The Best Coffee in Mexico City

Courtesy of Centro Cafe
Courtesy of Centro Cafe
Lauren Cocking

Most people forget that Mexico is known not just for its tequila and mezcal, but also for its coffee. Typically grown in the south, towards Chiapas, Oaxaca and Guerrero, not forgetting coastal Veracruz, local blend coffee is one of the many Mexican specialties you can’t leave the country without trying, so avoid the chain cafés and read our guide to these fantastic Mexico City coffee shops that will have you wondering why you ever went to Starbucks.

1. Café Passmar

Cafe, Coffee Shop, Mexican, Fast Food, Coffee, Tea

Coffee
© jen/Flickr
Café Passmar is situated in the center of a traditional Mexican market, but offers much more than the classic café de olla. Breaking away from the more commercially known and popular Mexican coffee beans of the east, Café Passmar instead uses Guerrero-grown beans, and this seems to work for them, as their coffee has won many competitions. So, after a hard day of shopping for chiles and mole, relax with an award-winning latte, complete with latte art.

2. Café Avellaneda

Cafe, Fast Food, Mexican, Coffee, Tea , Vegetarian

Frequently listed as one of Mexico City’s best coffee shops, and perhaps the best in the neighborhood of Coyoacán, Café Avellaneda is a tiny café offering coffees brewed in a variety of different ways, from French press to cold brew. If you’re looking for local Mexican beans, freshly roasted and brewed to your specifications, Café Avellaneda is the place get it. Not only that, the products used are obtained through social responsibility projects, which help to economically support their growers. Due to growing popularity, stick to midweek visits for the best experience.

3. Centro Café

Cafe, Fast Food, Mexican, Coffee, Tea

Café centro, Galveston 21
Courtesy of Centro Cafe

A quaint and pretty location to enjoy a delectable café de autor, Centro Café has outdoor seating where you can enjoy your coffee on those warm Mexico City afternoons. What really makes this place stand out however is the coffee education you get from the well-trained and knowledgeable baristas, who can talk you through the numerous press methods used here, including Japanese siphon and Aeropress.

4. Triana Café Gourmet

Cafe, Fast Food, Mexican, Coffee, Tea

Hierberia San Juan de Dios
© Gabriel Saldana/Flickr

Triana Café Gourmet is located in the famed Mercado de San Juan in Mexico City. Stop by for an award-winning cup of joe on your tour of the best coffee in town, making the choice between a dark roasted Italian bean and a home-grown Mexican favorite from Veracruz. Triana Café Gourmet is more of a pit-stop coffee rather than a while-away-the-afternoon kind of place. Knock back an espresso and marvel over the delightful latte art designs, then get on with exploring the rest of San Juan.

5. Rincón Libanés

Restaurant, Fast Food, Mexican, Lebanese

Owned by a Lebanese immigrant, El Rincón Libanés can be relied on for the best cup of Turkish coffee in the city, accompanied by a traditional Lebanese snack or cake. Located in Cuauhtemoc, this café is well worth the visit, offering something special when you scratch beneath the unassuming exterior. El Rincón Libanés does not have an extensive menu and several brewing methods, but it maintains a simple approach to coffee in a tranquil location that is often much needed in the hectic Mexican capital.

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