Kahwa Coffee — Restaurant in Sarasota

So my parents have been, accidentally/weirdly/tragically/DRAMATICALLY (it’s a long and ongoing story…which, speaking for myself, has been EXHAUSTING!) renting an apartment on the same block as Kawha Coffee in downtown Sarasota (apparently there are more Kawha locations, but I’m not from here and this review ONLY pertains to the Kawha on 2d Street in Sarasota).

Full Disclosure: My parents are strong Starbucks patrons. There is not a single beverage that I want from a Starbucks anywhere. So there’s that.

My Go To coffee beverage is a hot Mocha Latte. I want my coffee strong, with enough espresso and with some chocolate for flavor. But I do NOT want it sweet and a Mocha shouldn’t be sweet, if it’s made correctly.

Not only is a Mocha DELICIOUS, it is the perfect “test beverage” for a coffee shop. Most places fail at making a good Mocha Latte.

Long story short: I’m planning to get a Cafe Mocha at Kawha once we’re done buying all the scented tchotchkes Pecky Interiors has in stock.

Mom and I walk over. Dad is at a table outside on the sidewalk drinking his beverage.

Mom: “Do they have a tonic water? A 7-UP? A Sprite??”

Dad: “No. This is a coffee shop!”

Me: “I’ll get you a drink!”

I go inside.

It was late afternoon, close to 5pm. Which might explain why the chairs were all up on the tables. So I was unsure whether they were open. They were. Also, it’s pretty dark inside. Which isn’t for me, but might very well be for you if you live in a “tropical” type state.

I’m looking at the cold beverage menu trying to pick something that Mom might like. She only ever drinks decaf anything. So that kind of narrows the choices…

I see the “Flybiscus Tea.” Sounds perfect! I order a small. (The choices are 16oz or 20oz). And I grab a bottle of Perrier as a back up.

My barrista is a young guy, we’re chatting. (I failed to get his name.) But he’s been here since 7am (sounds about right for The Industry…I’ve spent MANY years in it) and while he’s pretty SUPER perky, he’s also clearly kinda fried. LOL

I order a Mocha. He tells me they’re out of chocolate. All they have is white chocolate. Let’s all get on the same page about the fact that white chocolate is NOT chocolate. I order a matcha latte, 16 oz and ask for an extra shot of espresso. My barrista tells me there isn't actually any espresso in a matcha latte. Who knew?? That seems wrong! I add TWO shots of espresso.

He starts with the cold drink, The Flybiscus and says to me, “I”m upgrading you to 20oz because I can’t use half a Red Bull this late in the day.”

I look up from my phone. He’s like crushing a can of Red Bull to get every last drop into the Flybiscus Tea.

Me: “Uhhhhh, what goes into a Flybiscus Tea??”

APPARENTLY it’s Hibiscus Tea and a WHOLE LOT of Red Bull. I realize I have made an error.

Now, friends. My mother is an older Lady (I cannot reveal her actual age here, but I don’t want to die). I consider just lying to her about what’s in a Flybiscus Tea. But again. I don’t want my mother to kill me. Mom has mellowed a bit the past few years. But the word I think best describes her personality is RELENTLESS. (That’s where I get it from.) She does NOT need a Red Bull.

I casually glance back at the menu board. As if I was always going to order 3 drinks. I ask what’s in a Pink Fizz. As I said, my Barrista is kinda fried, he knows there’s Coconut Milk in it. No coffee. I order that. (It’s actually Raspberry syrup, Coconut Milk, Club Soda, Berry “inclusions”). Mom really liked it.

Turns out I LOVE a Matcha Latte with 2 shots of espresso! So much so that we went back the next day and I got another for the walk over to our next shopping destination (Sarasota has All The Things in easy walking distance right downtown! Too bad it’s in a fascist state…).

EXCELLENT beverages! EXCELLENT service!

Dad poured out that Flybiscus Tea on the shrubs out front. So probably they don’t have any living shrubs out front now.

Only fail is I didn’t get a pic of Mom holding the...

Kahwa Coffee in Sarasota isn’t just a coffee shop; it stands as the ultimate destination for anyone seeking a truly great cup. Sarasota might boast over 30 coffee spots, but Kahwa doesn’t just stand out—it rules the scene. The moment you step inside, the aroma hits you like a caffeinated tidal wave: freshly ground beans, vanilla, and a toasted nuttiness that pulls you right in. This isn’t just a café; it grabs you by the senses and says, “Settle in—you’re home.”

The vibe? It nails cozy and chic in a way that feels effortless. Golden light pours over rustic wooden tables, practically begging you to sit down and pour out your heart—or maybe just your email inbox. The walls display local art, giving a nod to Sarasota’s creative spirit, while plants thrive in every corner, making you wonder why you can’t even keep one at home alive. You feel at ease, like you could stay here all day—and trust me, you’ll want to.

Now, the coffee. Kahwa doesn’t just serve a drink; it delivers an experience. The espresso hits you with a rich, dark flavor that makes you wonder if you’ve ever truly had coffee before this moment. The lattes come out smooth as silk, perfectly balanced, and the pour-overs? They taste like a floral symphony, lifting your spirits and making you believe you could write that novel you’ve been putting off. And then there’s the cold brew—one sip, and you’re energized for days. It’s crisp, cool, and so smooth that you’ll feel like you’re drinking pure liquid power.

But all this magic has one source: Ashley. She’s not just any barista; she’s a coffee wizard, a caffeine sorceress who commands the espresso machine like it’s a magical artifact. Ashley doesn’t ask you how you want your coffee out of routine; she studies you, practically reading your coffee future before delivering a cup that feels tailor-made. Her latte art looks like it belongs in a museum, and her precision in crafting every drink turns each cup into a masterpiece. You leave Kahwa thinking, “Why would I drink coffee anywhere else?”

If you’re in Sarasota and haven’t visited Kahwa, you’re missing out on the best experience this city offers. Kahwa doesn’t just serve coffee; it transforms lives, and Ashley’s wizardry makes every visit a journey you’ll want to take...

Today I ordered an iced latte along with other 2 coffees and was given a matcha latte. Told the barista and apparently he understood a matcha latte instead of iced latte. No a big deal. Everyone can make a mistake and I was not in a rush. What bothered me was the fact that a matcha latte costs more than a regular iced latte and I had to be the one asking if I was charged more. When they confirmed yes, a second barista went ahead and said that there was not a big difference in price. I then proceeded asking: “Okay so how much?” - “Oh just 30 cent”, but no intention to find a solution whatsoever! I get it that I might not go broke for 30 cents, but it’s kind of dishonest to not mention any price difference or trying to find a form of reimbursement! If I don’t have 30 cents to meet the price for a coffee, would they give me the coffee anyway? I don’t think so! Anyway, after pointing out the fact that I was getting charged more for something that I didn’t order the barista then offered to add some flavoring syrup to one of my coffees. I accepted the “trade”, thank them and went on my way, but definitely didn’t appreciate the way that they managed the situation. Also in case you were wondering it was just me an another client, so 2 baristas/4 coffees. And this without even adding the fact that it’s the second week in a row that my coffee order was wrong. After more than 7 years coming here, I don’t know if I would come back. It’s not about the mistake, but how they were about to charge me more...