Rosso Coffee Bar — Restaurant in Longwood

5 STARS! Rosso Coffee Bar is a great place to meet friends and enjoy a great cup of coffee along with a variety of pastries. My friend discovered this place. Due to our different work schedules, we only seem to be able to get together about once a month, so it is important to find a place where we can talk, enjoy good coffee and something good to eat. Rosso Coffee Bar is a 5 STAR winner.

I am a black coffee drinker. No sugar, no cream, no sprinkles, no additional fancy flavors added - just plain black coffee. My coffee was delicious. My friend takes her coffee with cream. Her creamed coffee was a work of art, so much so, that I am tempted to order my next cup with cream just to admire the artistic workmanship.

Richard took my order and suggested that I get the Cheese Danish served warm. I am glad I took his advice. It was warm, crisp, and the cheese was soft and creamy. Wonderful. My friend had a bagel with butter. We shared and we both liked each other's food.

The owner, Karen, came to our table and told us about her new place. At present, Rosso's is clean, comfy, with a minimalist style. The current menu consists of your finger pointing at what you want to eat. Karen said she has plans to keep improving her place and expand her menu (beyond simply pointing.)

Karen's immediate goal was to get her business started. It reminded me of Mark Twain's saying, "The secret to getting ahead is getting started." I am confident that Karen will be making her coffee bar even better with time and a menu.

Rosso is located in a white Spanish influenced building with three windows. Entrances are on both sides of the building. A hard to miss (unless I am driving) BIG red sign "ROSSO COFFEE BAR - 840" is out front. It is located under a canopy of shade trees, at 840 E State Road 434, Longwood, FL. It is just a little ways west of 17-92 on 434, 3 or 4 buildings before Auto Zone & the best non-bank around - Fairwinds. If you are coming down from 17-92 the building is on the left side and if you pass Auto Zone or Fairwinds you have gone too far. If you are driving from Ronald Regan, it is on the right just passed Fairwinds, Auto Zone, and Refresh Computers

Google maps was close, but I missed the building and turned left into the little plaza where Refresh Computer and Spice House are located. I reversed direction (without Google's "Make a U-Turn" prompt) and spotted the BIG red Rosso sign along side 434. OK, I admit it, there is a reason why I have a "Wrong Way Williams" sweatshirt tucked in my closet, but that's another story.

There are 2 entrances on both sides of the building. Parking is plentiful. There are 4 paved parking space on each side of the building and a huge gravel parking area in the back. There is a paved handicap space and wooden handicap ramp on the east side of the building heading towards 17-92.

Outside in the back are 2 outside benches that we spent some time talking in the shade of the canopy of trees while enjoying the fresh breeze swaying the trees and making the hanging moss dance. (This is Florida, so it was a rare treat to sit outside without bathing in sweat and getting eaten by mosquitoes.)

We both enjoyed our two hour catching up time together at Rosso Coffee Bar. Rosso Coffee Bar is clean, cozy, with excellent coffee and delicious food. I also liked talking to Karen (the owner.) I am always impressed watching the entrepreneurial spirit come alive in small businesses. Give 'em a try and your support. Maybe I'll catch you during my next visit to Rosso Coffee Bar. They are open weekdays from 7 to 4 and weekends from 8 - 5.

Rosso Coffee Bar is definitely 5 STARS in my book. Tell 'em...

I came in this morning. Impressedby the new layout and decor. I was in a bit in a rush (who isn't these days), but I gave myself plenty of time to get a hot drink, some food, and go for me and my son. I expect to be in and out in 10-12 minutes when going to a coffee bar and quick food type place. Longer than 15 minutes is not acceptable, in my humble opinion. The food should be ready made or easy heat/prep, which the menu is clear, that this place has that. So, it's up to the barista to execute timely.

Tiny back story, I was in the service industry for over 20 years, 5 star hotels, and high-end restaurants. I know what it's like to be in the weeds or the only one working. I'm not speaking out of my rear.

So, back to my experience. There was only one young girl working. It's clear that multi-tasking or communicating with your customers is new to her or someone (with experience) didn't train her. "Hi, I'm the only one working today, my drinks are taking a little longer than usual, is that okay?" Or seeing a mother walk in with her son, one could gather, kids are hungry. Making drinks while you chat with customers is a necessary skill set, especially when tending the bar or in this case, as a barista. The young girl would stop what she's doing to discuss the menu. She stopped making the drink she was making to take my order. After I placed my order, she spent 8 minutes on two customers behind me, taking their order. There were two other orders ahead of me, not even started. Telling customers, "I can take your order as soon as I'm done making these drinks," go a long way in the service industry. Moving fast and doing as much as you can, I get, is a skill that happens over time but in the mean time, leaving one girl to do it all will eventually effect the service of your company. Learning to do 2 things at once takes a while to get the hang of but that's what you do in the industry, make drinks while talking or taking orders, slamming toast in the toaster while the customer is talking. A smile goes a long way to let your customers know, I got you! It was my first visit since new ownership. I paid but my order was taking too long so I told the barista I can't wait, I have to go. I told her that because I saw she hadn't even started putting my food in the dang toaster and the lady ahead of me, her drink wasn't even served. She suggested it would only take an extra minute or two, but by then, I was already running behind. She said, ok and didn't even apologize. I can't stand when people don't own up to their poor job. Maybe when I go back for another shot (and chance and espresso), someone else will be there. I love supporting local businesses. When a company like this has all the corporate oligarchs to compete with, make sure the employee you're leaving all alone can manage otherwise you leave yourself up for exposure and potentially leave a mom and 7...

Rosso is truly a gem for coffee enthusiasts. Their freshly brewed coffee, made from beans they roast in-house from Guatemala, is an experience unlike any other. The quality and care they put into their coffee are evident with every sip, bold, aromatic, and full of flavor.

Their high-quality brewing equipment is a testament to their dedication to excellence. The machine isn’t just a tool; it’s part of the artistry behind every cup. The team at Rosso clearly has a deep passion for coffee, which resonates in everything they do, from the careful selection of their beans to the perfect pour.

On top of that, the customer service is outstanding. The staff is knowledgeable, warm, and always willing to share their expertise or make recommendations tailored to your tastes. It’s not just about serving coffee; it’s about creating a memorable experience for every customer.

While I’ve seen some mixed reviews, it’s important to note that coffee, like any craft, is a matter of personal taste. To truly appreciate Rosso, you need to understand their commitment to the art of coffee-making. Their focus isn’t just on serving good coffee, it’s on crafting an experience that respects the origins, process, and culture of coffee. That level of passion and care is rare to find, and I think some criticisms might overlook just how much goes into every cup they serve.

If you’re a coffee lover who values quality, skill, and authenticity, Rosso is an absolute must-visit. To me, this place represents what coffee culture is all about: passion, artistry, and connection....