Tellers Café Winning Fans in Downtown Bradenton
Next time you’re strolling around downtown Bradenton, make sure to stop at Tellers, which operates out of a former bank teller window. You might just discover your new favorite hangout spot.
Located on Old Main Street near the courthouse buildings, Tellers focuses on grab-and-go gourmet coffee and vegan food options, including baked goods and lunch items.
Baked goods include vegan muffins, scones, strudel, and brownies, many of which are made by area vendors, including Sweets Bakehouse of Bradenton and WeVegan Eats of Tampa. Try the brownies, and the taste won’t suggest for even one second that they are vegan. Tellers also recently added vegan ice cream to its offerings, says owner Lauri Contarino, who operates Tellers along with husband-and-wife team Tony and Betsy Ricci.
The coffee served at Tellers comes from La Colombe, a popular brand that has locations in big cities like Philadelphia, New York, and Washington, DC. The coffee is roasted the day before it’s shipped to Tellers, so it’s very fresh. “A lot of our customers say it’s the best coffee they have ever had,” Contarino says. Although regular milk options are available for the coffee, the folks at Tellers also have plant milks like oat milk as a nondairy alternative. The fave coffee drink at Tellers? A sweetened coffee latte called the Ricky Ricardo.
Tellers also has a rotating menu of to-go items, with the vegan mac and cheese as the top seller. It’s made with pasta and cashew cheese, and while it may not taste exactly like your fave “regular” version, it still has a pleasant taste and the comforting consistency of mac and cheese. Another popular to-go item is the Mediterranean salad with chickpeas and vegan feta cheese, Contarino says.
Starting in October, Tellers will feature custom-order sandwiches featuring vegan tuna, egg, and chicken. These items may include jackfruit, tempeh, or chickpea along with special salts and spices to give them a familiar taste and consistency compared to the non-vegan versions.
In addition to the food, Tellers brings Bradenton residents and downtown workers together to share a cup of joe and say hi. “Tellers has been a great addition to the downtown scene because it is really something different—the walk-up window, public art, spaces for a food truck, and vegan grab-and-go. Every time I’m there I see someone I know or meet someone new,” says Catherine Ferrer, community engagement coordinator of Realize Bradenton. Tellers adds to the newest food options available in downtown, including Oscura Café & Bar and Daily Dose Juice Garden, which Ferrer describes as a beacon for young, creative energy in downtown.
Tellers also is located a few minutes away from the Bradenton Riverwalk and the Village of the Arts, making it perfect destination for someone walking around the Friendly City or enjoying the seasonal Bradenton Farmers Market on Saturday, Contarino says.
