★★★★★
Best espresso in St. Pete, hands down. The Purple Rain latte is unreal and the staff remembers your name after one visit. Tucked away in this gorgeous old arcade — feels like a secret.
Coffee Shops · Downtown · St. Petersburg
Crislip
Cafe
01
The place
Crislip Cafe is a coffee shop in Downtown St. Petersburg, tucked inside the historic Crislip Arcade at 645 Central Avenue on the 600 Block. The cafe serves USDA and Fair Trade Certified organic coffee sourced from women-owned farms through the Cafe Femenino project, locally roasted by Tampa's Joffrey's. The menu includes specialty espresso drinks like the Purple Rain lavender latte and the Light My Fire s'mores mocha, breakfast sandwiches served all day, gourmet lunch sandwiches, and rotating baked goods with vegan and gluten-free options. Hours are Monday–Thursday 8am–5pm, Friday 8am–6pm, Saturday 9am–6pm, and Sunday 9am–4pm. The space sits behind The Merchant - Purveyor of Local Goods and features local art and murals. Local craft beer and cider are also available.
Tucked into the historic Crislip Arcade on the 600 Block of Central Avenue, Crislip Cafe is one of downtown St. Pete's quietest gems — a hidden coffee shop reached through the back of The Merchant - Purveyor of Local Goods, surrounded by independent boutiques, local murals, and 1920s arcade architecture. The vibe is cozy and eclectic, with rotating art on the walls and a regulars-and-laptops crowd that lingers all morning.
For drinks, the menu leans on USDA Organic, Fair Trade beans from the Cafe Femenino project (women-owned farms) and locally roasted Joffrey's coffee from Tampa. Order a globally inspired classic like a Con Panna or Cafe Bombon, or try the signature creations — the Purple Rain lavender latte and the Light My Fire s'mores-inspired mocha get name-checked in nearly every review. Food-wise, breakfast sandwiches run all day, and the rotating case of muffins, danishes, donuts, bagels, and waffles includes vegan and gluten-free picks. Gourmet lunch sandwiches round it out.
Coffee fans exploring beyond downtown can find a different in-house roasting program at Bandit Coffee Co. in the Grand Central District, which pulls espresso and pour-overs from single-origin beans roasted on-site.
A few blocks west in the Grand Central District, Black Crow Coffee Co runs its own in-house roasting program as well, pouring espresso and pour-overs alongside a dog-friendly patio.
Closer to the waterfront, Kahwa Coffee pours espresso drinks from beans roasted at its own St. Pete roastery, with a flagship cafe on 2nd Avenue South a short walk from the Pier and Beach Drive.
Further west along Central Avenue in the Warehouse Arts District, Bean Wandering Coffee pulls espresso and pour-overs alongside an 18-hour cold brew inside a converted warehouse with a dog-friendly patio.
A few blocks east on 1st Avenue South, Bad Mother pulls single-origin espresso and signature drinks like horchata matcha and cardamom rose lattes alongside NYC-style bagels from its second-floor cafe.
Another downtown roaster-cafe combo worth knowing is Gypsy Souls Coffeehouse St. Pete & Gypsy Beans Coffee Roasters on Dr M.L.K. Jr St N, which roasts its own Gypsy Beans on-site and pours espresso, pour-overs, and cold brew from a small sidewalk-patio cafe.
South of downtown in South St. Pete, Southside Coffee Brew Bar pours espresso, cold brew, and house kombucha and kratom tea on tap alongside handcrafted organic teas next door to Munch's Restaurant.
A few blocks north on Dr M.L.K. Jr St N, Daycation Coffee is a walk-in specialty cafe pouring espresso, pour-overs, and seasonal lattes alongside matcha and light breakfast pastries.
Another downtown option pairing single-origin pour-overs with beans roasted on-site is Paradeco Coffee Roasters inside the Sundial complex, a block from the waterfront.
No reservations needed — it's walk-in counter service. Street parking is available along Central Avenue and on side streets, with public garages within a few blocks downtown. The seating is mostly indoor in the arcade, plus a few tables in the open-air corridor; the cafe is small, so peak weekend mornings can mean a short wait. Local craft beer and cider are also poured, and the shop is takeout-friendly.
Hidden inside the historic 1920s Crislip Arcade
USDA Organic + Fair Trade Cafe Femenino beans
Locally roasted Joffrey's coffee from Tampa
Signature Purple Rain lavender latte
What to expect
Expect a small, art-filled coffee bar hidden behind a vintage shop in the Crislip Arcade — order at the counter, grab a Purple Rain latte or breakfast sandwich, and settle in with a book or laptop. Counter service, no reservations, casual downtown vibe.
Then come for the photos
03
The shop, in frames
Sponsored · Florida Hidden Spots
04
What people are saying
★★★★★
Cozy hidden gem behind The Merchant. Beautiful local art everywhere, breakfast sandwich was excellent, and they have gluten-free pastries. My new downtown go-to.
★★★★★
Love that they source from women-owned coffee farms. Light My Fire mocha tastes exactly like a s'more. Small space so it gets busy on weekends but the vibe is worth it.
06
Frequently asked
Does Crislip Cafe take reservations?
No — Crislip Cafe is counter-service and walk-in only. Tables are first-come, first-served, and the space is small, so weekend mornings can have a short wait.
Is Crislip Cafe dog friendly?
Leashed, well-behaved dogs are generally welcome in the open-air corridor of the Crislip Arcade outside the cafe. The interior is small, so most customers sit with their dogs in the arcade walkway.
Where do I park near Crislip Cafe?
Metered street parking is available along Central Avenue and adjacent side streets in Downtown St. Pete. Several public parking garages, including the South Core Garage, are within a few blocks.
What are the most popular dishes at Crislip Cafe?
The most-mentioned items in Google reviews are the Purple Rain lavender latte, the Light My Fire s'mores mocha, the all-day breakfast sandwich, and the rotating gourmet lunch sandwiches. Locally made donuts and danishes are also crowd favorites.
What are Crislip Cafe's hours?
Crislip Cafe is open Monday through Thursday from 8am to 5pm, Friday from 8am to 6pm, Saturday from 9am to 6pm, and Sunday from 9am to 4pm. The cafe does not currently serve dinner.
Does Crislip Cafe offer takeout or delivery?
Yes — takeout is available for every menu item; just order at the counter. Delivery is offered through third-party platforms in the Downtown St. Petersburg area.
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Closest spots by distance
Other places to fold into the same trip — measured straight-line from Crislip Cafe.
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From Instagram
@crislipcafe