Narrative Coffee: A Novel Edition to Naples Café Culture
Personal Project Autumn 2023
A creative's haven: how Narrative Coffee is writing itself into the pages of Southwest Florida's high-end coffee scene.
Vibes: ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦
Drinks: ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦
Food: ✦ ✦ ✦ Value: ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ Overall: ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦
My journey to Narrative started as a hunt for an inspirational sketching spot... and ended in a steadfast appreciation for botany and artisanal lattes. Last summer, a close friend and I made a pact to live out our aesthetically artcore lives through one pledge alone: chic café drawing sessions. Our escapades would be movie-esque: sketchbooks and lattes and thin-lined pens would be scattered across a café table like a well-curated Pinterest moodboard, quick-sketching passerby with a furrowed brow and a trained hand. We'd be taking pauses to drink coffee and chat like the acclaimed artists we definitely were. Of course, to loft our silver-screened dreams, we had to first set the scene. It didn't take long for my friend and I to latch onto Narrative Coffee, the ideal setting for our first take at living our best painterly lives. One glimpse of photos of this downtown café on Central Avenue, and we were sold. Who doesn't love plants? Who doesn't love coffee with plants? It was settled. We bopped over there a few mornings after, with nothing but our sketchbooks and a dream. While our attempts at a serious figure drawing session immediately spiraled into whimsical doodle sessions (this was, of course, when we quickly realized that on-the-spot figural drawing is not for the faint of heart), our love of Narrative's dulcet blends and studious atmosphere only skyrocketed, making it our long-term go-to for drinks and desserts. Nowadays, I'm always the first to recommend Narrative to anyone visiting Naples, any locals in need of a coffee break, or any artists more serious than I looking for their next creative breakthrough.
Personally, I think Narrative Coffee is the much-needed, fabled resurgence of sit-down café culture in Naples. Here's why.
Vibes
Setting, Service, Cleanliness
Let's talk aesthetics. Immediately upon entry, consumers' eyes are drawn upwards towards the lush greenscaped canopies that draw on modern Scandinavian aesthetics. Striking vines and ferns hang from pots fixed to the ceiling, over a sleek, black marble counter. Urban undertones are adopted through a polished concrete floor and black metal barstools, which is soothed in equal measures through light wood tables and chairs. Bold pops of green and wide glass windows completely refresh the interior, giving Narrative Coffee a very ergonomic appearance that caters to younger folk, perfect for studying, working, or creating. In the three times I dined there, I noticed that the majority of patrons were actively working on computers, answering business calls, or running study sessions with friends. The atmosphere is notably focused and motivated, but if that's not your vibe, the open couches and window seats offer plenty of vaycay relaxation and tranquility. Really, it's a very versatile space! As for service, I was admittedly underwhelmed. Baristas were alright, if not a bit apathetic, but definitely don't expect to be treated with the same amount of hospitality as a chain café like Starbucks. This is unfortunate, since the menu can be overwhelming to new coffee drinkers due to a stark lack of item descriptions (for example, a casual coffee drinker might not know what a cortado is (in case you don't: cortado, Spanish for cut, is a beverage with equal parts milk to espresso. The more you know!) and would therefore not be an informed consumer). These two negatives might rub some the wrong way, giving the impression that Narrative Coffee is an exclusive café for a specific clientele, of which you aren't a part.
But never fear; there's an easy solution to this! If you aren't a coffee connoisseur, read up on the menu before popping over. Look up terms you don't know, and take some time to work out what you're ordering before you pop in. I didn't do this my first time, and I was completely caught off guard by the amount of coffee terms I couldn't decipher. Sheepishly, I opted to try a specialty drink so I wouldn't have to hassle with asking for syrups or blends. While that's a strategy, the specials are always pretty niche (red velvet lattes, strawberry matcha lemonades, peep lattes (yes, the marshmallow Easter birds)) and rotate out every season, so don't rely on those alone!
Quick Facts:
Focused, urban atmosphere
For the plant lovers
Middle-of-the-road customer service
Casual café goers: Read the menu before you go!
Drinks
Taste, Quality, Presentation
The first time I tried Narrative Coffee, I went for one of their spring specials, the OG; a light birthday-cake latte, mixed with cake batter syrup and white chocolate, topped with sprinkles and cold foam. Cutting straight to the point, I could not recommend the OG enough; the taste can only be described as wholly heavenly. Sensationally fluffy in texture and warmly encompassing, the OG is a true sweet tooth's boon, with complimentary buttery undertones. A warning to more sensitive palettes: steer clear if you aren't a fan of sugary sweets. I would recommend toning down to a simple vanilla latte if you want to try something similarly light without the added sweetness. I also sampled the Butterfly Lemonade during one of my escapades to Narrative. I personally wouldn't order the lemonade over the coffees, but I'd chalk that up to my affinity for coffee alone. If you're not a coffee drinker, as a standalone drink, the Butterfly Lemonade is simply divine! A great treat for the summer, since it's iced, with well-balanced fruit notes that complement the tang of the lemonade very well.
As for the menu itself, there are plenty of options to choose from. I've already shared my gripes with its formatting, but giving credit where it's due, there really is something for everyone at Narrative Coffee. If not coffee, a vast selection of teas. If not tea, their lemonade. And if not any of those, there are a few pastry items to choose from... read below on those.
Quick Facts:
Delicious light roasts
Great specialty drinks that are consistently swapped out
If you aren't a coffee drinker, don't sweat it; there are other menu options
Food
Taste, Quality, Presentation
Narrative Coffee is named Narrative Coffee for a reason. Coffee is what they do, and what they do well, for that matter. Food preparation comes secondary to their drinks, as to be expected. Still, they have a few select choices, titled 'goodies' on their menu, these being croissants, sandwiches, and cinnamon rolls. Personally, I've only ordered one 'goodie' from Narrative (this alone might sway my rating for this section, but I digress): a chocolate croissant. My friend had been consistently ordering a butter croissant with her beverages each time we went, so I was curious to see what the hype was about. Honestly? I wasn't a fan. The croissant was alright, but certainly nothing to rave over. Unlike the coffee, it was... forgettable. If coffee comes secondary to your pastry needs and you're craving something baked, skip Narrative and go to a proper dessert café. If you're like me, and you just want something to munch on while drinking your coffee, then the croissants do the job! They weren't bad. Far from it, in fact; they simply pale in comparison to the outstanding coffee. Not the worst problem to have, honestly-- though, based on Narrative's social media presence, I do believe they've been pushing to up the quality of their food in the past month or so, but I haven't been back to test some of their newer releases.
Quick Facts:
Decent pastries, definitely outshined by coffee
Don't go for just the food if you're wanting to be wowed
Value
Worth, Price in Context
Two things to consider before making your own determinations on pricing at Narrative Coffee.
It's in Naples, Florida.
It's in Downtown Naples, Florida.
When you take that into consideration, suddenly a $5.50 latte smack dab on Central Avenue makes sense. After all, given the size above, the vanilla latte looks about the size of a grande Starbucks drink (Given the width of the cup, which is sort-of like a soup cup). At Starbucks, a grande blonde latte is $5.25, which is not too far of from what Narrative is charging. If you're vehemently against paying top dollar for coffee, I respect it, but I'd say go here once just to try it. The coffee is completely worth the money you're paying, and personally, I'd take a Narrative coffee over a Starbucks any day. Of course, there aren't just lattes. You can check out the menu (linked above) to read up on the menu prices. If you do, you'll see that espressos, americanos, and traditional drip coffees are just $3.50; a steal, given their quality alone. Of course, value is all relative. If location and quality played no factor, paying $5.50 for a drink would be ridiculous, and I'd sway anyone from paying that much. But Narrative Coffee really is special. Between the chic interior, buttery coffee, complimentary food, and the price equivalency of Starbucks for it all, value is written all over the pages of this Narrative.
Quick Facts:
Price is on par with Starbucks, if not a bit more
It's worth it, if you're looking to go a couple times for the sit-down café experience
Total splurge spot
Not for the small budget coffee drinker
Overall
I'll keep it short and sweet; next time you swing by downtown Naples, Narrative Coffee is a must! Mythical coffee and an enchanting ambiance put this café above the rest, making Narrative the perfect place to curl up with a good book and a better drink.
Equally important to note, Narrative Coffee has a second, more primary location in the Mercato shopping center in North Naples! While cute, its urban decor and minimalist aesthetic leave much to be desired, which makes their Central Avenue location all the more a hidden gem. I really do recommend swinging by, now that we've reached the not-so-chilly autumn months. Narrative Coffee just dropped their newest autumn specials, including a mint marshmallow mocha, gingerbread latte, and blackberry cobbler tea. When I swing back into town, I'll be sure to share my thoughts on all three (as the self-proclaimed #1 Starbucks Peppermint Hot Chocolate lover, I will undoubtedly have thoughts about the former of these new drops). I hope to see you all there!
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