One thing Cartagena does well is coffee. Leave Starbucks behind as a distant memory, as Cartagena is positively teeming with independent coffee shops. Here, you can find some of the best quality Colombian coffee beans that you will have ever tried. Join us as we show you some of the best coffee shops in Cartagena, Colombia.
Despite being far from Colombia’s famous “coffee triangle” (the “Goldilocks” zone for coffee growing in Colombia based around Manizales, Pereira, and Armenia), coffee culture in Cartagena is huge. In fact, aside from renting a boat and visiting the nearby islands or sipping cocktails on a rooftop terrace, grabbing coffee and brunch has to be one of our favorite activities to do in Cartagena.
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Best coffee in Getsemani, Cartagena
Getsemani is a Colonial neighborhood in Cartagena that packs a punch. Super stylish, rustic, and bursting with hidden gems, it’s easy to spend hours wandering its graffiti-decorated streets. We like to think of Getsemani as the cooler younger sister of the more sophisticated Walled City area. There are plenty of incredible coffee shops dotted around its colorful streets. Here are some of our favorites:
Libertario Coffee Roasters
Libertario arguably serves some of the best coffee in Cartagena. It is located conveniently on a street corner on Calle Media Luna, in the bohemian neighborhood of Getsemani. Libertario even has a little coffee window to get your caffeine fix to go. But it’s definitely worth a visit inside, as the space, albeit small, is perfectly set up for grabbing a quick coffee with a friend or catching up on some emails at the coworking table. Libertario offers a coffee-tasting experience featuring their three main blends. They can prepare your coffee using French Press, V60, or Chemex methods. Each method highlights the sweet, fruity, and nutty flavors of their blends.
What makes Libertario special:
This independent coffee chain can also be found in Costa Rica and Mexico. They promote sustainable and environmentally-focused coffee culture. Libertario donates 3% of their profits to regenerative agriculture that restores biodiversity, and healthy soils, and supports local farmers. Beyond their mission, they brew an exceptional cup of coffee. Their two main blends—Paz (Peace) and Libre (Free)—are perfectly balanced and naturally sweet. We highly recommend taking home a bag of each of the best coffee in Cartagena!
Café del Mural
Café del Mural, hidden down a quaint Colonial Getsemani street past a makeshift art gallery, offers a rustic and authentic coffee experience. This coffee shop predates Cartagena’s gentrification boom. It opens from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., making it perfect for an afternoon pick-me-up. The owner, David Arzayus, is an engineer-turned-coffee master from a long line of coffee growers. David uses scientific equipment uncommon to everyday baristas, like a laser thermometer and steam cleaner, to push the limits of coffee making. His creativity will amaze you.
What makes Café del Mural special:
The team at Café del Mural will make you see coffee in a different light. They will ask if you like your coffee hot or cold, sweet or nutty, black or milky. They know exactly how to make the perfect cup of coffee for you. You will stop seeing your morning coffee as a necessary caffeine hit, and start to notice and truly savor the flavors. Furthermore, the café also owns a coffee farm in the mountains of Minca, ensuring their coffee is fresh and fairly traded. Café del Mural blends science, art, and gastronomy, thus earning its reputation as one of the best and most renowned coffee shops in Cartagena.
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Best coffee in Centro/ Walled City of Cartagena, Colombia
Wandering the flower-lined, cobblestone streets of Cartagena is a dream come true for many. However, with so much on offer, and an incredible nightlife too, wandering Cartagena can often leave tourists exhausted and craving a caffeine fix. So, drop in to one of our recommended places, and cool down with an iced coffee, or acclimatize yourself Colombian-style with a hot tinto.
Epoca Espresso Bar
You may see long queues of brunch-hungry tourists outside Epoca on a Saturday morning. However, they are queuing for good reason. Epoca is a bucket-list place for many tourists on their trip to Cartagena. The 1940s Parisian-style decor downstairs and the stylish velvet booths upstairs give Epoca a super unique vibe that’s difficult to match. Epoca offers coffee-tasting experiences, or if you’re feeling extra adventurous, coffee and rum tastings. This is a truly Colombian experience that you can’t turn down. Epoca Espresso Bar can be found in Cartagena, Barranquilla, and Medellin, so you can get your coffee fix even when you’re travelling around Colombia. Make sure to arrive early, so you can beat the hungover brunch crowd.
What makes Epoca special:
The coffee beans at Epoca are locally sourced, fairtrade, and of the very best quality. The owners are passionate about coffee, and it shows. The baristas are skilled, and you might even get some cute latte art on your brew! The food is also incredible for brunch and ranges from simple (cheesy arepas and bread baskets) to boujee (Shakshuka eggs and spicy chicken waffles are a can’t-miss!). Their cold brew is incredible and will knock your socks off – in the best way possible.
Café San Alberto Coffee Experience
Café San Alberto sells award-winning coffee. In fact, according to their website, they are the most awarded coffee in Colombia. They have a long history of coffee that dates back to 1972. They source all of their coffee from a small town in Quindio, in the coffee region of Colombia. Coffee is a religion for the team at Café San Alberto, and they even refer to their coffee shops as “templos” – temples. You can do a “bautizo de café”, or coffee baptism. Sign us up, as we definitely worship at the church of caffeine!
What makes Café San Alberto special:
Café San Alberto is steeped in history. They are passionate about offering the best quality Colombian coffee, from bean to cup. You can book their “baptisms” or coffee-tasting experiences on their website, via WhatsApp. If you purchased our concierge services on your trip to Cartagena, we can also book this experience for you. The tasting experience is one of the most professional we have seen and offers a varied range of methods, flavors, and sensations.
White Patio at Casa Cruxada
We love Casa Cruxada for its versatile vibe. You can party there at night, sip cocktails in the afternoon, and enjoy brunch in the morning. Their ground-floor restaurant, White Patio, is an absolutely dreamy spot to enjoy a coffee. They make an excellent cappuccino, but our top choice is the affogato—espresso poured over vanilla ice cream. The creaminess of the ice cream pairs perfectly with the nuttiness of the espresso. The food, a fusion of Spanish and Mediterranean cuisine with Caribbean coastal flavors, is also fantastic.
What makes White Patio so special:
All the coffee at White Patio is organic and roasted in-house – you can even see their giant roasting machine when you pass by to go to the bathrooms. They have two main blends of coffee – one from Buesaco, Nariño (near the Colombian Amazon), and the other from the Serrania del Perija. This blend is grown at a higher altitude, near the border with Venezuela. Coffee fanatics must try the incredible range of flavors in their coffees. Afterward, you’ll never look at a regular cup of coffee the same again.
Erase un Café
Stepping into Erase un Café (its English translation: Once Upon a Coffee) is like stepping back in time. If you’re a fan of Bridgerton or want to have a super fancy-feeling tea in Cartagena, this is the place. Everything is in the details in this stunning Cartagena coffee shop. From its adorable coffee cups (coffee cup with a dainty hummingbird on the handle, anyone?), to the intricate artwork painted on the walls and ceilings, this coffee shop offers a superior experience. They have two locations inside the walled city of Cartagena; one in Calle de las Damas, and another in Calle de la Tablada.
What makes Erase un Café special:
Aside from its charming ambiance, Erase un Café also does amazing quality coffee. In their coffee-tasting experience, you can choose from two different filtration methods; French press, or V60. If you end up visiting in the afternoon, they also make one of the best Espresso Martinis we have had in Cartagena. You also have to try their French-inspired pastries, which are the perfect compliment to their delicious coffee.
Bonus content: Some other unmissable coffee shop gems in Cartagena
On our mission to find the best coffee in Cartagena, we have come across so many incredible places to get your caffeine fix. Maria Julio Coffee Shop in Manga, a locally owned gem, stands out not just for its superb coffee but also for the expertise of its owner, Maria Julio. An internationally renowned barista, she frequently judges barista competitions across Colombia, which makes her shop a true reflection of her passion and skill.Over in Getsemani, Manna offers a cozy and inviting atmosphere, where you can enjoy their carefully crafted brews amidst the vibrant energy of the neighborhood. Nearby, Carta Ajena at Osh Hotel in Getsemani provides a more refined coffee experience, blending luxury with impeccable taste in a stylish setting. Finally, in the heart of Centro, Casona Vida combines historical charm with modern coffee craftsmanship, alongside a super creative brunch menu. Each of these coffee shops adds a unique flavor to the city’s rich coffee culture, ensuring that your caffeine journey in Cartagena is as diverse as it is delightful.
Coffee in Colombia: Culture and passion
From the bohemian streets of Getsemani, to the stylish colorful streets of the Walled City, you can always guarantee a good cup of coffee in Cartagena. From the sustainable and expertly crafted brews at Libertario Coffee Roasters to the scientific artistry of Café del Mural, each coffee shop offers something unique. Epoca Espresso Bar and Café San Alberto provide not just a caffeine fix but a deep dive into Colombia’s coffee heritage. Meanwhile, White Patio at Casa Cruxada blends culinary excellence with a dreamy atmosphere. And Erase Un Cafe takes you back to the Regency period with its delicate decor. So, as you explore this beautiful city, make sure to take a moment to savor the diverse flavors and experiences that Cartagena’s coffee scene has to offer.
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