Cafes in Mexico City: Local Favs and Hidden Spots
Mexico City is a beautiful place for people who love food and drinks. Here, you can find many tasty things to eat and drink. There is traditional Mexican food, but also very modern and creative dishes. The same goes for coffee! Mexico grows many coffee beans, which is a big part of Mexican life and culture.
Are you wondering about the best cafes in Mexico City? Where can you work, study Spanish, or just enjoy a delicious coffee? This article will tell you about some great cafes in Mexico City that will make you feel like you are in coffee heaven!
Cafes in Mexico City: Our Special Selection For You
Are you tired of going to the same old Starbucks or Tim Hortons? Are you bored with the usual coffee shops for working or meeting friends? Don’t worry; here are some fantastic local cafes recommended by people living in Mexico City. Enjoy, and may your coffee always be delicious!
Curva Cafe ☕
This cafe is located downtown in Mexico City and serves some of the most delicious coffee I’ve ever tasted. They also have an impressive selection of baked goods—be sure to try their chocolatin (a chocolate bread) and affogato (a drink with a shot of espresso poured over a scoop of ice cream). These great specialties make Curva Cafe a hidden gem in Mexico City.
Babuin Cafe ☕
Another hidden gem cafe in Mexico City, Babuin, is perfect for breakfast, conversation, and working remotely. Their coffee and chai latte are the most delicious things on the menu. The staff is very friendly, and they even sell fun merchandise!
Amargo Cafe ☕
This beautifully decorated cafe is in a quiet, picturesque area that will make you feel like you’re in a magical small town. Their French press coffee is exquisite, and their avocado toast and other food are very tasty. Amargo is an excellent spot to work or study in peace. There are also lots of other delicious cafes in Mexico City in the surrounding area, like Café Escandón, Blue Milk Coffee, Café Darío, and MORCA Café y Pan.
Efímero ☕
If, like Amargo, you prefer secret, tucked-away cafes away from noise and crowds, you’ll love Efímero. For breakfast, you can have a delicious croque madame (a grilled ham and cheese sandwich with an egg on top) and excellent coffee at this cafe. Like the other cafes mentioned, Efímero has many drinks and tasty baked goods. Plus, there’s an ice cream shop next door where you can get a scoop to enjoy with your coffee while sitting outside.
Rutas Cafe ☕
Rutas is a very special and unique cafe where cyclists hang out. You can even get your bike fixed while you’re there. The coffee and breakfasts are very tasty, and the atmosphere is sporty and active. You can buy bike gear and equipment while enjoying a delicious breakfast. Be sure also to check out our bike tour around the city!
Paradigma ☕
Paradigma is a small, simple spot with spectacular drinks that’s a must-visit if you’re in the Roma neighborhood. Their mochas and hot chocolates are heavenly. The service is excellent, and the vibe is perfect for having a wonderful time. Don’t miss our tour of the Roma and Condesa areas too!
Conejo Rojo ☕
What makes this place unique is its cute hostess, Wanda, an affectionate and adorable dog. Besides spending time with Wanda, you can taste coffee directly from the state of Veracruz and smell the wonderful aroma as it’s being roasted. The coffee and burritos here are delicious, and the bohemian atmosphere is pleasant.
There are also clothing bazaars, live music, craft beer, and fun gatherings. Be sure also to check out other great nearby cafes like Apanpacho, El Ilusionista, and Finca Santa Veracruz Condesa Sur.
Cafe del Viajero ☕
If you’re looking for a place that’s not just a cafe but also a travel agency, meeting spot, and language club, cafe del viajero is for you! It’s a great choice when craving breakfast and delicious cold drinks. With two locations in Narvarte and Escandón, cafe del viajero is fantastic for meeting new people and escaping the hustle and bustle of Mexico City.
Terracotta Cafe ☕
One of the best places to get spectacular artisan bread is Terracotta Cafe. Here, you can try fantastic bread and an incredible variety of caffeinated and non-caffeinated drinks. It’s one of my favorite cafes in Mexico City.
Orquídea Cafe ☕
Orquídea is a fancy and cozy cafe in La Condesa, perfect for people who need gluten-free or sugar-free food options. Their gluten-free bread and sugar-free focused menu is fabulous, as is their cappuccino, matcha, and taro tea. It’s where you’ll feel right at home, relaxing in your living room.
Cleotilde ☕
Finally, a small classic cafe — I’m talking about Cleotilde. There are two locations (Escandón and San Miguel Chapultepec), but if you want to go somewhere to work and sit for a while, the San Miguel one is the better option. The Escandón cafe is more take-out focused, but try their coffee and cornbread if possible! You won’t regret it.
The Coffee Passport ☕
In Mexico local cafes in Mexico City are being promoted to support the country’s coffee farmers, roasters, tasters, and baristas. This is being done through a “coffee passport.” Locals and visitors can use this passport as a guide to discover different cafes around the city and get special promotions.
With the coffee passport, you can take it to participating cafes listed inside to get it stamped or collect stickers. This allows you to earn discounts and other rewards. To get your coffee passport, just go to any participating cafe in Mexico City and purchase it for 125 pesos.
The passport includes cafes from popular neighborhoods like Roma-Condesa and iconic areas like Narvarte and Colonia del Valle. It shows the addresses of all the cafe locations, and you can personalize your passport however you’d like. Not every cafe offers promotions; some may only be for your first visit. However, having a passport is one of the best ways to discover authentic, delicious coffee shops and unique signature coffees around Mexico City.
Coffee Tradition in Mexico
Coffee first came to Mexico in the 1700s, when indigenous people started growing it using traditional shaded farming methods. Though coffee wasn’t very popular initially, it’s now an essential part of Mexican food culture and the economy. The first coffee shop in Mexico opened in Mexico City in the 1800s, and since then, coffee has become deeply ingrained in Mexican culture and daily life.
Coffee is fundamental to most Mexicans’ daily routines throughout the country and is part of the national culture. For example, it’s very common for friends to go out for coffee together, always accompanied by bread or pastries. Many people will also grab coffee and bread from street vendors on their bicycles on their way to work in the mornings.
If you don’t like coffee, the vendors offer traditional drinks like atole (a warm beverage made from masa) and guajolotas (a tamal inside a bolillo bread). The latter is very typical in Mexico City. There’s also cafe de olla, a traditional coffee drink made with piloncillo (unrefined cane sugar). You must try cafe de olla whenever you visit small Mexican towns or forests, where the foggy mornings are perfect for sipping it.
