Almost 15 years ago a young couple began roasting their own coffee beans and opened a coffee shop. At the time, a Seattle based chain was the only option in town. Today, you could hit a different coffee shop every day of the month and never utter your size in Italian. But Kahwa is the granddaddy of them all. The location at 475 2nd Street N. in downtown St. Pete is their original shop (they have 14 locations). It hasn’t changed much because it didn’t need to. Baristas are friendly and efficient, chatting with loyal customers who come in for “their usual.” The local history professor cruises through just about every day, stopping to chat with the people he knows (most of them), while Uber drivers, realtors and restaurant servers stop in to get their caffeine fix. But is the coffee good? They wholesale coffee to over 800 restaurants and hotels, so someone thinks so. 

In the world of COVID-19 Kahwa pivoted quickly to selling online, making sure their customers didn’t miss the taste of their favorite bean. Reopening their sidewalk seating, their app allows coffee lovers to place and pay for their order and pick it up – contact-free. And if you don’t want to get out of your car, hit one of their drive-thru locations. 

Kahwa’s menu is pastry-centered (the 2nd Ave South location offers a broader lunch menu). Wifi is always reliable and it’s a great spot for a business meeting for two, or to catch up with a friend.