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.

Came here once or twice before and the mocha latte was very bland and overpriced…read more Decided to come back and give it another try because it was only place in the area and it will definitely be my last time. It was about 11:30 AM on a Saturday and there were a couple people from me so it took me nearly 10 minutes to place my order just for them to tell me they were out of mocha lattes and pretty much any flavored lattes.

The intentions of the owner's was surely to provide a chill ambiance to their thirsty customers…read morewith a tropical oasis theme flowing throughout the cafe into the bathroom. The cafe is only two months old in the Cypress Creek Station shooping plaza, but heard the chatter on social media and had to drive a slight distance to also be part of the experience. A temporary simplistic Drip Coffee sign is affixed to the exterior of the business. Upon entering, the buzz of this cafe was accurate. The establishment spewed an ultra industrial modern intimate vibe with gray polished stone flooring with an open ceiling exposing the metal rafters and a/c tubing, accented by dark green ferns on the walls and tables. The laughter from five girls at a back table echoed throughout the cafe, which was a good start. The barista was chatty and all smiles while she took my order quickly with no hiccups. The Guatemalan dark roast espresso beans are sourced from PumpHouse Coffee in WPB. It was presented in a mini cup with the Drip Coffee logo imprint - this is such a simple inexpensive marketing tool that most cafes do not take advantage of. This is another cafe with a cashless tranaction process. Understandably, tipping is digital, but at the least there should be a tip jar as an option for cash. Found sanctuary at a table with a semi comfortable low stool. The Guatemalan coffee was strong and cut it with a shot of heavy cream. Usually I consume medium roast coffee, although this mimicked a few strong Austrian blends and was sublime and appreciated. The gender neutral bathroom screamed "WoW Impressive"! Instantly I pondered, the owners took their artistic vision to another level. Spotless, spotless, spotless, more greenery with thin wooden slats covering the ceiling and the low lit led hollow rough rock mirror hovered above the gray square deep sink. Washing my hands were more of a delight than a necessity. "Clean Bathroom = Clean Kitchen". No doubt that I will return to this eatery. Great coffee and a wonderful experience.

I enjoyed the miso moody, it was delicate and sweet…read more Miso moody - 4/5 Sticky situation - 3.5/5 Salted caramel - 3/5 They ran out of the regular caramel for the caramel iced latte so my drink ended tasted a little funky with another caramel choice they had. $9 for their specialty coffees but is it worth the wait ehhhh probably not. When we ordered they were mainly doing social media content with out drink orders, so basically we waited 15-20 minutes for the coffee.. The place looked was beautiful and aesthetically pleasing! And modern vibes

Stopped by with the family for a drink. The spot was very cute upon arrival and the girls who…read moreattended us were the sweetest. I ordered the lucky charm latte, my boyfriend ordered a chagaccino and my son got the funky monkey. The coffee's were so good they were there one minute and the next it disappeared. We inhaled them. We also ordered a cheddar, bacon and chive scone that was to die for. So moist and very flavorful definitely a must grab. I ordered an amazing acai bowl. It was called pink flamingo. So refreshing and a great size as well packed with lots of fruits. The outdoor sitting is a must if you are going with friends and family. Has a wonderful view of the water.

Food: Matcha, empanadas, and the Nutella croissant were so good!…read more Service: The woman (cashier) there was not very friendly and pleasant. Ambiance: Nice, relaxing, and clean.

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!

3 stars for food. 5 stars for vibes…read more Let me start by saying I love plants. I saw photos of this cafe and the plants called me there. Like John Muir, but with plants, I must go. And so I went. Oh. My. Good. It was a plant haven paradise. The greenery vibes were immaculate. It was my last stop before flying home and so glad I went. Even though breakfast itself was lowkey disappointing but the beautiful plants made up for it. I went early and it was very lowkey and relaxing. The place was nearly empty minus a few guests sprinkled here and there. Now onto the food, I had to go with Chef's Special. For me, it was okay. The ingredients were fresh, however, the texture and love came short. I thought the waffle part was too crispy/hard and lost the tenderness of the potatoes. My egg was a bit overdone so it didn't ooze onto the glorious yolk onto all the other components as I'd hoped for. So yeah, the breakfast itself was alright, nothing bad but nothing I'm dying to try again. However, the ambiance was amazing. I would come back for coffee and vibes. Service, was good. They are friendly folks and not much to say there.

Let me start by saying that I am very very picky with my coffees…read more This coffee had to be some of the best that I have tried in a very long time. The place is so inviting as soon as you walk in. Very wholesome vibes. Easy parking. Many people. Some were even studying . I went with the churro latte. It was absolutely delicious . I am definitely coming back here again ! Highly highly recommend .

One of my favorite coffee spots we have visited in the last two years. My family tries little spots…read moreeach weekend. We stopped at Porfa one weekend and we were blown away. First of all the place is pure Tenerife vibes which we love. The place was backed but we were lucky enough to find parking and then some seats. We ordered our drinks with the sweetest guy ever . Danny let us know they were our of a couple baked goods but we ended up getting this yummy apple strudel. We also ordered the churro and flan latte and they were FABULOUS. Seriously 0 complaints. Has to be the best combination of sweet and strong. I know this might be slightly weird maybe not but the best bathroom I've visited ever. First of all theres a fountain in there.... Crazy love that. Second of all there is a sound machine letting out sounds of seagulls and the ocean. Like how perfect is that! Truly felt transported. The coffee, the vibes and the service 10/10 OH AND THAT BATHROOM 20/10

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.

I love coming here. The food and coffee are delicious no matter what you choose from the menu. The…read morestaff is always nice and attentive. It's a great rustic vibe to go to solo with a book or laptop, with a friend, or with your pup since they also have an outdoor patio!

Wonderful breakfast, service, and atmosphere The menu was…read morefantastic, I enjoyed my visit

Food: So yummy! The pistachio alfajor and cinnamon dulce latte are my go tos. Everything I've had…read morehas been delicious, but those two are definitely my favorites! The coffee is such good quality. Ambiance: A nice, quiet little coffee shop with a cozy atmosphere. It's a great place to get some work done, catch up with a friend, or just enjoy some quiet time. Service: Phenomenal! The ladies who own the coffee shop are so sweet and welcoming, and they make some of the best lattes.

Vaella has great coffee and even better food. We have gone here for breakfast a couple times. While…read moreit is not a place for a quick breakfast, your patience will be rewarded with some of the highest quality breakfast bowls I've had in a coffee shop. On our latest visit, we ordered an açaí bowl, a Greek yogurt bowl, and an iced latte. It took a while for our bowls to come out, and you can see why from the pictures: each was beautifully made with great care. The ingredients were very high quality, especially the fruit. While on the pricey side, they were big, filling, and nutritious - together with the quality of the ingredients, I thought the prices were reasonable. Don't sleep on the coffee either. The espresso in my iced latte was a darker roast than I usually like, but it was complex and not very bitter or acidic. It was a great accompaniment to the natural sweetness of the bowl I had. There is some seating inside, with fresh flowers on the tables - a nice touch that reflected how much care they put into this lovely cafe!