9 OctOber 9-15, 2025 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com NEW TIMES | CONTENTS | LETTERS | NEWS | NIGHT+DAY | CULTURE | CAFE | MUSIC | Month XX–Month XX, 2008 miaminewtimes.com MIAMI NEW TIMES | CONTENTS | LETTERS | RIPTIDE | METRO | NIGHT+DAY | STAGE | ART | FILM | CAFE | MUSIC | ▼ CAFFEINE NATION LOCKED IN Every year, Yelp compiles a list of the Top 100 Coffee Shops in the U.S., a caffeinated snapshot of the nation’s favorite spots to sip, linger, and re- charge. The 2025 edition follows the same careful formula: narrowing the field to businesses in the “Coffee & Tea” category on Yelp, then ranking them based on the number and quality of re- views. To ensure the list reflects the diversity of coffee culture from coast to coast, Yelp also caps representation at five shops per metro area. Ad- ditionally, every business included had to main- tain a passing health score as of July 8, 2025, ensuring that each entry pairs its five-star rating with five-star standards. Miami’s coffee scene, with its vibrant mix of Cuban ventanitas and great Cuban coffee spots, artisanal brewers, and stylish gourmet coffee- houses to work at, has been steadily gaining na- tional attention in recent years. Yet despite its growing reputation, not a single Miami shop man- aged to crack this year’s top 100. However, that doesn’t mean South Florida went unrecognized. Just north in Broward County, two standout shops did earn national acclaim, reminding coffee lovers that sometimes the best brews are waiting just outside the Magic City. Coming in at no. 33 is Resurrection Cup Cof- fee, a Fort Lauderdale favorite that has earned near-unanimous praise (an impressive 4.9 stars on Yelp from over 200 reviews) from its loyal cus- tomer base. Since opening in October 2021, the café has drawn attention not just for its high- quality drinks and pastries, but also for its warm, community-driven atmosphere. Coffee remains the most integral part of the menu, which offers a variety of hot and iced options. The most popular is the “Dirty Chai,” a specialty drink made with equal parts espresso, vanilla chai, milk, and foam. A customer favorite from the food menu (be- sides the epic assortment of doughnuts) is the “Koosh Tuna Melt,” a family recipe passed down from Alice’s mother, Rosa, who is from Honduras. Just a short drive from the Fort Lauderdale–Hol- lywood International Airport, Resurrection Cup has become a destination for travelers and locals alike, with Yelp reviewers raving about the crois- sants, doughnuts, and heartfelt service. Further down the list at no. 83 is Cali Coffee in Hollywood, a spot that has cultivated a passionate following of its own. The Florida- based chain has an impressive number of locations across the Sunshine State, spanning from coast to coast. However, its original Hollywood location took the cake with 4.8 stars on Yelp from nearly 500 reviews. Cali Coffee’s Hollywood outpost holds a spe- cial place in the brand’s story as the very first loca- tion and its self-proclaimed “OG Flagship Shop.” Opened in 2018 by founders Craig Avera and Rose White, the tiny 587-square-foot café may be mod- est in size, but it quickly built a big reputation. De- signed as both a drive-through and walk-up coffee shop, it offers convenience without sacrific- ing quality — a combination that has clearly reso- nated with locals and visitors alike. Even as the company has expanded and opened additional locations, the Hollywood shop remains one of Cali Coffee’s busiest and most beloved, a testament to the loyal community it has cultivated since day one. NICOLE LOPEZ-ALVAR ▼ SEPTEMBER GOING, GOING, GONE Compared to the rollercoaster of August, when it felt like restaurants were shuttering left and right, September brought far fewer closures to Miami’s dining scene. Still, the month wasn’t without its farewells. Three well-known spots closed their doors in September: one for a planned revamp, another under complicated circumstances, and one, sadly, for good. While the list may be shorter than in recent months, each closure carries its own weight, given the history and following these restaurants have built over the years. On September 2, Papi Steak, the high-energy Miami Beach hotspot known for its celebrity crowd and bold design, temporarily closed to un- dergo a complete makeover, with plans to reopen in November. In Coral Gables, the longstanding Cuban restaurant Havana Harry’s was ordered to close indefinitely following inspection issues, though its owners maintain that the pause is tem- porary and tied to renovations. And in Little Ha- vana, Doce Provisions, a beloved neighborhood favorite celebrated for its Cuban comfort food and leafy patio, permanently shut its doors after eight years. Three closures, three different stories, each leaving a mark on the city’s ever-evolving dining landscape. Doce Provisions, a beloved Cuban comfort food spot in Little Havana, has permanently closed after eight years in business. Known for its award-winning chorizo croquetas, short rib tacos, and lush backyard patio, the restaurant quietly shuttered in September 2025. The closure came as a surprise to many, especially since Doce was recently featured in the Michelin Guide’s Best Cuban Restaurants in Miami list. Despite accolades and a loyal following, the space is now marked “permanently closed,” leaving fans without one of Miami’s most cherished Cuban dining destinations. Havana Harry’s, a Coral Gables institution for nearly 30 years, has been forced to close indefi- nitely after the city ordered a shutdown following inspection issues. While the restaurant insists the closure is temporary and due to “renovations,” controversy lingers as it follows a summer shut- down for pest violations. The drama has left long- time customers confused, with some worried the closure may be more permanent than advertised. Despite the uncertainty, Havana Harry’s owners say they plan to reopen once upgrades and city requirements are resolved. Papi Steak, the Miami Beach hotspot from Da- vid Grutman, temporarily closed on September 2 for a major tropical-inspired redesign. The flashy celebrity-favorite steakhouse is undergoing a complete transformation led by the Rockwell Group, the design team behind other Groot Hos- pitality projects. The revamped space will feature a “glamorous tropical luxe” look with velvet ban- quettes, gold detailing, and a dramatic private dining room. The restaurant is set to reopen in November 2025, offering guests a refreshed and immersive dining experience. NICOLE LOPEZ-ALVAR ▼ ERE-WHERE? THE BIG TEASE On Tuesday, September 30, Los Angeles’ most talked-about grocery store, the celebrity-ob- sessed, notoriously expensive Erewhon, set the internet ablaze. With a single post across Insta- gram and Threads, the cult-favorite health-food chain teased multiple U.S. cities, including Miami, with cryptic maps and the caption: “The Taste of Erewhon in Your City. Coming soon.” Cue the meltdown. Within two hours, the post had racked up more than 26,000 likes and hundreds of comments, many from Miami “it girls” who seem to have al- ready imagined themselves sipping on $20 Hailey Bieber smoothies while strolling down the Design District. Across social media, comments are flooded with locals begging the chain to open here next, spamming comments with “Please Miami!” and “We need this ASAP.” However, some were re- pulsed by the news of an expansion outside of Los Angeles, with one writing, “It’s all downhill from here. Part of the allure is it’s an L.A. thing.” So, could Erewhon, the same grocer where Kendall Jenner stocks up on green juices and in- fluencers document their $17 celery tonics, actu- ally be coming to the 305? Not so fast. After the internet spiraled, Erewhon quietly updated the caption to: “A Taste of Erewhon Shipping to Your City. Coming soon.” Translation: Miami isn’t getting a full-blown Erewhon store- front just yet. Instead, locals will be able to order Erewhon products shipped directly to their doors, a move that, while convenient, doesn’t quite re- place the Instagrammable allure of | TASTE TEST | ▼ Café Resurrection Cup Coffee photo Two Fort Lauderdale cafes have been ranked among the best 100 coffee shops in the U.S. >> p10
