You can find some great casual spots for coffee, tea, ice cream and chocolates in San Miguel:
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.
Down the street at Zacateros 81b is Venencia Mezcal- Cocina- Vino. I went just after it opened in April, 2022. This is a very attractive cafe serving organic Oaxacan coffee, tea and pastries. I loved the colorful decor and my latte with a local friend. They open at 5pm with a menu of authentic Oaxacan-themed small plates along with Mexican local wines and artisanal Mezcal. There is a lovely Mezcal & Wine Tasting Room downstairs.
Next to Venencia is XACINTO 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 can’t wait to go back. The staff was very friendly and helpful.
In 2022, I happened to find the recently opened Rue Desnouettes Pátisserie at Mesones #53. It is located within a new collection of small boutique shops at the corner of Relox and Mesones. They have a menu of coffee drinks, cakes, cookies and pastries and sandwiches. I really enjoyed my latte and a really yummy hazelnut pastry. I can’t wait to go back. I highly recommend that you try it!
I also just tried Café Amuleto located at Sterling Dickinson #2 around the corner fromthe Hotel Real de Minas which opened in early March, 2022. It is a small cafe 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 everytime that I am in town.
A block away from Café Amuleto is La Waffleria de Allende. This small cafe at Potranca 4 in Col. Guadiana, has a menu of sweet and savory waffles, churros, coffee and hot chocolate. As a treat, I stopped in for some yummy churros and a perfect hot chocolate. They have a few inside seats, but have several outdoor tables on a small plaza. I will definitely go back.
Thanks to local friends, I found Garambullo Fonda Gourmet at Animas #46. This is a small neighborhood cafe with a lovely outdoor patio that serves breakfast and lunch. They feature coffee, smoothies cookies, pastries, breakfast items, sandwiches and bowls. I went for the avocado toast with smoked salmon along with a latte and tasty oatmeal raisin and chocolate chip cookie. I had a great experience and will definitely go back.
The Zenteno Cafe group has several cafes in town. Their original location, Zenteno Cafe, is a small local spot at Hernandez Macias 136 and the corner of Codo. Their second location is a colorful cafe located at Salida de Celaya 10C. In addition to coffee, they feature breakfast and lunch items. I recently went for breakfast and had a perfect omelette and a latte!
Their third location was La Sacristia Terraza + Cafe highlighted above. Their fourth location, located at Bellas Artes, was recently closed. The newest location opened in 2022 in the Biblioteca Pública at Insurgentes #25, replacing an older cafe in the back courtyard. It has a menu of coffee, pastries, sandwiches, salads and more. I loved the red wine pear tart and a latte. It has a large outdoor patio. Make sure to stop in while visiting the library, attending a program, lecture, film, art class or concert.
Cafe 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 cafe 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 cafe, Flor de Altura, for coffee and tea inside the Mama Mia restaurant. You can grab a drink and sit 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 cafe 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.
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 a number of coffee, tea and other drinks and wonderful homemade pastries I loved the latte and the croissants that I purchased! I have been back two more times!!
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 couryard 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.
If you are in Col. San Antonio, make sure to visit Cafe 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. A local friend loves going often for the breakfast bagel sandwich. I look forward to trying their new location when I am back in town.
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 found 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 card 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, crossants and cookies that I bought along with a latte. They also sell excellent chocolates.
I have always enjoyed El Cafe de la Mancha located at Recreo 21A. I often stopped in for coffee on my way to my daily Spanish class. It is a small cafe which recently started serving food items for breakfast and lunch. I highly recommend it. I just saw that they moved to a new spot at Julian Carrillo 5B in Col. Guadalupe. I was just at their new location and enjoyed it.
I read about and recently tried Ki’bok Coffee at 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 Cafe 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.
Thanks to a local friend, 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 recently went to the new location and enjoyed a great brunch and coffee with a local friend on their large patio.
Lavanda Cafe: 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 have to go every time I am back in town. I now recommend going during the week as the waits to get in on weekends can be very long. There is also a new takeout window in front. They recently opened a second location north of the Jardin at Loreto 48 A, which is right next to the Mercado de Artesanías. It is a small location featuring coffee drinks and baked goods.
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!! Nearby is MeXana – Coffee & Concept Store. Located at San Francisco #1, this is coffee shop located within cooperative store featuring food items apparel, clothing, arts and crafts. It overlooks the Jardin from its second floor location. You can grab a coffee, a pastry from Buonforno bakery and stay there or walk down to the square and enjoy people watching.
For wonderful tres leches cake, head off of Hernandez Macias a block to Pastelerie La Casita Feliz at Guadiana #15.
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.
Don’t miss the new Doce 18 Concept House at Relox 18. Here you will find a location of Panio a wonderful bakery serving coffee and pastries and Le Macaron Boutique. The macarons are wonderful and I keep stopping in for more!
For a fun Mexican experience, stop in at La Micoacana for one of their yummy paletas. These popsicles come in many flavors. I love the coconut!! 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.
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.
Down the street is another new cafe, Moshos Café where they serve coffee drinks, breakfast, salads and sandwiches. Near Sterling Dickinson #5.
Opened in 2021, is Panina at Sterling Dickinson #3. This is a new bakery and cafe where they are known for their bagels according to my local friends. I just went to try I the smoked salmon bagel sandwich and it was one of the best I have had.
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!
The have a second location, Kafé Wow, downtown at Mesones 57. It is a fun spot for coffee, breakfast and lunch if you are in the area.
I am a big fan of Panaderia El Maple, a Canadian bakery, located at Salida a Celaya #53. I always buy their multigrain bread every time I am back in town.
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.
Recently, I was 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 or Cafe De La Esquina at Tatanacho #1. 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 recently opened 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.
Also opened in the neighborhood in early 2022 is Altazor Café Literario in the Hacienda La Aurora at Calz de La Aurora 48A-Local 9. It is a small cafe serving coffee and pastries.
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. I definitely want to go back to try their breakfast/lunch menu. 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. 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.
