On vacation, I like to enjoy a leisurely hour in a café with coffee and a sweet. Whether I’m outside people-watching or inside and cozy, cafés in European cities are available to fulfill my wish. But here at home, cafés are hard to come by. The idea has never caught on in America where our hustle-bustle lifestyle squeezes out that kind of time. Even Starbucks, architect of our coffee craze, hasn’t created a relaxed Euro-style café culture.

Our coffee shops are hurried places; they’re more about having elaborate drinks and scanning your device, than finding a place to sit in comfortable quiet or to be with others. Getting things done while getting coffee on-the-go is what it’s all about. Indolence doesn’t seem appropriate.

I’m thinking about all this in a charming café in Norwalk, with a cup of coffee, an indulgent sweet, and a quiet atmosphere. (Just thinking, not on my device.) There are three new establishments here in Norwalk that are each worth a visit for a relaxing European-style coffee break.

Norbert with the sweets at Cafe Dolce

Norbert with the sweets at Cafe Dolce

Café Dolce at 345 Main Ave (across from McDonalds) is the creation of partners Zoltan and Norbert. Originally from Hungary, now seasoned veterans of the Manhattan food scene, they came to Norwalk to open their dream café. Polished concrete floors, exposed brick, a wall-sized photo of a Budapest church plaza, and tables made by hand from reclaimed wood and scrap iron, give it a hip European vibe.

But it’s the pastry case – chock-a-block with gorgeous cakes, cookies, and pastries – that will make your head swivel and your tummy growl. Choosing is a real problem, and a return visit for another taste is almost guaranteed. Norbert encouraged us to try their newest additions, a chocolate mousse cake with tart cherries and a white chocolate cake with strawberries. Yum! I can also recommend the Dobos and the Esterhazy cakes for an authentic Hungarian experience,

Coffee at Cafe Dolce

Coffee at Cafe Dolce

Zoltan, creator of these confections, honed his craft for ten years at the best Hungarian bakery on the upper west side. Norbert, a New York restaurant industry veteran, is just back from two years in Europe perfecting his coffee expertise. He’s thinking about opening an academy for baristas to share his know-how.

Open all day, 7 days a week, you can get morning croissants, lunchtime paninis and crèpes, and afternoon sweets all with expertly prepared drinks. Try the Cascara – a coffee and cherry flavored tea – local cider, a fruit shake, or some of Norbert’s expertly brewed coffee. Don’t wait. Soon there will be a line out the door, if I’m any judge.

Uruguay style sweets at Capri's

Uruguay style sweets at Capri’s

Capri’s Cuisine, 170 Main Ave (across from Dairy King) is a welcoming
café with food from Uruguay and Argentina. Sweets are the speciality, with a showcase of handmade pastries, including Alfajores – tender, crumbly sandwich cookies filled with dulce de leche and dusted with coconut – the iconic sweet of the region. Capri’s special Chaja is a softball sized confection of cake, dulce de leche, peaches, whipped cream and crumbled meringue. You can get an individual one (big enough for two) or a large one for a dinner party or a unique birthday cake.

The Internet policy at Capri's

The Internet policy at Capri’s

This is a place to unplug and talk – no internet connection available, like the sign says. Coffee, espresso, or cappuccino are great with the desserts. We had a selection of four small bites to get an idea of the range of

A coffee break at Capri's

A coffee break at Capri’s

flavors, an alfajores cookie, of course, dulce de leche dipped in chocolate on a cookie, a long sugar dusted pastry and a cherry and chocolate topped cookie in addition to our Chaja. I just can’t resist. The comfortable space is dominated by the decades-old tile wall advertising fruit, fish, meat, and poultry that was uncovered during renovation. There are also freshly made empanadas: beef, chicken, or spinach and cheese. We took some home for supper.

The friendly proprietor is eager to talk about her creations, a wide smile beaming across her face as she describes each one. It’s a warm and inviting place, great for a morning pastry, lunch or an afternoon break.

A table close to the showcase at Sweet Sabrina's

A table close to the showcase at Sweet Sabrina’s

Sweet Sabrina’s at 158 Main St. (across from Duchess) fulfills the childhood dream of Vera Pastorello who grew up next to a bakery in Germany. Open for two years, it is the veteran of these three Main Street cafés. White tablecloth seating under a crystal chandelier surrounds the showcase filled with picture-perfect cakes, cookies, and tarts.

Flakey croissants and muffins made with fresh fruit are morning favorites. Grab a seat in

Sophisticated pastry at Sweet Sabrina's

Sophisticated pastry at Sweet Sabrina’s

the window and watch the world go by. Cheesecake, fruit tarts, Hazelnut Mousse Crunch, chocolate mousse cakes, tiramisu, lemon meringue tarts, biscotti, macaroons, and cookies in all shapes and colors make the choice of an afternoon sweet as difficult as picking your favorite color. The only solution is to keep coming back until you’ve tried them all.

In the next few weeks, Sabrina’s will introduce a full lunch menu, in addition to their already popular Sunday brunch, to round out the day’s offerings. I’m sure it will be delicious, but I’m still thinking about my afternoon pick-me-up in their sleek dining room with the aromas of baking in the background.

I heard that Starbucks is getting ready to invade Italy. I wonder how the Italians will react. In the meantime, café culture has come to Norwalk, and I plan to enjoy it! Maybe I’ll see you some afternoon, as I’m happily relishing my coffee and sweet.

Cookies to go at Cafe Dolce

Cookies to go at Cafe Dolce