. Signature drinks include the Courtyard Cure with cold brew, espresso and vanilla, and the New Blue with espresso, blueberry simple syrup and milk. In Tampa tradition, it serves Cuban butter or cheese toast. 7 a.m.-2 p.m. daily. 5206 N Florida Ave. spaddyscoffee.com.
Caffeine Roasters: With multiple Tampa locations, including the 2,000-square-foot “mothership” at 2420 W Kennedy Blvd. that has a drive-thru, specialties include the Aero Cappuccino, an iced coffee drink with hints of orange, and the Sparkling Coffee that pairs espresso with ginger ale. It serves breakfast all day on its robust menu. caffeineusa.com.
North Pinellas
Dunedin Coffee Company & Bakery: It offers locally roasted coffee and baked goods that have rave reviews online. 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday. 730 Broadway, Dunedin. 727-286-6147.
Sandpiper Cafe: This spot offers custom-blended coffee that is roasted on-site. Specialty drinks include a Nutella latte, and it serves breakfast and lunch. 8 a.m.-1 pm. Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. 833 Douglas Ave., Dunedin. 727-314-4247. thesandpipercafe.com.
Copenhagen Cafe: This Tarpon Springs spot with European flair offers hot and iced coffee and a variety of flavorings and milks. For a decadent treat, try the Hot and Cold — regular coffee with a scoop of gelato — or the Greek Frappe made with freeze-dried coffee. 8 a.m.-11 p.m. daily. 15 N Pinellas Ave., Tarpon Springs. 727-935-7190. cphcafe.com.
Haven House: Check out this Safety Harbor spot for the flavors of fall: A pumpkin pie latte, caramel apple macchiato and maple pecan cappuccino are on the menu, which also boasts a large selection of tea. It’s also an eatery serving breakfast, lunch, smoothies and bowls. 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday. 201 Main St., Safety Harbor. havenhouseeatery.com.
