South Tampa has a new spot for coffee lovers to slow down and savor something special. Mi Cafecito, a family-owned coffee shop from Danny and Lael Martinez, opened in early September, bringing Colombian coffee traditions, homemade arepas, and a little taste of home to SoHo.
Rooted in Colombian heritage, Mi Cafecito (2202 W Platt St) is inspired by Danny’s grandmother and the coffee culture she passed down to him. She taught him the traditions behind Colombian coffee, along with the importance of slowing down, sharing a good cup, and making time for the people around you. Now, Danny and Lael are bringing that same spirit to their new brick-and-mortar shop.
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Mi Cafecito stands out as SoHo’s first Colombian coffee shop, with a focus on single-origin coffee directly sourced from farms in Colombia. By highlighting the beans’ origins and the culture behind them, the shop offers customers a chance to experience Colombian coffee traditions closer to home.
The menu features a mix of traditional Colombian flavors and familiar favorites. The Arequipe is a signature iced espresso drink made with milk and sweetened with Colombian-style caramel for a perfectly sweet, smooth sip. For something warm and decadent, try the Colombian Chocolate. This is not your average hot chocolate, made fresh with real cacao imported from Colombia for a rich, authentic flavor. If you’re more of a coffee purist, try a cortado, where the Colombian espresso really shines through.
And no Colombian coffee experience would be complete without something to eat. Mi Cafecito serves fresh homemade arepas, including a classic cheese arepa that pairs perfectly with a Café con Leche.
Before opening their South Tampa cafe, Danny and Lael built Mi Cafecito through a mobile coffee house designed to bring their coffee experience directly to events. Over the past four years, the mobile operation has served more than 400 events and worked with over 200 clients, from local names and global brands to celebrities.
That experience helped lay the groundwork for the next chapter: a permanent home where customers can experience Mi Cafecito beyond special events. While the mobile coffee house continues to offer a way to bring the brand to gatherings and celebrations, the new cafe gives the community a place to stop in and connect over Colombian coffee and food.
For Danny and Lael, Mi Cafecito is about more than coffee. It’s a way to share their Colombian heritage and carry on the traditions Danny learned from his grandmother, creating a welcoming space where people can slow down, enjoy something delicious, and connect over a cup of coffee.
You can find Mi Cafecito at 2202 W Platt St in South Tampa, open Wednesday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Stop by to explore Colombian coffee, grab an arepa, and bring home a bag of single-origin beans to enjoy later.
