Cuban Paradise Cigar & Cafe

At Cuban Paradise Cigar & Cafe in Madeira Beach, the smell of fine tobacco reaches you out on the sidewalk before you even step inside. Walk through the door and you'll usually find torcedors hand rolling cigars right there, which is half the draw. This is a genuine local favorite, with a strong following that spans regulars and the tourists who wander in off the busy foot traffic in the area. The selection covers plenty of name brands alongside their own house blends, plus all the accessories you'd want to go with them.

People who are brand new to cigars tend to leave impressed with how patient the staff are here. Ask anyone who shops in and they'll tell you the crew, Dariel among them, will happily field a million questions and point you toward exactly the right smoke. One fellow came in looking for a Punch Knuckle Buster Maduro with almost no cigar experience and walked out with real pointers and a cigar he loved. If you're after that Cuban connection, folks have swapped stories in Spanish with the roller working the day they visited.

The cafe side is the other reason people linger. The Cuban espresso and cappuccino get high marks, and Josie behind the counter is the kind of host who knows the area and serves everything with a smile. Grab a coffee, or a beer or soda from the fridge, settle onto a bench in the breezeway out front, and watch the day roll by. There's a pub next door too if you'd rather bring your own drink.

Prices run a touch higher than some are used to, and one or two cigar purists have grumbled about that and about humidity on a busy day, but most people find their smokes reasonably priced and smoking great. There's a military discount as well. For a relaxed spot to enjoy a hand rolled cigar in Madeira Beach, this one's easy to recommend.