There’s off the beaten path and then there’s off the beaten path—and that’s where you’ll find Harvard Street Coffee, a newish café in a warehouse-y space behind pawn shops and cell phone stores off of U.S. 301. But once you locate the shop, you’re in for a treat.
The shop sources its beans from Sarasota’s Buna Roaster, and its basic brew is vivacious and satisfying, whether you ask for it hot ($3-$4), iced ($4-$4.50) or even as a cold brew ($5-$5.50). The rest of the coffee menu is filled out with espresso drinks, and the shop earns bonus points for daring to sell you a four-shotter for just $4.50.
The food menu is equally easy on the budget, with small items sold at price points you rarely see anymore. An egg and cheese sandwich on a bagel, a croissant or sliced bread will run you just $6.50, with a $2 surcharge if you want to add bacon or sausage. Meanwhile, avocado toast, the dish that allegedly bankrupted a generation, will only set you back $7.
The Harvard Street vibe is homey and welcoming, with woven chandeliers, irregular tables and chairs and a sign telling customers to “read books,” “be kind” and “stay weird.” That’s great advice, and it captures this shop’s funky, offbeat spirit. If you can find it, this is your new secret spot.
HARVARD STREET COFFEE | 2030 Harvard St., Sarasota, (941) 487-8606,
harvardstreetcoffee.com
