The Best Cafés in and Around San Juan

Located at Recinto Sur Street in Old San Juan, Cuatro Sombras (‘four shadows’ in English) serves coffee which is harvested in the southern Puerto Rican town of Yauco, before then being processed through their on-site micro-roaster. In addition to visiting the bricks-and-mortar store in the historic San Juan district, it’s also possible to buy their coffee and coffee mugs on their online store.

Founded by Daniel Omar Torres and Grisel Leon in 1999, Gustos Coffee Co. has two standalone cafés, but that’s not all. They’re also coffee merchants, with a roastery and offer professional barista training. Their quality beans can be found in other coffee shops, bakeries, hotels, and restaurants. If you’d like to take some home yourself, look out for Gustos Premium and Casa Grande, available to buy in-store or online.

Visit Café Cola’o along the San Juan Bay and enjoy a cup of coffee with a beautiful view. This café specializes in Puerto Rican coffee and its founder, Erica Reyes, is the daughter of coffee growers. Courses are available for baristas, traders, and coffee aficionados, so make sure to sign up if interested.

Café Puerto Rico has a bar, lounge, and a terrace where you can enjoy a coffee or a bite to eat – items on the menu include soups, salads, and vegetarian dishes. Situated by the Plaza Colón in Old San Juan, its location is convenient for those who want to check out architectural landmarks like the San Juan Cathedral or El Morro Castle.

Located in Isla Verde, Carolina, close to San Juan, Bistro Café serves up ‘the best brunch in Puerto Rico’, with all-day breakfast and various types of coffee. Open since 2011, the café has predominantly positive reviews on their Facebook page and more than 20,000 likes.

Check out Café Don Ruiz inside of the historic Cuartel de Ballajá, an architectural landmark in Old San Juan which was once military barracks. The café is named after coffee grower Eugenio Ruiz, who was known as Don Ruiz. Menu items include pastries, breakfast and brunch food, as well as different types of coffees. It’s also possible to buy some of their products online.

Serving breakfast and brunch in Old San Juan, Caficultura is easy to find near the Plaza de Colón. Their Instagram account shows mouthwatering dishes served in a swoon-worthy setting, while their Facebook page gives more on their background.