Helado Taiyaki is Now Taiyaki Cafecito Under New Management

Photo by Erika A. Spitznagel

Could you imagine owning your own business at seventeen years old just after graduating high school? Valentina de la Cerda of the newly reinvented Taiyaki Cafecito couldn’t either. Until she made the decision to keep her favorite ice cream shop, Helado Taiyaki in Providence, open after the previous owner Linnette Lopez Torres decided to pack up and move the business to Miami. The shop served as de la Cerda’s first job at the age of fifteen and she couldn’t see the business completely leaving Rhode Island. She and her parents offered to buy the establishment, but wanted to add more options alongside the sweet and savory dessert-filled fish cones and ginormous cubed croissants that the shop is known for. De la Cerda’s years of working for the previous owners aided her in learning how to perfect these adored treats.  

Photo by Erika A. Spitznagel

“I always wanted to have a cafe. We still have the cubes but added more food and drinks that have a Latin fusion to it,” she explains.   

Thus, sparked the name Taiyaki Cafecito. You can now grab a tasty, flaky and soft cubed croissant oozing with Nutella filling along with a coquito latte in the morning. Then come back at night for a rich and creamy ice cream cone with a vast variety of sweet creations.  

Helado Taiyaki was set to close in September of this year, but the new owners instead surprised all with a grand re-opening in October. Federal Hill is known for its collection of authentic Italian restaurants. Taiyaki Cafecito brings a different cultural experience to the block.  

“I was a little scared people were not gonna like it, because they are used to the Italian food. I didn’t want to take away from that, but there is no Hispanic or Latin food in this area. I’m glad we’re the ones to bring it,” says de la Cerda.   

Photo by Erika A. Spitznagel

Photo by Erika A. Spitznagel

The original Helado Taiyaki  was known for its Japanese dessert with a Latin twist, as the cone comes from Japan and the ice cream flavors are Latin. The shop is currently expanding on the Hispanic side with the addition of the cafe. The family has promoted their own signature creation of the “crostada,” a buttery croissant used as the base for avocado toast that leaves your craving for a pastry and hearty breakfast satisfied. These are also available with guava and cheese if you’re in the mood for something sweeter.   

They also have different latte flavors to choose from, including Horchata, Tres Leches, Vanilla Bean and a fan favorite Dulce De Leche. Everything at Taiyaki Cafecito is house made including the pastries, fillings and their delightful staple, the cubed croissants. Share these warm and gooey filled treats with your friends as they are gigantic!  

“[There’s] no better dessert to pass around the table at Thanksgiving, so stay tuned for specials,” de la Cerda says.  

If you haven’t visited this rich and flavorful cafe and ice cream combo yet, make your way over as soon as possible. It’s a coffee-lover-with-a-raging-sweet-tooth’s dream come true. Follow them on Instagram to keep in the loop with their weekly specials and upcoming menu additions: instagram.com/cafecito_pvd. 

Photo by Erika A. Spitznagel