North Florida

New York-Inspired Café Opening in Ocala

Moody’s Brewing is targeting a March 1 opening in Ocala with pastries and coffee.

OCALA, FL - Moody’s Brewing is targeting a March 1 opening at 3100 SW College Rd #3097, Ocala, FL 34474, bringing a New York-inspired café concept to the area. Owner Jonathan Elbedawy told Business Debut the fast-casual café will serve Italian pastries, gourmet coffee and tea, breakfast, brunch and lunch.

Moody’s Brewing will also apply for a beer and wine license to complement charcuterie boards.

What to Expect

Elbedawy described the concept as a café designed for both quick visits and longer stays. “We’re trying to offer that quicker establishment but still have that we want to hang out type of vibe,” he told Business Debut.

The space will feature lounge-style seating with couches and armchairs, bar-top seating, high-top tables and a farmhouse table. Elbedawy said the café is planning for about 50 seats indoors, with potential outdoor seating bringing total capacity to 65 to 70 seats, pending permitting.

While service will not be full service, guests who dine in can expect plated dishes, glassware and silverware. “We never want any of our customers to ever feel rushed,” he told Business Debut. “We make great food and great drinks, not fast food and fast service.”

The menu will include signature sandwiches, including a New York-style bacon, egg and cheese with salt, pepper and ketchup on a roll. The café will source fresh Italian pastries weekly from a bakery in Port St. Lucie, offering items such as rainbow cookies, Florentines, limoncello cakes, wedding cookies and butter cookies.

Moody’s Brewing will serve gourmet coffee made from whole beans sourced from La Baza, ground and brewed in-house through drip, espresso and pour-over methods. Elbedawy, who prefers tea, said all teas are curated and brewed in-house using full-leaf and full-herb blends, including banana bread tea and black bourbon tea.

Images from Moody’s Brewing on Instagram

The café’s name honors his late father, whose nickname was Moody. “This was something to kind of bring his memory to light and keep and honor and keep him,” Elbedawy told Business Debut. His father’s face is featured in the logo.

Elbedawy is opening the business with the support of his wife, Michelle Elbedawy, and their four children. “She’s my rock,” he said, noting they have built their life together from humble beginnings.