The Best Cafes in Colombia's Coffee Region
Colombia is famous for producing some of the best coffee in the world, but until very recently it was hard to get a quality cup of coffee in most of Colombia as the majority of the good stuff gets exported. Colombian coffee culture has traditionally been limited to tinto – a sweet cup of cheap coffee favoured throughout the country – but now there are more and more cafes popping up serving world-class Colombian coffee. Here are the best cafes in Colombia’s coffee region.
1. Cafe La Floresta
Cafe, Tea Room, South American
This little independent cafe in the sleepy Quindio town of Pijao is the perfect cafe for coffee-lovers – owned and operated by a working coffee farmer and his wife, La Floresta only serves coffee grown on their own farm, located just a couple of kilometres away. They serve three distinct varieties of coffee in different filter methods – make sure to check out their award-winning espresso – as well as speciality teas made of coffee husks and fruits. The service is friendly and personal, the decor is simple and traditional, and the coffee might just be the best you will ever taste!
Carlos of La Floresta prepares a fresh coffee | © Chris Bell / The Culture Trip
2. MOCAFE
Cafe, Dessert
Filandia in Quindio is one of the most popular up-and-coming towns in the Coffee Region, and it’s only fitting that this delightful, traditional little town has a quality cafe to go with its newfound popularity. Enter MOCAFE, a lovely little spot just a couple of blocks from the main square. With great local coffee, as well as delicious cakes and desserts, MOCAFE should definitely be your first port of call for a coffee in Filandia.
3. Café Jesús Martín
Cafe, South American
One of the Coffee Region’s most enduringly popular cafes is located half a block from the main square of Salento, itself the area’s most tourist-friendly small town. With locally grown coffee, beautiful decor, and some of the tastiest cakes and pastries in the region, Cafe Jesus Martin is definitely a must-visit spot on any trip to Salento.
4. El Barista Slow Coffee
Cafe, South American
El Barista is definitely the best cafe in Pereira, the capital city of Risaralda department, and surely the place to visit if you are passing through the city and love quality coffee. In fact, El Barista was even voted the No. 1 cafe in the Coffee Region in 2017, so it might even be worth a special trip if you’re that passionate about coffee. With locally produced coffee from nearby Marsella, the quality and passion behind this cafe is what truly sets it apart.
5. Cafe San Alberto
Cafe, South American
Cafe San Alberto | © Chris Bell / The Culture Trip
6. Cafe La Vieja Escuela
Cafe, South American
One of the best cafes in the Coffee Region is located in the capital city of Caldas department, Manizales. Cafe La Vieja Escuela treats coffee as more than just a drink, but an experience as well – with their locally produced coffee, expert baristas, and variety of brewing methods, La Vieja Escuela is definitely an amazing coffee experience. Photography enthusiasts will go mad for their wall of vintage cameras as well!
7. Specialty Coffee Boutique
Cafe, Tea
Another of the best cafes in Manizales is the excellent Specialty Coffee Boutique, a chic, modern cafe specializing in only the very best of Colombian coffee. With expert baristas on hand to help you choose the best coffee for you, and who are always willing to explain the coffee brewing process in all its detail, this cafe is a must for anyone with a passion for quality coffee.
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