This quaint café is tucked away and easy to miss if you’re not looking for it. But once you get to The Lil’ Café in Lake Helen, there’s so much to focus on: small outdoor seating area, thrift shop next door, plenty of options inside the café, and a slower pace compared to bigger coffee spots. The environment is calm and not very busy, at least when I went, so you’ll definitely get your favorites!
Being inside can feel overwhelming at first (there’s so much around to indulge in!), but as you find your footing, making choices becomes easier. There’s homemade sweets inside a refrigerator, several tubs of ice cream, chips, items for sale, and a menu filled with yummy food and drinks (like coffee!)
Their dairy-free milks are not on the menu, but don’t worry! The Lil’ Café does offer oat milk as an alternative. Aside from Ice Cream and Breakfast and Lunch—there’s Coffee and Tea. What they serve include: Matcha (with vanilla almond sweet cream or whole milk), Cold Brew, Frozen Cold Brew, Hot Coffee, Hot Tea, and Hot Cocoa. There’s also a bunch of syrups you’re able to add on. Remember the ice cream? Their Frozen Cold Brew is made with scoops of ice cream of your choosing! The barista blends your choice of ice cream with cold brew and turns it into a tasty drink. I was worried the ice cream would over power the coffee, but I couldn’t have been more wrong! The drink became a creamy and rich coffee drink!
The Lil’ Café is open every day, at different times. Monday through Friday: 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. Saturday: 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. and Sunday: 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. This maximalist café opened just two years ago in Lake Helen during a major hurricane. Some services offered include Happy Hour Food! Come in and try their Frozen Cold Brew in the relaxing, and slow-paced outdoor atmosphere.