Crafted Moments, Shared With Joy: Inside Carmela Coffee’s Vision For Modern Hospitality
Carmela Coffee is not just another café chain. It is a brand shaped by purpose, quality, and the desire to build genuine human connections. Based in Boca Raton, Florida, Carmela Coffee has grown steadily since its founding in 2018. The company is now known throughout South Florida for its signature farm to cup Costa Rican coffee, gourmet toast offerings, and a hospitality model deeply rooted in Latin warmth and community values.
The story of Carmela Coffee began with two longtime friends, Rainier Abreu and Rafael Baretta. The pair met as high school students in Venezuela and later graduated together as chemical engineers from Simón Bolívar University. Though they followed different career paths for a time, with Baretta working in the wine industry in Chile and Abreu pursuing an MBA at Emory University in Atlanta, their shared vision for a coffee brand never faded. In 2016, the idea began to take form. They wanted to create something that went beyond caffeine and convenience. They envisioned a place where coffee could spark connection and where Latin hospitality could find a home in the American café space.
After finishing his studies, Abreu moved to Florida and reunited with Baretta, who had relocated from Chile. They launched Carmela Coffee as an online subscription business, offering beans sourced directly from a single farm in Costa Rica’s West Valley region. That farm, El Cuminate, remains the heart of their supply chain today. In January 2018, they opened their first brick and mortar location in Parkland, Florida, and introduced a new café concept focused on traceability, transparency, and thoughtful service.
From the start, Carmela Coffee stood apart. The brand chose to highlight its relationship with the Costa Rican farm, offering customers not just coffee but the story behind each bean. The café spaces were designed to feel warm and approachable, drawing inspiration from the women who work in coffee growing communities and whose resilience inspired the brand’s name. Carmela was chosen to honor these women and to celebrate their strength and quiet perseverance. That spirit lives in every detail of the brand, from store design to customer service.
What truly sets Carmela apart is its ownership of Finca Cuminate, located in Costa Rica’s renowned West Valley region. The farm’s high altitude and unique microclimates create ideal conditions for exceptional Arabica coffee. Because Carmela controls every step from cultivation and harvest to roasting in Florida, guests enjoy coffee that is grown, crafted, and served by Carmela. Each harvest is selected with care, roasted to enhance its natural flavor notes, and prepared with respect for its journey from soil to cup.
As of 2025, Carmela Coffee proudly operates twelve stores across South Florida, serving communities in Broward, Palm Beach, and Martin counties. The brand is entering a new phase of growth with upcoming openings in Westlake, Port St. Lucie, Boynton Beach, and Coral Gables. Most notably, Carmela will debut its first location in New York City this September, marking an exciting milestone in expanding its footprint beyond Florida. Despite this rapid growth, Carmela remains committed to preserving the consistency, warmth, and culture that define its unique approach to hospitality.
Carmela’s coffee is still sourced exclusively from El Cuminate, giving the company full control over quality and allowing it to maintain its farm to cup commitment. Beans are roasted in Florida and distributed to all locations to ensure peak freshness. This level of vertical integration is rare for a regional café brand and helps Carmela deliver a consistent experience that customers can trust.
The menu at Carmela Coffee is also thoughtfully curated. Beyond its espresso based drinks and drip coffee offerings, the café is known for its gourmet toast menu, which includes combinations like avocado with burrata or prosciutto. Latin inspired brunch dishes such as shakshuka and breakfast sandwiches are also popular, along with house made baked goods like banana bread, empanadas, and the signature Carmela Pancakes. These dishes reflect the brand’s desire to reimagine the modern coffee shop experience while celebrating the flavors of Latin America. In addition to its food and coffee, Carmela also offers fresh pressed juices and smoothies for guests looking for health conscious options.
Carmela has recently entered the retail space, selling its Costa Rican beans in whole bean and ground formats through select store locations and online. K Cup compatible capsules are also in development, helping the brand reach at home coffee lovers without compromising on quality.
Brand identity plays a central role in Carmela’s success. The visual language is grounded in soft, earthy tones inspired by coffee and nature. Store interiors feature handcrafted menu boards, natural wood accents, floral details, and cozy seating designed to invite lingering conversation. Staff uniforms and menu language are chosen with care to reflect the brand’s welcoming and feminine personality. This intentional approach helps customers feel at ease and creates an environment where they are not just buying coffee, but sharing in a meaningful experience.
Carmela Coffee’s tone of voice blends approachability with authenticity. The brand avoids discounts and hard sales tactics, instead building loyalty through personal service and emotional connection. Baristas are trained to learn guest names, remember preferences, and create moments that feel personal and warm. Loyalty programs are tied to in store experiences rather than promotions, encouraging repeat visits and a sense of community.
The company’s internal culture reflects these same values. Carmela invests in staff training not just on coffee skills but also on communication, hospitality, and sustainability. Employees are empowered to make decisions that create value for customers and contribute to a positive atmosphere. The company believes that culture is as important as product, and that the guest experience is shaped just as much by the people behind the counter as by what is in the cup.
Recognition for Carmela Coffee has come from several respected regional sources. Lifestyle Media Group profiled the company’s origin and brand philosophy. Boca Raton Magazine featured its expansion story. Atlantic Avenue Magazine highlighted its Delray Beach location. Other publications such as Palm Beach Illustrated and Westlake Sun have praised its welcoming atmosphere and commitment to service. The company also received a Silver Level Award from the AMA Collegiate Competition and partnered with marketing students from Florida Atlantic University to explore real world branding strategies. Online, Carmela has been rated among the top coffee shops on Yelp in both Parkland and Delray.
As Carmela Coffee looks to expand further in the southeastern United States, the founders remain focused on preserving the elements that made the brand special in the first place. That means staying close to the farm, investing in staff, and continuing to design spaces where people can feel seen and welcomed. For Abreu and Baretta, success is not just measured in store count or revenue but in the daily interactions that define the customer experience.
Carmela Coffee is building more than cafés. It is creating places where people can slow down, connect, and share crafted moments filled with joy. In a world that often feels rushed and transactional, Carmela offers something rare and refreshing. A cup of coffee with heart. A space filled with care. And a vision of hospitality that feels deeply human.