Morning Coffee by the Water at Mecatos Lake Nona

Jorge, LIVIN's City Editor, calls Mecatos Lake Nona his and Yomari's "Secret" morning coffee place. In his own words, "You will be hard press to find a better morning spot in Lake Nona." That is his view.

Mecato is Colombian slang for a snack, and SpanishDict lists it as a colloquial Colombian word that translates as "snack."

Where it is

Mecatos Lake Nona is at 10783 Narcoossee Road in Nona Marketplace. A local real estate site describes Nona Marketplace as a small retail and office center at 10775 and 10783 Narcoossee Road, on the east side of Narcoossee between Nona Commons and the SR 417 interchange. It was built around 2016 in two phases.

This is not Lake Nona Town Center. The same site says Mecatos now occupies the former Toasted space, and that Toasted closed around 2021 when Mecatos Bakery & Cafe opened in its space. A local review says the Lake Nona bakery has been open since 2021.

The patio

The Lake Nona store's FAQ says it plainly: "Yes, we have outdoor seating under a covered patio area waterfront facing." Before the store opened, Lake Nona Social reported in August 2021 that the location would have an outdoor patio with a view of the lake. A local writer called it "a pleasant place for coffee on a cool morning."

Jorge's photos show tables under the covered patio, with fans overhead.

If the weather is not on your side, the store also offers a variety of indoor seating options. The store says it does not reserve seating.

What to order

Start with a latte. Jorge's photo shows two lattes in Mecatos cups on the patio. The Lake Nona menu describes its Classic Latte as made with the Mecatos Colombian Specialty Coffee blend, and a local review says the coffee menu runs to more than two dozen Colombian coffee drinks.

Then add something from the bakery side. The menu describes pan de bono as a delicious bread made out of mostly cheese and oven baked, in Plain, Guava, Nutella and Dulce de Leche. Buñuelos are a bread made out of mostly cheese and deep fried. Stuffed arepas, also known as Arepas Rellenas, are large corn patties filled with cheese and beef, chicken, steak, chorizo, or eggs. Empanadas are stuffed with beef, chicken or cheese, and quesitos are puff pastries filled with cream cheese and topped with sugar.

The FAQ says the vegan options include Avocado Toast and Tropical Salad, and that the store has some gluten free options but is not a gluten free restaurant. The regular menu also offers many kid friendly options.

Pan de bono, briefly

A local review calls pan de bono the signature, and says it is best warm. According to Wikipedia, pandebono is a Colombian bread made of cassava starch, cheese and eggs. Traditionally, it is consumed with hot chocolate, still warm a few minutes after baking. It is especially common in the Colombian department of Valle del Cauca.

One account says there was a "Hacienda El Bono" on the road between Dagua and Cali where the bread was first prepared, and oral tradition merged the terms to popularize it as pandebono.

An Orlando story

Mecatos is a chain, and it is an Orlando one. The company says Mecatos Bakery & Café was established in 2015 by Edwin Lurduy, its current CEO, and opened its first café on April 1, 2016. It says its vision started with a simple family owned business that would share the passion for Colombian food and culture with diverse communities.

Lurduy told FOX 35, "I came from Colombia when I was nine. I got to live a good part of my early childhood there and the food has always stuck with me." FOX 35 reports that Mecatos survived the COVID-19 pandemic and, instead of closing locations, has opened more and expanded. Today the company says it serves Central Florida with 9 locations.

The company says its coffee is harvested, roasted and transported by air, all within a short period of time. It also says it bakes over 50 varieties of breads, pan de bono, pastries and cakes, all made from scratch in house. Jorge's photo of the case shows cakes and pastries.

If you go

You can place an order online or through the Mecatos mobile app, which the page says lets you skip the line. A local review says Mecatos offers catering for corporate breakfasts and celebrations, plus mobile ordering and third-party delivery.

The store also runs seasonal specials. Per the FAQ, that means pumpkin spice flavors in the fall, and during Christmas, specials that include traditional Colombian and Venezuelan dishes such as Bunuelos, Natilla and Pan de Jamon. Check hours before you go.

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