Medellin is Colombia’s second city, and home to a growing number of excellent bars, restaurants and, as befitting the region which produces some of the largest amounts of coffee in Colombia, cafés. From popular hipster coffee shops to unique charity cafés set up in the poorest neighbourhoods of the city, here are the best cafés in Medellin.
Probably the most famous café in Medellin, Pergamino is a fixture on the Colombian coffee scene thanks to its quality, locally grown coffee, excellent baristas, and relaxed atmosphere. Located in the heart of the backpacker-friendly neighbourhood of Poblado, Pergamino is arguably the best place in Medellin to grab a coffee, especially if you’re a certified coffee snob! With filter preparations such as Chemex and Aeropress, as well as beautifully packaged bags of coffee for you to take home as a souvenir, Pergamino should be your first stop for a cup of the good stuff in Medellin.
Located in the pleasant suburban neighbourhood of Laureles, Revolucion is another café with a strong reputation for top-quality coffee served by knowledgeable baristas in a lovely setting. Like Pergamino, Revolucion is a pioneer of speciality coffee in Medellin, and the combination of world-class beans and high-speed WiFi has made this café a particular favourite for Medellin’s burgeoning digital nomad scene. It’s a bit on the small side, but the coffee – as well as delicious paninis and smoothies – more than makes up for the slightly cramped surroundings.
Café Aroma de Barrio is a neighbourhood café with a twist: this recently opened little coffee shop lies in Medellin’s Comuna 13 neighbourhood, formerly one of the city’s most dangerous areas. With a strong focus on art, culture, and entrepreneurial spirit, the owners of the café are determined to bring something new and exciting to their neighbourhood. And the coffee is excellent too!
Enjoying a coffee and a chat at Cafe Ondas | Courtesy of Ondas Medellin
Located in the lesser-known neighbourhood of Floresta, Ondas is a lovely little café that lies on a leafy avenue, with a popular hostel situated on the floors above. With good outdoor seating, excellent local coffee and cakes, as well as a favourite weekly conversation club for foreigners and locals, Ondas is one of the best places in Medellin to relax or work with a good coffee in a pleasant atmosphere.
Algarabia sits in the Laureles neighbourhood and easily serves some of the best coffee in the city. The place may be small, but the coffee is outstanding and would surely challenge for the title of ‘best coffee served in Medellin’. With filter methods like V60, Chemex, and French Press available, as well as some delicious locally grown coffees, Algarabia should be one of the first stops for real coffee lovers in Medellin.
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Amazing coffee in Medellin | Courtesy of Ondas Medellin
A local coffee chain in the Poblado neighbourhood, Al Alma Coffee Roasters can count on three distinct locations in the popular traveller neighbourhood: two locations going by the name ‘Tomasa y Al Alma’ in the La Strada and Provenza neighbourhoods, and Cafe Al Alma in Patio Bonito. With an excellent selection of pastries and baked goods, delicious breakfasts and lunches, as well a lovely local coffee prepared in a variety of ways, Al Alma is another top choice for anyone with time to linger and enjoy great food and even better coffee.
Another excellent café in Laureles, Café Zeppelin has a delightfully relaxed and unique atmosphere and décor. Stuffed full of antique furniture and decorative pieces from all over the world, it’s a great place to hang out with friends or bring a date. The locally produced coffee is also top-notch, as are the sandwiches and tasty desserts.
