24 of The Best Coffee Spots in México City: A Café Lover's Guide to CDMX

Let this guide be your complete guide to the best coffee in Mexico City! I’ve compiled 24 of the best cafés you can’t leave Mexico City without visiting. Whether you’re searching for the best brunch or seeking the perfect barista coffee, this guide has it all.

What keeps México City, a city with over 21 million people, running? Coffee. And not just any coffee. México City is home to some of the best coffee you’ll find anywhere in the world. It makes sense that the coffee here is good. México is one of the world’s leading coffee producers, after all. From barista-style coffee to specialty cold brew, I’ve scoured the country’s capital to find its best coffee.

México City (Ciudad de México, commonly CDMX) has seen an influx of foreign tourists and remote workers, which has led to rapid gentrification. One of the many side effects of gentrification, or perhaps an indicator of it, is café culture that lends itself to trendy baked goods and minimalist café aesthetics. And, let’s be honest, most cafés that look “pretty’ often serve average coffee and less-than-average food. Not here! Each of the cafés listed in this guide, all of which I visited during my three weeks in México City, have exceedingly good coffee, and many have a food menu on par.

Read on to fill your México City itinerary with the best coffee and cafés CDMX has to offer.

about coffee in México ↴

While most people associate México with mariachi or mezcal, coffee is what springs to my mind almost immediately. Why? As a former barista-turned-coffee-obsessed-individual, I know that México is a leading coffee producer. It ranks 8th for coffee production globally, and also ranks as one of the world’s top producers of certified organic coffee. In terms of taste, Méxican coffee is typically light-bodied with subtle flavors. Master coffee farmers in México have been known to grow coffee with notes of vanilla, bergamot, and cinnamon. A large majority of the coffee grown in México is shade-grown Arabica.

Coffee was first introduced to México by European colonizers in the 1700s. Indigenous people were used as laborers for the coffee plantations. In the 1980s, coffee became the country’s main export, and thus the crop’s production spread rapidly across 16 Méxican states. Today, a bulk of the country’s coffee is grown in the south, particularly in Oaxaca, Chiapas, and Guerrero.

best coffee + cafés in Mexico City ↴

Panaderia Rosetta

Panaderia Rosetta may have earned its reputation thanks to its ricotta guava pastries, but it’s my top recommendation for coffee in CDMX thanks to its expert barista coffee. I had the best flat white of my entire life on the patio of Panaderia Rosetta; a big call for someone who is on a perpetual hunt for the best flat white. Luke devoured the chilaquiles, while I devoured the overnight baked oats. The service was spectacular, just as it was at its sister eatery, Restaurante Rosetta.

📍Colima 179, Roma Nte.

Forte

Forte was dangerously close to our Roma apartment. It quickly became my favorite stop on our morning walks around the neighborhood. They do gorgeous food here. People we met raved about the crispy wood-fired pizzas and exceedingly good brunch, but sadly we didn’t eat here. While I sipped on my coffee, however, we saw the kitchen bring out food to other customers, and if the look and smell of the food is anything to go by, you can count on me having a meal here next time. The coffee (and location) was so good, that I returned to Forte multiple times for a morning cortado. If you’re looking for coffee in Roma, put Forte on your list.

📍C. Querétaro 116, Roma Nte.

Blend Station

Remote workers and digital nomads flock to the reliable WiFi and potent coffee at Blend Station. You might immediately notice the aesthetics of the space. The café was designed by a professional styling team that meticulously selected every element of the space. Blend Station’s baristas describe themselves as “coffee geeks”, but it’s their wealth of knowledge about espresso which ensures every drink is flawless. The food menu here includes homemade bread, salads, and smoothie bowls, but we didn’t eat here. To be honest, the food looked good, but the prices were a bit steep compared to other cafés and restaurants we tried.

📍Multiple locations across CDMX

Chiquitito Café

Chiquitito is a little tiny place, fitting given its name. The baristas huddle behind the espresso machine and coffee counter, crafting drinks in rhythm with the café. Undoubtedly, this was the friendliest café I visited. Locals popped in and chatted with the baristas like old friends. The coffee here has its roots firmly in Mexico. From the beans to the roasters, everything I drank at Chiquitito was local to the region.

📍Multiple locations across CDMX

Cardinal Casa de Café

There are two drinks you must try at Cardinal: 1) the Voltaire and 2) their signature affogato. The first is essentially a cappuccino made with Oaxacan chocolate. It’s the perfect sweet drink for someone with a sweet tooth. Cardinal’s affogato is made with specialty marzipan ice cream. I tried the latter, and it was unexpectedly good. I’m not typically a fan of sugary coffee, but the affogato was perfectly balanced. Pair a pour-over with banana bread and you won’t be sorry.

📍Córdoba 132, Roma Nte.

Cucurucho Café

Inspired by Japanese design, Cucurucho Café manages to perfect two things: coffee and branding. Cucurucho’s space is clean and minimal, allowing the immaculate coffee that’s served here to be the star of the show. Every manual brewing method you can think of is offered here, from Moka-pot to Aeropress. I visited the Polanco location and broke the day’s heat with a delicious horchata espresso. It was creamy and bold, which was exactly how I’d hoped it would taste.

📍Multiple locations across CDMX

La Otilia

La Otilla is the only 100% gluten-free café and bakery in México (according to their website). I went to see if their gluten-free baked goods stood up against the many other bakeries Luke and I had tried in México City, and we were blown away by just how good the pastries here were. They definitely hold their own.

📍Jalapa 161A, Roma Nte.

Odette

Odette is a gorgeous little bakery in Condesa. There is limited alfresco seating, which frequently features well-behaved dogs sitting at the feet of their owners, waiting for crumbs to drop. I loved the white chocolate macadamia nut cookies, while Luke preferred the double chocolate. Both paired nicely with the oat milk flat white I had in the park. This is a gorgeous, casual spot with seating under the leaves of Condesa’s lined avenues.

📍Pl. Popocatépetl 35, Hipódromo

Lardo

Covered in ivy, Lardo would be easy to miss if not for the long line of hungry customers. It was possibly my favorite brunch spot of the trip. It would be my place of choice for a girls’ Sunday brunch. The café has an open kitchen so that diners can watch their food and drinks being prepared with care. The natural dim lighting and walls swathed in plants give the space a beautiful, relaxed atmosphere.

📍Agustín Melgar 6, Colonia Condesa

Lalo!

No list of México City cafés is complete without mentioning Lalo! Here, breakfast is served from 8 AM until 1 PM, so late risers can enjoy brunch. The patio seating is the perfect place for people-watching, and the inside was covered in funky murals. Lalo is where I’d head for a birthday brunch with friends. It just feels fun. Their menu features original takes on brunch classics. For instance, their buttermilk pancakes are drizzled with hazelnut butter and homemade maple syrup. I tried their French toast made of caramelized bread smothered with berries and topped with a dollop of whipped cream. The flat white I had at Lalo was one of the most memorable that I consumed, with smooth milk and strong espresso. Brunch here simply cannot be missed.

📍Zacatecas 173, Roma Nte.

Cafe Nin

Café Nin has perfected its atmosphere. Part coffee shop, part jazz club— the low mood lighting and exposed brick walls curate a unique ambiance. The café has a leafy outdoor area, ideal for enjoying the Méxican sunshine. The coffee pairs well with the sweet and savory food menu.

📍Havre 73, Juárez

Madre Café

Housed in an old colonial mansion, Madre Café is a stunning setting for brunch. The menu here is a mix of lavish salads, specialty sandwiches, and creative takes on classics. The red velvet hotcakes are pretty unbeatable, but more importantly, the coffee here is top-notch.

📍Cda. Orizaba 131, Roma Nte.

Farmacia Internacional

I’m convinced that some of the best coffee and brunch in México City can be found at Farmacia Internacional. I had coffee and breakfast at the Centro flagship location in a former pharmacy. Exposed brick walls, vintage porcelain dining ware, and — what’s not to love? The only downside to eating at Farmacia is deciding what to order. There are so many mouthwatering options. Luke took a risk ordering the “Egg in a Jar” which turned out to be a delicious poached egg in a jar topped with mashed potato and asparagus, served with a side of homemade sourdough. I had a cortado accompanied by avocado toast and a homemade Poptart.

📍Multiple locations across CDMX

Buna

BUNA is hands-down the best place to try Méxican coffee. The café serves locally sourced coffees grown throughout the different regions surrounding CDMX. The baristas and café staff here take great pride in their ability to speak knowledgeably about the coffee farming process and what differentiates the different roast varieties. BUNA sells beautiful bags of its coffee with Indigenous Nahuatl designs, which make gorgeous take-home souvenirs.

📍Cda. Orizaba 42, Roma Nte.

Bou

We walked right past Bou so many times before snagging the last open seat on our final day in México City. Like most coffee spots in Mexico City, there is limited outdoor and indoor seating. Bou does delicious brunch and pastries to accompany their barista coffee. I had a cortado while Luke munched on a cinnamon roll, and we both left feeling warm from the inside out.

📍Tonalá 110, Roma Nte.

Cumbé

Serving Australian barista coffee in an unassuming little corner of Roma is Cumbé. When I walked into Cumbé, the baristas behind the pastel pink counter walked me through the menu and coffee brewing methods. On a sunny, warm day, I can picture myself sitting on the sidewalk seats with a friend enjoying their spectacular flat whites. They offer alternative milks here, so vegans can enjoy Cumbé’s masterful espresso.

📍Monterrey 82, Roma Sur

ACRE Panaderia

Down a quiet street on the perimeter of Centro sits a tiny, unassuming coffee shop. A shiny silver espresso machine buzzes in front of a tiled wall, reminiscent of Portugal.

📍 Calle Marsella 31-Local A, Juárez

Café de Tacuba

Café de Tacuba feels like a time machine. It’s a traditional, hacienda-style café and restaurant located in the heart of Centro. It originally opened its doors in 1912, making it one of México City’s oldest eateries. Café de Tacuba is truly a piece of history. Housed in a former convent, it’s served food and coffee to the likes of Diego Rivera and Méxican presidents. The coffee here was the ideal addition to my traditional desayuno (breakfast).

📍C. de Tacuba 28, Centro Histórico de la Cdad. de México, Centro

Emme

As luck would have it, I strolled by Emme. I couldn’t resist the alfresco seating and ceramic mugs, so I stopped for a midday flat white. What a serendipitous decision! The espresso was earthy, with expertly steamed, smooth-like-paint milk.

📍Córdoba 128b, Roma Nte.

Mendl Delicatessen

Inspired by New York City’s classic delicatessens, Mendl is great for the basics. Think steamy filter coffee and toasted bagels. Of course, this is a list of the best coffee in México City, so most people reading aren’t looking for drip coffee. Lucky for them, Mendl Delicatessen also serves lattes, flat whites, cortados, and every other barista-style coffee one could hope for.

📍Citlaltépetl 9, Hipódromo

Enhorabuena Café

As a bonus, Enhorabuena Café is laptop-friendly, and the entire café layout is a dream for remote workers and digital nomads. The coffee here is top-notch, there is no shortage of power outlets, and the WiFi is reliable.

📍C. Atlixco 13, Colonia Condesa

Café Avellaneda

It’s almost a guarantee that Casa Azul (the Frida Kahlo Museum) will be on your México City itinerary. Once you’ve visited, head to nearby Café Avellaneda for some of the best cold brew you’ll ever taste. This café specializes in unique drinks that combine surprising flavors, not unlike a cocktail bar. I tried a quirky drink, made by combining espresso, tonic water, and pineapple juice. Trust me, the cold drinks here will convert even the most coffee-adverse.

📍Higuera 40-A, La Concepción, Coyoacán

other cafés in México City ↴

Consider these the honorable mentions of this blog post. These spots didn’t make it on my list of the best coffee because the coffee here was, well, just “okay.” The cafés themselves are definitely worth checking out but don’t expect mindblowing espresso here.

Cafebrería El Péndulo

This one is for the book lovers! Cafebrería El Péndulo has several locations throughout the city. Each one is filled floor-to-ceiling with books, both in Spanish and English languages. There is free WiFi, which is always a win if you have a bit of work to get done. Honestly, Cafebrería is primarily a photo spot, though I have heard that the dinner menu here is quite good.

📍Multiple locations across CDMX

Ojo Rojo Diner

More diner than café, this corner spot is just right for coffee and breakfast in the early morning. The breakfast here hits the spot and is more affordable than some of the other more trendy cafés on this list.

📍Av. Álvaro Obregón 04, Roma Nte.

where to stay in México City ↴

You might wonder why I’d add a “where to stay” section to a post about cafés. CDMX is a massive city that spans 573 square miles, and while getting around is relatively easy, every journey eats into time you could spend exploring. Many of the cafés listed above are in the Roma and Condesa neighborhoods, close to many of the city’s main attractions and landmarks.

La Valise Hotel (Roma) | Luxury hotel rooms with beds that roll out onto the balconies.
Condesa DF (Condesa) | A bohemian hotel located in one of Condesa’s neoclassical buildings.

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