Jonathan Di Bella’s ‘Dolce Vita’ Dream: Opening The Best Italian Cafe In Miami
ONE Interim Strawweight Kickboxing World Champion Jonathan Di Bella has dedicated his life to pursuing greatness in combat sports, but his passion for all things coffee is just as strong.
Brewing the perfect cup of espresso brings him immense joy each morning, and it certainly provides the spark needed to help him get through the long training sessions at the gym, especially as he prepares for his title unification bout with two-sport king Prajanchai PK Saenchai at ONE Fight Night 36 on Prime Video this Friday, October 3.
Now, just days ahead of his pivotal U.S. primetime rematch in the Thai capital with the only man to ever defeat him, Di Bella can’t help visualizing his next goal – one centered around espresso machines, fresh pastries, and creating the kind of tranquil space that offers balance to the intensity of life as a professional athlete.
Di Bella’s fascination with coffee began in his household in Montreal, Quebec, where family traditions connected him to his ancestral roots in Campagna, Italy. Those early experiences with his beloved espresso created a foundation that would become essential to his identity.
The 29-year-old has already launched Di Bella Espresso, selling carefully selected beans to fellow connoisseurs. But that’s merely the first step toward something much bigger.
He said:
“I want to open up a cafe, for sure, in Miami. One hundred percent.
“I’ve always wanted to do it. I always have a job. I like being active. Like, I’m always training, teaching, or coaching. I’m always active and sweaty. But a coffee shop, I always feel more relaxed and more zen. And making coffee is fun for me. It’s relaxing for me, so that’s what I really want [to do one day]. That’s, like, the dream job for me.”
Miami emerged as his chosen location through years of regular visits. The Di Bella family owns a condo in North Miami, where Jonathan and his father, multi-time Kickboxing World Champion Angelo, spend time for training camps and post-fight recovery. That city is also where he got engaged earlier this year.
Ultimately, those extended stays allowed him to spot a significant gap in the market.
New York, where he also spends a considerable amount of time, offers authentic Italian cafes on every street corner. Miami, however, lacks that similar connection despite its vibrant environment. He doesn’t see the same business potential in his hometown of Montreal, either.
The coffee aficionado continued:
“I feel like that’s why I want to go to Miami because they don’t have many authentic Italian cafes. So, I want them to experience that real Italian vibe in Miami, and they have that really relaxed dolce vita kind of style.”
Casa Di Bella: All About That True Italian Vibe
Jonathan Di Bella’s vision extends beyond simply filling a market void or serving quality coffee.
The kickboxing stud wants to create an atmosphere that captures the essence of the Italian cafe culture – the unhurried pace, genuine hospitality, and sense of community that define his family’s homeland.
Plus, Di Bella has already thought about a few names for the business that would honor both his heritage and personal brand:
“I have a name in mind. Maybe Casa Di Bella or Cafe Di Bella, something like that, something with my name in it, for sure. Casa Di Bella is cool, though.
“I want to give them the best coffee, best pastries, whatever I have to offer, and make them feel great. I want to make them feel relaxed, just like I do.”
Picture it: Casa Di Bella in the heart of Miami, where he personally crafts espressos for customers before transitioning to his preferred position – contentedly watching from a corner table, newspaper in hand, ensuring every customer experiences the same sensation he discovers in every cup.
For now, Di Bella’s complete focus remains on his ONE Strawweight Kickboxing World Title unification match, which goes down in U.S. primetime this Friday, October 3.
Beyond that battle, however, Casa Di Bella waits in his future. It will be a place where the man who has delivered technical brilliance inside the squared circle can continue perfecting the art of delivering joy the best way he knows how.
The Italian-Canadian dynamo added:
“I’ll be, like, the only Thai guy in the corner, making sure everything’s okay. But in the morning, I’ll be making the coffee, for sure. But after that, I’ll be in the corner watching.”
