Nicaroma Cafe combines traditional Nicaraguan cuisine with Italian-style sweets and desserts.

Located in the heart of Oakwood Village, Nicaroma serves Nicaraguan coffee, along with a selection of South American snacks.

Co-owners Yonder Aburto and Rebecca Alberico drew upon their cultural backgrounds, as well as their knowledge of the Toronto food scene, to create a menu that is both unique and appealing.

Rebecca describes the cafe as "a bit of a fusion," noting that Italian food has a strong presence in the city, while Nicaraguan food is underrepresented.

Yonder adds that he and his partner started the business in order to show Toronto what it was missing.

The cafe, which has already become a hub for the area's Central and South American community, is a small, colourful space filled with homey touches.A large mural covers the northern wall. Created by local artist Andrea Rodriguez, the painting depicts various aspects of Nicaraguan culture, from flora and fauna to food and flags. Nicaroma Cafe brews all of its coffee with ethical sourced beans, imported straight from Nicaragua. Many other menu items make use of imported ingredients.The Don Beto House Roast ($2.80/small, $3/medium, $3.20/large) is Nicaroma's default blend.

Though coffee aficionados will be able to appreciate its rich flavour, casual drinkers may want to use milk or cream to cut the bitterness.The Coco Loco Mocha ($5.50) is a warm, comforting drink made with coconut, chocolate and the cafe's signature espresso.The humble Latte ($4.80/medium, $5/large) also makes use of Nicaroma's espresso mix, though it combines it with milk for a smoother, more balanced flavour.The Refresco de Jamaica ($3.50) is a sweet and sour beverage that's perfect for summer.

Its deep red colour comes from dried hibiscus flowers and contrasts beautifully with the lime slices used to garnish the drink.The Refresco de Cacao ($7) is somewhat similar to chocolate milk, albeit with a spicy, cinnamon-infused aftertaste.The Nacatamal ($12) is a type of pork tamale, filled with meat, potatoes and onions and served on a plantain leaf, with a sweet bun on the side.

Desayuno Tipico, or Traditional Breakfast ($12), is a breakfast platter, consisting of beans and rice, fried plantains, scrambled eggs and cheese.

As its name suggests, this dish is meant to evoke a typical Nicaraguan breakfast.Picos ($3.50) are triangular pastries filled with cheese, not unlike Greek tiropita. The main difference between the two is a hint of cinnamon, which gives them a slightly sweeter flavour.Pastel de pina ($3.50) is a type of sweet pastry stuffed with pineapple jam.Pastel de pollo ($3.85) is its savoury counterpart. These pastries trade sugary fillings for meat and vegetables, including chicken, potatoes and peas. For those looking for a middle ground between the sweet and savoury pastries, consider trying the perrerreque ($4).

This Nicaraguan specialty is a dense corn cake with a soft, slightly crumbly texture. Though milder than many of the other snacks, it serves as a palate cleanser for the cafe's strong coffee.

Tiramisu ($10) is made in-house by Rebecca with traditional ingredients: ladyfingers, mascarpone and a heaping helping of cocoa.Tres Leches ($8.50) is a relatively new addition to Nicaroma's menu. This classic dessert comes topped with whipped cream and maraschino cherries, which enhance the sweetness of the milk-soaked sponge cake.Whether you're looking to reconnect with your heritage or simply trying to expand your palate, Nicaroma Cafe might be the place to be.Nicaroma Cafe is located at 357 Oakwood Avenue.