In a whirlwind of creativity and entrepreneurial spirit, Honey Veil, Miami’s newest matcha haven, began unexpectedly with a loaf of sourdough bread shared in a family group chat.
What started as a home-baked treat from their mother quickly transformed into an array of pastries and a mobile café, parking at the University of Miami. Within a short span, the café has rolled out an innovative menu featuring matcha lattes infused with unique flavors such as strawberry jam, whipped honey, and banana bread syrup.
Run by siblings Cecilia ‘Ceci’ Alcobe, 22, and Regina Alcobe, 19, both current University of Miami students, Honey Veil has rapidly progressed from a farmer’s market venture to a burgeoning brand, with a dedicated storefront set to open this fall in South Miami.
The Alcobe sisters did not start their journey with dreams of café ownership; instead, their early years were dominated by tennis, practicing five to six hours daily and traveling for competitions. Their mother, Cecilia, began baking sourdough at home, which attracted interest from friends, prompting the sisters to explore options at farmers’ markets.
By October 2024, the sisters decided to give it a shot, and by February 2025, they had pooled family savings to transform a mobile trailer into a working café that could travel to different locations.
As soon as they hit the streets, the sisters embraced the power of social media. They collaborated with local influencers, leading to a surge in buzz around their offerings. Viral videos showcasing their vibrant matcha drinks and pastries began to circulate, quickly increasing their popularity.
Ceci Alcobe admits she once had an aversion to matcha, describing it as ‘Starbucks green sludge.’ However, her perspective changed dramatically after participating in a study abroad program in Japan, where she fell in love with matcha culture.
Determined to elevate the matcha experience at home, she and Regina began sourcing ceremonial-grade matcha from Shizuoka, located near Mount Fuji in Japan. Regina, the creative force behind the flavors, blends the matcha with syrups and jams naturally sweetened with honey, coconut sugar, and maple syrup.
A happy accident during an attempt to create a healthy meringue led to the development of Honey Veil’s must-try honey whip—a light, fluffy cream that has since become a signature topping.
Among their innovative offerings, the Honey Veil Matcha, enhanced with honey-vanilla bean syrup, stands out as the namesake drink. The Blue Babe Matcha, with its fruity blueberry jam, also garners attention. However, the overwhelming favorite is the Banana Bread Matcha, a seasonal special that turned into a consistent best-seller and customer favorite.
For those new to Honey Veil, Ceci recommends starting with a classic Honey Veil Matcha paired with a freshly baked sourdough cinnamon roll, hinting that patrons should arrive early on weekends as their popular rolls and honey whip often sell out by 2 PM.
Despite their rapid ascent, the Alcobe sisters maintain a family-oriented atmosphere in their business. Their mother continues to bake signature items like sourdough loaves, banana bread, and gluten-free lemon-poppy loaves. While Regina focuses on new flavor innovations, keeping track of viral TikTok dessert trends and customer requests, Ceci oversees sourcing and daily operations.
Drawing from their disciplined tennis backgrounds, the sisters embody a strong work ethic and maintain a clean-eating philosophy, opting for natural sweeteners over refined sugars in their recipes.
Currently, the Honey Veil trailer operates at two locations: at the University of Miami during weekdays and at Dragonfly Thrift Boutique on weekends. Their upcoming brick-and-mortar café, located across from Sunset Place, will expand their reach, freeing the trailer to explore new neighborhoods.
Ceci is candid about her aspirations for the future, expressing interest in expanding further within Miami and even considering New York as a potential location for growth. Her ultimate dream? To open a Honey Veil location back in Tokyo.
From a simple discussion in a family chat to the bustling lines outside their trailer, Honey Veil’s trajectory exemplifies the power of passion and creativity, where every step is filled with sweet experiences and the promise of more to come.
image source from：timeout
