As coffee lovers, between us we have entered many coffee shops in Oaxaca. It is what inspired us to start Mapa Café - our combi café. For 1.5 years, we drove from Oaxaca City to Costa Rica (and back) in our 1975 VW Combi and went in search of the best coffee to sell on the road and bring back to Oaxaca.
Here, we share a selection of our favourite coffee shops that you must visit during your stay in Oaxaca City.
Mexico has three main coffee-producing regions – Veracruz, Chiapas and Oaxaca. Due to its location beneath Veracruz and alongside Chiapas with the Pacific Ocean brushing the Sierra del Sur, Oaxaca’s coffee farms sit at around 900 to 1,850 metres above sea level – usually, the higher the better for coffee production.
Coffee from both Chiapas and Oaxaca is referred to as ‘Altura’ – meaning high grown – and is regarded as being of exceptional quality, among the best in the Americas. With a wide range of coffee drinks offered at numerous coffee shops in Oaxaca City at affordable prices (an Americano averages 40 pesos / $2.30 USD), you have the opportunity to taste the diverse coffee beans produced in the region and from other areas of Mexico.
This coffee shop, just a few streets back from the Iglesia de Jalatlaco and only 5 minutes from ALDEA TUYA, is home to Eduardo whose kindness, passion and keen eye for detail shines through in everything he prepares. Behind the brew bar, you can order V60, Aeropress, Chemex and their homemade Cold Brew. Talk to Eduardo about any of these processes and he’ll open up a whole new world of coffee for you. You can even request to take a workshop to learn about each method in pristine detail and master the skill of latte art.
The coffee shop with the best view of Oaxaca
Set in the entrance of the elegant hotel, Casa Antonieta, this trendy coffee shop has an extensive menu along with some catchy tunes. Sit at their ‘brew bar’ for a V60 or Chemex or if you’re visiting later in the day, why not try one of their adventurous cocktails. The Carajillo Oaxaqueño is a muss-try!
At Muss Café, they source their 100% organic coffee from Finca las Nieves, located in San Juan Lachao, Oaxaca, close to the Pacific Coast. Bags of coffee beans are available to purchase, so you can try their shade-grown “altura” coffee at home.
Head up to the rooftop terrace, AMÁ, for a tranquil setting, an excellent wine list and fantastic sunset views of the city. You can also order from Muss and sit on the rooftop terrace.
One of the most impressive coffee shops in Oaxaca City is Cafébre. Its appearance is not like your everyday third-wave coffee shop, but once you get chatting with the baristas or see what coffee beans they have on offer, you’ll soon realise that they know what they’re talking about. When we ordered a Chemex, it came with a side of cacao nibs that were a certain % of cacao that complemented the flavours of the Chemex perfectly. Their Instagram page gives a detailed description of each roast, detailing each one’s flavour and aroma.
At Cafébre, they source their coffee beans from regions throughout Oaxaca, such as Mixteca Alta and Sierra Norte. Using computerised software, Cropster, Cafébre can measure exactly the roast they want for their coffee and replicate this for consistency. You will regularly see their staff being trained on new beans or techniques on their Instagram stories and they usually host coffee training events for those who have an interest in learning more. You can also take part in their regular coffee workshops about becoming a barista or coffee tasting and aromas.
They also have a small boutique cafe in Colonia Reforma for those who like to get out of the centre for their coffee fix, offering a different menu focusing more on waffles than bagels.
This coffee shop has one of the best locations in Oaxaca City. Situated on one of the most photographed streets of Oaxaca, El Volador is hard to miss and it’s perfect for a quick coffee fix. Café El Volador is best for a take-out americano to start the day with or spend a lazy sun-kissed afternoon outside by the Cruz de Piedra, listening to the practising music students from the school opposite or catch the start of a calenda.
You can also buy coffee beans produced in Oaxaca, Veracruz or Guerrero at around 80 pesos per 1/4 kilo and have them ground for you there and then. Or go off the barista’s advice and take the whole bean home and grind it freshly yourself.
Most aesthetically pleasing coffee shop in Oaxaca
Marito & Moglie is certainly one of the most aesthetically pleasing speciality coffee shops in Oaxaca City. Offering a selection of Oaxacan-produced coffee from regions reaching as high as 1850 metres above sea level, this Italian/Mexican couple take a more professional approach to maintaining a ‘coffee shop’ status in Oaxaca City. They are also involved in the roasting process of their beans each week, using roasters provided by their friends and fellow coffee lovers in Oaxaca.
“As you walk in, you are first greeted by a lovely curved bar that features a brew station with three Hario scales and Kalita drippers and a San Remo Zoe compact espresso machine. On the wall, you’ll find various books including James Hoffmann’s World Coffee Atlas and a seasonally changing menu of local and international single-origin coffees.”
– The Coffee Vine, Jan 2020
Not only do they serve outstanding coffee, but their food menu is exquisite and the duo are always experimenting with new additions, mainly inspired by Mediterranean cuisine.
This 100% Oaxacan coffee shop offers a variety of pour-over methods, which complement their lightly roasted beans and coffee that has subtle and acidic flavours. Ask for their different Oaxaca beans and they will be able to tell you more about the origin, wash process and producer. Their coffee skills also encompass coffee roasting and they have their tostaduría there on-site. Consistently praised for their attention to detail, excellent coffee experience and latte art skills, this discreet coffee shop close to Jardín Conzatti is certainly worth a visit.
During the British colonial rule in Kenya in the 1920s, Scott Laboratories, or Scott Labs (SL), was established as an agricultural research centre dedicated to improving farming practices. One of their primary focuses was coffee, an integral component of the Kenyan economy. Researchers at Scott Labs studied 42 different coffee trees, seeking to identify coffee varieties that offered long-term benefits like high yields and resistance to droughts and pests. SL28 was identified on a single tree in Tanzania and was not only resistant but also offered a desirable cup profile. This coffee variety has since spread to other coffee-growing origins, including Central America.
When brewed, SL28 often exhibits a bright and zesty acidity, a medium to full body and tasting notes that can range from fruity and floral to wine-like undertones. The unique flavour characteristics of SL28 are deeply influenced by the fertile soils and high altitudes of its growing regions. This combination of factors contributes to the coffee’s iconic taste, making it highly sought after by coffee enthusiasts around the world.
As one of the most sophisticated specialist coffee shops in Oaxaca City, they have a real focus on extraction methods and single-origin coffee. Their range of coffee beans pays homage to many communities of Oaxaca. Their knowledge of the origin of this coffee allows them to know exactly where each bean comes from, what variety it is, how it has been grown and how it has been processed. All of this influences the final result you taste in your cup.
“Making coffee is about experimenting – sometimes that ‘something new’ is a delicious recipe.” – Cafeto & Baristas
Visit their website for blogs about yearly harvests and the regions they source their coffee from. You can also buy beans from their online shop or if you’re in Oaxaca City. We highly recommend visiting this hole-in-the-wall cafe and chatting with the baristas to be showered with information about all things coffee.
Nestled amidst the vibrant coffee culture of Oaxaca, Nono Café stands out as a charming choice, strategically positioned just a block away from the historic Santo Domingo. Despite its cosy space, the extensive menu is a testament to the region’s coffee culture, featuring a remarkable variety of 100% Oaxacan extractions. Whether you’re a connoisseur seeking unique single-origin beans or a casual coffee lover looking for a delightful blend, Nono Café has something to offer for everyone.