How to Order Cuban Coffee: A Beginner’s Guide (Cafecito, Colada, Cortadito & Café con Leche)

If you’ve never ordered Cuban coffee before, the menu can feel like a foreign language.

You step up to the ventanita (the iconic Cuban walk-up coffee window), confidently ask for “a Cuban coffee,” and immediately hear the question:

“What kind?”

Suddenly you’re faced with choices like cafecito, colada, cortadito, and café con leche.

Don’t worry—you’ll sound like a local after reading this guide.

What is Cuban coffee?

Cuban coffee is a strong, dark espresso traditionally sweetened during the brewing process with sugar whipped into the first drops of espresso, creating a signature sweet crema called espumita. It’s richer, sweeter, and more concentrated than typical American coffee and is an important part of Cuban culture throughout South Florida.

What is a Ventanita?

A ventanita (Spanish for “little window”) is a walk-up coffee window found at many Cuban bakeries and restaurants throughout South Florida. It’s where locals stop throughout the day to grab coffee, chat with friends, and pick up pastries.

If you want the authentic experience, skip the dining room and order from the ventanita.

The Cheat Sheet

Cafecito

Best for: First-time visitors who love espresso.

A cafecito is the classic Cuban coffee. It’s a small but powerful shot of sweetened espresso served in a tiny cup.

Don’t let the size fool you—it packs a serious caffeine punch.

Expect:

✔ Sweet

✔ Strong

✔ Small

✔ Traditional

Colada

Best for: Sharing with friends or coworkers.

A colada is simply a larger serving of Cuban coffee that’s meant to be shared. It comes with several small cups so everyone can pour themselves a shot.

Bringing a colada to work is practically a love language in South Florida.

Pair it with a box of guava pastries, and you’ll be everyone’s favorite coworker.

Café con Leche

Best for: Latte lovers.

This is my personal favorite.

A café con leche combines hot steamed milk with Cuban espresso, creating a rich, creamy coffee that’s surprisingly smooth.

Because Cuban espresso is already sweetened, it almost tastes like melted coffee ice cream.

If you usually order a latte, start here.

Cortadito

Best for: Coffee drinkers who want something between a cafecito and a café con leche.

A cortadito is Cuban espresso with just a splash of steamed milk.

It softens the intensity without taking away the bold coffee flavor.

Think of it as the perfect middle ground.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cuban coffee stronger than regular coffee?

Cuban coffee is brewed as espresso, so it’s more concentrated and has a bolder flavor than drip coffee. A small serving often contains less total caffeine than a large American coffee, but because it’s consumed quickly and tastes very sweet, it can feel much stronger.

Why is Cuban coffee so sweet?

Traditional Cuban coffee is sweetened during the brewing process, creating a signature sweet foam called espumita that distinguishes it from simply adding sugar afterward.

What does Cuban coffee taste like?

Expect rich chocolate notes, caramelized sweetness, and a bold espresso flavor with very little bitterness.

What’s the difference between a cafecito and a cortadito?

A cafecito is straight sweetened espresso.

A cortadito adds a small amount of steamed milk.

Is Cuban coffee the same as espresso?

Not quite. While it’s brewed as espresso, Cuban coffee is traditionally sweetened during preparation and is known for its distinctive sweet crema and cultural serving traditions.

Where to Get the Best Cuban Coffee in West Palm Beach

If you ask locals where to find authentic Cuban coffee, one name comes up again and again: Havana Restaurant.

Their famous ventanita is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, making it the perfect stop whether you’re starting your morning, grabbing an afternoon pick-me-up, or satisfying a late-night coffee craving.

While you’re there, don’t leave without trying a warm guava and cheese pastelito—it’s the classic pairing with a cafecito.

You can also experience authentic Cuban coffee on our Historic West Palm Beach Neighborhood Food Tour and our Mornings in the Market Food Tour, where you’ll learn the stories behind this South Florida tradition while enjoying it the way locals do.

Order Like a Local

The next time you find yourself standing at a South Florida ventanita, you won’t have to wonder what to order. Whether you choose a bold cafecito, a creamy café con leche, a perfectly balanced cortadito, or a shareable colada, you’re experiencing one of South Florida’s most beloved traditions.

One sip, and you’ll understand why Cuban coffee is so much more than a morning pick-me-up—it’s a daily ritual, a cultural tradition, and for many locals, the best part of the day.

updated 8/3/26