ÓOL (pronounced “awl”), New York’s first cacao café, opens in SoHo [178 Spring Street, NY 10012]. Conceived as a modern taller de cacao – or cacao atelier – ÓOL is rooted in cacao’s Mesoamerican origins, while presenting it in a way that feels thoughtful and contemporary.
Inspired by founder Ilana Gutierrez’s upbringing in Mexico City, ÓOL reintroduces cacao as a healthful, energizing beverage meant to be woven into the day’s natural rhythm. The name is derived from a Mayan word representing the heart, mind, soul, and inner being – a philosophy that informs the café’s focus on intention, craft, and connection.
Guests can personalize their beverage at the Cacao Bar, selecting the origin of ethically sourced cacao, the drink base, and spice-infused syrups, made using only sugar and ethically sourced spices such as chile, cardamom, and ginger, with each drink blended to order. Designed by Mexico City-based Jorge Campos Estudio, the bi-level space includes a main seating area and a lower-level studio dedicated to tastings, workshops and gatherings centered on cacao’s cultural and culinary significance. The lower level studio will open in the coming weeks.
THE TEAM
ÓOL is founded by CEO Ilana Gutierrez. Born and raised in Mexico City, Gutierrez grew up keenly conscious of the impact of migration, culture, and ritual – an upbringing that shaped her early appreciation for hospitality as a tool for connection, resilience, and community. Inspired by ancient Mesoamerican traditions and her youth in Mexico, she developed her vision for ÓOL while pursuing a master’s in Wine and Beverage Management at the Culinary Institute of America, where she became interested in cacao’s history as a beverage and its evolution across centuries.
Through her research and consultation with organizations like the Institute for Cacao and Chocolate Research (ICCR), whose work promotes ethics and scientific research within the cacao industry, Gutierrez explored cacao’s Indigenous origins and its longstanding role in social and culinary traditions. She was struck by how cacao, once consumed as a ceremonial drink, had become associated today with simply confectionery. ÓOL was thus created to reintroduce cacao in its original form: a complex beverage with depth, history, and contemporary relevance, in addition to highlighting its wellness benefits.
ÓOL is developed in partnership with Silver Street Hospitality, whose portfolio includes hotel and restaurant consulting and concept development for Six Senses Resorts and Hotels, The Auberge Collection, Ian Schrager Hotels, Jean-Georges Management, and The Golden Steer, among others.
THE ÓOL EXPERIENCE
The ÓOL experience bridges cacao’s heritage and roots with modern café culture. The beverage menu features three single-origin cacao ranging from 70% to 90% cacao, sourced from purveyors committed to ethical production and quality. The three varieties include: Ecuadorian (70% pure cacao) with notes of cocoa, almonds, and brioche; Colombian (87%) a more robust expression, with flavor notes of guava, walnut, and rose; and Belizean (90%), bold and complex with hints of yuzu, apricot, and caramel. Each cacao is lightly sweetened in calibrated increments to complement its natural intensity. Guests select their base of choice at the Cacao Bar – water, milk, or at oat milk – which is gently steamed using a specialized Modbar system, then blended with the chosen cacao and optional spice-infused syrups, made using only sugar and ethically sourced spices such as chile, cardamom, and ginger before being poured and served. The result is a rich, balanced drink, designed for everyday enjoyment.
Beyond the signature cacao offerings, ÓOL offers cold preparations including a Cacao Coconut Cold Brew — made with cacao nibs, highlighting the full spectrum of cacao in both flavor and form.
Breads Bakery is the exclusive pastry partner of ÓOL, working with the team on a custom menu rooted in a shared commitment to quality ingredients, thoughtful innovation, and creative partnership. Available exclusively at ÓOL, the pastry offerings include a Cacao Swirl, a laminated pastry infused with cacao from ÓOL, a Cacao Chip Cookie, and a decadent Cacao Croissant made with the fruit from the cacao pod.
ÓOL also offers ceramics crafted by Mexico City-based brand, Naidich; cacao kits which include a 12 ounce bag of cacao, ceramic mug, and travel frother; and an exclusive candle created in partnership with KLEIO will also be available both in-store and online. The candle offers a sensorial, historically rooted interpretation of cacao’s role in ancient Mesoamerican life, extending the experience beyond the space and into the home. The branding and design of OOL is in partnership with Cantera Estudio, based in Mexico City.
THE SPACE
Designed by Mexico City-based Jorge Campos Estudio, ÓOL balances warmth and minimalism, centering its Cacao Bar as a symbolic hearth. A monumental stone bar stretches through the café like an architectural spine, serving as both a sculptural centerpiece and gathering point. Handcrafted bespoke metal lamps with woven, basket-like forms hover above, while pendant lamps and wall sconces, created by Mexican artisans using the finest local materials, adorn the space and create an intimate atmosphere. Rich leather seating, natural wood shelving, and custom millwork introduce depth and softness, contrasted by white brick walls and exposed structural elements. Natural light filters through the upper level, meeting greenery that blurs the boundary between interior and terrace, reinforcing a sense of pause and breath.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
ÓOL will be open from 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM Tuesday through Sunday, extending to seven days a week in the coming months. For more, visit @oolcacao on Instagram.
