New General Cafe — Restaurant in Winter Park

I usually don't write a review on a location until after I have been to the location more than once. This is an exception to my rule. When I rate a location, I rate it based on several things. Quality of product, cleanliness of the location, friendliness of the staff (besides the owner), overall experience, and honesty of the establishment towards consumers. This particular review is based on my one visit and might consequentially change when I re-visit the establishment. Conceptually, the location looks like it was designed by the same interior designer of Craft & Common. Which came first, I do not know but the color scheme inside is identical. They both have that super clean look inside sort of like walking inside an Apple store after they re-did all the interiors of all their stores. It doesn't look like a traditional coffee shop and when you look at the equipment they have for brewing coffee, it feels like you are not in a coffee shop, a real coffee shop. Now, this is not what makes a coffee shop a true coffee shop. What makes a coffee shop a true coffee shop is a barista which they have none. Just because you serve coffee doesn't make you a barista. Starbucks serves coffee and they are not baristas. I ordered a simple "Cafe con Leche" and it looked and tasted no different than my 5-year-old making me a "Cafe con Leche." It was substantial but it was served on a sophisticated drinking glass instead of a coffee cup which is the proper way to serve it. In addition, my credit card was declined. I had plenty of money on my credit card. I even showed the cashier that I had plenty of money on the credit card and still, it was declined so I paid with a different credit card. As far as Wi-Fi, it is practically none existent. I did several speed tests and took out my sniffer to see what the issue was and there is a limiter in place. I think the owner realized what I was doing and she came and started to talk to me which was very nice of her. She told me that she was limited by the internet company available but what she did not know was the fact that I am extremely aware of what is available in the area. Then she sort of told me in her own words that they don't want people sitting at their tables for hours and that is understandable but now you have the issue that you are lying to your customers by making them believe that you have internet. My experience was definitely not a good one. Although I did not have a good first experience, I will say what I really enjoyed. The place looked super clean including the bathrooms. The caliber of customers was upscale and very professional. They have a menu full of food items which I did not try but will on my next visit. But as for my first experience, I can not recommend it. It might change after my next visit, but it is a no...

t's rare to find a place that continues to captivate your heart years after the first visit. The New General, a local coffee shop, has managed to do exactly that. For two years now, this exceptional spot has been my sanctuary, my preferred place to grab not only a cup of coffee but also a delicious, healthy bite.

From the moment I walked into New General two years ago, I was charmed by its inviting atmosphere. A reflection of the owner's kind-hearted nature, the space is immediately welcoming. And it's not just the ambiance - the staff are genuinely warm and friendly, greeting me like an old friend, making each visit feel special. This café has a way of making you feel at home, like a part of its extended family.

But let's talk about the main reason I've been a loyal patron for so long - the food and coffee. As someone who prioritizes health and taste, New General hits the sweet spot. Their menu, teeming with an array of wholesome, nutrition-packed dishes, is a testament to their commitment to healthy, yet delicious, fare.

But the true pièce de résistance? Their Americano. I've tasted many a cup of coffee in my time, but I can confidently state that New General brews the best Americano in town. The intoxicating aroma, the perfect balance between bold and smooth, each sip is a reminder of the artistry and love poured into every cup.

The New General is more than just a coffee shop to me - it's become a significant part of my routine, a haven I look forward to visiting, a place where I'm guaranteed a healthy meal, an excellent coffee, and the comforting smiles of the owner and staff. Over the past two years, it has consistently added warmth and flavor to my life, and for that, it deserves the highest praise.

If you're searching for outstanding coffee, healthy meals, and a place that feels like home, I can't recommend New General enough. Here's to many more years of its delightful offerings.

Unreservedly...

New General is such a cute little café/store right off of Park Avenue. Not only does it have a wonderful atmosphere; the food tastes amazing too! We went here for the first time for lunch today and it exceeded expectations entirely. We ordered the iced strawberry basil espresso, iced Earl grey tea (with a bit of honey), the mushroom cheese melt, and the pesto chicken panini.

The iced strawberry basil espresso was AWESOME! I love unique-flavored coffee drinks, and this is exactly what I was wanting. Sweet, but you could still taste the strawberry and basil there - really good! The iced Earl grey was exactly what an Earl grey tea should taste like - no complaints there. The mushroom cheese melt was SO good - gooey, great-tasting bread, and not too greasy. And the same went for the pesto chicken panini: definitely one of the better paninis of this type I’ve ever had before. The meals came with these wonderfully-seasoned potato wedges and an aioli sauce that was awesome. We literally dipped everything in the aioli - 10/10 for that! And the best thing about this place is they use much healthier ingredients than most restaurants, so you don’t have to feel bad about yourself getting something like a cheesy sandwich because you know the ingredients are more local, better for you, and way less chemicals.

New General sells some other things as well in their store. Items are good enough I’d literally come back even if I wasn’t planning to get anything! There are cooking instruments, coffee, healthy drinks, local teas, medicines and tinctures, and so much more. Everything was super cute and would look great in any house!

All in all, this is a fantastic place in Winter Park, and we are so happy we found it. Everything tasted great, food came out fast, and the whole place itself just made you feel bright and happy. I can’t...