★★★★★
Hidden gem in downtown — the pistachio cake is incredible and the cortado was perfect. Friendly staff and a clean, cozy space.
Brunch & Breakfast · Downtown Miami · Miami
Vanilla
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The place
Vanilla is a cafe and brunch spot at 117 SE 2nd Ave in Downtown Miami, serving specialty coffee, breakfast plates, sandwiches, and house-baked pastries and desserts. The kitchen opens for breakfast on weekdays and brunch on weekends, with a menu that spans avocado toast, eggs benedict, acai bowls, paninis, croissants, and signature cakes. The cafe is walking distance from Bayfront Park, the Miami-Dade County Courthouse, and the Brickell City Centre area. Vanilla holds a 4.7-star Google rating across 846 reviews. Takeout is available, indoor and counter seating accommodate walk-ins, and the space is dog-friendly at exterior seating. Espresso drinks, matcha, and fresh juices are offered alongside the full bakery case.
Vanilla sits on the quiet courthouse end of Downtown Miami, a small, bright cafe that locals duck into for a real espresso, a warm pastry, and a brunch plate that does not feel like an afterthought. The room is compact and pastel, the bakery case sits front-and-center, and the regulars are a mix of attorneys, condo residents, and visitors crossing over from Bayfront Park.
Order the eggs benedict, the smoked-salmon avocado toast, or one of the savory paninis on house bread. The bakery case is the other reason to come — chocolate croissants, fruit tarts, Tres Leches and pistachio cakes, and a rotating selection of European-style desserts. Coffee is dialed in: cortados, flat whites, matcha lattes, and seasonal specials. Acai bowls and cold-pressed juices round out the healthier side of the menu.
Walk-ins only — no reservation system. Street meters and the nearby Miami-Dade County parking garage cover most visits, and the Metromover College/Bayside station is a two-minute walk. Takeout is available at the counter, and dogs are welcome at the outdoor tables. Hours skew early-to-mid-day; the kitchen winds down by late afternoon.
House-baked pastries and signature cakes
Specialty espresso and matcha bar
Signature pistachio cake from the in-house bakery
Takeout available
What to expect
A small Downtown Miami cafe with a serious bakery case and a tight brunch menu. Expect a short wait at peak weekend hours, counter ordering, and quality espresso. Best for a quick breakfast, a working coffee, or a pastry run on the way through downtown.
Then come for the photos
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The shop, in frames
Sponsored · Florida Hidden Spots
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What people are saying
★★★★★
Best brunch spot near the courthouse. Eggs benedict were spot on and the pastry case is dangerous. Will be back.
★★★★★
The tres leches and the lattes are reason enough to come back. Small place but everything is made with care.
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Frequently asked
Does Vanilla take reservations?
No — Vanilla is a walk-in cafe. Counter ordering only; expect a short wait at peak weekend brunch hours.
Is Vanilla dog friendly?
Yes — dogs are welcome at the outdoor sidewalk seating. Inside seating is reserved for guests without pets.
Where do I park near Vanilla?
Street meters on SE 2nd Ave and surrounding blocks, plus the Miami-Dade County Courthouse garage one block away. The Metromover College/Bayside station is a two-minute walk.
What are the most popular dishes at Vanilla?
Eggs benedict, avocado toast, and the chicken pesto panini lead the savory menu. From the bakery case, the pistachio cake, tres leches, and chocolate croissant are the most-ordered.
What are Vanilla's hours?
Open daily — Monday through Saturday 8am to 5pm, and Sunday 8am to 4pm. Call (305) 813-1945 to confirm holiday hours.
Does Vanilla offer takeout or delivery?
Yes — takeout is available at the counter, and delivery is offered through major third-party apps in Downtown Miami.
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Closest spots by distance
Other places to fold into the same trip — measured straight-line from Vanilla.
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From Instagram
@vanillacafeus