Cafe Americano — Restaurant in Miami Beach

Great Food & Ambiance, But One Server Ruined the Experience

We recently dined at Café Americano, and while there was a lot to love about the food and the atmosphere, unfortunately, our experience was soured by the behavior of our server.

Let’s start with the positives: the food was absolutely delicious — flavorful, well-prepared, and beautifully presented. The ambiance of the restaurant was warm and stylish, with a lively yet comfortable vibe that made it an enjoyable place to relax over a meal. Every other staff member we encountered was kind, professional, and welcoming. In particular, Anna, the manager, truly stood out. She was attentive, gracious, and made it clear that she genuinely cares about the guests’ experience. I appreciated how seriously she took our feedback, and she handled the situation with grace and professionalism.

That said, our server (a male whose name begins with “H”) left a very negative impression. From the moment we sat down, he was noticeably dismissive toward me. While he was very attentive to my husband, he barely acknowledged my presence throughout the entire meal. I tried to be pleasant and engage in conversation, but he consistently acted as if I simply wasn’t there. He never asked if I wanted anything else to drink, and each time he returned to the table, he directed all conversation solely to my husband.

The final straw was when he brought back the check. I had my hand out to take it, and he deliberately placed it on the table instead of handing it to me — a small gesture, but one that felt very intentional and unnecessarily disrespectful.

It was disappointing and frankly confusing, as I remained courteous and friendly throughout. I spoke to Anna on the way out to express how much we appreciated the food and the rest of the team — but also to share how unsettling it was to be treated so dismissively by our server.

Service matters just as much as food, especially when a 20% service fee is automatically added to the bill — regardless of the quality of that service. Had it not been for Anna’s professionalism and the strength of the kitchen, I would have rated this experience far lower.

I truly hope this was an isolated incident, and I encourage the management to ensure all guests are treated with equal respect and hospitality. Café Americano - no one should leave...

Update: we came here basically everyday during our trip to Miami, and unfortunately on this last day, we felt really disappointed. I ordered the Burrata avocado toast again and the cheese tasted sour. I even asked my husband to try it because I thought maybe it was just me, and he immediately said “yes it’s sour” and made a face. I don’t normally send food back, but I did this time because I couldn’t even eat it. The manager took it back but then he came back and brought out the cheese showing me the expiration date, and just seemed argumentative about it. And I can’t speak to why the cheese tasted sour, maybe it was left out too long, who knows, but I literally got this same exact dish everyday and today it was bad, so something was clearly not right. Rather than trying to “prove me wrong” in front of other tables, I would have rather the manager just apologize and make me something else. Afterward, the nice waiter brought out the check and the Burrata was still on there even though I ended up getting the regular avocado toast so we had to ask him to update it, which he did. I wasn’t looking for a free meal at all, but I do think other restaurants would have taken this dish off the check completely since it was bad. Just a super disappointing experience today - the wait staff is awesome but the manager, in my opinion, did not handle this situation well. For what it’s worth, my husband ordered the Barbacoa Chilaquiles and they were also not great- chips tastes really stale. But we didn’t send that back, because it was good enough to eat and we were just hungry. Sad way to finish a trip to Miami :(

Amazing breakfast! Something for everyone- if you want to indulge, you can. If you want to eat something lighter, you can do that too. They have great cocktails and non alcoholic options too, and delicious coffee. And Samuel was an amazing server!...

We had eaten at the Cafe 3 occasions while in town. First two times the experience was good. The 3rd visit, we had the absolute pleasure of being served by David at Café Americana on August 8th, and I can confidently say he’s one of the best bartenders I’ve ever encountered. Being a retired bartender I understand the craft.

From the moment we sat down, David made us feel welcome with his warm energy, genuine conversation, and top-tier professionalism. He has that rare ability to balance attentiveness without being overbearing — always ready with a recommendation or refill, yet never intrusive.

His cocktail craftsmanship/and food service is outstanding.

I asked for an unusual drink and the cocktail was not only perfectly balanced but also beautifully presented. I especially appreciated his knowledge of the menu and willingness to tailor our preferences. You can tell he takes real pride in what he does, and it absolutely shows.

What truly sets David apart, though, is his vibe and passion. He creates an atmosphere that turns a casual drink/eating into a memorable experience. Whether you're a regular or just stopping in, he treats everyone like a VIP.

If you're heading to Café Americana, do yourself a favor and sit at the bar. David is a master of his craft — the kind of bartender/server who makes you want to come back again and again. Cheers, David, and thank you for a...