Top Picks for Authentic Cuban Coffee Brands

Cuban coffee has blossomed into a beloved staple for coffee enthusiasts around the globe, thanks to its robust flavor and rich aroma. Celebrated for its distinct brewing method and strong taste, this coffee style highlights the perfect balance between bitterness and sweetness. Among the standout brands offering authentic and premium Cuban coffee are Café Bustelo, Mayorga Organics, and Pilon, each providing a unique twist to this traditional blend. Interested in discovering the finest options and understanding what makes these brands exemplary in authentic Cuban coffee? Read on to explore our curated list.

Illustration of cuban coffee

Best brands of cuban coffee in 2025

Café Bustelo

Cafe Bustelo, a renowned brand in the Cuban coffee market, was founded by Gregorio Bustelo in 1928 in East Harlem, New York. The brand is celebrated for its bold and strong flavor, achieved through a unique blend of Arabica beans, and is particularly popular among Cuban exiles who prepare it in traditional Moka coffee pots. Cafe Bustelo was one of the first coffee roasters to cater specifically to Latino communities and has maintained its high quality and cultural significance over the years. After being acquired by Smucker's in a $360 million deal, the brand has expanded its reach beyond its traditional Cuban American demographic. Known for its smooth finish and high caffeine content, Cafe Bustelo remains a favorite for those seeking the authentic taste of Cuban coffee. Discover more about their legacy on their history page.

Café La Llave

Cafe La Llave is a renowned Cuban coffee brand, celebrated for its dark, rich roasts and smooth finish, with a history spanning over 145 years. Known for its 100% Arabica beans, carefully roasted to perfection, Cafe La Llave offers a bold and rich flavor profile with hints of chocolate. This brand is a classic choice for cafe con leche and has been a staple in Cuban coffee culture since its inception. Cafe La Llave's espresso-style ground coffee and aluminum capsules ensure freshness and aroma, making it a favorite among coffee enthusiasts. With its long-standing tradition and commitment to quality, Cafe La Llave continues to be a top choice for those seeking authentic Cuban coffee. For more details, visit their official website Cafe La Llave.

Pilon

Pilon is a renowned brand in the Cuban coffee market, known for its high-quality coffee and rich history dating back to the 19th century. The company generates $70 million in annual sales with 175 employees and has become a top-seller by marketing its coffee as "the one to use when you want authentic Cuban coffee," despite using beans from countries like Brazil and Colombia due to U.S. trade restrictions. Pilon's coffee is characterized by its smooth and creamy texture, low acidity, and rich flavor, offering a variety of blends including Espresso, Cafe Con Leche, and Decaf. The brand's success is also attributed to its strategic acquisitions, such as buying Cafe Estrella, Cafe Dial, and Cafe Bustelo in 2000. Pilon's journey exemplifies the American dream, evolving from door-to-door peddling to becoming a part of the Smucker's product family. For more information, visit their official website.

Mayorga Organics

Mayorga Organics is a renowned producer of Cuban coffee, known for its commitment to sustainability, fair trade practices, and high-quality products. Founded in 1997 by Kerry and Martin Mayorga, the company sources its coffee beans from small, family-owned farms in Nicaragua, Peru, and Honduras, ensuring a direct impact on local communities. Mayorga Organics is certified organic and non-GMO, with a focus on regenerative farming and optimal soil health. The company maintains traceability from the farm to the consumer and is dedicated to eliminating systemic poverty in rural Latin America. Mayorga's coffee is specialty grade 100% Arabica, lab-verified mold-free, and roasted using traditional techniques to enhance flavors and aromas. For more details, visit their Cuban coffee selection.

Chock full o'Nuts

Chock full o'Nuts is a renowned brand that has been perfecting the art of coffee roasting since 1932, offering a Cuban Roast that is inspired by the rich, dark coffee of the island. Made from 100% premium coffee beans hand-selected from the finest growing regions, this coffee is gluten-free and Orthodox Union Certified Kosher. The all-purpose grind is suitable for all coffee makers, ensuring a consistently great cup every time. With a legacy of nearly 100 years, Chock full o'Nuts has maintained its commitment to quality and flavor. The coffee comes in recyclable stainless steel cans to keep it fresher longer.

Naviera Coffee Mills

Naviera Coffee Mills, founded by Spanish immigrant Carlos Menendez in 1921, is a renowned producer of Cuban coffee, known for its rich, dark roasts and traditional cafe Cubano blends. Menendez, who initially worked in Ybor City's cigar factories, introduced his Cuban co-workers' favorite coffee styles to the American market. The company, now family-owned and operated for four generations, distributes its espresso, Cuban, and gourmet coffee to grocery stores across the country, including Florida-based Publix. Despite its humble beginnings, Naviera Coffee Mills has expanded to a 24,000-square-foot facility in East Tampa since 2017. This legacy brand continues to be a favorite among coffee enthusiasts, particularly those who appreciate the authentic taste of Cuban coffee.

Café Caribe

Though not explicitly featured in some sources, Cafe Caribe can be conceptualized within the rich tapestry of Cuban coffee production. Renowned for its premium quality, Cuban coffee primarily flourishes in the fertile regions of the Sierra Maestra mountains, Pinar del Rio, and Escambray. By the dawn of the 21st century, an impressive 92% of the nation's coffee emerged from these areas, often cultivated under the protective embrace of forest canopies. A historical peak was achieved in 1961 with a remarkable production record of 60,326 tonnes. Despite subsequent downturns, Cuba continues to export specialty coffees, including organic varieties initiated in 2003, fetching prices 40% above standard Cuban coffee.

Don Pablo

Don Pablo Coffee, a family-owned business since 2004, is renowned for its high-quality, specialty-grade Arabica coffees, including those inspired by Cuban traditions. The company sources beans from the top 2% of global coffee production and roasts them in small batches to maintain freshness. With roots in Colombia and Honduras, Don Pablo Coffee has forged decades-long relationships with Latin American, African, and Asian coffee farmers. Their products have garnered over 2,000 positive reviews on Amazon, reflecting their commitment to quality. Don Pablo Coffee is available through various retailers, including Costco, Sam's Club, and Amazon.

Serrano

Serrano coffee, renowned for its high quality, is one of the premier brands of Cuban coffee, grown in the Sierra Maestra Mountain Range at altitudes of up to 3000ft. This coffee is highly sought after, particularly by the Japanese market, which imports a significant portion of the Serrano supply. Serrano Superior is noted for its difficulty in availability due to high demand, and it is often preferred by locals over other varieties like Turquino. The coffee is harvested between July and November, with peak production in October and November. Despite the overall decline in Cuban coffee production, Serrano coffee maintains its reputation for excellence. You can explore more about Serrano Superior coffee on their website.

Cubita

Cubita, a prominent national brand in Cuba, is renowned for its high-quality coffee, despite the country's overall decline in coffee production. In recent years, Cubita has faced distribution challenges due to financial and logistical issues, but it remains a staple in Cuban households, with a kilo costing about 15 dollars in a country where the average monthly salary is equivalent to 32 dollars. The brand's coffee is primarily sourced from mountainous areas, where coffee growers produce the Arabica variety, known for its superior quality. Cubita's production is part of Cuba's broader efforts to revitalize its coffee industry, which includes programs to plant more coffee hectares and increase yields by 2030. Despite these challenges, Cubita maintains its reputation for rich flavor and intense aroma, characteristic of Cuban coffee.