By Stephen Rafferty
As we slip slowly from the warmth of the summer in our gorgeous community, you may be looking for a new stop to pick up your
morning coffee to fend off the slightly cooler air. But even if it remains hot for a while longer, who is going to turn down the iced and varied drinks this month’s destinations pleasantly offer us?
SAY COFFEE HOUSE
Anyone who has been in St. Pete for more than a day knows Central Avenue has become a destination for independent dining and creative cafés. One of the most unique is Say Coffee House, which brings an international influence to the neighborhood’s growing coffee culture. With its Vietnamese-inspired menu plus inventive beverages, owner Haley Huynh and her staff serve up a treat to all who frequent the lovely establishment.
Of course the highlight is the Vietnamese coffee program, which celebrates the bold flavors and distinctive preparation methods
associated with traditional Vietnamese coffee. Slow-dripped coffee delivers a rich, concentrated flavor, while condensed milk provides the familiar creamy sweetness that makes the style so appealing. For me a must have specialty is the Vietnamese egg cream coffee, that had my taste buds singing.
Coffee isn’t the only attraction. Matcha drinks and creative seasonal beverages broaden the menu, providing choices for customers who prefer something lighter or less coffee-forward. The variety makes Say a suitable stop whether you’re looking for a morning caffeine boost, an afternoon refreshment or a leisurely catch-up with friends.
Located in St. Pete’s Grand Central District, you can fit in a visit while perusing all the eclectic stores and independent neighborhood businesses our impressive downtown offers us. Say Coffee House demonstrates how a relatively simple concept can become distinctive through thoughtful preparation and a willingness to experiment. For adventurous coffee drinkers, it offers a flavorful reminder that the perfect cup doesn’t have to follow the traditional American café formula.
Mon.-Sun. 8am-4pm | say-coffee-house.square.site
GROVE SURF + COFFEE
Whether you are grabbing your morning caffeine or looking for an afternoon boost, Grove Surf + Coffee on St. Pete Beach brings its own flavor to the table in more than the obvious way. Blending a specialty coffee shop with the laid-back character of a surf-inspired boutique, the Gulf Boulevard destination captures the relaxed coastal lifestyle that makes the area so appealing.
Casual, warm and welcoming, the store also has a cool distinctly beach-oriented feel. As you would hope for and expect, coffee is at the heart of the experience, with locally roasted beans from St. Petersburg’s Bandit Coffee helping give the shop a connection to the area’s independent coffee community. Traditional drip coffee and espresso drinks share the menu with more indulgent creations. A salted caramel latte is a tempting choice for those with a sweet tooth, while toasted coconut coffee offers a flavor particularly suited to the tropical surroundings. Some really nice breakfast options, bagels, pastries and baked treats provide an easy accompaniment to your drink.
What truly distinguishes Grove, however, is its combination of coffee culture and retail. Alongside the café, visitors can browse surf-inspired merchandise, clothing and beach-related gifts. As someone who spent a lot of time riding his bike to and around the beach as a teen, I’d have loved a place like Grove Coffee to hang out in.
Sun.-Thur. 8am-5pm | Fri.-Sat. 8am-6pm | grovesurfandcoffee.com
PARADECO COFFEE ROASTERS
Paradeco Coffee Roasters downtown makes a compelling case for slowing down and enjoying the experience of coffee. A polished aesthetic creates a relaxed setting for a morning meeting, a solo coffee break or a catch-up with friends; its atmosphere feels modern without losing the easygoing character that makes independent cafés appealing.
With its roasting operation and espresso program, Paradeco provides a foundation for its menu of carefully prepared drinks.
Traditional cappuccinos, lattes and espresso-based favorites cater to purists, while specialty creations offer a more adventurous alternative. Seasonal flavors, combinations and sublime drinks such as an orange mocha bring additional personality to the selection without abandoning coffee’s central role. Their green tea smoothie and cortada libations do it for me each time.
For those wishing a nibble there are morning favorites and lighter bites to complement the beverages, giving customers a reason to linger rather than simply ordering takeaway. Its stylish surroundings create an appealing first impression with a great balance between presentation and substance, but the emphasis on specialty coffee gives the experience a purpose beyond appearances.
Add Paradeco to your downtown itinerary, it’s the kind of café that can become part of a regular morning routine, offering quality coffee in a setting that feels distinctly connected to the city’s evolving food and drink culture.
Sat.-Sun. 8am-6pm | Mon.-Thur. 7am-5pm | Fri. 7am-6pm
paradecocoffee.com