The team behind El Puro and Muraya to open South End cafe serving global treats and La Colombe coffee
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The cafe is designed for takeout, with only a couple tables inside. Photo: McKenzie Rankin/Axios
Babaloo Coffee Club opens Saturday, Jan. 18, in The Shops at Winnifred in South End.
Why it matters: Babaloo is a new cafe by husband-and-wife duo and local restaurateurs, Manny Pérez Ochoa and Carolina Maury.
- Last year, the couple opened the South End Colombian restaurant Muraya. And Pérez Ochoa co-owns one of Charlotte's best restaurants, El Puro Cuban Restaurant in Madison Park.
What to expect: Globally influenced coffee drinks, sandwiches and pastries in a cozy, minimalist space designed for take-out.
Sip on this: To start, coffees will be made with La Colombe, a US-based roaster whose "draft lattes" have gained a cult following.
- In a few weeks, they'll begin using coffee beans imported from Colombia, which will also be available for purchase — don't worry, the La Colombe draft lattes will remain on tap.
Between the lines: Even though the coffee will be made from Colombian beans, and one of its owners is Colombian, the menu takes inspiration from around the world.
- One beverage, for example, is a Freddo Cappucino — a popular Greek iced coffee drink topped with milk foam.
- There's also chai, matcha drinks and smoothies.
Best bites: Lighter snacks include empanadas and pandebonos (a cheesy Colombian bread).
- Heavier options include a New York-style bacon, egg, and cheese breakfast sandwich, a Cubano and the "Soprano" — a Capicola Italian sandwich.
What they're saying: Babaloo Coffee Club gets its name from "Babalu," an African deity associated with healing.
- The cafe is inspired by 16th-century coffeehouses established by Turks and Arabs, which served as vibrant social hubs, Maury tells Axios.
- "Our vision with Babaloo is to create welcoming spaces where wellness and community can thrive," says Maury.
Zoom out: Following Wild Roots Coffee's move from Winnifred to East Morehead Street last year, this area of South End has been lacking a dedicated coffee shop.
- While nearby breweries like Resident Culture and Wooden Robot offer coffee, Babaloo will be the first standalone cafe in the area.
Stop by: The grand opening starts 8am Saturday at 1425 Winnifred St., next to YAY Yogurt and Yuca.
- It's open Monday-Friday, 7am-4pm and Saturday-Sunday, 8am-4pm.
