Our new baby is doing very well.
We're getting to your messages. Thanks for your patience🙏
We're getting to your messages. Thanks for your patience🙏
If you've spent anytime in Quito or Guayaquil, you've come across Ecuador's chain of coffee shops, Sweet & Coffee. The chain currently has over 100 stores nationwide and has a Starbucks feel to it, even the colors have a passing resemblance. However, the pastries have kept to their roots with local treats like torta de choclo.
There's approx 27 Sweet & Coffee outlets in Quito. This is where I had my first coffee of theirs; it was in Mall el Jardín and I wondered if there were any more of these in town. Little did I know how popular they were.
With 48 locations in Guayaquil, you can barely walk a few blocks without coming across a Sweet and Coffee. This is where I'm writing this article. Michelle and I are on our way to Galapagos and have stopped over in Guayaquil for a night.
The map below shows the current locations of Sweet & Coffee throughout Ecuador:
This is my main reason for coming here. The coffee is good, predictable and cheap. A regular latte will cost around $2, which is pretty good value compared to some other coffee chains such as Juan Valdez. A summary of some of their coffee offerings are below:
| Hot Coffees | Price (Regular) | Price (Large) |
|---|---|---|
| Latte | $1.95 | $2.65 |
| Cappuccino | $1.95 | $2.65 |
| Americano | $1.35 | $1.75 |
| Americano with milk | $1.60 | $2.00 |
| Espresso | $1.00 | Cell |
| Macchiato | $1.10 | Cell |
| Cold Coffees | Price (Regular) | Price (Large) |
|---|---|---|
| Latte Frio | $2.30 | $2.90 |
| Flavored Cold Latte | $2.75 | $3.00 |
| Iced Coffee | $1.75 | $2.00 |
They have a variety of tasty sweet and salty food options such as carrot cakes, three milk cakes, chochlo cake, coconut cheese cake. They range in price starting at $2.00 up to $4.00. You can also buy whole cakes for $15 (carrot cake), with most cakes around the $20-$25 range.
I am a sucker for founder stories as I appreciate how much effort goes into running and growing a business. There is a great interview with the founder Richard Peet below. One of Richard's previous ventures was running a nightclub appropriately called 'Coffee Club'. Surely a sign of things to come! Turn on English subtitles if you're having issues following.
Are you a Sweet & Coffee fan? Feel free to share your favorite go-to menu item in the comments below.
