I Got 99 Problems But A Café Ain’t One: The Best Coffee in Buenos Aires

The coffee revolution in Buenos Aires is here. For a city with such a vibrant café-going culture, it’s too easy to find a shitty cup of coffee. Poor quality beans are most likely sugar roasted, and made in a machine that hasn’t been cleaned since 1998. But no longer are the days when coffee snobs aficionados are forced to drown our sorrows in burnt, watered down and milked out cappuccinos, dusted with cinnamon on top. We can now join the baristas in Argentina’s cafetero rebirth, stick a caffeine IV in our arms, and begin to explore the best coffee Buenos Aires has to offer. **Updated March 2018**

No one in their right mind can knock the absolute greatness of the Buenos Aires bares and cafés notables, the old school cafés that are pieces of the city’s cultural history. I’d gladly sit for hours in one of these beautiful cafés, sipping on a cortado and soaking up Porteño life in a jarrito. But sometimes (like every time), a strong morning pick me up is somewhat crucial to get through the day. Once you taste great coffee, it’s hard to go back, so these Buenos Aires cafés will be a crucial part of your daily existence. *MAP BELOW!

LATTENTE – Thames 1891 // Costa Rica 4568 Palermo SohoLet’s recite a special prayer and say a gracious gracias to the beautiful coffee gods for bringing us this c-word mecca on Thames. Owners Daniel Cifuentes and Zehan Nurhadzar might be somewhat coffee nazis (in the best possible way) because their love for the aromatic bean has helped transform the coffee scene in Buenos Aires. Lattente houses a team of the top baristas, making it the ideal spot to perch on a bar stool, watch the masters do their thaaang, and exhale a great cracked out caffeinated sigh of relief for finally drinking a properly made coffee. On Sundays, Sheikob’s Bagels bring the baked and boiled bagel love to the sidewalk out front for the ultimate double double bagel sammy + coffee duo. Lattente has also opened inside the Librería del Fondo in Plaza Armenia. There’s no WiFi on purpose, so don’t even ask. 

LAB TOSTADORES DE CAFE – Humboldt 1542, Palermo Hollywood // Echeverría 1550, BelgranoA game-changing addition to Buenos Aires cafélandia. Heisenberg-esque baristas meticulously cook up their craft inside this two-story coffee laboratory. The roasting quality and preparation skill are the same as you’d find in any of the best coffee shops around the world. Mix in the relaxed vibe, modern space, good music, delicious food, and you have a winner. Just as important, the chocolate chip cookie is hands down THE ABSOLUTE BEST MOTHAFUCKIN CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE I’ve ever eaten in Argentina. Plus, if you look closely at other good cafés in Buenos Aires, they probably use Lab’s roast.

FULL CITY COFFEE HOUSE – Thames 1535, Palermo Soho

FCCH’s story is like many others: foreigners missing foods from home and bringing some edible/drinkable nostalgia to BA. Colombian-English couple Victoria Angarita and Allan Dorgan were tired of the shitty BA cup of jo, and since Victoria has coffee running through her veins, (her father’s head of a coffee institute in Colombia) instead of fleeing to more palatable destinations, they decided to open up shop in Chacarita in 2012. Since Full City has moved to a prime Palermo location, complete with an awesome patio and rooftop, and café enthusiasts (and wannabes) can partake in workshops and classes to learn the barista basics, or even how to draw pretty bleeding hearts with milk. The coconut lemonade is also pretty bomb, as are the English breakfasts.

BILBO CAFE – Dr. Luis Beláustegui 802, Villa Crespo

Step inside this café on the far end of Villa Crespo and you’ll immediately want to move right in. The space, designed by art director Emilia Carranza, has an antique Buenos Aires charm with checkerboard tile floors, exposed brick walls and restored furniture. The baristas know what’s up when it comes to preparing quality coffee. Downstairs there’s even ample space for meetings and Wifi work sessions.

SALVAJE BAKERY – Dorrego 1829, Palermo Hollywood / Colegiales

The sourdough bread might be the highlight at this hipster Palermo bakery, but the coffees are just as good. A one-stop shop for a great Buenos Aires breakfast: bread basket, croissant, fresh squeezed orange juice, and delicious café. What more do you need to start the day? (Ph: Salvaje)

LA NOIRE CAFE – Bonpland 1173, Villa Crespo 

This kitschy café on the border of Villa Crespo and Palermo Hollywood feels more like your best friends’ living room than a coffee shop. It has a relaxed atmosphere that’s perfect for a work session, first date, meeting, gossip session with friends, or a cup of coffee. The small menu features avocado toast, with bread from Co-Pain, and a selection of cakes and pastries.

LOS GALGOS – Callao 501, Tribunales 

There aren’t many (if any) café notables that serve quality coffee, but this is the exception. While most other specialty coffee houses feel more like Brooklyn than Buenos Aires, Los Galgos stays true to its historical roots. Go for the BA desayuno de campeones: cortado and tostados de jamón y queso.

ALL SAINTS CAFE – Ciudad de la Paz 2300, Belgrano // Corrientes 802, CentroWhen you walk into All Saints, you might feel like you just stepped into a US coffee shop Narnia closet. Order at the register, in coffee mug or to-go cup option, a myriad of coffee types, styles and flavors and then step over to the Brew Bar where baristas magically wow us with different preparation methods. Friendly service, comfortable lush furniture, fast wifi, and most importantly BOMB café make this a spot that Belgrano vecinos should include in their daily routine. You can also buy the House Blend or Organic coffee beans to bring home, and even take advantage of their coffee tastings (cuppings).

NEGRO. CUEVA DE CAFE – Suipacha 637, Centro // Marcelo T Alvear 790, Centro Once I walked by Negro after downing a burger at Burger 180 and thought, what a nice looking café, I bet it serves shit coffee. But I went in, ordered a Flat White, and was pleasantly surprised by the mad barista skills and quality of the coffee. If you work in the zona, Negro might become your daily refuge.

VIVE CAFÉ – Costa Rica 5722, PalermoThe small Colombian café on Costa Rica street has everything I want in a coffee shop. The relaxed atmosphere invites drinkers to guiltlessly take their pretty time to sip and enjoy an excellent cup of coffee. During the summertime, Vive’s iced coffees are always on my mind. Plus, the music deserves a café playlist award.

CAFE REGISTRADO – Costa Rica 5901, Palermo

Newly minted Café Registrado is like the Mercedes Benz of Buenos Aires coffee shops. The impressive space on the corner of Costa Rica and Ravignani selects all the coffee beans and roasts in-house, a la vista. Even the light fixtures at this coffee haven are made out of stovetop espresso makers. The huge location supports multiple vibes: communal table work sessions, comfy leather chair coffee chats, or a quick jolt at the bar.

PICK & GO / CAFÉ ZAVALIA – Defensa 313, San Telmo // Bolivar 1422, San Telmo

This literal hole in the wall that is all about the Honduran beans serves some of the best coffee in San Telmo. Make sure to write down the address otherwise you will walk right by without noticing what coffee greatness is inside. *The second location, Café Zavalia, in deep San Telmo might be the best coffee within a 20 block radius.

USINA Cafetera – Av. Triunvirato 4307, Villa Urquiza // Beruti 2751, Recoleta
The exposed brick coffee temple of Villa Urquiza sure knows how to please coffee drinkers. This specialty coffeehouse uses beans from all over the world to create their own organic coffee blends. The pastries are also on point. *Now there’s a new Recoleta location. (Photo: Usina)

THE SHELTER COFFEE – Arroyo 940, Retiro

A small coffee cave in Retiro that is a design lover’s dream. If there is no more space inside the small coffee shop, head out front to the pedestrian sidewalk, and it may become your new favorite neighborhood hangout. Sheikob’s bagels pop up here on Thursdays. (Ph: The Shelter)

LA UNIÓN CAFE – Esmeralda 266, CentroSteps away from Obelisco bustle, this minimalistic coffee shop is the perfect haven for any coffee drinker. If you work downtown, this should be your go-to for café on the go. (Photo: La Unión)

SANTA CAFE – Moreno 818, Monserrat Santa is helping Monserrat drink a better cup of Colombian coffee. The morning combo specials are definitely worth an order. Total plus: service is extremely friendly. (Photo: Santa)

CATOTI – Blanco Encalada 2457, BelgranoThis Belgrano Colombian café doubles as a design shop and knows how to make a really damn good iced coffee. It’s not uncommon for musicians to pop up and play live music either. (Ph: Catoti)

FELIX FELICIS & CO – Serrano 1415, Palermo SohoHarry Potter themed Félix Felicis & Co moves into the prime corner of Cabrera y Serrano with pro baristas serving coffee the way the café lords intended. With top of the line grinder and espresso machine, they produce one helluva flat white. YO NERDS: the wood bar has an outlet built inside for your geeked out plugging pleasure.

ESTILO BARISTA – Cerrito 1224, Retiro With the name like Barista Style, you can only imagine what kind of specialists are behind this café. They should also win an award for creative latte art. (Photo: Estilo Barista)

BARRIO CAFETERO – Florida 833, Centro // Reconquista 513, Centro The microcentro has been given an extra jolt of caffeine inside this tiny but powerful galería coffee bar on Florida. Barista Rodrigo Rochas, who learned the ways of the trade in New Zealand and traveled to the best coffee houses in LA, Seattle, Portland and New York, opened up shop in 2013 and plays a major role in the city’s revolución cafetera. Barrio Cafetero uses Café Puerto Blest‘s premium line, Alquimia, with an impressive Nuova Simonelli Aurelia II espresso machine.

HÁBITO CAFE – México 1152, MonserratJust a few blocks from the UADE university, a couple of journalists turned baristas took their coffee drinking habit to the next level and opened this small coffee shop. Definitely the best coffee in the neighborhood.

COFFEE TOWN – Bolivar 976, Mercado de San Telmo // Libertad 1260, RecoletaNo trip to San Telmo isn’t complete without a pop into San Telmo market’s Coffee Town for a quick espresso + people watching. Sure, this might be one of the most expensive coffees in the entire city, but the CT crew deserve respect for being revolutionaries in the Buenos Aires coffee mundo: they traveled the world learning about the trade and sourcing the good stuff before opening up the city’s first coffee institute Centro de Estudios del Café.

SERENDIPITY – Bonpland 1968, Palermo Hollywood

Looking for a relaxing spot with wine and coffee? This new Palermo Hollywood café is for you.  It’s hard to go wrong when you have a relaxed vibe, knowledgeable baristas, and Full City Coffee beans. There’s also a to-go window for coffee on the fly and on weekdays it opens early for BA standards (8 am).

ALASKA LOCAL CAFÉ – Gorriti 5045, Palermo SohoThis is what you get when an art gallery, tattoo parlor and clothing design studio come together in Palermo. Alaska, the café on the ground floor, shares the space with the art gallery, which mostly displays work from emerging local talents. Look out for special events on some nights, featuring Cynar cocktails.

And the best of the rest:
CUERVO CAFE– El Salvador 4580, Palermo –> Small shop, tasteful sleek design. Outdoor seating area made for Palermo people watching.
BIRKIN – República Árabe Siria 3061, Palermo Botánico & Nicaragua 6025, Palermo Hollywood –> Hipster coffee shop perfect for meetings
IMPORT COFFEE COMPANY – Libertad 1150, Recoleta –> Illy coffee, Twinnings tea, and Lindt chocolate, need I say much more?
FLORIDA GARDEN – Florida 899, Centro –> Old school classic porteño charm with that modern twerk.
NININA BAKERY – Gorriti 4738, Palermo / Holmberg 2464, Villa Urquiza / MALBA Museo –> Impressive space, open kitchen seating, and serves roasts their own coffee.
VICTORIA BROWN CAFE – Costa Rica 4827, Palermo –> Speakeasy bar by night, coffee shop and brunch specials by day.
EDITOR’S MARKET – Av. Dorrego 2133, Palermo –> Buy designer wonders and sip on a matcha latte.
KYOPO – Juan Felipe Aranguren 3053, Floresta –> Korean pop fusion restaurant with kimchi burgers and a pro coffee game.
SHOUT – Maipú 979, Centro –> From the maker of the nocturnal Shout Bar comes this daytime café and lunch spot.
CASA CAVIA – Cavia 2985, Palermo –> Beautiful secluded café in the city’s ritziest areas with award-winning barista Daniel Calderón behind the bar.
ROSSO CAFE – Peron 731, Centro –> New café perfecting the art of latte art.
SATURNINA COFFEE – San Martin 989, Retiro –> Organic specialty coffee in Retiro.
OL’DAYS CAFE – Olga Cossettini 1182, Puerto Madero –> Best coffee in Puerto Madero
SANTA MARTA – Soler 4499, Palermo –> Unpretentious coffee shop with great coffee and prices.
RANGITOTO COFFEE – Pasteur 672, Once –> Kiwi-owned coffee shop in busy Once.
RUFUS – Castillo 720, Villa Crespo –> Small café near the Villa Crespo outlets
CIGALÓ – Holmberg 2004, Villa Urquiza –> Great place to drink coffee in this up-and-coming gastro hub
LA MOTOFECA – Paraguay 627, Centro –> The coffee cart turned café roasts beans on site.
CAFFE MARINI – San Martin 487, Microcentro –> Downtown coffee bar with wonderful espressos and iced coffees.
OSS KAFFE – Roosevelt 1894, Belgrano –> Nordic vibes in a cozy coffee setting.
CAFE HAUS –> Santa Fe 3618, Palermo –> Latte art taken to the next level with colored designs.

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