I was lucky to be at the grand opening of the new CAO Bakery and see a really special moment: one of the owner’s kid cutting the ribbon, marking the next generation. It was also special to see the family’s three-generation story recognized by the mayor. Wishing you all the best and excited to have another family-owned, local CAO Bakery around!
Feb 11 · Yolanda Santa CruzBAKERY PROFILE
CAO Bakery & Cafe
★ 4.017 recorded reviews$
245 University Dr, Coral Gables, FL 33134, USA
Directory information can change. Confirm current hours, prices, products, dietary needs, and custom-order requirements directly with the bakery.
PLAN THE VISIT
Essential details
- Address
- 245 University Dr, Coral Gables, FL 33134, USA
- Phone
- (305) 441-0611
- Website
- Visit official site
- Rating signal
- 4.0 from 17 recorded reviews
HOURS
Listed operating hours
- Monday6:30 AM – 7:00 PM
- Tuesday6:30 AM – 7:00 PM
- Wednesday6:30 AM – 7:00 PM
- Thursday6:30 AM – 7:00 PM
- Friday6:30 AM – 7:00 PM
- Saturday7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Sunday7:00 AM – 3:00 PM
About and visit notes
Introduction / Overview: CAO Bakery & Cafe – A Coral Gables Tradition Reimagined
For residents and visitors of Florida, especially within the vibrant community of Coral Gables, a local gem stands out as the ultimate destination for authentic Cuban flavors blended with a modern, fast-casual café experience: CAO Bakery & Cafe. More than just a place to grab a quick coffee or pastry, CAO represents a three-generation legacy of Cuban baking excellence. The very name, CAO, is not only the surname of the founding family but also a meaningful acronym for "Cuban American Original," perfectly encapsulating its mission to bring the best of Cuban-American culinary traditions to the next generation.
Rooted in a family history that began its baking journey in Cuba before establishing itself in Miami, CAO Bakery & Cafe, particularly its location on University Drive, serves as a neighborhood pillar. It successfully elevates the classic Cuban bakery model into a welcoming café environment, complete with the modern conveniences South Florida customers expect, such as comfortable seating, quick service, and a diverse menu spanning all day. From the first sip of a strong Cafecito to the last bite of a savory Croqueta Preparada, CAO is dedicated to offering generous portions, classic recipes, and a uniquely Miami Cuban experience that feels both traditional and fresh. It is recognized as a Latino-owned business committed to community and quality.
Location and Accessibility: Easily Found in the Heart of Coral Gables
The Coral Gables branch of CAO Bakery & Cafe is conveniently located at 245 University Dr, Coral Gables, FL 33134, USA. Situated in an easily accessible area, this location is ideal for University of Miami students, local professionals, and families looking for a delicious and quick stop. The strategic positioning on University Drive ensures high visibility and ease of travel for those coming from different parts of Coral Gables and surrounding areas of Miami-Dade County.
Accessibility for all community members is a priority at this establishment. The premises are thoughtfully designed to ensure a comfortable visit for everyone, providing:
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Whether you are planning a quick visit during your lunch break, need a convenient spot for an early morning breakfast, or are stopping by for catering pickup, the location is designed to accommodate a quick and seamless experience for patrons seeking delicious food and excellent coffee.
Services Offered: Catering to Every Craving, Morning to Evening
CAO Bakery & Cafe goes far beyond a typical bakery, offering a full-service café experience with an extensive menu for various dining needs. The available services are built for maximum customer convenience:
- Dine-in: Enjoy your meal in the bright, modern, and inviting café setting, perfect for a casual meeting or a relaxing moment.
- Takeout: Ideal for a quick grab-and-go. All menu items, from a single Pastelito to a full Cuban Plate, are available for quick pickup.
- Delivery: Offering the convenience of enjoying CAO’s authentic Cuban-American favorites from the comfort of your home or office.
- Full Breakfast Menu: Featuring hearty options like “The Original” (eggs, ham or bacon, fries, Cuban toast, and Café con Leche), Bistec a Caballo, and the popular Bacon, Egg & Queso Sandwich.
- Sandwiches and Cuban Plates: A wide selection including Cuban classics like the Cuban Sandwich, Medianoche, and Pan con Bistec, alongside complete Cuban Plates with choices like Grilled Chicken, Palomilla, and Churrasco served with rice, black beans, and plantains or maduros.
- Extensive Catering/Party Platters: Specializing in trays of Cuban party staples for events, including trays of 25, 50, or 100 assorted Pastelitos, Croqueticas (House Ham, Chicken, or Bacalao), Tequenos, Papa Rellenas, and Bocaditos Surtidos.
- Variety of Coffee Drinks: Serving traditional Cuban coffee culture with options like Cafecito, Colada, Cortadito, and various sizes of Cafe Con Leche, alongside American coffee and specialty drinks like Capuchino.
- Cold Drinks & Juices: A large selection of refreshments, including fresh Orange Juice, classic Cuban sodas (like Jupina, Materva, and Iron Beer), milkshakes, and 305 Natural Juices.
Features / Highlights: Signature Flavors and Generational Pride
CAO Bakery & Cafe has become a favorite in South Florida by blending deep-rooted tradition with modern culinary creativity. Several elements distinguish this local business:
- Three-Generation Baking Legacy: The foundation of CAO is built on decades of family recipes and expertise, ensuring every baked good and entrée meets a high standard of authentic Cuban flavor.
- The Signature Pastelito Selection: Famous for their traditional Cuban pastries, the menu boasts a vast array of flavors including Guava, Cheese, Guava and Cheese, Beef, Coconut, and the decadent Dulce de Leche and Nutella options.
- The "Cuban American Original" (CAO) Concept: This is exemplified in fusion items that creatively combine Cuban and American tastes, offering a unique twist on favorites.
- The "HOLY CAO" Sandwich Series: A truly creative highlight, this limited-time series offers bold, elevated Cuban-American sandwich concepts. Favorites include the Croqueta Club (featuring signature ham croquetas), the Frita Smash (a juicy Cuban-style burger topped with crispy shoestring papitas), and the savory Churrasco Chop.
- Savory Cuban Bites: A commitment to classic street food and snacks is evident with a full range of high-quality Croquetas (Ham, Chicken, Cod), Empanadas (Baked and Fried in numerous fillings), and Papa Rellena.
- Welcoming "Café" Vibe: Moving beyond the simple "ventanita" model, CAO provides a clean, inviting, and comfortable café atmosphere, aiming to be the 'Latin Starbucks' or 'Panera'—a perfect community gathering spot.
Contact Information: Get in Touch with CAO Bakery & Cafe
Connecting with your favorite Coral Gables Cuban-American bakery is simple. Whether you have a question about catering or want to call ahead for a quick order, the contact details are as follows:
- Address: 245 University Dr, Coral Gables, FL 33134, USA
- Phone: (305) 441-0611
- Mobile Phone: +1 305-441-0611
What is Worth Choosing: The CAO Difference for Florida Locals
For anyone in the Florida region seeking an authentic, high-quality, and modern Cuban-American culinary experience, CAO Bakery & Cafe in Coral Gables stands out for compelling reasons. The core value of this Latino-owned business is its three-generational commitment to flavor and community. Choosing CAO means supporting a local family that has invested decades in perfecting their craft, ensuring the quality of every product, from the flaky pastry dough of a Pastelito de Guava to the rich, dark roast of their Cafecito.
What truly sets CAO apart is its ability to seamlessly bridge the traditional Cuban bakery with the needs of a contemporary American café. Customers are not forced to choose between classic comfort food and new, exciting flavors. They can enjoy a traditional Cuban Sandwich next to a creative, limited-edition HOLY CAO sandwich. The comprehensive menu, spanning all-day breakfast, full Cuban plates, and extensive catering options, makes it a true one-stop-shop for any meal or event requirement. The fact that the establishment is built for accessibility, convenience (with delivery, takeout, and quick-visit planning), and quality speaks directly to the needs of the dynamic Florida customer base. CAO Bakery & Cafe is the premier choice in Coral Gables for an original, delicious, and professionally run bakery and café experience.
VISIT FEATURES
Services and accessibility
These attributes come from the directory record and should be confirmed when essential.
From the business
- Identifies as Latino-owned
Service options
- Delivery
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Offerings
- Coffee
Dining options
- Breakfast
Amenities
- Restroom
Planning
- Quick visit
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- Credit cards
PHOTOS
See the bakery
VISITOR FEEDBACK
Reviews and recurring themes
Read individual comments as personal experiences, not verified guarantees.
pastelitos 5croquettes 4sandwich 4cafe con leche 2baked 2
Tried the new Holy CAO sandwiches at CAO Bakery and I’m officially obsessed. Each one brings a creative Cuban-American twist—from the juicy frita smash burger topped with crispy papitas to the croqueta-loaded club sandwich, and don’t even get me started on the churrasco chopped cheese with chimichurri mayo. The flavors are bold, the ingredients are fresh, and you can tell these were made with serious love. Available for a limited time, so don’t sleep on them! Definitely a #queyummy moment.
Jul 16 · Yanessa Escandell (HungryQbans)By far the worst location of all the CAOs in town. I’ve been to several locations in the city and the staff is always courteous and helpful but the employees at this location act like they’re doing you a favor by getting you the items you’re asking for.Awful attitude, awful customer service, and the pastelitos/food items are lower quality than the other locations
Sep 3 · Daniel GuerraDisappointed with the quality of the food here. Croquettes were sadly the frozen Catalina brand. Coffee was poorly made and preparito was sour and tasted rancid.Poor excuse for a Cuban bakery in Miami
Jun 11 · Amarilys GonzalezThe regular everyday "pastelitos" were OK , but the other baked goods that were refrigerated were as HARD AS BRICKS. Never take them home without first tasting them at the site because you may be purchasing a STALE, HARD AND DISGUSTING SURPRISE.. 😭 Mine went directly to the garbage... 😭
Apr 5 · H DNEARBY ALTERNATIVES
Compare another bakery nearby
Sorted by geographic proximity from this bakery.
★ 4.0 · 53 reviews · 0.2 mi
Sweet Manifesto Coral Gables
2624 Ponce de Leon, Coral Gables, FL 33134, USA
This page combines directory records, available business details, submitted photos, and visitor feedback. Information may be incomplete or change without notice. For corrections, contact server@heavenlydelightsbakery.com.