Tired of grab-and-go coffee? Try this new Fort Worth cafe and stay awhile
Contrary to the post-Covid trend of ordering takeout in a rush, a new Fort Worth coffee shop is encouraging customers to stop, stay and enjoy craft coffee, tea or a focaccia sandwich.
Nativo Cafe y Bodega is next to Nativo Gardens on White Settlement Road. The cozy space consists of woody, warm textures, thrifted furniture and, of course, plenty of plants.
Karla Orta is the founder. Coffee shops were where she found her peace and quiet amidst a large, noisy household. Her goal with Nativo Café is to build that space for someone else.
She grew up doing yard work alongside her father. After her own failed garden attempt, she found a local need to sell sustainable and native plants. With only $200, Orta first sold plants out of the back of her RAV4. After selling out, she needed more space, so she took to her parents’ driveway.
When that wasn’t enough space, she sold plants from the back of her family’s Northside restaurant, Taqueria El Bayo.
Now, just a year later, she’s opened both Nativo storefronts with a goal to bring the community together through coffee, educational native plant workshops, hands-on gardening events, pottery workshops and plant bingo nights.
What’s on the Nativo Cafe y Bodega menu
The café menu is inspired by Orta’s Mexican heritage and native Texas flavors. The guava matcha draws inspiration from the guava tree Orta grew up in her abuelita’s backyard. The Texas latte features the state nut, a pecan. And a few of the drinks have a hint of a Texas and Mexico native pepper, chiltepin.
- Nativo Shaker: a shaken espresso with the Nativo house-made syrup, which is honey-vanilla with an orange twist.
- Nuez de Tejas Latte: maple pecan latte on iced variations, topped with maple pecan cream.
- Chiltepin Honey Latte: local honey latte with a subtle chiltepin twist. Orta says it starts sweet and ends with a kick.
- Strawberry Fresca: house-made strawberry syrup in a classic matcha latte. Iced drinks come with strawberry cream foam.
- Guava Matcha: guava syrup in a matcha latte.
- Chiltepin Chai: house-made spiced chai with a touch of chiltepin heat. Option to add a shot of espresso too.
For food, Nativo will sell house-made focaccia sandwiches. A signature birria option comes from her family recipes. Other flavors include caprese with sundried tomato pesto; mozzarella and basil; Caesar with turkey and parmesan; and prosciutto with pesto and honey.
New coffee shop next to Nativo plant shop
Nativo Café y Bodega is located at 1701 White Settlement Road. The plant shop, Nativo Gardens, is at the same address, right next door.
The café’s official opening day will be on May 16.
Before then, the café and Cultura Markets will host “La Tierra Market at Nativo” on Saturday, April 25, where customers can try the signature drinks and shop local vendors. On that day, the café will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and the market will go from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Check Nativo’s Facebook page for updates.
Regular hours for the Nativo Cafe y Bodega will be Monday, Wednesday to Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m .to 6 p.m. Closed Tuesdays.