The Top 10 Cafés & Coffee in Mexico City

One of Mexico City's most respected specialty coffee bars, Buna sources and roasts its own beans with a serious focus on Mexican and Latin American origins. The pour-over program is exceptional and the baristas are knowledgeable without being pretentious. Seating is limited so it's better for a focused coffee stop than a long work session.

A true Mexico City legend operating since 1953, El Jarocho is an open-air street-side café serving traditional café de olla and espresso drinks to a constant stream of locals day and night. The experience is entirely unpretentious — you order at the window, grab your cup, and stand on the sidewalk. There's no seating and no Wi-Fi, and that's entirely the point.

Céfiro is a beautifully designed specialty café inside a restored historic building in the Centro, making it one of the best reasons to linger in the neighborhood. The coffee is sourced from small Mexican producers and the food menu — including excellent toasts and seasonal dishes — is thoughtfully curated. It's a rare combination of great coffee and genuine architectural beauty, though it can get busy with tourists.

A beloved three-floor bookstore café in Roma Nte. where you can browse curated books, work on your laptop, and eat well-prepared Mexican comfort food. Try the chilaquiles con arrechera, huevos à la Mexicana, buttered biscuits with guava, or the chamoyada de mango. One caveat: orders can occasionally come out mixed up, though staff corrects them quickly.

A beloved breakfast and brunch spot in Centro Histórico serving authentic Mexican comfort food with excellent execution. Must-tries include huevos molcajeteados with smoky salsa, chilaquiles verdes, and cheese pastries with café con leche. Expect a long wait during peak hours, though counter seating moves faster than table service.

A beloved institution in the heart of Coyoacán, Café Avellaneda is a small-batch roaster and café that has been championing Mexican specialty coffee for years. Their café de olla and single-origin drip coffees are outstanding, and the prices are remarkably fair. The space is tiny and there's often a line, but it moves quickly.

An 80+ year-old coffee roaster in Centro that blends and grinds beans fresh while you wait. The staff are knowledgeable and helpful, prices are fair for the quality, and they'll custom-blend for your brewing method—but note it's cash only. There's a separate café a few doors down if you want to drink coffee on-site.

A specialty coffee roastery and café hidden behind an unmarked black door in a repurposed factory complex in Doctores. Order their pour-over coffee (filtrado) experience in El Cafetal, or grab excellent pastries and pan dulce from the adjacent bakery. Service can be inconsistent—one reviewer reported a rude server, so experiences vary despite the generally stellar reputation.

Elena Reygadas's tiny Roma Norte bakery, famous for guava-and-ricotta rolls and arguably the city's best concha. Open early to late daily at Colima 179. The pastries deserve the hype; the line and the near-total lack of seating are the honest catch — most people take theirs to a nearby park.

A thoughtfully designed specialty coffee roastery in Roma Sur with exceptional matcha, carefully sourced coffee, and fresh pastries. The small space fills up quickly despite its charm, so arrive early or expect a wait during peak hours. Staff are genuinely attentive even when busy, and the lush plant-filled interior with warm colors makes it worth lingering over a drink.

A small, stylish espresso bar in Colonia Juárez with mid-century and art deco design that transforms by time of day—calm and local in the morning, cocktail-focused at night. Order their excellent coffee, house iced tea, or pastries. Service can be slow, so patience is needed during busier times.

A scrappy, community-rooted specialty café in the working-class neighborhood of Doctores, Boicot is beloved for its commitment to fair-trade Mexican beans and its genuinely welcoming atmosphere that feels nothing like the polished cafés of Roma or Condesa. The coffee is excellent and the prices are some of the most honest in the city. The neighborhood requires a bit of navigation but the experience is entirely worth it for curious visitors.

A sleek, light-filled all-day café beloved by the creative class of Colonia Juárez, serving excellent single-origin espresso drinks alongside a thoughtful menu of toasts, eggs, and pastries. The cortado and the avocado toast with everything-bagel seasoning are perennial favorites. It gets genuinely packed on weekend mornings, so arrive early or expect a wait.

A charming, well-established café in Centro Histórico serving traditional Mexican fare at budget-friendly prices. Order the hígado con cebollas or enjoy their comforting soups and mains—portions are generous. The main caveat: portions are quite large, so come hungry or be prepared for leftovers.

A small, specialty coffee shop in Roma Norte focused on high-quality Mexican single-origin beans and skilled espresso work. Order the filter coffees (Bourbon from Michoacán and Geisha from Veracruz are standouts), espresso drinks, or pour-overs—the baristas know their craft. The main caveat: it's tiny, so seating can be hard to come by during busy times.

A specialty coffee roastery and café in Condesa with house-roasted beans, fresh pastries, and sandwiches made on quality focaccia. Get the focaccia sandwiches, matcha lattes, espresso chai, or pastries—all consistently praised. One note: coffee quality can be inconsistent between drinks, so results vary.

A charming specialty coffee cafe in San Rafael with Japanese-inspired aesthetics, excellent espresso drinks, and thoughtfully made sandwiches and pastries. Order the jam sandwich with guava and ham, the ham ciabatta, or crepe cake alongside a cortado or chai latte. Note that alternative milk options are limited—oat milk isn't available, though lactose-free is offered.

A standout specialty coffee bar in Hipódromo that opens early and does experimental coffee exceptionally well—their café de olla latte is particularly praised. Order the coffee with a croissant or their Hot Cakes, and expect friendly, fast service. The interior is minimal and simple, so come for the coffee and food rather than elaborate ambiance.

A specialty coffee café in Condesa that takes pour-over brewing seriously—V60s and Chemex prepared with care, one cup at a time. Get the exceptional coffee (try 'el perfume'), bagels con jamón y queso, or waffles; the pastries and cold brew are solid too. One reviewer noted a latte that seemed off, so quality can occasionally vary.

A multi-level café in Centro Histórico serving excellent coffee, Mexican regional dishes, and cocktails with genuinely warm service. Order the Huevos Divorciados or pastries, and don't miss exploring the upper floors—the third floor has a handful of tables overlooking the street with views that justify the climb. The ground floor can feel cramped and touristy, so arrive early or head upstairs for a quieter experience.