Mexico City's coffee shops range in price, but Almanegra, celebrated for locally sourced beans, is a top recommendation for coffee aficionados. This guide, based on extensive Reddit research, highlights cafes favored by both locals and seasoned coffee travelers, showcasing the city's underrated coffee culture.
Mexico City's coffee shops offer a range of experiences, with prices varying by location, but Almanegra, known for its locally sourced beans, is a top recommendation. This guide, based on Reddit research, highlights cafes favored by both locals and seasoned coffee travelers, showcasing the city's underrated coffee culture.
Mexico City's coffee shops range in price depending on the location, with Almanegra, known for its locally sourced beans, being a top recommendation. This guide, based on extensive Reddit research, highlights cafes favored by both locals and seasoned coffee travelers, showcasing the city's underrated coffee culture.
Mexico City's coffee shops offer a range of experiences, with prices varying by location; Almanegra, known for its locally sourced beans, is a top recommendation. This guide, based on Reddit research, highlights cafes favored by both locals and seasoned coffee travelers, showcasing the city's underrated coffee culture.
Mexico City's coffee scene rivals top global destinations, with prices varying by shop, and Almanegra is a top recommendation due to its locally sourced beans and unique brewing methods. This guide, based on Reddit research, highlights cafes favored by both locals and seasoned coffee travelers, showcasing the city's underrated coffee culture.
Mexico City boasts a vibrant coffee scene, rivaling Portland, Melbourne, and Tokyo, with prices varying by shop; Almanegra is a top recommendation due to its locally sourced beans and unique brewing methods. This guide, based on extensive Reddit research, highlights cafes favored by both locals and seasoned coffee travelers.
Mexico City might be the most underrated coffee capital in the world. Redditors who've been to Portland, Melbourne, and Tokyo say CDMX rivals them all, with one crucial advantage: Mexico
grows
the coffee.
We analyzed
8+ Reddit threads and 150+ comments
to find the shops that
actual CDMX residents and experienced coffee travelers
recommend repeatedly.
What to order:
Almanegra, a must-visit coffee destination, is known for its Reddit-rated 4.8/5 cortado and natural process batch brew from Guerrero. The fruity, fermented, wine-like flavors define CDMX specialty coffee here. Don't forget to grab a bag of beans to take home.
"Almanegra is consistently the best coffee I’ve had in Mexico City. Their natural process coffees from Guerrero are on another level — fruity, complex, and unlike anything I’ve had elsewhere."
— r/Coffee · 206 upvotes ·
source
"Go to Almanegra. Best light roast natural process in the city, hands down."
— r/MexicoCity · 48 upvotes ·
source
tabiji verdict:
The undisputed Reddit champion of CDMX coffee. If you only visit one coffee shop, make it this one. Their natural process beans from Guerrero are genuinely world-class.
What to order:
Quentin Café is celebrated for its pourover featuring Veracruz natural beans, dubbed a 'blueberry bomb' by Redditors and rated 4.8/5. Complement your coffee with their exceptional croissants and pastries.
"Quentin’s blueberry bomb natural pourover was one of the best cups of coffee I’ve ever had. Period. And the pastries are incredible."
— r/Coffee · 206 upvotes ·
source
"Quentin Café is amazing. Great pastries, excellent pourovers, and multiple locations."
— r/MexicoCity ·
source
tabiji verdict:
The best all-rounder in CDMX. Whether you want a killer pourover, a perfect cortado, or an exceptional croissant, Quentin delivers consistently.
What to order:
Café Avellaneda is recommended for its single-origin espresso drinks. Ask the barista for their current single origin selection. Enhance your experience by combining your visit with Coyoacán’s cobblestone streets and the Frida Kahlo Museum.
"Café Avellaneda is the best. Full stop. It’s in Coyoacán which is worth visiting anyway, and their coffee is on a completely different level."
— r/MexicoCity · 48 upvotes ·
source
"Avellaneda was a pioneer of specialty coffee in Mexico City. They’ve been doing it longer than most and the consistency shows."
— r/Coffee · 206 upvotes ·
source
tabiji verdict:
The OG of CDMX specialty coffee. Avellaneda pioneered the scene before Roma was even on the map. The Coyoacán location adds magic. Worth the trip.
What to order:
Blend Station allows you to choose your brew method (V60, AeroPress) and a single origin. If available, try the wine barrel-aged coffee. The chilaquiles are also legendary.
"Blend Station has an incredible bean selection and you get to choose your brew method. Plus their chilaquiles are killer."
— r/MexicoCity ·
source
"The wine barrel-aged coffee at Blend Station is one of the most interesting things I’ve tried in CDMX."
— r/Coffee · 206 upvotes ·
source
tabiji verdict:
The coffee nerd’s playground. Choose your beans, choose your brew method. Fantastic brunch and laptop-friendly.
What to order:
Buna is known for its excellent cortado (4.5/5). While there, ask about roastery tours. Consider trying the lion's mane mushroom infusion.
"Buna is fantastic. The owner gives roastery tours and is incredibly knowledgeable about Veracruz coffee."
— r/Coffee · 206 upvotes ·
source
"If you want to understand Mexican coffee production, go to Buna."
— r/pourover ·
source
tabiji verdict:
More than just a café, Buna is a window into Mexican coffee culture. Educational tours, great coffee.
What to order:
Drip is praised for its pourover (4.3/5) with a Veracruz natural, noted for 'boozy fermentation notes,' and its excellent cortado (4.5/5). Both are highly recommended.
"Drip has some of the most interesting Veracruz naturals. The boozy fermentation notes are incredible."
— r/Coffee · 206 upvotes ·
source
"Drip is a must if you're into natural process and experimental fermentation."
— r/pourover ·
source
tabiji verdict:
Where coffee meets wine territory. Drip’s Veracruz naturals have those fruity, fermented flavors that adventurous drinkers crave.
What to order:
Cardinal is a great spot for a cortado, especially late evening, and their pourovers are consistently solid. Note that there are multiple locations in Roma.
"Cardinal is great for late-night coffee. One of the OG specialty shops in CDMX."
— r/MexicoCity ·
source
"If you need a good cortado at 9pm in Roma, Cardinal is your spot."
— r/cafe ·
source
tabiji verdict:
CDMX’s late-night coffee institution. While others close at 7pm, Cardinal keeps pouring quality cortados. Always solid.
What to order:
Café Passmar is known for its excellent espresso drinks, a surprising find in a humble market setting. Inquire about their barista courses.
"Café Passmar is hidden inside a market and runs its own barista school. Excellent and feels like a real local find."
— r/MexicoCity ·
source
"Passmar is legit. Inside a market, barista school attached, and the coffee punches way above its weight."
— r/Coffee · 206 upvotes ·
source
tabiji verdict:
The hidden gem of this list. Tucked inside a market with zero tourist pretense, Passmar combines a working barista school with genuinely excellent, budget-friendly coffee.
What to order:
Tormenta is known for its cortado (rated 4.7/5). Don't let the taco-cart aesthetic fool you; it's made with a hand grinder and serious craft.
"Tormenta blew my mind. It’s literally a food cart with a hand grinder and the cortado was 4.7/5. How does this exist?"
— r/Coffee · 206 upvotes ·
source
"Don’t sleep on Tormenta. It looks like a taco stand but the coffee is insanely good."
— r/pourover ·
source
tabiji verdict:
The biggest surprise. A food cart with a hand grinder producing 4.7/5 cortados? That’s CDMX coffee culture in a nutshell.
What to order:
Memorias Café is recommended for its milk cortado (4.3/5) or the carbonic maceration pourover, offering a complex, fruit-forward flavor. Both are excellent choices.
"Memorias has the perfect milk cortado. And their carbonic maceration pourovers are next level."
— r/Coffee · 206 upvotes ·
source
"If you’re into experimental processing methods, Memorias is the spot."
— r/pourover ·
source
tabiji verdict:
For the coffee geeks who want to taste the future. Carbonic maceration, borrowed from winemaking, is an exciting trend, and Memorias does it beautifully.
What to order:
La Esencial is known for its espresso-based drinks. Located away from the tourist zone, you'll be surrounded by locals.
"La Esencial is a local favorite away from the tourist zones. If you want to see where actual Mexico City residents go for coffee, this is it."
— r/MexicoCity · 48 upvotes ·
source
"Great spot if you want to get out of Roma and experience a different side of CDMX coffee culture."
— r/MexicoCity ·
source
tabiji verdict:
The antidote to Roma coffee tourism. Sits in a residential neighborhood where the clientele is 100% Mexican coffee lovers.
What to order:
Café Reevolución is a great spot for a cortado or pourover while browsing the bookshop. Time your visit with the Bazar del Sabado (Saturday artisan market).
"Cafe Reevolucion in San Angel is a great recommendation if you want quality coffee outside the Roma bubble."
— r/MexicoCity ·
source
tabiji verdict:
Coffee + books + San Angel = a perfect CDMX morning. Combines a curated bookshop with quality specialty coffee.
What to order:
Cucurucho's signature drink is the flat white. With multiple locations, it's a popular spot, though opinions vary on Reddit, so form your own.
"Cucurucho does a great flat white. Multiple locations which is convenient."
— r/MexicoCity ·
source
"I know Cucurucho is divisive but their flat white is genuinely good."
— r/cafe ·
source
tabiji verdict:
The polarizing pick. The flat white is objectively good and locations are convenient, but some feel it lacks soul.
What to order:
Pizca de Sal is an off-the-beaten-path gem where locals go, serving espresso drinks paired with fresh-baked pastries. It's a local favorite.
"Pizca de Sal in Insurgentes Mixcoac is a local favorite. Great coffee, amazing baked goods, and absolutely no tourists."
— r/MexicoCity · 48 upvotes ·
source
tabiji verdict:
The neighborhood bakery-café every city needs. Perfect for travelers who want to see the CDMX that residents actually live in.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best coffee shop in Mexico City?
Based on Reddit consensus, Almanegra is the most frequently recommended. Their natural process coffees from Guerrero are considered some of the best in the city. Café Avellaneda and Quentin Café are also consistently called 'the best'.
How much does specialty coffee cost in Mexico City?
A cortado or espresso drink typically costs $50–$80 MXN ($3–$5 USD). Pourovers range from $60–$120 MXN ($3.50–$7 USD). CDMX is significantly cheaper than the US or Europe for world-class quality.
What makes Mexico City's coffee scene special?
Mexico is unique as both a major coffee-producing country AND home to a thriving specialty coffee culture. Shops source directly from farms in Chiapas, Oaxaca, Veracruz, and Guerrero, meaning incredibly fresh beans and unique single-origin offerings.
Which neighborhood has the best coffee in Mexico City?
Roma Norte is the undisputed coffee hub. For a less touristy experience, venture to Coyoacán (Café Avellaneda), San Ángel (Café Reevolución), or Barranca del Muerto (La Esencial).
What should I order at a Mexico City coffee shop?
Start with a cortado. For enthusiasts, order a pourover with a natural process single origin from Veracruz or Guerrero. Many shops also offer unique options like wine barrel-aged coffee (Blend Station) or carbonic maceration (Memorias Café).
What time do coffee shops open in Mexico City?
Most open between 7:30 AM and 9:00 AM. Many stay open until 7–9 PM, and some (like Cardinal) are known for late-night hours, catering to CDMX's late-night cortado culture.