Caffeinate at Oaxaca’s Best Coffee Shops
Whether you grab-and-go or stay awhile, this list of Oaxaca coffee shops will surely keep you caffeinated (and caffeinated well!) during your trip to Oaxaca.
Oaxaca has coffee shops hiding in every corner and calle and each one has an atmosphere and vibe of its own. As a coffee-producing state, most of the cafes in town carry and brew with some of the highest quality Arabica beans from the Pluma Hidalgo region. Visiting all of Oaxaca’s cafes in one short stay is mission impossible, so here’s a list of some of the best Oaxaca coffee shops I’ve come across, plus a short description of each to peruse when that inevitable caffeine craving hits. Also of note, this is a small business and Oaxaca-only list, so you won’t find any international or national coffee chains listed here.
Open Daily 8:30am - 10:30pm
Boulenc. The mere mention of it makes my mouth water. My first week in Oaxaca, I went here twice for breakfast and even now make it a regular weekly occurrence, if not for one of their satisfying lattes to-go then for a brown bag of delicious baked goods to nibble on at home through the week. When I do dine in, you bet I’m ordering their english muffin egg sandwich, but the shakshuka is pretty tempting too…
207 Calle Porfirio Diaz, Centro - View on Map
Sunday to Wednesday 8am - 8pm; Thursday to Saturday 8am - 9pm
With plenty of tables and some of the best coffee in town, digital nomads that prefer the atmosphere of a coffee shop to get their work done will feel right at home at Cafébre. It’s also just a great spot to chill between bouts of wandering Centro as it’s located right off of the pedestrian-friendly Calle Macedonia Alcalá. Come for the coffee and a light bite or park it for a few hours guilt-free while working your way around their delicious menu of bagels, cheesecake, waffles, smoothies, and other mouthwatering fare.
108 Calle Manuel Bravo, Centro - View on Map
Monday to Saturday 7:30am - 10pm; Sunday 8:30am - 9pm
Cafe Brujula is a local chain with a social impact mission. In each of their five locations, find beans and brews sourced from fairly compensated local coffee producers and grown with conservation top of mind. Besides the coffee with a cause allure, Cafe Brujula is a great spot to set up with your computer for a few hours of work. My favorite locations are the two on Macedonia Alcala and the one up in Reforma on Porfirio Diaz (across from Starbucks).
Multiple Locations - View on Map
Open Daily 8am - 10pm
This convenient cafe, situated along the lively edges of the Plaza de los Virgenes, came to my attention by way of my Spanish teacher Chris Loftus. It’s where my thrice weekly Spanish classes take place under an umbrella in the cafe’s courtyard. As a frequent patron, I’ve had plenty of opportunity to work my way around their menu, but it’s their 30 peso latte that you’ll often find me sipping between my attempts at speaking tongue-twisting Spanish. My teacher highly recommends their guacamole-dressed tacos dorados should you need more than a caffeine fix.
115 Calle Labastida, Centro - View on Map
Monday to Friday 7am - 8pm; Saturday 8am - 8pm; Sunday 8am - 1pm
Located just across the street from the fountain and street art of Jardin Carbajal, Cafe Punto Paz is an inviting cafe any time of day. Like a hole in the wall, this tiny cafe has more going for it than you’d expect. Come for breakfast, a light bite, or fill up on their menu of paninis, smoothie bowls, waffles, and toast alongside a perfect pour of locally sourced coffee. The saying “good things come in small packages” rings true for this Oaxaca cafe.
802 Macedonia Alcalá, Centro - View on Map
Monday to Saturday 8am - 9pm; Sunday 11am - 7pm
I stumbled across this cozy cafe while on my way to the center from Reforma. With space for just three tables, you may find yourself ordering a cup of coffee to-go and then finding a bench at the nearby Jardin Conzatti. If your Spanish is up to par, ask what beans they’re currently carrying from the co-op they buy direct from, then order your Americano however you like it brewed - chemex, french press, aeropress, etc.
705C Reforma, Centro - View on Map
Monday to Saturday 8am - 6pm (Closed Sundays)
This charming little spot near Parque Juarez el Llano brews a mean cup of coffee, all of which is locally sourced from the coffee growers of Oaxaca’s Sierra Norte and Sierra Mixteca. You can taste the passion and respect they have for not only the bean but its journey to your cup at first sip. I also highly recommend adding one of their rich and gooey brownies to your order. They are to die for almost as much as the coffee.
407 B José Maria Pino Suárez, Centro - View on Map
Open Daily 8am - 9pm
Cafe El Volador is hidden gem. The cafe itself is no bigger than a walk-in closet, but that doesn’t seem to deter the steady stream of patrons that frequent and find a seat at one of their two or three fold-up chairs out front. The owner is from Veracruz and their coffee comes straight from his family’s farm. There’s usually a homemade cake or sweet treat available too, the perfect pairing for whatever caffeine beverage you might be sipping.
Félix Díaz 118 Esquina, Centro - View on Map
Open Daily 8:30am - 10pm
Tucked away on the second floor of Plaza San Jerónimo, many miss this Oaxaca coffee shop gem. The coffee’s great, but the ambiance is even better. Carnaby Street Coffee is where you go with a good book (or you can just borrow one from their bookshelf) when you need a break from the crowds down below on Macedonia Alcalá. Chances are you’ll only find locals in this cozy hideaway.
316 Macedonio Alcalá, Centro - View on Map
Monday to Saturday 8am - 8pm (Closed Sunday)
This is a spot I stumbled upon while roaming the streets of Jalatlaco one slow Saturday afternoon. From the curb, you’d never think such a tranquil patio lay inside or that such dessert ingenuity could exist on one cafe menu. Seriously, their dessert game is unrivaled. Be sure to bookmark this under-the-radar Oaxaca cafe for the next sunny day when you’re craving something sweet to go with your coffee fix.
Antequera 213, Jalatlaco - View on Map
Monday to Friday 8am - 8pm; Saturday & Sunday 8am - 7pm
Itta Cafe is an off-the-beaten-path coffee shop gem. Situated at the far end of Bustamante, their menu of frappes, coffee, cold drinks, crepes, sandwiches, and other local treats is well worth the 20-minute walk from the Zocalo. The atmosphere is warm, welcoming, and decked out in Mixtec-inspired art. Drink your coffee to views of the the picturesque Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de la Consolación staring back at you from across the street.
803 Bustamante, Centro - View on Map
Monday to Friday 8am - 4pm; Saturday 9am - 4 pm (Closed Sundays)
Marito&Moglie is one of the best third wave coffee shops in Oaxaca and beloved by digital nomads and coffee connoisseurs alike. Owned by a lovely Mexican/Italian couple, they bring their multi-cultural flare to their modern but inviting cafe space and coffee/brunch menu. The sunny terrace at the back is tastefully decorated with cacti, succulents, and textiles, making for an inspiring environment to get some work done or enjoy the expertly crafted pourover you’re sipping.
Miguel Hidalgo 1204, Centro - View on Map
Monday to Saturday 7:30am - 9:30pm; Sunday 8am - 3pm
Muss Cafe came highly recommended in the Expats Oaxaca Facebook group I belong to. After having spent an afternoon sipping one of their artfully prepared lattes and savoring every last bight of their chocolate chip banana bread, I couldn’t not add this coffee shop to the list. It’s situated inside of the beautiful Casa Antonieta in Centro, meaning you can enjoy your coffee inside the cafe or at a seat in the hotel’s inviting courtyard. All of their organic shade-grown coffee comes from the “magical cloud forest” of Finca Las Nieves.
911 Miguel Hidalgo, Centro - View on Map
Monday to Friday 9:30am - 8:30 pm (Closed weekends)
You can’t walk by Newbie Cafeteria without your eyes being drawn to its string lights and picnic tables sprawled across the sidewalk. It’s certainly one of Oaxaca’s most inviting little cafes. They typically have a few different promotions going at insanely low prices - things like a latte and two chocolate chip cookies for just 55 pesos. Newbie Cafeteria is a vibe you just have to experience at least once in Oaxaca.
C. de Los Libres 800, Centro - View on Map
Open Daily 8am - 10:30pm
It was a powdered sugar-dusted almond croissant that first lured me inside this hole-in-the-wall cafe, but it was the perfectly poured latte I ordered with it and the long menu of hot chocolate varieties (almond, cardamom, ginger, pistachio…) that made me a repeat customer. If there’s no seating inside, as the space is quite small, order your coffee, hot chocolate, or croissant to go and grab a seat on the steps of the Santo Domingo Church just across the street. Hot tip: If you can’t get a table here and the Oaxaca sun is a bit too hot for you, head over to their second location listed as Pozonque on Google Maps. Same great coffee and croissants in a beautiful courtyard garden atmosphere.
108 La Constitución, Centro - View on Map
Open Daily 9am - 7pm; Sundays until 5pm
Fashion, coffee, music, and design all come together under one roof at this unique coffee shop in Oaxaca. Technically part of Hotel Boutique PUGSEAL, Kiyo Cafe is a destination in and of itself with its eye-catching wall art behind the coffee bar and menu of not often seen beverages, like lavender espresso and salted mocha, and healthy international fare, like overnight oats, beat hummus, and egg sandwiches on sourdough with pickled eggplant. Come here for a coffee shop experience like no other in Oaxaca.
C. Porfirio Díaz 212, Centro - View on Map
Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm; Saturdays 8am - 4pm (Closed Sundays)
For coffee with a side of Oaxacan creativity, Sorbo Cafe y Textiles is the best coffee shop on this list for you. As you sip your cappuccino, admire the local art and textiles hanging from every wall and rack. On my first visit to Sorbo, I actually walked away with the embroidered piece pictured to the left. Scan the reviews on Google and you’ll only find happy customers raving about the quality of the coffee at Sorbo and the bright and art-filled environment you get to enjoy it in.
Colón 516, Centro - View on Map
Open Daily 8am - 9pm
Cafe Criollo is one of those spots you only discover if you go off-the-beaten-trail. That’s how I stumbled across it up in the neighborhood of Reforma, about a 30 minute walk from Centro. Their lush and shaded rooftop is an oasis, a spot I frequented often to a get a few hours of writing done while I lived in Oaxaca. It’s often filled with mostly locals, especially during the breakfast hour when their menu truly shines with a tempting combination of local dishes like molletes and chilaquiles as well as bacon-topped pancakes and french toast. By afternoon, Cafe Criollo tends to empty out most days, making for the perfect “office” for any digital nomads reading this.
C. Palmeras 609, Reforma - View on Map
Monday to Saturday 8am - 10pm (Closed Sundays)
LATTE•RAZA first drew me in with its pastry case visible from the sidewalk. I had my eyes set on their Flor de Frutos Rojos (pictured to the left). From there, I discovered the hidden terrace and excellent coffee that made it an easy decision to include it on this list of the best cafes in Oaxaca. Just like Cafe Criollo, it’s slightly off-the-beaten-path in the neighborhood of Reforma, but it’s well worth the walk. They also have a full menu so you can plan to brunch, lunch, or dinner at this rooftop cafe too or bring your computer to chip away at some work in a nice and quiet atmosphere.
Heroica Escuela Naval Militar 904, Reforma - View on Map
Monday to Wednesday 9:30am - 8pm; Thursday & Friday 8am - 8pm; Saturday 9:30am - 2pm (Closed Sundays)
Here is yet one more Oaxaca coffee shop up in the Reforma neighborhood. This often packed with locals cafe has great coffee served in beautiful blue ceramic mugs. When I checked it out for the first time, I was surprised to see something called a sweet potato latte on the menu. Though I didn’t get the chance to order it, I appreciated the outside-the-box thinking. Head here for coffee, a meal, or to get some work done as the wifi works great.
C. Palmeras 207, Reforma - View on Map
Caracol Púrpura had been on my list of Oaxaca coffee shops to try for a while. It wasn’t until almost a year into living in Oaxaca that I finally checked it out. Their breezy corner location in Centro, is great for people watching while you sip on their exceptional coffee toasted and roasted themselves or their cardamom-infused hot chocolate too. If you were looking for where to buy a bag of Oaxacan coffee to take home with you, this is a great option.
C. de Quetzalcóatl 301, Centro - View on Map
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