Viewfinder: The Coffee Houses of Seminole Heights

Coffee shops are vibrant and engaging hubs of a community. This week, Patch hanged out at three popular local coffee houses: , and . 

Brooklyn native Steve Figueroa relocated his New Way Café from North Florida Avenue to 6114 N. Central Ave. at the beginning this year. 

The coffee shop has become quickly an alternative to the mainstream chain Starbucks located half a mile away.

“I don’t like going to Starbucks, it’s too loud and too packed,” said Marcus Koch, 34, a Seminole Heights resident and New Way Café patron. “Here, it’s quite and mellow.”

The coffee shop offers hot brews, smoothies, ice cream, muffins, sandwiches, wraps, Cuban toasts and salads. 

Also, the café hosts open mic and live music nights and is open 7.30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday. 

But if you are in the mood for a hot cup of joe after dark, head to Starbucks located at 502 E Hillsborough Ave.  The Seminole Heights hotspot is open 24/7 and is equipped with a drive-through.

Folks who hang out at this coffee shop come from all walks of life. Within half an hour, a police officer, a priest and a judge walked in and out of the coffeehouse on a recent afternoon.

Leaving this Starbucks and going south is The Independent Café located at 5016 N. Florida Ave., adjacent to the Independent's popular craft beer pub. 

The café opens at 7.30 a.m. on week days and at 9 a.m. on weekends and offers a variety of coffee drinks, bakery goods and sandwiches, such as the caprese panini, a sandwich with tomato, fresh mozzarella and basil.