The buzz around Volta’s coffee is growing.
Volta Coffee, Tea and Chocolate, a cafe in downtown Gainesville, was ranked No. 22 in the Daily Meal’s ranking of America’s 50 Best Coffee Shops.
Volta’s owner, Anthony Rue, opened the cafe in Gainesville six years ago and has watched it rise in prominence.
Rue, a self-proclaimed coffee nerd, said he wanted to create a cafe that was more than just a hangout spot.
“Making coffee that makes people smile is why we are in business,” he said. “It’s incredibly satisfying to be able to open people’s minds to something as common as coffee.”
Rue has judged barista competitions in the U.S. and abroad.
These experiences have taught him skills and techniques of the trade, he said, which he brought back to Gainesville.
Volta’s reputation for focusing on quality is what has caused renowned roasters to notice the the unique cafe in Florida, he said.
Rue said caffeine fiends from across the U.S. have driven hours out of their way just to stop at Volta for coffee.
Kara Joseph, a 22-year-old UF advertising senior, was not surprised at Volta’s high national ranking.
“When you come in, you aren’t in Gainesville anymore,” Joseph said. “It’s like you are stepping into a cafe in New York City.”
[A version of this story ran on page 5 on 4/17/2014 under the headline "Volta ices competition to rank No. 22 best coffee shop in US"]
