So you haven’t totally warmed up to mate… or maybe you have, but there’s still a coffee-shaped hole in your addict’s heart. In Buenos Aires, sometimes it can be a challenge to find the perfectly-brewed cup o’ joe to help you start the day and get focused during class. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the best places in the city to recharge your caffeine batteries (and also to sit and study, get together with friends, people watch…). From Palermo to San Telmo to Microcentro, we’ve got you covered.
Lattente – Thames 1891, Palermo Soho // Costa Rica 4568, Palermo Soho (inside Librería del Fondo) // Plaza Italia subte station (on the D line)
(Picture reference: https://www.instagram.com/lattentecafe/)
One of the originals, Lattente is serious about coffee. They offer different specialty coffees every week and have the best rated espresso in the city (called a masterpiece by the Bubble). It’s a good place to go with a friend or a book, because…
Disclaimer: They encourage human interaction over workspace productivity – so… no wifi.
*They sell coffee to make at home.
LAB. Tostadores de café – Humboldt 1542, Palermo Hollywood
(Picture reference: https://www.instagram.com/labtostadores/)
Lab is the go-to coffee place in Palermo Hollywood. With nice music, comfy chairs in the back and plenty of outlets, it’s a good spot to get some work done. The Bubble names Lab as the best place in the city for iced coffee. Iced coffee is usually made by pouring an espresso shot over ice, but at Lab they make a “cold coffee infusion, which assures the intensity of the aromas and maintains the heavy bodied texture.” And this place is known wide and far for having the most delicious chocolate chip cookies around.
*They sell coffee to make at home.
Cuervo Café – El Salvador 4580, Palermo Soho
(Pictures reference: https://www.instagram.com/cuervocafe/)
Tucked in Palermo Soho’s heart, only a couple blocks away from Plaza Serrano, Cuervo Café is a must do in this neighborhood. The modern and cozy atmosphere has this “buena onda” that we talk so much, and if the inside space is full, the outside tables are the best place to sit and enjoy the people-watch, read a book, meet a friend and feel el fresco under the trees. The flat white with almond milk is probably the best flat white in town (a flat white, by the way, is 2 shots of espresso topped with a bit of foam for an intense, sharp coffee with lots of flavor).
*They sell coffee to make at home.
Full City Coffee House – Thames 1535, Palermo Soho
(Picture reference: https://www.instagram.com/fullcitycoffeehouse/)
A great cup of coffee and good seating, plus, if you’re interested, courses and workshops for anyone interested in learning how to do as the baristas do.
*They sell coffee to make at home.
All Saints – Ciudad de la Paz 2300, Belgrano
(Picture reference: https://www.instagram.com/allsaintscafe/)
The signature Belgrano coffee shop. We’ll let BsAs food blog Pick Up the Fork describe the All Saints experience: “Walking into this corner café was like stepping into US coffee shop Narnia closet.” Here you’ll get everything you need from a coffee shop – fast wifi, delicious coffee, a relaxing atmosphere and cozy furniture. They also have free weekly coffee tastings.
*They sell coffee to make en casa.
Coffee Town – San Telmo Mercado (Bolívar & Carlos Calvo), San Telmo // Libertad 1260, Recoleta
It ain’t cheap, but you’re paying for a view. Of what? Coffee Town is smack in the middle of San Telmo’s beautiful indoor market. Vaulted ceilings, the most gorgeous fruit & veggie stands around and bizarre antiques. Set up shop for a while, invite a friend and watch the people go by. Oh, and they certainly know how to do coffee.
*They sell coffee to make at home.
Barrio Cafetero – Florida 833, Microcentro // Reconquista 513, Microcentro // Fitz Roy 1612, Palermo Hollywood
Another great spot (spots*) in Microcentro to get your fix, Barrio Cafetero now also has a location in Palermo Hollywood. They serve delicious, strong organic coffee from Puerto Blest.
Café Negro – Suipacha 637 // Marcelo T. Alvear 790, Microcentro
(Picture reference: https://www.instagram.com/cafenegrook/)
My personal Microcentro favorite, Negro now has 2 locations in the area. Open only on weekdays, both are beautiful spaces with very accommodating employees and baristas. One exams week they made me extra espresso shots and wished me luck and wakefulness as I toiled over my essays. Did I mention they use organic beans? They also have great lunch promos.
Other “cafecitos” places to spend your pesos:
The Shelter – Arroyo 940, Microcentro
Santa Café – Moreno 818, Microcentro/San Telmo
La Unión Café – Esmeralda 266, Microcentro
Café Z – Bolívar 1422, San Telmo // Boulogne Sur Mer 999, Recoleta
Birkin Café – República Árabe Siria 3061, Palermo Botánico // Nicaragua 6025, Palermo Hollywood
Ninina – Gorriti 4738, Palermo Soho
Café Registrado – Costa Rica 5901, Palermo Hollywood // Perón 4211, Almagro
Vive Café – Costa Rica 5722, Palermo Hollywood
Morro Café – Echeverría 1677, Belgrano
References:
https://www.thebubble.com/bubbles-guide-getting-perfect-cup-coffee/
https://www.thebubble.com/buenos-aires-new-coffee-mecca-retiro-and-microcentro/
I Got 99 Problems But A Café Ain’t One: The Best Coffee in Buenos Aires
https://www.lanacion.com.ar/1969200-por-los-barrios-lugares-donde-vale-la-pena-probar-cafes-de-especialidad