The Best Cafés and Coffeehouses in Calí, Colombia

Situated in the heart of the historical San Antonio neighborhood, this trendy vegetarian-friendly café is famous for its delicious artisanal ice creams. With a whopping 95 varieties on offer, some of which are vegan, there’s an helado for everyone at Lengua de Mariposa. As you would expect, their coffee is pretty damn good too.

Widely agreed to be the best bakery in town, the pastries in Zahavi are simply divine. From delectable desserts to delicious savory pies and first-rate coffee, Zahavi is the perfect pit stop for those yearning for a sweet afternoon treat. The company has two locations in the city, with the San Antonio branch being more convenient for tourists.

Colombia’s answer to Starbucks, the similar décor and menu items of Juan Valdez have allowed it to make serious inroads into the international market in recent years. There are some standout differences, however, which is that all the coffee served is proudly Colombian, incredibly tasty, and good value for money. Much like Starbucks, expect to see plenty of serious-looking creative types tapping away at their laptops for hours on end.

A favorite San Antonio hangout, this warm and cozy café is popular for its friendly service and hipster vibe. The staff go out of their way to help tourists navigate the extensive menu, while their on-site cinema is a hit with the creative types. But it’s the coffee that pulls in the crowds, said by some connoisseurs to be the best in the city (pro tip: try the coffee frappe with lemon).

Another popular spot in San Antonio, Tierradentro Café & Co gets a mention for its amazing terrace set among a lush garden that overlooks the city. During the afternoon, a cool breeze and chilled tunes make this the perfect spot to while away the time with a strong coffee or a cold beer in hand. Ambiance aside, the food is excellent too.

The ideal place for brunch, this upmarket café serves several varieties of delicious and generously-sized breakfasts which go down a treat after a long night of salsa clubbing. Set in a quaint colonial building in the historical San Antonio, Corinne are also known for their above average coffee and creative milkshakes.

Fancy trying Colombia’s other famous café-colored export? Then pay a visit to Chocolates Santa Teresa, the best artisanal chocolate café in town. With a huge range of mouthwatering desserts and succulent sweets on offer, Santa Teresa is heaven for the hungry sweet tooth. Whether you grab some to take away as gifts for the folks back home or just eat them all yourself on the spot, this place will not disappoint. As for the coffee, it should come as no surprise that the cappuccinos and mochas are the house specialty.