Among other dining and shopping options inside the Mount Dora Marketplace is Dark and Light Café, a charming coffee shop featuring rich organic brews paired with delectable healthy eats. 

The faith-based eatery, which serves a variety of organic vegan and vegetarian dishes including empanadas, wraps, burgers, salads, smoothies and desserts, is a great spot for a quick lunch. From a vegan protein waffle to a quinoa black bean quesadilla, the menu is curated with homemade, fresh ingredients. There are also several gluten-free items and each dish is presented with vibrant, colorful ingredients that are as lively as the café’s roots. 

 Inspiration for the café came from Carlos Martino and Roxana Ballarino, a husband-and-wife team married for 20 years. They lived in Miami before moving to Mount Dora and prior to opening the café in 2022, the duo shared their health food recipes with family and friends.

The café’s name, Roxana says, came as a revelation from God. 

 Before opening Dark and Light Café, their family was experiencing very trying times, and they prayed to God in a moment of darkness. Not long after, their troubles vanished. They believe God helped them out. 

“That same night God made us a promise. He said, ‘In this family there will be no more darkness, but light.’ It is for that reason Dark and Light Café became our name,” Roxana says. 

Belief in God and His involvement with the café motivate the couple to spend every day making meals from scratch and serving others.

The inside of the café has a very modern, eclectic feel to it. There are lightly stained wooden tables with stylized metal seating. The lighting adds warmth – large, dark brown wagon wheels fixed to the ceiling are surrounded by Edison light bulbs hanging throughout. A couple of beautiful, hanging crystal chandeliers give it a bit of an elegant touch. 

As soon as you enter the café, the smell of coffee mingles with other delightful scents typical of a bakery. Next to the order window are two small glass display cases filled with an array of tantalizing baked treats. Many, including homemade cinnamon rolls and chocolate chip cookies, are both vegan and gluten-free. The empanadas look especially delicious in their delicately baked form. 

I was indecisive about what to order. If you’re anything like me, you might be unsure about what you’ll enjoy when it comes to vegan and vegetarian options. I say this because I love a medium-rare steak any day of the week. However, Dark and Light Café has truly changed my outlook entirely. 

Carlos was incredibly friendly and helpful as he answered my questions about different items on the menu. 

I decided to order the Impossible Burger, a plant-based alternative to meat. It’s like a classic cheeseburger minus the all-beef patty. Since I love a good burger and wanted to try something familiar for flavor comparison, I chose this dish. The burger was topped with romaine lettuce, tomato, vegan cheddar cheese, sliced red onion, pickled cucumber and a homemade vegan mayo. I paired it with a side of roasted potatoes. My burger had a savory taste with a hint of smoky flavor reminiscent of a well-seasoned, charbroiled burger. I was pleasantly surprised by how juicy and meaty it was. If I didn’t already know it was vegan, I don’t think I would have guessed it. My potatoes were lightly seasoned and lightly browned. The portion of both the burger and potatoes was very filling. 

I also ordered the piña colada dragon fruit smoothie and it was outstanding. It had the right amount of consistency for a frozen drink and was packed with sweet and fruity flavors. I would highly recommend this for anyone visiting the café for the first time. 

As I watched others pick up their food at the window and take a seat, I couldn’t help notice how much art and crafting goes into each plate. A couple next to me ordered a feta beet salad and the presentation was beautiful. The salad was topped with avocado that was finely chopped and shaped into what looked like a flower. It really stood out in contrast with the deep red, shaved beets stacked beside it.

Overall, my experience was very pleasant, and I plan to visit this cozy local gem again the next time I’m in Mount Dora. My only regret is that I didn’t order a banana cake to go.