While Fort Lauderdale isn't quite the melting pot of cultures like its sister city Miami, it does have a fair share of international influences as evidenced in the city's culinary scene, featuring cuisines from across the globe. Like the rest of South Florida, much of Fort Lauderdale's international influences come from Latin America, especially Cuba, and few beverages have taken hold of the region more than Cuban coffee. Rich and strong enough to power you through the workday, Cuban coffee isn't your typical cup of Joe. Not sure where to go for a cup? These are the best places to get Cuban coffee in Fort Lauderdale.
Colada Cuban Coffee House & Eatery
The name "colada" is perfectly fitting because colada means "coffee" in Spanish, and because of their strength, coladas are meant to be sipped in small shots. There are few better places to sip Cuban coffee than Colada Cuban Coffee House & Eatery, a bakery that has served South Florida for more than 30 years.
Padrino's is a safe option if you enjoy Cuban food and coffee. There are no surprises, and the menu offers everything you'd expect from a Cuban restaurant. And there's nothing wrong with that: sometimes you want the expected, and when the expected is high-quality, there's no reason to reinvent the wheel.
Ideally located on Andrews Avenue in Fort Lauderdale, 925 Nuevo's Cubano's feels like a slice of Havana was dropped into the city and retrofitted into what feels like a food truck. It's a pretty interesting sight, and their food and drink options definitely make it worth a visit, especially if you need a quick mid-day boost of caffeine.
Porto Havana is as unassuming as it is delicious, certainly earning its space among Fort Lauderdale's best Cuban coffee destinations. Offering a full menu of Cuban favorites, a sweet colada is often the perfect pairing with any entree.
More often than not, people head over to El Tamarindo for a tasty colada and end up staying for the scrumptious food, which is understandable because the rich aromas of freshly-prepared Cuban delicacies are hard to resist.
Offering everything from sandwiches, soups, and, of course, Cuban coffee, La Fonda is a relatively rare Caribbean gem in Dania Beach. We highly recommend enjoying a colada with one of their delicious empanadas: you won't regret it!
If you're in the mood for cafe con eche (coffee with milk), you'd be well-served to swing by the Sunshine Bakery. It has a mom-and-pop-shop feel, providing a warm atmosphere as you bite into a freshly-baked croqueta and sip your coffee.
Cuban cuisine and coffee may not be as prevalent in Fort Lauderdale as it is in Miami, but there are still a few worthy options available without making the hike.
If you enjoyed our guide to Fort Lauderdale's best Cuban coffee and want to find more restaurants in Fort Lauderdale, be sure to register with 954area, your free guide to everything Fort Lauderdale has to offer.
Cover photo courtesy of Tim Wright on Unsplash
