The coffee culture has changed so much in the last few years in Mexico and you can now easily find cafes serving up some of the best coffee in Mexico City in pretty much every neighborhood.
If you’re in search of the best cafes in Mexico City, this list compiles all of my personal favorites in one list (after living in the city for the last five years and trying MANY coffees along the way).
When I first arrived, it was easy enough to find cafes serving Americanos, espressos, and cappuccinos, but to find cold brew or pour-over coffee was almost impossible.
Mexico is famous for its coffee growing, but most of the country’s best beans are actually exported. This has meant, until recently, a lot of the coffee in local cafes was made with imported beans because they were cheaper.
Now there are specialty cafes and even local roasters in many of Mexico City’s coolest neighborhoods.
All of the cafes in Mexico City listed below are using beans that have been grown and roasted in Mexico. You’ll certainly pay more for it than you would at a restaurant or less hipster spot, but it definitely won’t taste as good.
There are constantly new cafes opening so it can be hard to keep up, but after almost four years of enjoying cafes in Mexico City, I promise that these are some of the best coffee shops in Mexico City.
If you’re looking for good breakfast cafes, don’t miss reading this article about the best breakfast spots in Mexico City.
The Best Coffee Mexico City
It’s worth noting that unlike in other major cities in perhaps the USA or the UK, coffee shops do not open super early in Mexico City. Especially coffee shops.While you may be used to getting up and grabbing a coffee at 6am, you’re likely going to have to wait until at least 7, if not 8am for most cafes in Mexico City to open their doors to the public.
If you want an early morning coffee, you’ll have to go to Starbuck unfortunately.
1. Alma Negra
A friend of mine who is a barista in Vancouver and a major coffee lover came to visit me in Mexico City. She was the one who actually told me about this place.
It’s located pretty centrally in Roma Norte, just off of the neighborhood’s main street, Alvaro Obregon. They also recently opened up a location in my new favorite neighborhood, Escandon.
It’s a small place with low tables (so not a place you want to come to get some work done) and seriously good coffee.
They have a pretty comprehensive menu, which at first looks something like my high school physics homework, but actually shows you the different brewing methods they offer and what flavor notes you’ll get from each.
Opening Hours: Daily 8am-9pm
2. Blend Station for the best cold brew coffee in Mexico City
This is perhaps my favorite of all of the coffee shops in Mexico City. They have two locations, but I prefer the coffee at the Condesa location (even though I prefer working at the Roma Norte location).
If you like to work in cafes, both locations are good remote working locations. They are popular with other digital nomads because the internet is great, there are plenty of tables, and a lot of outlets to plug into. They also are quite happy for you to order a coffee and just sit there for a few hours.
There’s nothing better on a hot day than their strong cold brew tonic and when I feel like something to warm me up, their pour-over coffees are packed with flavor. They also have nice espresso drinks including the best flat white in town.
It’s a great place for breakfast and lunch, too. They make decadent sandwiches and light salads as well as serving a nice selection of freshly-baked cakes and pastries.
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 7am-10pm, weekends 9am-10pm
3. Cafe Avellaneda
If you find yourself in the southern suburb of Coyoacan with a need for a good cup of coffee, get yourself over to Cafe Avellaneda.
Their lattes are rich and flavorful and always served with a yummy little sweet biscuit.
The baristas are friendly and I like to come here when I’m by myself because it’s usually very quiet.
It’s a tiny cafe with only four or five seats, which is why it’s usually so quiet. Most people go there and get a coffee-to-go. If I’m with a friend, we usually grab a coffee and head to the nearby park to sit and enjoy it there.
Opening Hours: Daily 8am-10pm
4. Cucurucho Cafe
The original location in Cuauhtemoc is my favorite, but they also have a nice spot in Polanco, too.
Cucurucho Cafe is something of a triple threat. They make great coffee, have a huge selection of tea, and they make a seriously delicious brunch. Oh, also they have amazing desserts, too. A quadruple threat?
They have all of the best espresso options, which I love. Their espresso is so flavorful, there’s no need to add milk at all. But if you do want milk, they make cappuccino, flat whites, and lattes, as well.
They also have pour-over options to choose from and did I mention their brunch? The poached egg in tomato is the most wonderful breakfast experience I’ve had in Mexico City (I mean, besides chilaquiles of course). They have a few tables outside, but they fill up quickly on the weekends.
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 7am-8pm, Saturdays 7am-4pm and Sundays 8am-3:30pm
Google Location Polanco – Hours vary slightly to the Cuauhtemoc branch.
5. Dosis
I love walking down Alvaro Obregon on a sunny day, grabbing one of the outdoor tables here and ordering a cold brew with a splash of milk. I’ll add a slice of their blondie brownie if I’m feeling indulgent.
This is a popular spot for working, although the wifi isn’t the best, it is quiet and the coffee is strong. They also have bottled craft beer when you need to move onto something even stronger.
Be sure to try some of their baked goods. They actually have a fantastic selection of bread that they make and sometimes I take them home with me. However, I come back again and again for the babka. If you’ve never tried a babka, then this would be a good place to start.
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 9am-9pm, Saturday 10am-9pm, Sunday 11am-9pm
6. Deseo Cafe de Especialidad
I’ve only recently discovered this spot, but it has quickly become one of my favorite coffee shops in Mexico City.
The space is simple, with wood tables and comfortable chairs, but it’s so bright and full of natural light that I often find myself going out of my way just to head to this cafe over others that are closer to where I am for the day.
Of course, the coffee is incredible, too. I like the pour-over coffees that they make. They’re packed with flavor. But I also just love a good flat white and theirs is strong and well-made.
They also have some pastries that always looks really delicious, but I haven’t had a chance to try yet.
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 7:30am-9pm, Saturday 8am-9pm, Sunday 9:30am-7:30pm
7. Farmacia Internacional
I tend to head here for lunch when I’m near the Centro Historico. They have tons of healthy options like salads, daily soup options, and really delicious sandwiches. The bread is made fresh daily and they have both meat and vegetarian options available.
However, they also brew up great cups of espresso-style coffees. You can simply enjoy a coffee in their uniquely decorated cafe or grab it to go and head over to Plaza de la Ciudadela to sit in the sunshine and watch people practice their dance skills (or join in for yourself!).
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 8:30am-8pm, Saturday 9am-5pm, and Sunday 10am-4pm
8. Cafe la Habana
The coffee at Cafe la Habana is not for the faint of heart. You’ve been warned.
They make my favorite Americano in the entire city and I have to have it with some food (their chilaquiles are awesome) because otherwise, I’ll get the jitters.
Beans are roasted on-site and brewed using a machine that looks like it was made in the 50s. There are basically three options – americano, cappuccino, or the la Habana which is a mug of americano with a side of hot milk that you pour over yourself.
The cafe is well-known as the spot where Che Guevera and Fidel Castro used to meet to discuss their plans. Now it’s just a really great place for a coffee and cheap chilaquiles.
Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday 7am-1am, Sunday 8am-11pm
9. Postales de Cafe
There’s not much better than a stroll along the walkway in the middle of tree-lined Avenida Mazatlan. Except perhaps a coffee from Postales de Cafe and cup of nieve from Neveria Roxy.
There are a few tables outside and plenty more inside this popular neighborhood cafe. It’s one of my favorite places to buy beans to take home.
In addition to all the different brewing methods they have for coffee, they also make seriously good Mexican-style hot chocolate. Don’t expect the creamy milk-chocolate style. This is slightly bitter, slightly sweet, and full of rich cocoa flavor.
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 8:30am-8pm, Saturday 9am-5pm, Sunday 9am-6pm
10. Buna 42
This tiny little cafe was hard to find at first. It’s tucked sort of inside the neighboring restaurant Sartoria and shares a few of their outdoor tables, but I prefer to get it take-away and sip it in Plaza Rio de Janeiro.
They have tons of coffee beans that you can buy from around Mexico and they serve up a seriously good flat white. What I love most about this coffee shop in Mexico City is that the baristas and staff take their coffee seriously.
They have a few food items on the menu, but there are better places for pastries in my opinion (Panaderia Rosetta is just around the corner). However, the coffee is fantastic.
Opening Hours: Daily 8am-7pm
11. Forte Bread & Coffee for the best coffee in Mexico City with food
As the name suggests, Forte does two things very well. I come here just as often for their breads as I do for their flavorful coffees.
I went to an event where the chef of Forte cooked up lunch for over a dozen people. There were slow-cooked meats, homemade tortillas, fresh-baked sourdough bread, vegetables from Xochimilco, and craft beers alongside it all. It’s what introduced me to Forte and made me a believer in all of the work that they’re doing there.
Their pizzas, their pastries, and their loaves of bread which are all absolutely delicious. This is some of the best sourdoughs you’ll find anywhere in Mexico City and that’s the dough they use for the pizzas, too.
Forte bread is the sort of place you could spend a few hours eating, drinking coffee, talking to the passionate staff about great food and even better coffee.
They recently extended their menu to include some breakfast options and everything that I’ve tried on the menu is delicious. Again, it focuses on homemade bread and pastries alongside fresh locally sourced ingredients prepared simply and well.
Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday 8:30am-9pm, Friday & Saturday 9am-midnight, closed Sundays
12. Cafe el Cordobes for the best coffee in Mexico City Centro Historico
This old-school cafe manages to fit twice as many tables inside as perhaps there should be, but they’re always full. They have been roasting their own beans for decades, so try a coffee and then buy a bag to take home if you enjoy it.
They have tons of options, but their americano is my go-to because it’s strong, flavorful, and cheap (just over $1 USD). They have all of the espresso-style options as well as some syrups if you prefer your coffee not to taste like coffee.
While you’re in this part of the city be sure to enjoy green chorizo tacos at Ricos Tacos Toluca or seafood tostadas at K-guamo.
Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday 8am-9pm, Sundays 10am-6pm
Rough Google Location: Corner of Ayuntamiento and Calle Lopez
13. Boicot Cafe
This cafe has a location in Condesa and one in Roma. Both are quite large and have plenty of seating and plugs, making them great spots to work if you need to.
They are best known for their cold brew, which is strong and flavorful, so I usually add a dash of milk. However, their Turkish coffee is also spectacular.
They have a full menu of sandwiches, waffles, and omelets. The main attraction, besides the coffee, is their dessert menu. I’ve tried all of their cakes and still can’t choose a favorite, but I probably order the date pie more than any other.
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 7am-10pm, weekends 8am-10pm
14. Qūentin Café
Qūentin Café has a few locations around the city, but I believe the first location was in Roma along Alvaro Obregon.
This is a great spot for coffee and pastries. I love their simple croissants and fluffy focaccia bread.
They have pour-over coffee, espresso-style coffee, and cold brew available. They also have a few tea options if you want a matcha latte or cup of chai tea.
The staff are friendly and will walk you through whatever baked delights they have on offer for the day.
Opening Hours: Sunday to Wednesday 8am-8pm, Thursday to Saturday 8am-pm
15. Chiquitito Cafe
Located along the beautiful tree-lined Alfonso Reyes in Condesa, this is an incredibly popular cafe, and for good reason.
The coffee here is exceptional and if you don’t mind the wait (which you shouldn’t while you’re in Mexico in general, you will always wait), then this is one of the best coffee shops in Mexico City for a flat white, a creamy cappuccino, or a quick-ish espresso.
In addition to incredible cups of coffee, this is a wonderful place to head for a mid-morning pastry or a light lunch. All of the bread for their sandwiches is made fresh daily on sourdough and the toppings are as local as possible and organic whenever possible.
Since the pandemic, they have built a nice shaded area outside of the cafe with way more seating than they’ve ever had before. So you can come with a book or your friends (or your furry friends who are more than welcome here!) and sit for a while with food and delicious coffee.
Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday 7:30am-8pm, Sunday 8:30am-7pm
Delicious coffee can be found all over Mexico City.
16. Cicatriz
Cicatriz is a fantastic Mexico City cafe located in the Juarez neighborhood. It is at a square where you’ll find amazing hot chocolate at La Rifa, great brunch at Juana Juana, cute plants to buy at Querencia and of course, delicious coffee at Cicatriz.
The cafe is inside an old loft-style building so you can sit downstairs or upstairs in the loft. There is also seating outside if it’s a warm sunny day.
The coffee is strong and the service here is excellent. They have a huge selection of different brewing styles and you can have your coffee with breakfast, lunch, or decadent pastries. The food here is exceptional, albiet on the pricier side compared to other places to eat and drink on this list.
If you want great cafe vibes, but are in the mood for something a little bit stronger, they also have wine and beer as well as a few cocktails available.
Opening Hours:Daily 9am-11pm
John
Tuesday 27th of July 2021
How do you say/order pour over coffee in mexico, I don't mean an americano?
Laura Bronner
Wednesday 28th of July 2021
If they have it on the menu it will usually just say pour-over (in English). Sometimes the menu will say the type of pour over like Chemex or Kalita Wave or something. All of these cafes have English-speaking baristas as well who can help.