With a rich history, Orlando’s cafe scene has evolved to become vibrant and diverse, capable of catering a wide range of coffee and dessert preferences. The essence of Orlando’s cafe scene is a harmonious mix of trendy coffee houses offering experience from the best in the world, blending different cultures and food into one joyous union. 

Tourists and Orlandoans might find searching for the best coffee shop that outshined in this vivacious city’s cafe scene a bit difficult; however, it is not an impossible task. All coffee lovers know Mecatos Bakery and Cafe, and this unique place is a contender for the best coffee shop in Orlando.

From their fascinating history and background to the unique coffee culture they offer to their decadent specialty coffees and baked delights, Mecatos Bakery and Cafe has something delicious waiting for everyone; making the coffee shop quite deserving of this title.

Mecatos Bakery and Cafe: A Blend of Culture and Pastry

Mecatos was established in the year 2015 to share Colombian food and culture to the diverse communities of Orlando. Since opening of the first outlet in 2016, the cultural significance brought forward by this concept cafe has positively-impacted and uplifted the local community. Their goal is to offer their customers unique and welcoming experiences every single time, no matter what Colombian baked delicacy, coffee, or desserts they choose.

The Rise to Prominence

This small family-owned business motivation to open a coffee shop was an initiative taken by the cafe’s founderer, Edwin Lurduy. In 2015, deeply motivated by his Colombian heritage, Edwin Lurduy decided to share his passion of introducing delicious Colombian coffee and food to Orlando’s cafe scene which supports and loves diverse food and drinking experiences.

After a year-long researching and developing recipes process for the coffee shop, the first store was opened on 1st April 2016 in Waterford Lakes. As of 2023, this coffee shop is serving their delicious Columbian creations and coffees in 6 different locations. Out of all the locations, the cafe near Metrowest is considered the best location by customers.

An Assortment of Baked Delights

Mecatos is known for their versatile yet traditionally Colombian bakery items. From hot bites to pasties to breads, this coffee shop offers a long list of delicious bakery items. Their most-famous or most-sold specialty items are Buñuelos, Pan de Bono, Empanadas, and many others.

While Buñuelos is a fried cheese bread with a soft center and crisp exterior, Pan de Bono is baked bread with cheese mixed in, offering a different experience. Each bakery item will have authentic taste as only unique Columbian ingredients and flavors are used exclusively by Mecatos Bakery and Cafe.

Dessert Specialties at Mecatos

Their long and utterly-delicious dessert menu offers some of the best pairing for Colombian coffee. Some popular regulars on the dessert menu are Dulce De Leche Cake, Cheese Cake, Cannoli in different flavors. However, the most loved are Tiramisu (coffee-flavored layered sponge cake with mascarpone cheese), Guava Cheesecake (Guava filling infused traditional cheesecake), Oreo Cake (chocolate layered cake with oreo cooking creme frosting), and Brazo Gitano (Vanilla cake roll) filled with Dulce de Leche creme.

Coffee Culture at Mecatos

Coffee holds immense significance in Colombian culture as it plays a vital role in this country’s history and also daily life. Mecatos is a contender for the best coffee shop in Orlando as it offers the same welcoming Columbian coffee culture and a wide selection of specialty Colombian coffee in medium roast house blend available as Americano, Espresso, Cafe Con Leche, Latte, or Cappuccino. These coffees go well with their many best-selling bakery items and hot bites, such as Empanada (deep fried corn flour dough with different fillings), Tiramisu, Pan De Bono, etc.

Mecatos Across Orlando

Besides Waterford Lakes and Metrowest, other locations of this coffee shop are Lake Underhill, Lake Nona, Downtown, W. Colonial (Ocoee). It will soon open its doors in Hansel Avenue as well. Due to their unique offerings and welcoming atmosphere, Mecatos Bakery and Cafe is always highlighted when “Coffee near me” or “Best Bakery in Orlando” across different neighborhoods is searched online, making the cafe perfect as the favorite contender for the best coffee shop in Orlando.

Conclusion

Mecatos the Best Coffee Shop has managed to introduce the unique Colombian coffee culture to the diverse Orlando cafe scene seamlessly with their specialty coffees and traditional Colombian deliciousness in form of cakes, bakery items, desserts, and hot bites. This family-owned concept cafe with 6 different locations across Orlando has managed to provide a welcoming cafe experience to many since 2016, contributing largely to Orlando’s culinary diversity. So, it’s not a surprise why Mecatos the Best Coffee Shop is one of the contenders for the best coffee shop in and around Orlando.