You can find some great casual spots for coffee, tea, ice cream and gelato, pastries and chocolates in San Miguel.
Mexico is the ninth largest coffee producer in the world with three major regions in Chiapas, Oaxaca and Veracruz. The quality of the coffee here in San Miguel, sourced from these regions, is excellent.
My top recommendations include:
After moving to San Miguel from Belgium in July 2022, Marie-Pascale Gérard and her son Paul, opened Los Waffles De Paul – Saveurs de Belgique in January, 2023. This small cafe features traditional Belgian waffles from City of Liege, some with chocolate, and cookies along with hot chocolate, coffee and mousse au chocolat. I had a delightful conversation with them and a German baker who is considering moving to San Miguel as well. I loved the traditional Belgian waffle and a double chocolate cookie.
I went back again and loved the waffle with added Belgian sugar. They come from six generations of her family that have been manufacturing sugar, used in these waffles since 1847. They recently moved to a new location at Mercado Sano at Pila Seca #19 at the corner of Zacateros which is much better for their business. I went and enjoyed a Belgian waffle that I dipped in chocolate and a hot chocolate. They have an expanded menu and expanded hours as well I would love to have you go and support them.
One of my favorite spots is La Sacristia Terraza + Cafe, from the owners of Zenteno Cafe. Located at Canal 36, they feature a full coffee menu, pastries and more. On my first trip, I had a lovely salad and quiche for lunch on the colorful outdoor terrace in the back. I liked it so much and went back again with friends and loved the toast with brie, pear, serrano ham and a reduction of red wine vinaigrette. I also recommend the huevos Sacristia with smoked salmon, poached eggs and avocado cream along with a side salad. Now I go every time that I am back in town. It is a great addition to San Miguel.
To the west of La Sacristia is the Hotel El Recinto at Quebrada 113. They a bakery and coffee shop called Maeh Cafetería • Panadería • Repostería which is in a lovely setting. You can sit and enjoy their lovely terrace.
A great addition to San Miguel is XACI Coffee Bar at Zacateros #81a. Opened in 2022, this is an attractive, contemporary cafe and flower shop with a menu of coffee, tea, breakfast sandwiches, soups and burgers. I enjoyed my first visit and then went back for lunch with local friends. The staff is very friendly and helpful.
Another new favorite is Café Amuleto located at Sterling Dickinson #2 around the corner from the Hotel Real de Minas which opened in early March, 2022. It is a small café with great coffee drinks along with food and pastries. I enjoyed my latte and meeting the owner, David Briones, who roasts his own coffee from Chiapas in southern Mexico. I highly recommend it. I go back every time that I am in town.
Nearby at Ancha San Antonio #80, is Neveria La Reyna de Michoacan. This is a casual spot for ice cream and a variety of paletas. There is a small square outside with seating or you can walk up to Parque Guadiana and enjoy the park while eating your treats.
Opened in August, 2023 is Café Aldama 57. It is located just south of the Hotel Matilda. It is a small café offering coffee drinks, hot chocolate and food items. I went for the first time after reading about it and really enjoyed the experience. It has an attractive design, nice staff and great food. I enjoyed my latte and the smoked salmon bagel sandwich made with crème fraîche and a fried egg. It also came with a small salad. The croissant sandwich also looked good.
A great new find is 28 Barra de Café. They opened in March, 2023 at Relox 62, then recently moved to a larger spot at Relox 37. They feature a number of coffee, tea and other drinks. The young owner was delightful and worked very hard to make it a fun experience. They feature coffee from Chiapas in southern Mexico. The owner of the roasting company was also great to talk to. It is a nice spot to pop in while you are in Centro. I stopped by the new spot for a great latte and some cookies.
Thanks to local friends, I found Garambullo Fonda Gourmet at Animas #46. This is a small neighborhood café with a lovely outdoor patio that serves breakfast and lunch. They feature coffee, smoothies cookies, pastries, breakfast items, sandwiches and bowls. I loved the avocado toast with smoked salmon along with a latte and tasty oatmeal raisin and chocolate chip cookie. I have now been back two more times and with friends. On my last visit, I enjoyed the pear sandwich, with gorgonzola cheese and a pesto sauce.
The Zenteno Cafe group has three cafes in town. Their original location, Zenteno Café, is a small local spot at Hernandez Macias 136 and the corner of Codo.
Their second location is La Sacristia Terraza + Café highlighted above. The third and newest location opened in 2022 in the Biblioteca Pública at Insurgentes #25, replacing an older café in the back courtyard. It has a menu of coffee, pastries, sandwiches, salads and breakfast dishes. I loved the red wine pear tart and a latte. I was recently back with friends for the second time. It has a large outdoor patio. Make sure to stop in while visiting the library, attending a program, lecture, film, art class or concert.
Café Oso Azul, or the Blue Bear, is one of my favorite spots and I have to go every time I am back in town. Owned by two Danes, this is a café serving breakfast, lunch, coffee, desserts and smoothies. It is a charming spot with a lovely courtyard with outdoor seating. They just expanded their interior dining space. The coffee is always excellent. I always try to order one of their quiches or omelettes for lunch. They also roast their own coffee. Zacateros 17.
At Hernandez Macias #91 is a small, colorful café, Flor de Altura, for coffee and tea inside the Mama Mia restaurant. I enjoyed my latte on a beautiful April day on the outside patio.
I enjoyed my recent visit with friends for lunch at Café de Cajon at Insurgentes 62. In addition to coffee drinks, they have menu of breakfast and lunch items. It is across from the Biblioteca and is set in an attractive courtyard surrounded by contemporary art.
Located inside the Instituto Allende at Ancha San Antonio #20, El Café is a café featuring breakfast, lunch, coffee, tea and desserts. I made sure to visit on my most recent visit. There is seating in the large courtyard overlooking the famous mural. I enjoyed my latte and a perfect crepe made with cajeta and nuts. It is a great spot to go on weekends and holidays when the streets are crowded.
Also in the Instituto is Café Murmullo at Ancha de San Antonio 24. This breakfast brunch and lunch restaurant, with colorful murals, has a small, contemporary coffee shop in front that serves excellent coffee drinks along with pastries.
Thanks to local friends I found Miga Panaderia Artesanal at Sterling Dickinson #21. It sits along a number of new neighborhood cafes and restaurants. It is a perfect spot to go on a weekend when the center of town can be crowded. They have coffee, tea and other drinks and wonderful homemade pastries. I loved the latte and the croissants that I purchased! I have been back three more times!!
Since I was first there, they added a café in the space next door, called Amores – Café – Espacio Culinario – Pan, where you can eat in and enjoy breakfast and lunch items. I went for the first time with a local friend and enjoyed a great omelette with a fruit cup for brunch.
Recently opened is Panalillo at Umaran 34. This small cafe in the Hotel Naramu, features coffee drinks and great pastries. I suggest stopping in and sitting at one of the their tables in the small courtyard of the hotel. I enjoyed the friendly staff! I just went back and enjoyed it again.
La Ventana Café Orgánico de Chiapas, at Sollano 11, is good for coffee or tea. You can order from the window and head to the Jardin or go into the cafe through the side entrance. I always stop in to buy the local paper, the Antencion, on Fridays to see what is happening in town for the week. They also have excellent ground coffee or quality coffee beans that you can buy. I always buy it when I have house guests in town.
If you are in Col. San Antonio, make sure to visit Café 1910 is now at La Esperanza #22. Here you can enjoy coffee, tea or a great breakfast or lunch item. It is owned by a delightful Mexican couple, Anna and Mario. I had a lovely ham and cheese croissant sandwich on my first visit. I was excited to visit their new location so went with friends who live nearby. I liked the space much better as it was larger and had a beautiful outdoor patio. My omelette and latte were perfect for a Sunday brunch.
I normally would not recommend a Starbucks, but the Starbucks at the corner of Canal and Hildago across from the Jardin in San Miguel is located in a wonderful old building with great architectural details and a lovely patio in the courtyard. I go often and love the atmosphere. They also take the Starbucks prepaid cards from the US.
Speaking of Starbucks, the Artesana Boutique at the Rosewood Hotel serves Starbucks coffee and wonderful cookies and pastries. It opened in early November, 2015 and is located off the lobby. They do have some outdoor tables on the patio. I was there several times on my recent trip and make it a point to go every time I am in town! The staff is really delightful.
Just down the street is is A.15 or Animas Quince at Nemesio Diez 2. It is fun spot for a pastry and coffee.
Chocolates Johfrei: Now at Jesus 2A, this is a chocolate store that has been in San Miguel for over ten years and in Mexico City since 1920. They offer handmade chocolates, tasty ice cream and great coffee.
San Augustine: At San Francisco #21, a block east of the Jardin, this is the best place for hot chocolate and churros for an afternoon snack! The Mexican hot chocolate with a touch of cinnamon is perfect! Just be aware that the lines on weekends can be long, so go mid-week.
El Petit Four: This is a European-style baked goods, sandwiches and coffee that is well-worth a visit. The chef/owner, Paco Cardenas, teaches great cooking classes in town. They have recently moved to Jesus #2-B. It was the former location of Luna de Queso and is much better than the old location on Mesones. I loved the scone, croissants and cookies that I bought along with a latte. They also sell excellent chocolates. I was recently back for lunch a loved the huitlacoche quiche.
Down the street from El Petit Four is the recently opened Moöss Frozen Atelier at Jesus #35. They have two flavors of ice cream and two frozen yogurt with many toppings that you can add. They also have coffee, tea, hot chocolate and other hot and cold drinks. It has a sleek, contemporary setting with a great staff. I enjoyed the coconut ice cream.
I always enjoyed El Cafe de la Mancha located at Recreo 21A. They moved to a new spot at Julian Carrillo 5B in Col. Guadalupe. I went to their new location and enjoyed it.
I often stop in at Ki’bok Coffee located Sollano 25, a block off of the Jardin. This is a fun spot for coffee that has a lovely rooftop patio with great views. This cafe is the second one after their original in Tulum.
I recently discovered the charming Casa de Café at Hospicio 31 at the corner of Recreo for a morning coffee break.
I have now been several times to the coffee shop, Geek & Coffee, at Fabrica La Aurora. It is located to the right of the entrance just outside the main complex. It has a great indoor space as well as lovely, colorful outdoor terrace and garden. In addition to coffee drinks, they serve breakfast and lunch items. It is a great spot to go when the town is crowded during festivals and holidays.
Nearby at Hacienda La Aurora is a new coffee shop, Cafeteria Santa Maria. While visiting the shops in the complex, you can stop in for a coffee and a paleta or ice cream bar. They also have sandwiches, waffles and more. I was recently back again with a friend and enjoyed my latte while sitting outside. Calz de La Aurora 48-A.
Thanks to a local friend, I went to Café Buen Dia. Formerly at Callejon del Pueblito #3A, it has recently moved to a larger space at Hidalgo #42. They have excellent coffee. You can also have breakfast and lunch. I went to the new location and enjoyed a great brunch and coffee with a local friend on their large patio. I was back again recently and had another great experience. I love their outdoor patio.
Lavanda Cafe: Originally located at Hernandez Macias 87 at the corner of Umaran, this is great spot for breakfast and lunch with a large number of egg dishes from omelets, eggs benedict and huevos rancheros. I also love the lavender latte! I made a point to go every time I am back in town. They recently opened a second location north of the Jardin at Loreto 48 A, which is right next to the Mercado de Artesanías. In November 2023, they permanently moved to this location.
I tried the new location 10 days after the move and again had a great lavender latte and a lavender cookie. They have a coffee shop on the first floor, a small dining room on the second and a rooftop terrace on the third. They said that the lines can be long for breakfast but are not as long for lunch. You might avoid the weekend and go during the week as well.
A short walk north of Lavanda Cafe is Viento Sur Empanadas Argentinas at Calzada de la Luz #90. I stopped in after my meal at Clásico San Miguel across the street. I had read several recommendations about this new spot which opened in 2023. They have a menu of sweet and savory empanadas from pineapple, apple cinnamon and strawberry cream cheese to ham and cheese, tuna and spicy beef. They also have some tasty cookies called alfajors. I enjoyed the ham and cheese and pineapple for dinner at home that night. The alfajor with dulce de leche was also great.
Two new spots near the Jardin include Café Umarán at Umarán 8. It is a stylish café serving coffee, pastries, toasts, sandwiches and other food items. I enjoyed my first visit!!
Also downtown in Centro, is Silverio Urban Coffee & Mixology Bar. Except of holidays, they are only open Friday through Sunday. They serve coffee drinks along with food items. They also have a rooftop bar that serves both coffee and cocktails. I popped in on a recent trip, to get out of the rain, and enjoyed a great latte, the atmosphere and the service. San Francisco #12.
For wonderful tres leches cake, head off of Hernandez Macias a block to Pastelerie La Casita Feliz at Guadiana #15. It is my favorite place to get my birthday cake when I am in town in early November.
Formerly located in Mi Vida, Buonforno is now located in Colonia San Antonio. It is an excellent bakery for bread, pastries, cookies and pies. They also feature coffee drink. It is well worth visit. Stirling Dickinson 33.
While in Centro, stop in at Doce 18 Concept House at Relox 18. Here you will find a location of Panio a wonderful bakery serving coffee and pastries.
Recently opened is Amorino Gelato next door at Relox 20. This is an international chain of stores with several in Mexico and many in the US and throughout Europe.. I went to a number of locations on my most recent trip to Paris. The quality is excellent. I loved the chocolate hazelnut flavor of gelato for dessert with friends. I was back again and loved the hazelnut and the coconut gelato.
Across the street at Relox 23 is Café hojas de te. This is a small café serving coffee, tea, cookies and pastries inside a lovely courtyard building. I went for the first time and loved the atmosphere and the helpful staff.
Just to the north is another new find, Bosco Gelato Artesano. Located at Relox 33, this is a small café featuring a over 20 flavors of gelato. I thought the dulce de leche was a great choice!
Also nearby is La Colmena Panaderia. This historic bakery opened in 1901 and features many breads, pastries and cookies. I love this historic feel and the colorful blue doors. Relox 21.
For a fun Mexican experience, stop in at La Micoacana for one of their yummy paletas. These popsicles come in many flavors. The coconut is always my favorite!! Mesones 44.
I love Mercado Sano for their food items offered by a number of small vendors and for their Saturday organic market. I try to go every weekend when I am in town. One of my g0-to spots for coffee is the small stand inside the entrance, Il Gallo Verde or The Green Rooster, operated by a lovely man named Tito. Make sure to stop by. There are a number of table in front where you can meet friends. Ancha de San Antonio #23.
Also in Mercado Sano opened in December 2022 is La Mezquiteria. What I thought was a regular coffee shop was a totally new experience. Here they sell coffee roasted from the mesquite tree seedpods. I had a latte which had a rich, smooth flavor with just the right amount of natural fructose to add some sweetness. It was also caffeine free. They also sell some bars and sweets. I loved it and highly recommend that you try it. Andrea, the owner, was also delightful and so friendly.
I just went back again and thought their cold brew with milk was one of the best I have had anywhere. I also loved trying the Sweet Dreams bar, made with organic peanut butter, oats, mezquite honey, 70% cacao, coconut, mezquite powder, peanuts, vanilla and LOVE!
There has been a large growth in new casual restaurants on Sterling Dickinson west of Ancha de San Antonio. I found another new spot, a coffee shop, Café Catedral or K-tedral at the far west end on the corner of 28 de Abril Sur. I enjoyed my first visit. There is also a location at Mercado Sano, where I just went for the first time and had a great latte! I also just went to their newest location for a another great latte at Ancha San Antonio #35A. Their fourth location is downtown at Canal #88. I was near San Juan de Dios church after a theater event and stopped in for a latte. I enjoyed it and the nice staff.
Down the street is another small café, Moshos Café where they serve coffee drinks, breakfast items like omelettes, salads and sandwiches. I just popped in for an iced latte and enjoyed it and the friendly staff. I went back in March, 2024 for brunch with a friend and enjoyed an omelette and a latte. Sterling Dickinson #11.
Opened in 2021, is Panina at Sterling Dickinson #3. This is a new bakery and café where they are known for their bagels according to my local friends. I went to try I the smoked salmon bagel sandwich and it was one of the best I have had. I recently back and enjoyed the grilled cheese sandwich with cheddar, brie, green apples, arugula and honey. I advise going early as they tend to sell out quickly of certain items.
Also in San Antonio is El Café Tal at Orizaba #36. I have gone several times in the past. But until my recent visit, I didn’t realize that they had a lovely outside patio in the rear. They serve food in addition to coffee and pastries.
Kafé W, at Salida de Celaya 16, is a casual coffee shop and cafe that is known for its murals. It is also a fun spot for coffee, tea, breakfast and lunch. I just went to lunch and enjoyed a very good omelette, salad and a latte. The staff is very friendly!
I am a big fan of Panaderia El Maple, a Canadian bakery, located at Salida a Celaya #53. I always buy their multigrain bread for my breakfast every time I am back in town. They also have great croissants, cookies and muffins.
Further south at Salida Celaya #26 is Sophie Fine Bakery. Opened in October 2023, they have a nice selection of pastries, cookies and beautiful hand decorated cakes. The butter cake was excellent. They also offer coffee and other drinks. It is a great spot if you want buy a cake to celebrate a special occasion. I went back again and enjoy my latte and a wonderful apple tart. I saw that they have a menu of breakfast sandwiches which I want to go back and try.
Next foor is another new spot, Café Queria Brunch & Tacos. They have a menu of coffee and espresso drinks, cold brew and smoothies. They also have a menu of tacos and tortas. There is nice inside cafe and a nice outside patio in the rear. The staff is very friendly and helpful. I enjoyed a latte and a yummy almond croissant with chocolate which they get from Maple down the street. Salida de Celaya 26C.
Another new find is Arcadia Café. Located at the corner of San Francisco and Nuñez, this is a colorful cafe featuring coffee, frappés plus sweet and savory crêpes.
I always enjoy walking and searching out some of the new murals in Col. Guadalupe. It is one of my favorite neighborhoods in San Miguel to simply walk and explore. While you look at the street art, make sure to stop in for coffee La Tertulia Coffee & Garden at Cri-cri 11. I enjoyed my latte at La Tertulia. A local friend lives across the street and also recommends their breakfast menu as well as their lunch menu of salads and sandwiches
A short walk in Col. Guadalupe is a popular bakery, Sucrê Panaderia y Repostería at C. Margarito Ledesma 1. I stopped in for a sweet to go with my latte and loved their cookies. They also have bread, croissants and other pastries. I also just read that their quiche is excellent.
On the southeast side of town is the shopping center Plaza Comercial La Luciernaga at Boulevard José Manuel Zavala Z. 165. Here you will find the newest location of Panio bakery and cafe. I highly recommend that you try Marulier, a French cafe and bakery whose owner is from France. I recently went for the first time and loved my cookies and latte. The quality is excellent. They also have a nice outdoor patio where I happened to run into local friends.
In late 2022, Marulier opened a second location near Centro at Ancha de San Antonio 121, next to Mercado Sano. It is an attractive cafe and bakery with both indoor and outdoor patio seating. It is much closer for me that going to the mall. The French pastry selection is amazing. I recently went for a fruit tart and latte. They also have a food menu, of quiche,soups, salads, croissant and bagel sandwiches, pizzas and more. The staff was very helpful and friendly. I went back and enjoyed the smoked salmon bagel sandwich with a latte. The Paris Brest pastry with hazelnuts was perfect and similar to the one I recently ate in Paris. I recently had a craving and went back for the smoked salmon bagel sandwich with a latte and two great macarons.
