Exploring specialty coffee shops around the world is quite an exciting and rewarding experience, especially if you know the right places to visit.
That’s why I decided to share my experience and show you the best cafes in Cartagena, Colombia, that every coffee lover would love to stop by.
What are the best cafes in Cartagena?
Colombia is a country that’s actually the third in the world in coffee production.
There are many farms that have been growing coffee plants and processing high-quality beans for decades. So there’s no wonder why I’ve had some outstanding cups made with Colombian coffee beans even before visiting Colombia
Furthermore, popular coffee varieties, such as Castillo (highly valued in the specialty coffee world) have been developed by Colombia’s National Coffee Federation (Cenicafè). Therefore Colombia is one of the best countries a passionate coffee lover could visit.
In Cartagena, you can taste a variety of high-quality coffees with crisp acidity, fruity notes, and other pleasant flavors. Furthermore, since the coffee culture is so advanced in this city, you will get to learn a lot about different varieties, types of coffee beans, processing methods, and coffee-brewing practices from knowledgeable baristas.
These professionals will prepare and serve you a cup of coffee in a way that you’ve never had it prepared and served before.
By visiting the top cafès in Cartagena, you will dive deeper into the world of coffee and most likely turn your daily caffeine habit into a passion. As long as you have the desire to, of course.
Moreover, the coffee places I’ve cherry-picked for this list have great ambiance and an instagrammable interior that virtually any tourist would love to capture.
Furthermore, apart from having a cup of great coffee, in the Cartagena cafes that I’ve listed, you can also get breakfast or a delicious treat that will make your day even better.
So let’s dive in and see what are the top coffee shops in the spectacular city of Cartagena, Colombia.
1. Cafè San Alberto
Cafè San Alberto is undoubtedly my favorite cafe that I visited during my coffee trip in Colombia.
There you can have a variety of high-quality balanced coffees with fruity acidity and aromatic notes.
You can order a cup, prepared through various methods – espresso, Chemex, syphon, V60, cold brew, French press, etc.
There is a variety of iced and hot coffee drinks that you can choose from, as well as sweet treats that you can have alongside your beverage.
The baristas in Cafe San Alberto are very friendly, well-trained, and extremely knowledgable. They can tell you a lot about the coffee’s origin, characteristics, and brewing method while preparing your drink.
The coffee you will get served, or that you can buy packaged from Cafe San Alberto is produced at the Hacienda San Alberto (Buenavista, Quinido, Colombia). The hacienda is full of history and coffee tradition.
The owners and the workers there have put great care and love into the process of coffee production, harvesting, and processing. This is undoubtedly the reason why San Alberto coffee is one of the most award-winning coffees in Colombia.
There are two San Alberto locations in the old town of Cartagena, Colombia. The more spacious one is situated in Plaza Santo Domingo.
The smaller one is situated pretty near to the other San Alberto Cafè – on Calle de Los Santos de Piedra.
Both coffee shops have great interiors and helpful baristas behind the counter.
We actually ordered a carafe of Chemex coffee in the small San Alberto Cafè. The lovely barista Angelica made a great presentation on the brewing method and the characteristics of the coffee.
Furthermore, in Cafè San Alberto you can become part of some exciting events, such as their coffee cupping with rum pairing, or the innovative slow molecular cupping.
You can check out the website to book a slot for one of these experiences in advance, or talk to a barista at one of the shops and make a reservation.
All in all, Cafè San Alberto is undoubtedly one of the best coffee shops that you can visit in Cartagena, Colombia.
No matter if you’re a coffee connoisseur or an unpretentious habitual coffee drinker, you will enjoy the atmosphere and the experience you’ll get in this top cafe in Cartagena.
2. Cafe Juan Valdez
If you’re in Cartagena and you want to enjoy a flavorful Colombian coffee alongside a delicious breakfast in a nice atmosphere, visit one of the coffee shops of Cafe Juan Valdez. There are actually several locations of this international Colombian coffee chain in Cartagena.
Furthermore, Juan Valdez coffee shops can be found in various countries, including the US.
All cafes from the chain have nice coffee bars and friendly baristas working behind the counter.
There you can choose from a variety of hot and iced coffee drinks, as well as sweet treats and tasty and nutritious breakfasts.
In most locations, you can sit outside and enjoy the sun while having your morning cup.
On the contrary – if you want a calm place to cool down and have a break from Cartagena’s high temperatures and humidity, enjoy your coffee treat inside Juan Valdez’s cafe.
What’s also worth noting is that the prices there are quite affordable. Furthermore, you can buy a bag of Juan Valdez coffee for yourself or as a gift from your trip.
Related Post: Best Gifts for Coffee Lovers
In conclusion, we can’t leave Cafe Juan Valdez off the list of the best coffee shops to visit in Cartagena. You will definitely enjoy your visit there, so if there is one of these coffee shops nearby, don’t hesitate to stop by.
3. Abaco Libros y Cafe
Abaco Libros y Cafe is one of the best coffee shops in Cartagena, Colombia, because of its unique atmosphere, tasty coffee, delicious sweet treats, and friendly staff.
It is situated in the old walled city, and it’s a great place where you can choose from a variety of coffee drinks.
Furthermore, the Abaco cafe is also a bookshop, and its interior resembles a library.
The tall bookshelves create a unique ambiance that should be experienced. When it comes to the coffee they offer, it’s great, but I wouldn’t say it’s exceptional.
Nevertheless, because of the environment in the Abaco Libros y Cafe, you should undoubtedly visit it if you go to Cartagena.
Furthermore, you’ll be able to take some very creative photos there, which is something that many travelers are looking for.
Address:Cl. 36 #3-86, Cartagena de Indias, Provincia de Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia
4. Epoca Espresso Bar
Because of its cool interior, friendly staff, and outstanding coffee and food, Epoca is another one of the top cafes in Cartagena.
It’s located in the old city area (Calle de Arzopispado). The cafe is on two floors, and it’s spacious, with tall ceilings and wooden beams that create a great atmosphere. What’s most important – the coffee in Epoca is truly great.
You can choose from many coffee drinks and brewing methods, such as Chemex, French Press, and V60.
Furthermore, Epoca Espresso bar offers amazing coffee cocktails, that you’ve never tasted before, such as the peculiar coffee mojito. So if you’re a coffee enthusiast, there’s a lot to explore.
On top of that, the food in Epoca is presented beautifully, and most importantly – it’s extremely delicious and fresh.
There are a lot of food options on the menu – from waffles, toasts, croissants, and egg dishes, to salads, burgers, and bowls of nicely seasoned seafood with rice. To be honest, I would’ve tried them all if I could.
Epoca Espresso Bar is undoubtedly the best cafe in Cartagena, Colombia to have flavorful coffee and delicious breakfast, or enjoy a nice brunch in a great atmosphere.
Address:Calle de Arzopispado, Carrera 5 #34-52, Centro Historico, Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar, Colombia
5. Cafe Del Mural
Cafe Del Mural is one of the top cafes in Cartagena, Colombia, because of its unforgettable atmosphere, delicious coffee, and great service.
It’s located in the Gestemani neighborhood which is known for its vivid murals, street musicians, and artists who sell beautiful paintings.
With its nice music, bright colors, creative interior, and decorations, Cafe Del Mural matches the vibe of the Gestemani neighborhood perfectly.
To be fair, this coffee shop is actually a work of art on its own. And it’s not only because of its interior. There you can also learn a lot about coffee from David – the owner, who knows a lot about his craft.
In Cafe Del Mural you can have a cup, prepared through various coffee brewing methods, and enjoy a variety of drinks in a unique atmosphere.
Furthermore, you can buy high-quality coffee beans and enjoy their satisfying flavors back at home.
You can check out what Cafe del Mural looks like on Instagram by clicking here. You’ll see that even if you’re not a passionate coffee enthusiast, you will definitely appreciate this coffee shop for its outstanding and unmatchable ambiance.
Address:Cl. de San Juan # 25-60, Cartagena de Indias, Provincia de Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia
6. Specialty Coffee Shop Libertario
Cafe Libertario is another coffee shop in Cartagena that’s worth a visit.
It has a nice industrial-style interior that makes it a perfect place to capture some cool photos.
This cafe is ideal for those who want to have a delicious breakfast and enjoy a cup of coffee of high quality in a pleasant and calm coffee shop atmosphere. The environment in Libertario is also great for working.
There you can order many traditional espresso-based coffee drinks, as well as filter coffee, prepared through various filter methods.
The menu is pretty straightforward, which makes it easy for virtually anyone to choose the desired type of coffee beans and beverages. The food is also very delicious and fresh, so I recommend trying it out if you’ve got the time.
You can also buy packaged coffee from Libertario Coffee Shop and make an authentic Colombian gift to a loved one back at home.
Address:Cra. 10 #30-14, Cartagena de Indias, Provincia de Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia
7. La Manchuria
La Manchuria is another coffee shop in Cartagena, Colombia that’s worth a mention in my list of top cafes.
The baristas there are very experienced and can prepare an excellent cup that a true coffee aficionado would love.
In La Manchuria you can try different coffee varieties, see how they differ in flavor, and learn a lot about coffee from the professionals behind the counter.
There you’ll be able to explore the coffee, made through various brewing methods – espresso, Chemex, AeroPress, and more! The servings there are a bit more expensive – but don’t forget – high quality has its price, so for me, it was totally worth it.
In La Manchuria they also offer some sweet treats to have alongside your coffee beverage.
The ambiance inside this coffee shop is great. It has a nice interior and the overall vibe is quite pleasant, so virtually anyone would love having a cup in this Cartagenian cafe.
That, combined with the fact that you can have an amazing coffee experience in La Manchuria, makes it one of the best cafes in Cartagena, Colombia.
Address:Cra. 5 #35 – 81, Cartagena de Indias, Provincia de Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia