Sun, Sand, and Sips: The Best Coffee Shops in and Around Pensacola Beach


Are you up for some great coffee and beach vibes? Pensacola Beach is filled with amazing coffee shops where you can have a relaxing moment and maybe a bit of reflection — all this while listening to the waves and feeling the sea breeze.

As with many other places on the Gulf Coast, getting to know the coffee scene in Pensacola Beach and around can definitely enhance your vacation experience. It's an ever-evolving landscape: Pensacola's coffee culture is on the rise, bustling with specialty coffee shops, lively roasters, and charming cafes.

Wondering where to go for a good cup of coffee? This blog will bring you a list of the top coffee shops in and around Pensacola Beach.

Let's get to know the local café society!



Bodacious


Nestled at the intersection of Palafox and Main Street in Downtown Pensacola, Bodacious isn't your typical café — it's a triple threat; it houses a coffee roastery, a kitchen treasure trove, and an olive oil haven.

That's where you can dive into a world of handcrafted coffees, ranging from espresso and drip coffee to cappuccino, cold brew, and enticing flavors like Honey Latte and Vanilla Latte.

The journey for your taste buds continues with a menu that caters to all tastes, featuring mouthwatering options such as pizzas, quiches, sandwiches, wraps, açaí bowls, and salads.

The inviting atmosphere features relaxed seating, lofty ceilings, and rustic brick walls, creating the perfect setting for a caffeine fix and a delicious bite.

After sipping your coffee, don't miss taking a detour to their olive oil shop — this is an experience that's not to be missed while exploring Downtown Pensacola.



Maker's Cafe & Espresso Bar


Another gem on Palafox Street, Maker's Cafe & Espresso Bar is a chic, design-oriented spot that takes coffee seriously, offering high-quality cold brews, pour-over coffee, and some of the city's finest espresso-based drinks. Coffee aficionados will really marvel at this place!

Beyond coffee, they place a strong emphasis on food, featuring a diverse selection of pastries, sandwiches, and baked goods crafted from locally sourced and organic ingredients. The chocolate chip banana bread is a total hit with locals and visitors alike.

Add to the mix comfortable seating, stable wifi, and great power outlets, and you've got a fantastic café to catch up on some work.



The Drowsy Poet Coffee Company


This is a place that sees coffee as poetry! Running since 2007, The Drowsy Poet Coffee Company roasts the finest Arabica beans in-house and puts extra effort into ensuring that each cup boasts the ideal combination of flavors and notes to delight every visitor.

The setting is great, with vintage furnishings, lush plants, and a literary theme featuring portraits of iconic writers — hence the name.

Even their coffee options have names inspired by literary geniuses. Oh, the treats they offer to pair with the coffee are great; an all-time fav is the warmed-up coconut pecan cake. Just lip-smacking goodness!


Fosko Coffee Barre


Also in the heart of downtown, and boasting some speakeasy vibes, Fosko is becoming a reference in the local scene. The setting is super charming with copper ceiling tiles, exposed brick walls, and plenty of comfortable seating spaces. There's even a garden at the back.

The menu features fresh-brewed coffee made with a Seraphim pour-over system, which guarantees brewing amazing coffee time after time without inconsistencies.

The result is a variety of handcrafted lattes and espresso drinks made on a classic Elektra Belle Epoque espresso machine — an attraction on its own! You can also try the great variety of sweet and savory crêpes and pastries they have on offer all day long.

They stay open till late, so you can even swing by after dinner for espresso and dessert. Have we mentioned that they also offer a liquor menu and an exquisite selection of beer and wine? Perfect to end an evening out in Pensacola.


Jitterbug Beverage Co.


At the end of an unassuming strip mall, Jitterbug Beverage Co is a relatively new addition to the Pensacola coffee scene. Interestingly, the place is owned by two "burnt-out creatives who hate burnt coffee" and "left the grind behind to pursue our caffeine daydream."

Speaking of creativity, the decor is pretty inviting, composed of mixed and colorful furnishings, sunflower touches, and light bulbs. Must-tries on the menu include their signature lattes, waffles, and cornbread. They recommend pairing their signature cold brew or roasted espresso with a square of hot honey butter cornbread (we also think it souls like the perfect duo!).

Following their mission to offer good options for gluten-intolerant folks, the kitchen is gluten-free, one of the few in Pensacola. The menu is replete with lots of comfort food options.


Cafe Single Fin


Nestled within the Waterboyz Surf & Skate Shop and said to be "one of the most radical cafes in Pensacola," Cafe Single Fin is pretty unique: surfboards, skateboards, and various beach accessories create the backdrop for your coffee sipping.

This Is a great cafe for vegans and vegetarians visiting Pensacola Beach. Offerings are very diverse, focusing on healthy and wholesome ingredients, with many vegan-friendly as well as comfort-food options. They serve all-day breakfast with classics like waffles, pancakes, burritos, omelets, scrambles, oatmeal, and parfaits. The acai bowls, in particular, are a big hit — deliciously and nutrient packed!

Prices are great, providing a nice balance of quantity and quality. There's also a massive list of drinks to choose from, including a variety of coffee drinks, caffeinated and non-caffeinated teas, artisanal sodas, smoothies, hot chocolate, and kombuchas.

Don't leave without going upstairs to sneak a peek at the surfboard shaping, sanding, and glassing process through the viewing windows. Speaking of coffee with beach vibes, huh?



The Rex Cafe

Inspired both by the classics of the silver screen and the quiet cafes of Europe, The Rex Cafe sits in The Rex Theater, a historic building with an Art Deco façade. The cafe offers a classic, warm, and welcoming atmosphere to coffee lovers from Pensacola and beyond.

Following the ambiance, the menu offers some classic coffee options, all perfect to be paired with a cinnamon roll or the Pain au chocolat. For the ultimate cozy experience, you can sit in a more secluded seating area near the windows. What could be a better spot for a coffee break before or after a good movie or a concert?




Maximilian Coffee


Located on 12th Avenue in East Hill, Maximilian Coffee is like a hidden gem with great coffee, service, and charming ambiance. It boasts a small but inviting atmosphere, and there's some outdoor seating, which is great when the weather is right for people-watching.

The menu is varied and features their "perfectly roasted, certified organic, and amazing" AmaVida Coffees. A simple and great combo is the Cuban cafe con leche and a croissant with ham and Swiss cheese or spinach and feta. Other caffeine fixes include the Mexican Mocha Latte or, for those seeking a coffee punch, the El Diablo.

The place is connected to the Cactus Flower Cafe Mexican restaurant, both owned by the same crew, who, by the way, are nothing short of extremely friendly.


The Best Coffee Shops in and Around Pensacola Beach

Pensacola boasts a unique blend of beach culture and natural beauty, attracting myriad tourists every year. It's always a great idea to experience the thriving coffee scene while exploring the charm of this coastal city.

Besides great coffee (that's a given!), the establishments we listed offer warm atmospheres for visitors to enjoy and fantastic opportunities to engage with the local community.



Where to stay when visiting Pensacola Beach, FL?

While in Pensacola, how about booking a great vacation rental so you can enjoy the city just like a local?

At Pensacola Beach Properties, we always go the extra length to ensure you have a 5-star experience when booking one of our condos and private houses. We have a wide selection of the best short-term rentals in Pensacola Beach and Navarre Beach, including vacation rentals with pools and pet-friendly stays.

There's nothing like experiencing this piece of paradise in Florida with all the privacy and comfort you need. Staying with us, all you have to do is kick back, relax, and soak in the Gulf Coast vibes to the fullest.



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