☕ Comparing The Best Coffee Spots + A $32 Mediterranean Dinner You Can’t Miss + LiveMusic Picks in Naples

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Friends and neighbors,

Welcome to the peak of summer, where if you’re lucky enough to stay in Naples, you can get a reservation anywhere at nearly any time. With the year already halfway behind us, I find myself reflecting on where I stand with my goals - how about you?

This week, I’m breaking down some of my favorite coffee shops based on what they do best. And from a recent review, I have a great recommendation on Bayshore Drive for an evening summer meal (and my latest obsession – a garden gimlet). 

Inside this issue:

Thank you for being a part of this community and sharing your thoughts with me. Enjoy the read; we’re happy to have you here. 

See you around town, 

So many coffee shops, so little time! Here’s a round-up of the best coffee shops in Naples, who each have their own strengths. Complete with testimonials from locals, you don’t have to take it just from me. Caffeine inspiration for your Tuesday. 

Tony’s Off Third – Best Cinnamon Rolls & People-Watching

1300 Third St S, Naples, FL 34102
Tony’s Off Third

The rundown:
Classic old-Naples charm with courtyard seating played out like your favorite chill sitcom, where everyone’s a character. Note that there is only outdoor seating here, but plenty of shade. Perfect to grab a coffee before heading to the farmer’s market. 

What to order:

Testimonial:

“Fantastic coffee/cappuccinos … paired with a cinnamon roll or any other sweet treat!” – A. 

“Great for people-watching” – S. 

Bad Ass Coffee – Best for Group Meetups & Breakfast

1307 Third St S, Naples, FL 34102
The Bad Ass Coffee Company

The rundown:
A Hawaiian-themed, laid-back spot on 3rd. Convenient and perfect for casual collabs or group catch-ups. Tons of seating – high-tops, low-tops, and comfy chairs in two joining rooms, plus a few shaded outdoor tables. 

What to order:

Testimonial:

“When I go to Naples, it’s Bad Ass coffee or bust.” – M. 

Kunjani Café – Best for Remote Work & Reading

780 Seagate Dr, Naples, FL 34103
Kunjani Craft Coffee

The rundown:
Low-key, artsy roastery and gallery near Waterside Shops. Low hum of brains working = prime remote-work/reading HQ. Many large tables with seating for co-working, a comfy reading nook, plus outdoor patio seating. 

What to order:

Testimonial:
“Great vibe inside. Good mix of everything…hipster, but not in a bad way.”-P.  

Acopio – Best for Afternoon Meet-Ups & Specialty Coffee

5100 Tamiami Trail N #101, Naples, FL 34103
Acopio Coffee

The rundown:
A sunny Colombian roastery that takes their coffee seriously, and hangout space with tile accents and colorful chairs. Bright, cozy, and lively enough to catch up with a friend, but not too loud to take a Zoom meeting. For serious coffee lovers, they have a variety of hand-brewing methods. 

What to order:

Testimonial:

“Very authentic Colombian coffee and treats!”- S.
“Acopio is my favorite for coffee.” – E. 

Woolfmoon x Kaleidoscope – Best Pastries

1780 Commercial Drive, Naples, 34112
Woolfmoon Bakery

The rundown:
A combination coffee shop and flower shop that might be the most charming place to drink coffee in Naples (and that’s saying something). Fresh croissants and a garden to eat them in. A perfect setting, and the coffee isn’t an afterthought either: consistent specialty roasts.  

What to order:

Testimonial:
“Unreal pastries, like something you’d find in a European bakery.” -P.
“Best croissant I’ve ever had (and I’ve had a lot of croissants). Line was long but service was friendly and efficient. Naples gem.” – N. 

This week, I want to talk about a Mediterranean spot that’s been quietly delivering excellent food and even better cocktails: The MED, tucked in the Bayshore Arts District. Their summer menu features a two-course dinner special for $32, which would already be worth a visit, but the cocktail I had made it a no-brainer.

The MED opened in late 2022 and was founded by Mary Brandt, who also owns Hotel Escalante and Veranda E, along with her partner, chef Tommy Francavilla. While it’s been on Bayshore Drive for a few years, it still feels a bit undiscovered. But the Bayshore Arts District is quickly changing. Between the recently opened Seventh South Waterfront, Rebecca’s, and the latest Sunday Arts Market, there are ever-growing reasons to head over to Bayshore. 

From the outside, The MED is completely unassuming. One of those buildings you might drive past three times wondering if you’re in the right place. But open the door and you step into something charming. The dining room is dim and cozy, with a long bar that runs the length of the space. Out back there’s a lovely courtyard with tables, string lights, and aeroponic towers that would be ideal on a clear evening. It wasn’t crowded the night I went, just a handful of people with nowhere else they’d rather be and a breeze blowing through.

I took the bartender’s advice and ordered the summer special: two courses for $32, starter or dessert plus any entrée. I began with the bruschetta, which came on slices of soft-but-toasted bread with balsamic drizzle. It wasn’t reinventing anything, but it was fresh and satisfying. What nearly stole the show was the Garden Gimlet. Imagine a harmony of cucumber and basil in a cocktail that you want to eat, not drink. Clean, herbal, cold. I had to physically stop myself from downing it too fast.

For my main, I went with the pistachio-encrusted salmon, though I had my eye on the lasagna (chef’s family recipe) and the ½ rosemary-lemon rotisserie chicken. The salmon arrived oven-hot, cooked exactly right, with a small fennel and arugula salad. Simple but delightful on a summer night, with a subtle bite of Dijon on the pistachio crust. I could hear the table over from me giving rave reviews to the lasagna, so it’s going to the top of my list the next time I want a more substantial meal. They also have a selection of pizzas (both red and white), and a whole branzino. 

The bartender, Vlad, humored my challenge to bring me another drink in ten minutes. I promptly forgot I asked, and he delivered it anyway, smiling like he’d just won a bet. I appreciate that kind of attention to detail, and it’s emblematic of the hospitality at The MED.

I’m not usually one for crème brûlée. Burnt sugar and custard don’t usually inspire me. But Vlad talked me into it, and I’m glad he did. It arrived with a satisfying crack and a taste that made me pause after the first bite. It wasn’t over-sweet, and the custard had depth. I scraped the dish clean (and would have been mildly upset if I’d had to share it).

I had few expectations going in but was pleasantly surprised. There’s a comfort to The MED that I didn’t expect. Between the food and the hospitality, it’s a place I genuinely want to stick around. 

So slink over to Bayshore, designate a driver, and attempt to receive the message of the Garden Gimlet: slow down, you’re already where you need to be. 

The MED

3929 Bayshore Dr, Naples, FL 34112

Phone: (239) 307-4755

Hours: 5PM-Close; Closed Wednesday

website

Last week's poll asked:
What’s most important to you in a coffee shop?

Here’s where you landed:

Here’s what a few readers had to say:

I can tell my readers have taste, because the quality of the coffee matters to you, as well as enough seats to enjoy it. Thank you to everyone who took the time to answer! 

Naples has so much live music around town that it’s hard to keep track of. I’d love to know: where do you go when you want to hear some good tunes?

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Why It Matters

Discovering places that resonate with you isn't just about great coffee or delicious food—it's about enhancing everyday life.

The right spots turn routine into cherished rituals, making each day more enjoyable, meaningful, and connected.

Thanks for joining the journey!

Elizabeth Bellotti
Editor-In-Chief
Naples, Florida
The Naples Florida Review

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