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The Gnarly Cuban- La Ventanita

4.8 (17 reviews)
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The Gnarly Cuban- La Ventanita Photos

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THE GNARLY CUBAN- LA VENTANITA ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Dogs allowed

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JJ J.

I wish I had pictures from La Ventanita from my many previous visits but this is the first time I've sampled a bunch of food so you'll just have to take my word for it, but the window is cute even if it feels sketchy driving up to this area like maybe you're in the wrong place--I promise you're not, and I promise you're gonna love the food! The owners are so friendly they always chat and say hello. Today I wasn't able to get over there so I used DoorDash and everything was perfectly packaged. My best advice--if you get the gnarly Cuban empanada make sure to bite a small tip off first to let the insides cool so you don't burn your mouth. You'll want to scarf it down, but don't-- you can thank me for saving the roof of your mouth and your tastebuds from burning off! They also have bottled iced cafecito, and you should definitely grab a pastelito, too!

Breakfast
Lisa S.

I'm so happy to have them in the neighborhood! I placed my pickup order online a few minutes before they opened. Ordering was very easy. I set out for my morning walk around the neighborhood. My order was ready on time. I picked up my food and was met with a friendly, smiling face. The owners are lovely. She saw that I was wearing a running shirt and invited me to an upcoming running event. It's nice that they're not just a business, they are creating a sense of community. I took my food and walked back home. My cafe con leche was nice and hot and tasted so good. I got a breakfast empanada which was delicious. The crust was perfect and I loved the garlic cilantro sauce. I will definitely be back!

Rachel T.

Stopped by for a quick snack and coffee. Ordered a Gnarly Cuban and Po-yo empanada. Both came out piping hot and so fresh. While both were good my favorite was the chicken- it was flavorful. To drink, I got the bottled cafecito which was good, but I think I would opt for a hot version next time. Service wasn't the fastest, but I appreciate the time that went in so we got the fresh empanadas. A bowl will be on the list for next time! Super cool to see more industrial spaces being used for local spots.

La ventana
Torquiose W.

Our run club meets at The Gnarly Cuban and it's become our little post-run ritual. The coffee is strong (but smooth). Good food, good vibes, good people!

Ropa Vieja Lil Havana Bowl
Elizabeth M.

Finally had a chance to stop by the Ventanita during my lunch break at work. I ordered the ropa vieja bowl and a side of croquetas. The bowl was a good portion size but I should've asked for it without the pico (which isn't traditionally found in Cuban dishes anyway). Also, I found the ropa vieja to be very dry and, without the sauce (that you have to pay extra for if you want more than that single tiny serving), wouldn't have been enjoyable. The flavor was good but the execution was poor. The croquetas were ham and they came as a set of 2 small little balls (the equivalent to one actual croqueta) for $6. No "ventanita" would charge $6 per croqueta. I'm all for supporting small businesses but the pricing here was astronomical and not justifiable.

Exterior
Jenn M.

I was so excited to check out this new Cuban takeout window located off the beaten path in College Park. The online ordering system was super simple and I was notified when my food was ready via text.. I arrived at the walk up counter and they open the window and greeted me by name. The food was prepared perfectly and packaged in relatively environmentally friendly packaging (limited plastic). Most importantly, it was delicious! The croquettes were super moist and crispy and my chicken bowl was excellent. Loved the sweet plantain bits. I found there wasn't enough of the garlic sauce, but know that I can order extra containers next time for $.50 each. The only reason I can't give them five stars is because the hours are difficult for a working family. They're currently only open until 2 PM Wednesday through Sunday. I wish that they would add a few evenings too. Can't comment on ambience as I didn't go inside... I don't even know if you can. But the order window was clean and quick. Service was super fast and super kind and I was very impressed. I will be back to try other items from the menu!

Andi P.

Wow- 5 Stars for my favorite Cuban food in Orlando, now with an IRL location. The Gnarly Cuban has been a favorite pop-up and catering option for me for a while, but I had to try their new "ventanita" (little window) location in College Park. Let me tell you, it did not disappoint. This Latin-owned, women-owned, LGBTQ+ owned biz is one I inherently want to support, because the owners are so wonderful, but luckily for me, their Cuban food rivals my favorite food growing up in Miami. I got the Lil Havana Bowl with ropa vieja as my protein and my husband did the same but with jack fruit ropa vieja (veg). This bowl comes with white rice, black beans, sweet plantain bits, pico, cotija cheese, potato stix, and a garlic cilantro sauce. You can let them know if you want anything taken off as they build your bowl to order. The bowls were ON POINT. The flavors were savory, with sweet bursts coming from the plantain bits and acidic bites with the pico. And don't get me started on how much my Miami heart loved the potato stix. We also got two guava and cheese pastelitos (they're small, so this is the standard order, but you can order more) and the budín de pan (bread pudding). All were devoured in seconds. Truly delicious. They have convenient parking out front, a window where you order, and plenty of picnic table seating with Cuban music serenading you from speakers. This is minutes from the heart of College Park, and right by my favorite local vintage furniture shop, Warehaus, as well as Good Fills next door (where you can get environmentally friendly, locally-made detergents, cleaners, etc.

Rum cake, with light pumpkin spice, delicious.
Deborah B.

I'm so happy I found this ventanita, small window, with their delicious treats. I ordered a Cuban empanada with the lightest crust that mysteriously was firm enough to hold all the delicious fillings, while still being tender. How do they do that?!? My favorite empanada crust ever. Light & lets the fillings shine. The Jupiña pineapple soda is always a treat for me. I enjoyed the rum cake, cupcake sized but with better presentation, cute paper container (fancy) & crumbled topping garnish. Take out quick food with a gourmet touch. Minimal plastic, I saw a lot of natural paper containers. Friendliest ambience. I could talk by that window all day. Across the street in that quiet corner is good fills (low waste essentials). Look for both of them at community markets around Audubon Park.

Walk up window.

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2 months ago

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4 months ago

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11 months ago

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5 months ago

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1 year ago

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9 months ago

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2 months ago

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5 months ago

Great food! Loved the ham/egg/cheese empanadas! Super friendly, and excellent customer service! Highly recommend!

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9 months ago

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11 months ago

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1 year ago

Finally a great Cuban spot in Orlando! Service and food were excellent. Will definitely be back

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Cups & Pups Coffee

Cups & Pups Coffee

4.7
(107 reviews)
0.8 mi

I LOVE the look of this place.I work nearby so I've been a couple times now. The girls are always…read morewelcoming and friendly. They have their regulars and I've heard them say "The usual?" Which I love because it shows they pay attention to their customers. I've tried a couple things already. Their vanilla matcha is my favorite. Their coffee is good but it could be stronger. I got the cafe con leche and as a Hispanic, our "cafe" is STRONG so I was expecting a good punch. It was too light for my liking (too much milk). I will be more detailed when ordering going forward. It was a good drink, just felt it could've been just a bit stronger. That being said I have tried the honey nut cheerio latte and that one is amazing! I like how they heat up the pastries before handing them to you. They always taste fresh. Other than that the place is always very clean. Very bright inside quiet. Good place to work, study or just relax. They do have outdoor seating available and small area for pets in the back.

I came for the coffee, but am in LOVE with their cheesy egg pastry. I've never had anything quite…read morelike this. It's savory and filling and delicious with egg, cheese and herbs. I also got an iced dirty chai latte which was nicely balanced. The service was friendly and helped guide me to these tasty selections. This is my first visit since they moved to the main strip of Edgewater and it's a great spot with plenty of seating inside and out.

Photos
Interior
Interior
They have Pumpkin Cold Foam! This is their Honey Nut Cheerio latte with Pumpkin Foam!
They have Pumpkin Cold Foam! This is their Honey Nut Cheerio latte with Pumpkin Foam!
Interior

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Interior
Oh Hey Cafe

Oh Hey Cafe

4.5
(39 reviews)
2.3 mi

This is a great spot! I visited on Saturday and enjoyed their iced matcha with a strawberry cold…read morefoam and a croissant. Both were tasty. I was excited to see they had a mini print vending machine with custom options for the spot. These prints are watercolors made my a local artist and only cost $1. You don't know which of the 4 options you'll get. Be sure to bring your quarters! I didn't realize that there was an indoor baby/kid playground attached to the cafe, and saw a number of young families picking up a drink or snack before heading over. There's extra parking behind the building to accommodate, just realize it's the turn before the front entrance!

Such a lovely spot! The staff was extra friendly, and I loved that they have both a coffee shop and…read morea lounge area with large windows overlooking the play space so parents can comfortably watch their kids play. That setup was honestly awesome and made the experience really enjoyable. They also had food options for adults along with a great assortment of kid-friendly snacks and drinks like juices and yogurt melts, which was a huge plus. The only concern was that the slide had a gouge/damaged area on it, and unfortunately a child got hurt because of it. We would still come back, but we'll definitely be more cautious until that's repaired.

Photos
Modern American drip
Modern American drip
Event space $225 an hour
Event space $225 an hour
Counter area. Behind the closed doors is a large area for children to play and parents to sit and chat

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Counter area. Behind the closed doors is a large area for children to play and parents to sit and chat
Parlor Doughnuts

Parlor Doughnuts

4.4
(171 reviews)
0.8 mi
$$

The short and sweet (yes, pun intended): Parlor is a unique 5.0 doughnut shop…read more Extended version: The crown jewel is the uniquely textured doughnuts. Another reviewer accurately described it as a "cronut", or a mash-up of a croissant and a doughnut. The texture is different but the sweet factor is intact! We chose a Saturday morning to visit because our son was available and wanted to check out Parlor, since he is a doughnut aficionado. We found plenty of available parking spots. The bright interior with east-facing windows and white and blue tile made for a cheery atmosphere. Of course the doughnuts and good service add to the brightness. A French Toast doughnut, Spinach Pesto Breakfast Sandwich (a lovely savory and served in a ciabatta roll), and Proper Coffee (drip) were ordered on this visit and throughly enjoyed while sitting on comfy chairs. The laid-back, family-friendly character of the shop was a welcome change. I'd like to return in the near future after 11 am when the Savory Layered Doughnuts are being served!

My husband and I had been wanting to try Parlor Doughnuts for a while, and we finally made it in on…read morea Saturday around 3pm. The Vibe: The interior is super cute and inviting, and the staff was friendly. The parking lot is on the smaller side, but we got lucky and found a spot easily since it wasn't too busy when we arrived. What We Ordered: * Raspberry Filled Donut * "Sandy Beach" (cinnamon roll-style) * Two Cold Brews They still had a great variety of donuts available, even later in the afternoon, which was a nice surprise. The Donuts: Here's where it comes down to personal preference. These are not your traditional donuts--they're more like a croissant-donut hybrid (think cronut) with a layered, slightly brioche-like texture. Flaky, layered--not your classic donut. If you love that style, you may really enjoy these. For us, we were expecting a more traditional donut, and unfortunately the texture just wasn't our favorite. The Sandy Beach had great flavor, but the texture didn't quite land for me. The raspberry filled had a very standard berry filling that leaned a bit artificial. Drinks: The cold brew was also a miss for us--a bit too acidic and not as smooth as we'd hoped. Overall: While the flavors and textures weren't quite what we were looking for, I can definitely see the appeal for those who enjoy a cronut-style donut. Friendly service and a cute space made for a pleasant visit overall. One thing that did catch our eye is that they offer savory donuts, which sounded really interesting--we'd definitely come back to give those a try. Pro tip: Go in knowing these are croissant-style donuts, not traditional cake or yeast donuts--it makes all the difference.

Photos
Lemon ,  honey glazed,  regular classic glazed, s'more,  churro and turtle cheesecake
Lemon , honey glazed, regular classic glazed, s'more, churro and turtle cheesecake
Inside
Inside
Raspberry pistachio

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Raspberry pistachio
Foxtail Coffee Express

Foxtail Coffee Express

3.5
(56 reviews)
2.5 mi
$

I visit this location daily and have always been patient and respectful. Today's experience,…read morehowever, was unacceptable. I was standing at the express checkout while there was only one employee assisting customers. While I waited, three vehicles were serviced, then two more, and then a third round of cars -- all while I was still standing there. After ringing the bell once, I was told to "wait," which I did. Instead of being helped, I was eventually approached and spoken to aggressively and told to "go The fuck somewhere else," which was both unprofessional and unnecessary. What makes this more concerning is the inconsistency I've experienced over time. One employee repeatedly tells me the store did not receive a shipment of cups needed to serve hot water, while another employee provides the same item without issue the very next day. This contradiction happens regularly and suggests either poor internal communication or selective service. I come here every day for the same simple request -- hot water -- and I have never caused a problem or been disrespectful. Being skipped repeatedly, then spoken to in a hostile and dismissive manner, is not acceptable under any circumstances. Whether the issue was frustration, mismanagement, or employee behavior, customers should not be treated this way. I hope management takes this seriously, addresses staff conduct, and ensures consistent, respectful service for everyone. Walked next door for my hot water instead. It's okay I'll file a complaint. Bad day or not. Instead of me responding in a negative manner I'll take the professional route.. steam coming from my head right now. How'd you guys feel to wait patient for as long as I did then get cussed out window slammed in your face.

They have improved so much since the last time I was here. The service has always been good, this…read moretime there is more variety of food and the quality of the coffee has definitely gotten better. You can tell they've put effort into improving the overall experience. Really happy to see the progress, five stars this time

Photos
Order window
Order window
Walking up entrance
Walking up entrance
Foxtail Coffee Express

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Qreate Coffee + Studio

Qreate Coffee + Studio

4.7
(413 reviews)
2.7 mi
$$

Qreate Coffee is a place that I often pick up orders for my family, and we have become big fans of…read morethis place! The baristas are polite and do a great job of answering any questions that you may have about their menu. This location is always very clean, and it has a fun vibe inside. I love the small mural to the right of the front door. As a Content Producer, I'm always intrigued by what's happening in the studio space all the way in the back. And I'm definitely planning to rent it for a shoot at some point! Finally, of course, the drinks are yummy, and they have many creative drinks (regular and seasonal).

Stopped by Qreate Coffee + Studio and came away with mixed, but mostly positive, impressions…read more I started with the Purple Pearl, which was well-made but much more espresso-forward than I expected. I was hoping for more taro to come through, but the coffee dominated the drink from start to finish. The highlight was the seasonal Ube Cloud Cookies + Cream. It struck a nice balance between ube, espresso, and cookie flavors. That said, it drinks more like a dessert or milkshake than something I'd reach for first thing in the morning. The space itself didn't quite have the energy or atmosphere I was expecting from the concept. It's pleasant enough, but it didn't feel as unique or inspiring as I had hoped. There are enough interesting seasonal offerings that I'd happily come back, especially to see what they roll out for the fall menu as they had previous options noted on the walls and they looked great!

Photos
Key lime caffeinated goodness!
Key lime caffeinated goodness!
Pumpkin muffin. ube latte
Pumpkin muffin. ube latte
Lavender latte

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Lavender latte

The Gnarly Cuban- La Ventanita - cuban - Updated July 2026

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