While walking along Sunset Drive in South Miami, it is nearly impossible to miss the steady line of students, friends and local café goers waiting outside Honey Veil cafe. Honey Veil launched in 2024 as a small, family-run pop-up bakery that quickly transformed into one of the city’s trendiest cafés, drawing a crowd that seems just as interested in the drinks and pastries as they are in taking photos for social media.
Honey Veil was founded by sisters Regina and Cecilia Alcobe, who were in high school when they started selling their baked goods and Matcha at farmers markets in the Miami area. After becoming students at the University of Miami they expanded to pop-up trailers on the UM campus and a permanent location on Sunset Drive in 2026. Its close ties to UM have helped it cultivate a devoted following among students, many of whom line up daily between classes for a taste of what the café is best known for: matcha drinks topped with their classic honey whip and freshly baked pastries like the matcha cinnamon rolls and caramel banana bread.
Location: 8/10
Walking into Honey Veil on a busy weekday afternoon, the first thing that could be noticed was the aesthetic of the store. The space itself is bright and minimalistic, with a dark blue and white theme that makes it feel comforting to walk into. While the location of the store is tightly tucked behind the Shops at Sunset Place, it is located in a good area making it close to UM’s main campus and a few high schools around the area. Most of the customers are students, young professionals and small groups of friends who clearly came for the experience as much as the drinks themselves.
Banana Bread Matcha Latte: 5/10
One of Honey Veil’s classic and frequently ordered drinks is the Banana Bread Matcha Latte, a visually striking beverage topped with a light layer of the iconic honey whip. On the menu, it promises a comforting blend of sweet banana flavors and earthy matcha and the presentation alone is hard to resist. However, upon the first sip it is noticeable that the drink leans heavily on the grassy, vegetal notes of the ceremonial-grade matcha which can overpower the subtle sweetness of the banana flavor. The texture was smooth and creamy, and the honey whip added a touch of light sweetness but overall the banana flavor did not shine as strongly as hoped.
“Personally, I would say the Banana Bread Matcha Latte stands out to me because I think it really tastes like banana bread. Also, I love how all of their syrups use more natural ingredients and tastes real rather than artificial like a lot of other coffee and matcha places use,” senior Sophia Sol said.
Honey Veil Matcha Latte: 7.5/10
The Honey Veil Matcha Latte is the café’s signature drink and one of the fan favorite orders and for good reason. Served with a delicate layer of the café’s honey whip, its smooth, slightly sweet and visually appealing look makes it an easy crowd pleaser. The matcha flavor is more balanced than some of the café’s other drinks, offering a gentle earthy note without the taste being overwhelming. The sweetness from the honey whip complements the matcha well, adding a touch of vanilla and honey that sweetens the flavor just enough for casual drinkers. The drink pairs nicely with a pastry, but it does not quite stand out like some of the café’s other menu items achieve.
“For me, the Honey Veil matcha latte is the best matcha in Miami, that I have found so far and honestly the best I’ve had in any city I’ve traveled to. The matcha doesn’t taste so sugary but the honey sweetens it perfectly. My favorite part of the matcha at Honey Veil is the honey whip topping,” senior Lauren Kaler said.
Cinnamon Roll Latte: 9/10
The Cinnamon Roll Latte at Honey Veil tasted just as good as it was described on the menu. With the cinnamon roll syrup mixed into the coffee, it delivers a perfect balance of flavors. The latte had just enough milk to taste the actual coffee in the drink while tasting the sweetness of the cinnamon roll syrup, evoking the comforting taste of a warm, freshly baked cinnamon roll. The cinnamon flavor is definitely present but not overpowering, complementing the taste of actual coffee instead of overwhelming it with sweetness. It feels like a light refreshing latte and this drink is definitely worth ordering again.
“The cinnamon roll latte is one of Honey Veil’s more classic drink orders and for good reason. The balance between the taste of actual coffee and the cinnamon roll syrup compliment each other really nicely, making it one of my favorite orders when I go to honey veil,” sophomore Rafaelle Fenot said.
Sourdough Cinnamon Roll: 10/10
The Sourdough Cinnamon Roll at Honey Veil is undoubtedly the best menu item. The roll is soft, easy to chew and served warm, which enhances the overall experience. As each bite continues, a rich cinnamon flavor and fluffy texture stand out making it unlike other cinnamon rolls. The sourdough flavor is noticeable but blends smoothly with the frosting on top. The roll pairs perfectly with a drink on the side.
“The sourdough cinnamon roll definitely lives up to its expectations. When I ordered it, I wasn’t expecting much out of it. The moment I tried it though, the flavor told me something else. The aromatics of the cinnamon and the softness of the roll pleasantly impressed me and I definitely would order it again,” sophomore Bella Domecq said.
Overall: 8/10
Honey Veil lives up to its hype in some ways, but not every menu item hits as strongly as its online popularity might suggest. Some drinks, like the Banana Bread Matcha Latte, did not exactly blow my mind. While others such as the Cinnamon Roll Iced Coffee, pleasantly exceeded expectations. The café itself is visually inviting, with cute bee decorations and minimalist furniture that makes it feel welcoming and relaxing. At the same time, the space can feel crowded and a little overwhelming during peak hours which makes it hard to fully relax or enjoy a quieter moment. Despite the occasional over-crowding and a few hit-or-miss menu items, Honey Veil still delivers a solid experience for drinks, pastries and the social energy of South Miami, earning it an 8/10 overall.
