The story behind Argentinian Bakery & Cafe begins long before its doors opened in Central Florida. It starts in La Plata, Argentina, where José Lapidote was introduced to baking at just nine years old, helping out at a neighborhood bakery after school. What began as necessity quickly became a lifelong passion.
“I grew up surrounded by bakeries,” Lapidote recalled. “The smell of bread and pastries stayed with me. It became part of who I am.”
By his teenage years, Lapidote was already working in major pastry shops in La Plata, including high-level operations connected to the local Jewish community, embassies, and consulates. At a young age, he was trusted with leadership roles, experiences that shaped his discipline and understanding of the craft. “Everything I’ve done in my life, I’ve done with passion,” he said. “This was never just work for me.”
His journey as an entrepreneur began early. At 18, he opened his first bakery in the province of Buenos Aires, followed by successful ventures in several cities. But the path was not without setbacks. Economic instability, labor conflicts, and failed partnerships eventually forced him to start over more than once. “I lost everything at different moments,” Lapidote explained. “But I never lost what I know how to do.”
After years of rebuilding in Argentina and brief experiences abroad, Lapidote eventually made the move to the United States, seeking stability. In Orlando, he started from scratch once again—this time baking from his son’s kitchen and selling online. “I made one post of something I baked at home, people liked it, and it started spreading by word of mouth,” he said.
That organic growth led to the creation of Argentinian Bakery Orlando, originally envisioned as a production and pickup space. Demand quickly reshaped the project. “People wanted to stay, to sit, to share,” Lapidote said. “So we kept expanding.” Alongside José, his son Patricio plays an active role in the day-to-day operation and growth of Argentinian Bakery Orlando.
Today, Argentinian Bakery operates as a café and restaurant deeply rooted in Argentine tradition. From pastries and empanadas to sandwiches and desserts, the menu reflects Lapidote’s commitment to authenticity. “I don’t adapt the flavors,” he emphasized. “80 percent of what we use is Argentine.”
The bakery’s reputation has spread well beyond Orlando. Customers regularly travel from Tampa, Jacksonville, and other parts of Florida—and even neighboring states—to stock up. Lapidote credits that growth to community support rather than marketing strategies. “It’s all word of mouth,” he said. “The people follow us and support us.”
Argentinian Bakery’s role within the Argentine community became especially visible during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. As Argentina advanced through the tournament, the bakery turned into a gathering point for fans eager to experience the matches together.
“We had no more space,” Lapidote recalled. “We put screens outside, people brought their own chairs, and the atmosphere was unbelievable.” The gatherings grew so large that they caught the attention of local media. “Television channels came, and at one point the celebrations spilled into the street.”
After Argentina’s historic World Cup triumph, the celebrations continued beyond the bakery itself. “We all went in caravans to downtown Orlando,” Lapidote said. “It wasn’t about business. It was about sharing something that belongs to us.”
With the next World Cup set to be hosted in the United States, Lapidote says preparations are already underway to recreate—and expand—that experience in 2026. “We’re going to do the same, but bigger,” he said. “Big screens outside, asado, people coming together to watch the matches.”
Lapidote also revealed plans for a new project near the Disney area that would allow for even larger-scale watch parties. “It’s something important that’s coming,” he noted. “A place where people can really live the World Cup together.”
Grateful for the opportunities he found in the United States, Lapidote remains firmly connected to his roots. “I’m Argentine, I think like an Argentine, and I live in this country with gratitude,” he said. “But I never forget where I come from.”
As the 2026 World Cup approaches, Argentinian Bakery Orlando is preparing once again to be a home away from home for Albiceleste supporters—where football, food, and identity come together far from Argentina.
For updates and upcoming events, follow Argentinian Bakery Orlando at argentinianbakery.com or on Instagram @argentinianbakeryorlando.
