Pete's Authentic Cooking And The Market Coral Gables

Two new reasons to pause in Coral Gables

Coral Gables doesn't spring to mind when choosing where to stop for inspired daytime eats.

Known more for respectable–but staid–restaurants, the newly resurgent Gables scene now includes two enticing cafés:

Pete's Authentic Cooking: This sunny, three-month-old space is as welcoming as Pierre Bensa, its affable owner. Get a breakfast combination ($5) of coffee, a chocolate croissant, and a fruit-and-mint salad that had us excited all over again about fruit salad.

During lunch hours (after 10:30 a.m.), zero in on the day's quiche, or on elegant soups like chilled apple-and-avocado ($5 for 8 ounces; $6 for 12 ounces).

The Market: This is a health-food shop, circa 2013. Wholesome snacks like chewy cashew cookies ($7 for 3) line the shelves, and the blended-drink menu is dotted with chia and maca, a Peruvian root vegetable.

Those are plenty satisfying, but what we crave most is the Pregger's Brain ($8), a shake made of coconut milk, chocolate-hazelnut butter and banana. Top the drink with an intense shot of Panther cold-brewed coffee for an excellent morning pick-me-up.

Grab a vibrant gazpacho ($6) from the to-go cooler for later. Terrific sandwiches, like roast chicken and Greek yogurt bookended with Zak the Baker sourdough bread, appear around 11 a.m.