Before I ever tasted a single bean, the name stopped me cold. Calusa. A roaster bearing the name of…read morean Indigenous people -- the Calusa, the ancient shell-mound builders, the unconquered lords of South Florida's mangroves and waterways. People who never surrendered. People whose bones are folded into this very soil. As someone who walks through this world carrying Taíno blood and the memory of peoples whose names colonizers tried to erase, that word hit different. It wasn't a gimmick. It wasn't a logo. It was a declaration -- that this land has a story older than any espresso machine, and somebody here understood that. That understanding alone earned my curiosity and my respect before I'd even stepped through the door. "The name carried the weight of a people who never bent. That's the kind of legacy worth building a roastery around." Then I learned the story behind the man behind the roaster -- and it only deepened my respect. Luis Arteaga came home from serving in the United States Marine Corps and did what so many veterans do: he looked for work. No fanfare. No red carpet. Just a man with discipline in his bones and calluses on his hands, trying to find his next mission in a civilian world that doesn't always know what to do with people like that. He found his way to the original owners of Calusa Coffee Roasters. They saw in him what the Corps had always seen -- dependability, grit, and a willingness to learn. They gave him a job. A floor to stand on. And Luis did what Marines do -- he didn't just fill a position, he grew into something greater. Over time, through sweat and dedication and an unmistakable passion for the craft, he rose to become the owner of the very roastery that once took a chance on him. That's not a business story. That's an American story. A veteran's story. And it's exactly the kind of origin that makes a cup of coffee taste like something more than coffee. CALUSA COFFEE ROASTERS IS A SOUTH FLORIDA INSTITUTION Fast forward to today, and Calusa Coffee Roasters isn't just surviving -- it is a staple. Walk into the right cigar bar on a Friday evening and someone at the table will mention the name. Sit down at the right diner counter on a Tuesday morning and a regular will nod toward that familiar bag. In South Florida's rich, layered, cafecito-and-culture coffee landscape, that kind of word-of-mouth is earned over years of consistency, of showing up, of never letting the cup get small. Luis continues to build something that belongs to this community -- rooted in the terroir of a region as complex and layered as its people. The coffee is exceptional. Bold where it should be bold, nuanced where it earns it. The kind of roast that makes you sit down instead of rushing out. That's no accident. That's someone who respects the craft because he was forged in institutions that demand nothing less than your best. "When a Marine finds his mission in a roastery, every bag he puts his name on carries the same standard -- do it right or don't do it at all." Meeting Luis was one of those moments I didn't expect to move me the way it did. We are both moving through the coffee world trying to build something that means something -- something rooted in identity, in service, in the belief that what's in the cup should tell a story worth hearing. And here was a fellow Marine who had walked a road I recognize: uncertain ground, earned footing, and a refusal to quit. And finally, if you are in South Florida and you have not made the pilgrimage to Calusa Coffee Roasters on Commercial Blvd, you are overdue. Go for the coffee -- stay for the story. And if you're lucky enough to meet the man himself, shake his hand. He earned it in more ways than one. To Luis Arteaga and everyone at Calusa: thank you for carrying a name that honors this land. Thank you for honoring the service that shaped you. And thank you for a cup of coffee that carries the weight of all of it without spilling a drop. Semper Fi, brother. Keep roasting.

I stopped by Calusa Coffee Roasters to do coffee run for my fiancee. I ordered the iced Americano…read morefor myself and iced vanilla latte for my fiancee with oatmilk. My fiancee seemed content with their flavors and she didn't yell at me. So based on this, I would assume Calusa Coffee has some decent coffees. Please try this place and see if you enjoyed it as much as my fiancee. The location is a bit weird to enter and exit so be careful driving in and out. They offer limited parking so bring plenty of patience with you when visiting!

For a unique experience Living Green fits the bill. It is quirky and has a nice cafe where you…read morechoose from fresh selections like salmon which is quite good. There are also vegetables and starches. I wish they could keep all the offerings heated. There also is a gourmet grocery selection and wine. You can dine in, sit in outside tables or have it boxed for takeaway. My one wish is that "Living Green" would not use plastic utensils and containers for those dining in.

Good food, but not a lot of veggies!on the hot bar area today to choose from and the ones I love…read morewere too spiced up . I love herb seasoning, not black pepper , hot chili peppers or blackened foods . Some people will not eat a vegetable unless it's spiced flavor ! The desserts are always yummy. Manager told us he will change his table seating as another Living Green location did , must be getting complaints about the one person in a booth with a laptop and a coffee cup , sitting for a long time . Ambiance is a cool vibe, chill music , with lots of usually young good looking people .

Rose's is a cute, modern coffee bar inside of the Del Mar hotel. It's easy to find, but depending…read moreon what time of day you're going, you may have to fight to find street parking. I work nearby, so I just strolled in during my lunch break for a little midday pick-me-up. The staff is pleasant and helpful. My only suggestion is to perhaps have an allergens list for the individual baked goods. I tried to ask the staff about whether some of the treats contained nuts (in particular, the s'mores bar, and the chocolate chip cookie) as I have a peanut allergy (tree nuts are okay). There was a bit of a language barrier and the staff seemed unsure, and tried to err on the side of caution (which I appreciate). However, knowing that a s'mores bar or a chocolate chip cookie is unlikely to contain actual peanuts, I was a little frustrated because it would have been okay for me personally if it was simply that the baked goods were "processed in a factory that manufactures peanut products". Those trace amounts normally don't affect me. I feel like this was likely the case, but again, I'm glad that they just proceeded with an abundance of caution. I settled for a cheese danish even though I was really after a chocolate craving. Good on the staff for being cautious, disappointing for me that I couldn't cater to my chocolate craving. Oh well. I also ordered a Get Green smoothie, which was refreshing and delicious. The coconut water makes it super hydrating. Whether you're staying at the Del Mar hotel or just work nearby and want a little treat, this spot is a great place to stop in.

Service outside, inside, time and taste is great. Not too much seating inside but you can still…read moregrab & go as I did. If you're in the area give them a go. SunnyB

This place has been our go to for a couple of years now. We first came looking for paletas on a…read morerandom search and to our delight, they have much more than that. First and foremost, their paletas are soooooo good and unique. They have the best flavors not found elsewhere and ingredients are carefully sourced. They don't cut corners.... Guava and cream, horchata, honey and goat cheese, passion fruit, Parmesan ricotta, lulo (IYKYK), among others. And if you're courageous and adventurous, go for their alcohol infused ones (vodka-lime, daiquiri, amaretto, mojito and so much more). They also have very unique gelato flavors. I tasted their lavender one today... no artificial colors!!!! Pure goodness. And that's just the beginning. They have to die for croissants and other artisanal specialty French pastries. I've never had a croissant like the ones they have at D'Liras. At every opportunity we drag friends and family and they all fully agree. I highly suggest visiting this place... it will become your go to for frozen and authentic French treats. Ps. Are my paketa way too fast and missed the photo opp!

This place is so good! At least for the gelato. It hit the chocolate craving! The service was great…read moreand the decor was a vibe.

AMAZING FOOD and SERVICE‼…read more Every time I've been I felt at home...treated like family‼ Today Stanley was THE BEST I've had! He DESERVES a RAISE!!!!‼‼‼ Go....enjoy! ABC say hi to Stanley

I hate needing to drop stars from local places that I love, but Stork's has a recent problem that…read moreneeds to be called out. Namely - staff and service. Management, I'm talking to you - the new staff members that have been present during our visits in the past month do not fit the ethos of your business. Service has been sloppy. Your new staff members failed to properly check with the kitchen on allergens and sold us an item that could have put me in the hospital had I not paid closer attention. On top of this, they've completely forgotten items that we have paid for. Now, this isn't the first time this has happened here - but whenever it's happened in the past, staff has always been very apologetic and gone above and beyond to make it right on our next visit. This time? Victim-blaming, and a lackluster recommendation to contact a manager - no apology, no attempt to right the wrong. If I wanted shoddy service and apathetic attitudes, I'd go to a chain. What makes Stork's special is its food, yes, but also its sense of community. And lately? You've been severely underwhelming in this category.

Travelled almost an hour while on vacation to get to this place, but it was worth it to see the…read morekitties. All of the volunteers there are very sweet and you can tell they really care about the cats. The space was really well used even though it was small. I don't know if I would call this a café, it is more of a cat lounge with some drinks for purchase. They don't charge for admission but we were able to donate and they were very grateful. We spent about an hour here and it got pretty crowded which was really nice. I think they are very good at getting cats adopted which is what matters!

Cat rescue with snacks and drinks while you per the cats and maybe adopt. There a toys, tshirts…read moreyou name it. It's run by a dedicated staff of volunteers. There's a buzzer at the front door so they can carefully unlock without escaping kitties bolting through the open door. It's almost like a secret cat speakeasy upstairs with a small sign on the street. There's also a great pizza place on the first floor of the same building. Terrific concept and extremely well run

Sometimes the best breakfasts are the ones you stumble into without much of a plan, and that's…read moreexactly how we ended up at Angelo Elia Bakery Bar. We ordered a latte, the Parma prosciutto, stracchino and fig spread croissant, and a ham and cheese quiche to share. The moment they pressed that croissant on the grill and served it warm, I knew we made the right choice. The buttery, flaky pastry with the salty prosciutto and sweet fig spread was one of those bites that makes you stop talking for a second just to appreciate it. The quiche was just as memorable, light, fluffy, packed with flavor, and somehow gone way too quickly. Sharing sounded like a good idea when we ordered, but halfway through I was already regretting it. Great coffee, delicious food, and the kind of place that makes you start planning your next visit before you've even paid the bill. The service is super friendly and the cafe is modern and super clean. Can't wait to come back and work my way through the rest of the bakery case.

Italian based bakery & cafe with counter service and a welcoming tranquil outside covered patio…read more Several free parking spaces surround the business with the busy front patio visual to passerbys along Oakland Park Blvd. Caught a glimpse of the large sign "The Bakery Bar" while driving by and it looked intriguing so had to take a peek. The front patio was filled with patrons having their morning pastry and coffee discussing the booming stock market. The scent of fresh bread blasted through my nostrils and noticed several loaves of bread standing prominently at attention behind the cashier, hovering above the pastry display, as I ordered a Julius Meinl Austrian med-roast espresso. Loved the attention to detail with the presention of my espresso served in a miniature cup on a saucer along with a metal spoon and a heart shape sugar cookie which was a nice touch. Quenched my thirst and onto my next adventure.

Aroma Joe's is a solid go-to spot if you're into sweet, customizable drinks and quick drive-thru…read morecoffee. Their menu stands out compared to typical chains--especially with their "Rush" energy drinks and flavored iced coffees, which a lot say they are consistently good and more creative than some competitors. One of the biggest highlights is the friendly service. Staff are helpful and make the experience feel more personal. The atmosphere is usually clean and upbeat, making it a nice stop for your morning coffee run.

It's so great to have another drive-through coffee place that isn't Starbucks or Dunkin. The menu…read morehad a big variety from coffee to espresso to lemonade to energy drinks. We tried their Christmas drinks which were the Merry Mocha and the Peppermint Mocha. The Merry Mocha was not my favorite, but I recommend the Peppermint Mocha (I just wish it had more ice because the bottom of the drink was hot). I also tried the chocolate chip muffin which was good. There were two cars in front of me, and we waited about 15 minutes. The employees were friendly. I'll definitely be back to try more of their menu.

The Alchemist Café is an absolute must-visit! We discovered this gem eight years ago, and now it's…read morea tradition--we make it a point to come back every single time we are in town. I especially love coming here for their coffee. The service style is great; you order at the counter and then pick a spot to sit, and the friendly staff brings everything right to your table. We stopped in today and caught it at a great time when it wasn't as busy as usual. We ordered the pepperoni pizza, four-cheese pizza, and avocado toast, along with the Alchemist coffee, passionfruit tea, and a Sprite. Everything was delicious, and sitting in the outdoor seating area is always a highlight. This place is an absolute five stars to me--after eight years, it never lets us down!

I first reviewed this restaurant 10 years ago. Yikes! 10 years. The menu has changed slightly but…read morethe basics are there. I enjoy their cold coffees and freshly made food: the Greek or Mediterranean toast with olives and feta is my favor: you'll be surprised how filled up you get. The service is what it is. Please when it's time to order and when they bring the food but that's okay. There's nothing formal about this place. It's cozy and beautiful with the greenery. They have lots of parking and I've never had an issue. The best feeling is having breakfast alone in the am. I could stay there forever. Definitely recommend

Was at the Las Olas art show and decided to go to Ann's Florist and Coffee Bar…read more It's a luxury spot and is a combo of a flower shop, coffee & bakery shop and a wine bar. Opened since the 1970's and French inspired. Cute and stylish place to go. Either sit down service or take out. The staff were very friendly and helpful. Service was quick. The latte and croissant was to die for. So many pastries to choose from that it's difficult to pick. I love the neon sign on the wall that says "Meet me by the grinds." There even was a champagne vending machine to buy small bottles. Wine bar located in the back. Attached is a beautiful floral store to buy flowers and other items. What a cozy and unique place to go. I will definitely be back next time I am in that neighborhood.

I came with a group of friends Saturday around 10ish in the morning. Needless to say it was busy…read more It's nicely decorated Inside and they also serve food. One side is the floral shop and the other side is the coffee bar. The entrance to the coffee bar where you place your order is way too small for the amount of traffic flow they have coming in and out. I felt like I was in the way no matter where I went. The employee taking our order was not the nicest and definitely was overwhelmed. This isn't a regular coffee shop where you can place your order to go and still drink your coffee or hang around. We were told If we were not eating or drinking at the coffee bar you will not be able to sit down. Ordered two iced lattes and two empanadas. Coffee was okay but the empanadas were really good!