Let's face it, when people go to Keys West the drink of choice is typically something fruity accompanied by hard liquor. But we were not here for that. We were there for coffee. And to be specific, we were there for the Cuban coffee. Because what better place to get the closest thing to authentic Cuban coffee than a place that's only 90 miles away from Cuba.
Do stupid things faster is the slogan of the Cuban Coffe Queen. I am going to tweak that a bit and switch it to Do epic things faster. I can't begin to tell you how much I love this little shop. I love their perfect Cuban coffee, the story behind the name, the welcoming staff, the little details around the shop, and the location near the dock. Exploring the local coffee shops is one of our travel rituals regardless of where we go. Cuban Coffe Queen is one of our favorite spots in Key West.
The best part about this place was watching them make the doughnuts from scratch. If you are lucky to get there at that time you can see the process through the window or over the counter. Yes, the place is tinny but it makes up for it with charm. We initially walked here because of the doughnuts but were delightfully surprised about the amazing quality of the coffee. If you want a nice place that offers both, Cuban coffee and doughnuts this is it. At the time of our visit, seating was restricted but we didn't mind taking a breakfast stroll while admiring the uniqueness of the neighborhood.
Founded by a barista, Keys coffee offers locally roasted high-quality Cuban coffee.
The place is popular with locals and tourists alike and it offers a variety of specialty coffees, but we were there for the good stuff, the Cuban and the cold brew – and they did not disappoint. The menu looked tempting, so we ordered a breakfast taco. Pro tip: if you are looking for a light breakfast, ask for the taco in a bowl as we did. The staff was friendly and the place is small but welcoming.