BEACHY COFFEE CULTURE

I phreaking’ love a good coffee shop. You know the kind that is inviting, artsy, loungey, filled with a slow bustle of happy people and roasts their own flavor filled beans with intention. I often rate a city or town by their coffee culture. I figure if they have a cool coffee scene with a like minded community, then I will fit in just fine while filling my soul cup even more. I happened to be settling into the Palm Beach area for four months, plenty of time to explore. My go to Eater site revealed many recommendations that piqued my interest. Armed with my laptop, personal projects, a need for caffeine, and my sidekick brother, I set out on my quest to encounter the good stuff.

The first one stood near the railroad tracks behind a wall with one of the giant suburban murals that don the streets in the up-and-coming arts district in West Palm Beach. Subculture coffee roasts beans daily from fair trade and small batch coffee farms around the globe. Upon opening the glass door, a strong waft of fresh brewed coffee leapt inside me. The space was intimate with a chill vibe and friendly staff willing to listen to my brother’s description of the kind of coffee he once had that changed his world. They suggested a blend that they had just roasted that morning that would fit the bill. I started to sip my iced latte as my eyes popped over the baked goods in the case below the counter. I jabbed my brother’s arm and pointed at the coconut cake. It took absolutely no convincing him to get a slice. We devoured it in seconds. The moist, delicate crumb, creamy coconut flaked frosting paired perfectly with our coffee. We had to find out where they sourced this cake from. Known to locals as one of the best, Café Sweets Bakery was the culprit of our new obsession. My bother and I loved it so much that we took his wife and kids for a visit. Now a family favorite, Subculture Coffee has four locations, Boca Raton, Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter, and West Palm Beach. Craving a cup, get yourself to one of their locations and grab a slice of the coconut cake. You’re welcome!