24+ of the Best Mexico City Cafes Worth Visiting

Every time I see a new cafe in Mexico City, I snap a photo and mark it in my maps so that I can try it for my morning coffee.

Lucky me (and lucky you): most of the vibey and top-rated cafes in this list are also great for breakfast, brunch, smoothies, juices, local treats and baked goods. There are really no reasons not to be trying out new coffee shops in Mexico City all the time.

In this list, check out all the Mexico City cafes you should be visiting, and if you find a new one to add, let me know.

Quentin Cafe (4 locations)

Find it at: Av. Álvaro Obregón 64 (Roma Norte), Ámsterdam 67a (Hipódromo), Av. Yucatán 93 (Roma Norte), Bruselas 11 (Juárez)

The Quentin Cafes are a group of four cafes in Mexico City’s Roma and Condesa neighborhoods. They’ve won an excellent reputation for their drink menus, cool ambiance and great locations. We first went to the original Quentin back when it opened (the one on Álvaro Obregón) and took the photos you see here. Dan and I have been Quentin fans since the beginning!

Among the specialty drinks at Quentin are the ‘espressonic,’ a mix of espresso and tonic (are you intrigued yet?), the ‘cascara,’ made from the casings of coffee beans, the ‘cascara funky,’ the hotter cousin of the cascara original, flavored with ginger and the carajillo, a famous Mexican coffee drink made with fresh espresso and Licor 34 (this is to die for, and we had it for breakfast).

Quentin’s owners (one of whom is a friend of ours) opened this succession of coffee shops after being inspired by visiting coffee farms first-hand in Chiapas state, Mexico, Colombia and Peru. All locations also serve delicious baked goods, or sandwiches and breads. Are you following the Quentin Instagram yet?

Read our Quentin Cafe review →

BUNA

Find it at: Orizaba 42, Roma Nte., Cuauhtémoc

BUNA was where we tried authentic Mexican coffee for both of our first times, and you could say this was a great thing for us. BUNA is located within a restaurant that shares its address. Both are thoughtfully-designed, in a modern yet retro type of simplistic way.

Here’s what to know:

• You can try locally-sourced Mexican coffees from a few different regions that surround Mexico City.
• The cafe staff takes great pride in talking about where the coffees come from and how your coffee got its start.
• Hungry people can dine or brunch at BUNA’s neighbor restaurant, which serves BUNA coffee.
• BUNA sells coffee by the bag: they bag all the roasts that come from the BUNA roasting plant, located about a mile away from the cafe.
• Bonus cool fact: The bags of coffee have modern designs based on the Nahuatl (Aztec) names given to the roasts.

Check out my BUNA review →

Almanegra Café (3 locations)

Find it at: C. de la Prosperidad 37 (Escandón II Secc), Av. Universidad 420-A (Narvarte Poniente, Benito Juárez), Jorge Washington 127-4A (Moderna, Benito Juárez)

Almanegra is more than just a coffee shop: it’s a brand. Almanegra is big on black and white, square edges, basic tables and edgy music. They are also big on serious coffee-crafting. Almanegra’s fans are those who adore coffee, and adore Almanegra for being a serious cafe: serious about its beans, its ways of creating drinks, its vibes and its clientele.

We were lucky to meet one of the Almanegra partners, Octavio, who told us a bit about the story of the cafe. It was originally just a coffee window on the street, and then the shop in Roma Norte. They’ve since expanded to the three locations I listed above, which is cool that Almanegra is bringing third-wave coffee to these neighborhoods outside Condesa and Roma.

While visiting, Dan and I tried the nitro brew, the coffee tonic and the Chemex brew. They were fantastic, and I recommend you do the same.

Learn more about Almanegra Café →

Efimero Café

Efimero Cafe is an adorable specialty cafe located in the Condesa neighborhood. When you pass Efimero, you’ll see some wicker chairs outside and a cozy inside with a coffee counter in the back.

The owners and creators of Efimero are a couple from Mexico who dreamed of opening up a cafe that felt like home. Both were working corporate jobs, and left their positions in order to pursue this dream.

Down-to-earth Efimero opened early in 2018 and soon became part of the fabric of the Condesa neighborhood. This is a welcoming cafe where you can get a standard coffee or a more special drink, like the ones we tried.

Of the drinks we tried at Efimero, the most memorable was the Vietnamese pressed coffee, iced, and mixed with sweet coconut milk. This is the kind of coffee drink that left us wanting another! We also tried espresso and a pour-over coffee.

See my Efimero Cafe review →

Cafebrería El Péndulo (7 locations)

_Find it at: Nuevo León 115 (Condesa), Alejandro Dumas 81 (Polanco), Centro comercial Santa Fe, 2º Piso (Santa Fe), Álvaro Obregón 86 (Roma), Av. Revolución 1500, Guadalupe Inn (San Angel), Hamburgo 126 (Zona Rosa) and Centro comercial Perisur, 1er Piso (Peri Sur).

It’s a good thing El Péndulo has several locations, because we’ve been to three so far, and would go to three more. I’ve had coffee at El Pendulo, brunch at El Pendulo and casual book-browsing at El Pendulo.

El Péndulo is a bookstore-cafe, and as far as we’ve seen, all of their bookstores are located in old houses and all have interesting interiors with natural light, outdoor spaces or terraces, creative ways of displaying books and wonderful atmospheres.

Here’s a short guide on what to know:

• The WiFi is free at El Pendulo and at the cafe!
• Even if you’re not into books, relaxing at El Péndulo for a coffee or their brunch (or even better, dinner and drinks!) is great.
• El Pendul carries both Spanish and English books. There are cute and kitchy gifts and housewares for sale, too.

Drip Specialty Coffee (Roma Norte)

Find it at: Guadalajara 36 (Roma Nte.)

Drip Specialty Coffee (Drip Café Especial) began as a window where you could order coffee, and now it has expanded into a full cafe on Calle Guadalajara.

Drip has a range of drinks from Mexican coffees brewed in a few ways to espresso, to matcha to chai lattes. When we visited, we tried some cofefe roasts from Oaxaca and sat outside reading the coffee (table) books they have in the bookshelf inside, and tried a croissant.

A few things to know:

• Drip has a theme of sharing coffee and making friends. Their original location was shaken by one of Mexico City’s larger earthquakes in recent history, so they were forced into moving to Calle Guadalajara near Avenida Sonora!
• Drip is all about consciousness in its products. You can buy coffee in a brown paper bag to bring home (branded with a cute slogan in Spanish) or you can buy their other fair-trade product… honey!

Read my full review of Drip Specialty Coffee →

Cicatriz Cafe (Juarez)

Find it at: C. Dinamarca 44, (Juarez/Cuauhtémoc)

I originally went to Cicatriz Cafe at night to have at some mezcal and chocolate, and went back later during the daytime. It’s a truly popular spot that’s both a cafe and bar. It’s open from 9 to 11 every day for brunch, coffee and morning beverages, lunch, dinner and nighttime drinking.

Here’s what I think you should know:

• I like the clean modern vibes and cool design. It would be one of my top picks for meeting up with a friend in the area.
• On the coffee menu are (to note), cold brew, an affogato, espresso, macchiato, americano and latte, and for non-coffee drinkers, there’s tea and juices.
• Check out the baked goods, which you’ll find on the menu of “postres.” Don’t miss the galletas (cookies), muffins and foccacia bread.
• You can also find Cicatriz in our best bars in Mexico City guide.

For your morning visit, there’s a breakfast-brunch menu that lists yogurt & granola, chia pudding, torta de huevo (this is Dan’s favorite food in Mexico City), and more.

Blend Station (locations!)

Find it at: Tamaulipas 60 (Col. Condesa), Ámsterdam 282 (Colonia Condesa), Puebla 237 (Roma Norte), Horacio 256 (Polanco)

Blend Station stands out to me as one of the coffee shops I recommend first in CDMX. Here’s why:

• The cafe has a memorable cool alien mascot that adorns a lot of their merch and deco.
• The Condesa location on Tamaulipas was designed professionally by a design team, and as you peruse the art on the walls and postcards, it all matches the same cool ‘mysterious eyes’ theme. (There’s also a TREE in the middle of the seating area, and a soaring ceiling)
• Blend Station’s baristas are self-described as coffee geeks, and they’ll make you a mean espresso, cold brew or perfect latte (with art).
• The location in Hipodromo on the corner of Amsterdam and Av Sonora 282 is also a bike shop!
• As for the food: Blend Station makes their bread in-house, which is a great thing to know, when you order any food (menu includes toasts, salads, a few types of bowls and English muffins in a few styles).

I’ve been following the Instagram for ages! See my full review of Blend Station →

Chiquitito Cafe (5 locations)

Find them at: Alfonso Reyes 232 (Hipódromo), Fernando Montes de Oca 85 (Colonia Condesa), C. Río Lerma 179 (Cuauhtémoc/Juarez), Avenida Prado Norte 421 (Lomas - Virreyes, Lomas de Chapultepec, Miguel Hidalgo), Monte Ararat 220 (adentro Libros Libros Libros) (Col. Lomas de Chapultepec).

Chiquitito Cafe is a neighborhood cafe that packs a bunch. Just like its name, Chiquitito is a little tiny place, where a few baristas are crammed behind a coffee counter, but still seem to have room while they craft your drink. Everyone’s friendly and it’s hard to leave!

Why I like getting coffee at Chiquitito Cafe:

• The coffee and espresso are excellent and crafted with care.
• They have products for sale at mos tlocations: gooseneck kettles, tools for brewing coffee at home and of course, bags of coffee for sale.
• Their coffees are roasted by Jiribilla Tostador in Mexico City, and beans originate from farms in Oaxaca and Veracruz (Mexico).

We tried the cold brew and an americano and the beans in these drinks had roots in nearby local Mexican coffee plantations. Want to see more? Follow the Chiquitito Instagram.

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See my review of visiting Chiquitito Cafe →

Finca Don Porfirio, SEARS (Zocalo/Centro)

Find it: It’s inside SEARS at Av. Juarez 14, Colonia Centro, Centro, Cuauhtémoc.

My note: The disclaimer on this cafe is that it’s not “exactly” a place to go for amazing coffee. It’s where I go for one of the best photo spots in Mexico City as well as some cool views from 11 floors up.

This is your secret to getting a million-peso view of the Palacio de Bellas Artes, an art museum in the center of the city with a multi-colored roof (photo below). While not a third-wave cafe by any means, there are drinks to enjoy. The menu consists of coffee drinks and teas. I always appreciate a cold drink when I’m walking around Zocalo and it’s hot and sunny.

Some insider tips from me:

• To get to the cafe, take the elevator straight back when you walk into Sears, and go to the top floor! There, you’ll find the cafe near the home goods section. After you get seated, you can enjoy the view! We recommend coming in the late afternoon or around sunset to catch some incredible lighting of the Palacio de Bellas Artes and surrounding area of Alameda Central.
• Note again: weekends will be BUSY here.
• If you come at a busy time, you may have to wait on a little line, and that’s because they don’t let anyone stand around: all guests get seated at tables or at the bar stools that line the wall where you can look out at the view.

Casa Cafe (Condesa)

Find it: Fernando Montes de Oca 64 (Condesa)

This cute and homey newcomer to the Condesa neighborhood is a pleasant surprise for its cozy interior and nice amount of outdoor seating. I stopped by while Dan was out for a run nearby, and I wanted to sit on the street and appreciate people-watching in one of my favorite CDMX neighborhoods.

Here’s what I liked!

• The coffee menu has classics (americano, capuccino, espresso doble, latte and cold brew) and some surprises like a honey latte. There are also smoothies.
• For breakfast, brunch and lunch, there’s a menu of tostados, empanadas and chilaquiles
• I tried the curcuma (tumeric) latte when I arrived, after chatting with the super friendly barista.

I enjoyed the small details like tiny flowers in tiny vases at the tables, as well as the sun-filled outdoor dining area on a wooden patio in the street. When I go back, I’d love to try a Chemex brew or an espresso tonic and spend some time with a book in this cute Condesa coffee shop.

Cafe Avellaneda

Find it: Higuera 40-A (La Concepción, Coyoacán).

Head out to Coyoacan to try this special treat of a cafe that our local Mexican friend took us to. The place is small and cozy with hardly any room to sit, and the coffee drinks are quite a surprise.

I would say Cafe Avellaneda specializes in unique cold drinks that combine flavors, causing you to rethink how you considered coffee.

Some things to know, from me:

• The drink menu is practically “cocktail-style,” but with coffee, cold brew and espresso.
• There’s “Trago 2,” a cold brew with ginger ale and hibiscus syrup, and the “Tranquilo,” a mix of espresso, coconut cream, pineapple and tonic water.
• If you’re not into the caffeine, try this cafe anyway, because the menu of pasteles may have you sold. They also sell coffee beans.

With so many drinks and in such incredible cool varieties, Cafe Avellaneda has a nice Instagram to follow.

Cafe Regina

Find it: Regina 24, Centro Histórico de la Cdad. de México, Centro

Note from me: This cafe is not like the others in this list! It’s a little oasis of relaxation in the hustle, bustle and chaos that is Zocalo and Centro Historico. If you’re in that area, mark Cafe Regina on your map as the best option for CDMX’s downtown areas.

If you are downtown and find yourself in the peaceful pedestrian street of Calle Regina, stop for a cafecito or americano at Cafe Regina. This place is old-school and has kept its vintage charm. The surroundings on this stretch of street with no cars is also a plus, as there’s little street noise, and the environment is quite peaceful. It’s a special spot!

At this cafe, we had a choice of sitting at wooden benches, or outside under umbrellas. After we ordered our coffee, we wished we ordered some food! So, I recommend saving your appetite for breakfast and sitting down at Cafe Regina for some eggs, bread and coffee.

Another fun fact: despite the old-fashioned decor and location in the Centro Historico, Cafe Regina has WiFi. You may see anyone from locals hanging out, to digital nomads trying to get some work done on laptops.

Would you know it? The cafe has a little Instagram account to follow.

Cucurucho Cafe (4 locations)

Find them at: Río Nazas #52 (Cuauhtémoc), C. Pachuca 87 (Colonia Condesa), Av. Horacio 327 (Polanco, Polanco V Secc), Campos Elíseos 105 (Polanco, Polanco V Secc).

With a fun name to say, you’ll find this Mexico City cafe in a few locations, including Polanco, Condesa, Cuauhtémoc and Roma Norte. Cucurucho is loud and proud about making coffee with Mexican coffee beans from regions like Oaxaca, Chiapas, Veracruz, Puebla and Guerrero.

We found ourselves admiring the exterior of Cucurucho Condesa, with its minimalist exterior, big windows and cool black-and-white sign. Inside, instead of too many tables with chairs, they have tables like kitchen islands, where you can stand with your drink, and maybe even start a chat with a fellow traveler or local.

Founded on some big principles like freedom, innovation and creativity, you can see by visiting this cafe that the owners were very thoughtful in their design, and menu. You can see all this shine through at the Instagram.

As for drinks that’ll stand out, try the espresso sonic, horchata with espresso (yum), cafe au lait and yuzu lemonade, for those not drinking coffee. You can visit their store online, to get coffee from Mexico’s top coffee-producing states, by the bag.

eNHORAbUENa CAFÉ

Find it at: C. Atlixco 13 (Colonia Condesa)

Yes, their preferred casing of the cafe’s name is “eNHORAbUENa CAFÉ.” How unique!

This cafe is perfect for hanging out or working, and is one of our neighborhood favorites in Condesa. It has a laptop-friendly vibe and a big open window to get some nice airflow. The food is really good, yet limited to what they can make in their tiny kitchen area. We tried the chilaquiles and wow: those hit the spot.

There are plenty of power outlets, so it’s helpful if your laptop is low on battery. While you can work remotely here, I think (personally) that it’s better for sitting outside to hang out with a friend, or enjoy the streetside ambiance with your coffee and food.

Check out the eNHORAbUENa Instagram.

Tomasa (Condesa, Polanco)

Find it at: C. Atlixco #74 (Colonia Condesa; Av. Emilio Castelar 14 (Polanco)

If you’re into a trendy vibe, Tomasa is a great cafe and bakery to try as both a spot for a cute photo and some delectable treats.

As soon as I saw photos online of Tomasa, I starred my map and knew I had to try to go. With the pinks and teals and rounded shapes, this was an aesthetic I wanted to see with my own eyes.

With its location on C. Atlixco #74, not far from Parque España, Tomasa is on a quiet street with some sidewalk seating, and an open cafe that really pops!

On the menu are “Dulces,” including lattes, americanos, espresso, chocolate abuelita (“your grandmother’s hot chocolate”) and “conchas,” the big fluffy cookies that kind of look like shells.

The conchas come in a list of flavors, and if you want a photo moment, you may want to look at them all before choosing. There’s dulce de leche, vegan vanilla and chocolate and also gluten-free concha dulce (and so many more).

La Otilia (Polanco)

Find it at: Lafontaine 78 (Polanco, Polanco III Secc, Miguel Hidalgo); Valladolid 76 A (Roma Norte, Cuauhtémoc); Jalapa 161 A (Roma Norte, Cuauhtémoc)

Finally, a gluten-free friendly cafe that’s good for working remotely at!

La Otilia has a garden-themed outdoor space where you can sit with delicious baked goods and drinks, and not feel bad about it.

If you’re traveling with a gluten allergy, you’ll be happy to know that they take the gluten topic really seriously! La Otilia is the only 100% gluten-free baked goods establishment in all of Mexico, according to the story on their website.

Check out the cafe’s Instagram and their website, especially to see their little market, where you can get almond flour tortillas, fresh jarred salsas and coconut yogurt.

Our friend Melissa took this photo of a lovely Instagrammable drink that you can find at La Otilia.

Cafe Nin (Juarez)

Find it at: Havre 73 (Juárez, Cuauhtémoc)

Cafe Nin is a cafe and restaurant in Juarez, and it is very much a charmer. If you’re into atmosphere, I suggest going for a coffee and brunch at Cafe Nin, because its design elements and aesthetics are worth a photo.

On the menu for caffeinating are your coffee classics like americano, cappuccino, “moka” (mocha) and espresso double, plus an affogato for kicks. There are also house juices like grapefruit, orange, carrot/ginger/jicama and this one I’d like to try, which is macadamia/coconut/cardamom.

For the eating though, there’s lots to fill up on at Cafe Nin, and I’m only speaking to brunch and breakfast. From ‘pan dulces’ (a long menu of this) to Berlinesas, there’s also eggs and lunch plates, and sandwiches.

Check out our photos of the interior and outdoor dining at Cafe Nin. The address is Havre 73 in Colonia Juarez.

Raku Cafe (Roma Norte)

Find it at: Sinaloa 188 (Roma Nte., Cuauhtémoc)

Raku Cafe is Roma’s Japanese-themed coffee shop that’s very serious about specialty coffee. It’s new within the past few years, meaning we certainly didn’t know about it when we spent more than a month on Calle Sinaloa.

Raku Cafe is located at Sinaloa 188, Roma Norte. Here, you will find a concise and to-the-point menu of classics like flat white, cortado, americano and latte, followed by specialties like a Vietnamese coffee, “cafe de metodo” (coffee of a brewing method) and cold brew.

If you’re into teas, they have those, too, along with San Pellegrino seltzer water, which sounds like something I am always seeking out.

With its tiny sleek interior, Raku Cafe is meant to make you feel like you got swapped into Japan, during your trip to Mexico City. We don’t have a problem with that.

After hours, it turns into a beer and wine bar; just beware that they close at 7pm, so you better act fast.

Madre Cafe (Roma Norte)

Find it at: Orizaba 131 (Roma Nte., Cuauhtémoc)

Madre Cafe recently came recommended to us via a friend, and we are looking forward to trying it the next time we are in CDMX.

Located at Orizaba 131, Colonia Roma, it’s housed in an old mansion, and its owners want you to come experience originality and creativity.

Madre Cafe takes pride in its coffee, which is sourced from Puebla (in Mexico). With a goal of creating awareness in those who consume their coffees, you can get in touch with the staff and arrange a trip to the coffee farm itself.

All we can say is that we wish we knew about this one sooner, and it’s on our list for upcoming trips to CDMX, one of our favorite places to be.

Ojo de Agua (Various locations)

Find them here: Too many to list! Check out the list of all locations.

Ojo de Agua is an earthy yet trendy idea where you can have a coffee, eat brunch and then buy groceries. It’s all in one, for a healthy and comfortable experience. While their WiFi may not work at all locations (from our experience), and we don’t suggest specifically going there to do work or do things online, you can always sit outside (at most locations, like in Condesa) and people-watch.

**Note from me about the drinks: while known for the smoothies, fruit juices, “aguas,” juice combos and “super juices,” there is a coffee and

Then, you can peruse their crop of produce, ranging from fruit (zapotes!) to vegetables (mini eggplants!). They also have cold drinks and some less-perishable food products like granola and the like.

AMAMBA Coffee & Juice Bar

Find it at: Av Sonora 113 (Roma Norte, Cuauhtémoc)

Amamba is a VIBE! Just walking past this cafe made me feel like I was walking past a perfect movie set. The cafe is located in a historic building, with a big patio out front and a traditional-meets-modern aesthetic. If you’re a fan of sitting outside al fresco like I am, opt for one of the teal-colored outside tables.

Inside, it’s a minimalist and industrial-chic space filled with simple art, and delectable food and drink. Most fans of Amamba come for brunch, breakfast and coffee, and come back for lattes and smoothies perfect for any time of year. I like that their coffees and espressos are sourced from Mexican states like Veracruz, so be sure to ask about that when you speak with a barista.

Don’t miss the cafe’s Instagram. (Also, to help you out with satisfying your juice cravings: Amamba is open til 9pm every day of the week!)

Libertario

Find it at: Orizaba 16 (Roma Norte, Cuauhtémoc)

We became introduced to Libertario by first finding out about their three cafes in Colombia’s capital, which we listed in the best cafes in Bogota. Libertario as a company roasts coffees from Colombia, Mexico and Costa Rica, with focusing on the environment and sustainability, and offering coffee lovers the freedomt to choose from the best specialty coffees.

Located right off Plaza Luis Cabrera, Libertario is serving up (and selling by the bag) Mexican coffee sourced from origins in the Mexican states of Chiapas and Tamaulipas. The cafe itself is friendly and warm, with natural light coming in, and minimalist designs. Hanging out here is special and inviting, and the outdoor seating is chic and modern.

Follow the Libertario Instagram.

Hule

Find it at: Michoacan 75 (Condesa)

Walking down the street, I almost passed right by Hule. But then I didn’t, because they have this glorious outdoor seating area with a wooden patio and leafy greens shielding the tables from cars on the road. (We sat there!)

Hule is a Mexico City cafe that serves up drinks, food and this “booze” menu. If you’re looking for a spot with WiFi where you can get some work done and you want it to be open til 8pm, Hule is your spot.

I liked the vibe: chill and quiet, with both indoor and outdoor seating, and music coming from a record player (but it’s not too distracing if you’re trying to have a conversation or read a book).

What’s more is that their food menu is everything from breakfast (baked goods), including avocado toast and a bagel with smoked salmon, to lunch items like grilled cheese and lastly, a “p.m.” food selection of bar snacks to go with your beer or mezcal from the Hule bar. We tried the “Golden Milk” latte, an americano and a fresh orange juice.

Why we wrote this Mexico City coffee shop guide

We wrote this guide in the style of something you’d receive from a friend either before or while on your trip. For any place we have not eaten or visited, we will say so, in order to be totally transparent.

Also, check out our guide for how to make coffee while traveling. You can support these cafes and try some of their local roasts with your at-home coffee set up!

As an update for 2024, we’d also like to make sure you’re aware of safety concerns in Mexico City, namely theft at cafes among travelers and expats who have laptops or nice bags. We suggest heading to our Mexico City safety guide to read up on how to keep your belongings safe at open-air cafes, even if you’re an experienced or veteran traveler.