BANDIT COFFEE CO INDIAN SHORES COFFEE WILLIAM DEAN CHOCOLATES vegan (but trust us, it is). The Central Avenue shop shares a storefront with Lucy’s, a vegan sandwich and lunch spot, so it’s simple to get both your sweet impossible to go wrong with the nanaimo bars, custard. The peach and strawberry lemon bars are like lemon squares crossed with a peach crisp, and any number of cake selections are worth it if only to marvel at the dreamy vegan buttercream frosting. spinach and artichoke hand pies can’t be beat. WILLIAM DEAN CHOCOLATES • Belleair; $ • Since 2007, this Belleair Bluffs chocolatier has racked up international acclaim, garnering wide-spread accolades and multiple awards along the way. The proof isn’t in the pudding — it’s in the tiny, intricately hand-painted and airbrushed chocolate VALHALLA BAKERY different teas, as well as daily assortments of you’re waiting for your coffee, browse the gift and kitchen gadget selection, which features an array of edible goodies as a collection of candles, tea towels and greeting cards. INDIAN SHORES COFFEE • Indian Shores; $ • The owners of this Indian Shores cafe also run St. Pete’s Black Crow Coffee Co., and the two spots carry a similarly cozy and funky aesthetic, with artwork adorning the walls and a piano tucked away in one of the corners. The cafe inside is dark and inti-mate while the shady patio is surrounded by lush plants. Baked goodies include homemade choco-donuts, and there are usually gluten-free and vegan options available. The cafe also boasts some of the best croissants in the area and the breakfast and ’60s, the minimalist decor includes tall ceilings, plenty of natural light and several tables for smaller groups or solo visitors. A side patio features several picnic tables for outdoor seating and offers a prime spot to take in the lively downtown scene. SWEET BREWNETTE • Madeira Beach; $ • This laid-back cafe right off Madeira Beach oozes casual seaside charm. The focus is on organic and fair trade into the standard espresso drink setup. Some of the more whimsical creations clearly have the sugar a blend of espresso with peanut butter, banana and -bines espresso with raspberry and white chocolate. A lively breakfast scene draws locals and beachgo-and — for the grownups — mimosas made with freshly squeezed orange juice. your everyday chocolates — these are miniature chocolates shipped anywhere in the U.S. COFFEE BARS & CAFES BANDIT COFFEE CO • St. Petersburg; $ • A bright black-and-white mural reading, “Hello, Saint Petersburg,” beckons to passersby on Central Avenue. Outside, people clutching iced lattes chat early on certain weekend mornings to take advantage of pop-up specials, which often sell out in minutes. Their single-origin coffees are sourced from all over the world and roasted locally and the shop also stocks a decent selection of natural wines by the bottle. Don’t skip out on the breakfast sandwich, one of the ‘Burg’s best contenders in the genre. THE COFFEE MILL • Largo; $ • This quaint and cozy Largo coffee shop and roaster features more than 60 different types of coffees and a dozen INTERMEZZO • St. Petersburg; $ • During the daytime, people cozy up over lattes and laptops. As soon as the sun sets, this spot gets amped up a few notches and the coffee drinks are swapped out for something stronger. That’s because Intermezzo is really two different businesses: A craft coffee shop and cafe by day, and a swanky cocktail lounge by night. Inspired by the European cafes of the 1950s DIGITAL DINING GUIDE VisitSPC.com/Dining Go on a journey with some of the best chefs and restaurant hot spots around St. Pete/Clearwater with our culinary video series . 87
Gulf To Bay St. Pete Clearwater FL Gulf to Bay St. Pete Clearwater FL: Page 87
