As the spring semester comes rushing around the corner, many of you may be reuniting with friends or searching for a new coffee spot when the workload starts piling up.
Bullig, established in Downtown Fort Myers, is known for its quirky coffee combinations and specially crafted waffles. The experience goes far beyond the menu. From the moment you arrive, Bullig feels bright, relaxed and intentionally cozy. The café has a modern, artsy vibe with unique seating that makes it easy to settle in, whether you’re catching up with friends or cracking open a laptop for a few hours.
It sits in an area that feels both lively and laid-back, by downtown shops and green spaces, like the butterfly estates right next door. On top of the already warm welcome feel, Bullig is highly fond of pets. Outdoor seating allows guests to bring their furry companions along for the experience, and service animals are always welcome inside.
Beyond the welcoming space and pet-friendly setting, Bullig’s brunch-style food lives up to the charm of the café itself. With a lengthy drink menu carrying simple espresso drinks, premium espresso, sparkling mixed drinks and milks or teas, the selection process can be stressful. Unlike other cafés, Bullig doesn’t charge for a change of milk.
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Now, as someone with a slight obsession with maple flavoring, I of course decided to order The Maple Kind, an organic maple latte. The latte arrived with a strong scent of sweetness, the soft bitterness of the espresso balanced the warm caramel feel of the maple. It wasn’t syrup-heavy. Instead, everything was blending quite well together, the milk, maple and espresso. For those who need a visualization, sipping the latte was nearly the equivalent of sitting on a porch in a rocking chair, with the slight sunset lingering over you.
The coffee may draw one in, but once the waffles step into the frame, this is where Bullig really shines. The food menu is split between sweet, savory and healthy. With multiple healthy sides to choose from, such as greens, eggs, tomatoes, avocados and fruits. Bullig is a scratch kitchen, which is always a plus, since they can do gluten-sensitive, vegan and allergy modifications.
The waffle of my choosing ended up being the “Omage,” an original recipe waffle topped with bacon, whipped maple butter, fresh blueberries and sides of blueberry and vanilla dipping sauces. The salty bacon was the perfect amount of crispy. It cut cleanly through the sweetness, and its smokiness was interestingly comforting. The fresh blueberries burst with every bite, melting with the whipped maple butter, haunted me the next morning because I couldn’t have it again.
On the side, the blueberry sauce was a bit less concentrated than the vanilla, but both offered the idea of customizability in each bite to your liking. Some may think it sounds like a sugar overload and it might be, but it didn’t taste too sugary.
With an original waffle priced at $16.50 and an organic latte at $6.35, Bullig may sit slightly above the typical student budget. And between the thoughtfully crafted food and comforting environment with dogs roaming around, Bullig feels less like a quick coffee stop and more like a place to relax. Whether you’re meeting friends or treating yourself after a long week of new classes, this brunch spot is cozy and worth lingering over.