How the open window became a neighborhood living room

Miami's Cuban coffee culture

Chapter 1

The architecture of the walk-up window

Chapter 2

Decoding the Cuban espresso menu

Chapter 3

The history of exile and adaptation

Chapter 4

The pairing game: pastelitos and croquetas

YOUR GOAL

Master of Miami's Cuban coffee culture

Ch 1 · The architecture of the walk-up window

The architecture of the walk-up window

BETA

alicecooks Assemble a walk-up window to discover how its architecture shapes Miami's Cuban coffee culture.

alicecooks The Miami Ventanita

Grab a sweet colada at the window on the street, Keep the cool air inside while we talk in the heat.

alicecooks The daily rhythm of the window crowd

The daily rhythm of the window crowd

alicecooks A strict social schedule dictates who visits the window throughout the day.

The design secrets of the metal counter

alicecooks Ventanita design maximizes airflow and speed while creating a tactile gathering space.

Fun Fact

Ventanita counters: They are traditionally built at elbow-height to allow patrons to lean comfortably while chatting.

Glossary

ventanita (noun)
A small window, especially one used as a walk-up counter for food and drinks. Felipe Valls Sr. designed the first modern version in 1963 at Miami's El Oso Blanco market.

Gossip

Which is the ultimate ventanita spot?

Quiz

What is the main design feature of a ventanita that physically connects the sidewalk to the restaurant kitchen?

alicecooks Finding the world's most famous ventanita

Quiz

Which famous Miami restaurant, opened in 1971, popularized the ventanita as a political and social hub?

alicecooks The design secrets of the metal counter

Quiz

Who is the founder of the iconic Versailles Restaurant in Miami's Little Havana?

alicecooks How the open window became a neighborhood living room

Quiz

In which decade did the first walk-up coffee windows, or ventanitas, begin appearing in Miami?

Quiz

What is the primary material used to build the durable outdoor counters of Miami's ventanitas?

Quiz

At what height are Miami's ventanita counters typically built to encourage customers to stand and socialize?

Quiz

Which specific neighborhood in Miami is considered the historic heart of the ventanita culture?

Quiz

What is the Spanish term used to describe the fast-working barista or bartender who runs a ventanita?