Times are changing in Colombia. Just a few years ago, the specialty coffee industry hardly existed at all. But today, the country’s coffee culture is slowly but steadily growing. And nowhere is this more obvious than in the capital, Bogotá, where it’s getting easier and easier to find a mind-blowing drink.
Bogotá is huge city of 8 million people, and there’s no better way to explore than by visiting some of its great cafés. I’ve created an itinerary for an eight-stop coffee shop tour perfect for visitors and residents alike.
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Experience Bogotá through coffee at Contraste Coffee Lab. Credit: Contraste Coffee Lab
Why These Eight?
As a coffee lover, I love every coffee shop in Bogotá. I love their baristas, with their energy, their passion, and their openness. I love how they will take the time to explain how wonderful our coffees are. And I know it’s impossible to choose the best ones, especially in a constantly evolving coffee culture like this.
But for now, it’s a pleasure to introduce you to eight cafés which have become some of my personal favorites during my search for stunning coffee. May they lead you to discover other amazing places and drinks.
1. Contraste Coffee Lab
Our first stop is in in historic Candelaria, Bogotá’s Old Town. Contraste Coffee Lab is a Colombian-Australian blend led by the welcoming Manuel and Tommy. Manuel was a finalist in the 2015 national barista championship, meaning you can be confident of great coffee – but that’s not the only great thing here. The café also backs onto Papaya Gourmet, making this a chill place to taste delicious waffles, burritos, and more. Oh, and if you’re looking for a low-budget place to stay, there’s also a cool hostel next door.
| Where | Cra 3 No 12c-90 |
| Style | Hip and urban |
| Espresso Machine | Iberital |
| Espresso Roast | Medium |
| Filter Roast | Medium |
| Roaster | Manuel roasts all the coffee himself on a Bühler |
| Must-Try Drink | Their flat white has received Aussie and Kiwi approval |
| Food | Small pastries, burritos, and wraps |
Contraste Coffee Lab is full of colour. Credit: Contraste Coffee Lab
2. Catuai Coffee
“In the specialty coffee industry, there is everything to do,” says Leopoldo, while explaining the social responsibility behind Catuai Coffee. His microfranchise model aims to helping victims of Colombia’s conflict. Currently, there are eight franchises operating in six different cities.
But Catuai Coffee doesn’t just do good; it is good. From El Centro, the city center, find Bavaria Park and then enjoy a peaceful walk here. Once you’ve arrived, let the welcoming baristas advise you on the best food pairing for your coffee.
| Where | Calle 31 13A-51, Local LP03, Edificio Panorama |
| Style | Friendly and open |
| Espresso Machine | Simonelli Appia |
| Espresso Roast | Medium |
| Filter Roast | Medium |
| Roaster | San Franciscan coffee roasted by Herbert Peñaloza, and Bühler coffee roasted by Abel Calderon |
| Must-Try Drink | The coffee chai or the white chocolate mocha |
| Food | French pastries |
| Nearby Sights | El Centro and Bavaria Park |
Catuai Coffee aims to offer Colombia more than just good coffee. Credit: Catuai Coffee
3. Café Mundano
The urban and yet rustic style of this coffee shop is what makes Café Mundano stand out from the crowd. If you’re making your way to the Parque Nacional, near La Septima, make sure to stop by. They offer a variety of coffees with differing profiles, and also have cool brewing guides displayed on the screen.
| Where | Diagonal 40 # 7-40 Plaza 39 Mall Ground floor |
| Style | Rustic and Urban |
| Espresso Machine | Astoria |
| Espresso Roast | Medium |
| Filter Roast | Medium |
| Roaster | Probat coffee roasted by Jesús Martin |
| Must-Try Drink | Chemex Cold Brew |
| Food | Small pastries, cookies, and cheese straws |
| Nearby Sights | Parque Nacional |
Café Mundano mixes urban with rural rusticity. Credit: Café Mundano
4. Varietale
A beautiful blue house decorated in the traditional style of the Colombian coffee regions, Varietale is one not to be missed. It’s located near Javeriana University, which provides a college town atmosphere. Fittingly, they also take their education seriously.
Their roaster is behind the bar, allowing you to see their roasting process. From time to time, you might see groups of students roasting and cupping samples in their lab. Another detail I love is that you get a sheet explaining the coffee you order.
Their baristas are always on the go due to the high demand of students and coffee lovers. But if you have any questions about your coffee, they’re always happy to answer.
You can also find 20 different kinds of teas, which go well with their yummy pastries.
| Where | Cll 41 No 843 |
| Style | Traditional Colombian |
| Espresso Machine | La Marzocco |
| Espresso Roast | Medium |
| Filter Roast | Medium |
| Roaster | They roast coffee in the café on a Bühler |
| Must-Try Drink | Any of the filter coffees |
| Food | Cookies, empanadas, and cakes |
Traditionally Colombian, Varietale is a great spot for those curious about their coffee. Credit: Varietale
5. Café Cultor
You’ll find Café Cultor in the Zona G neighborhood. A container converted into a cool coffee spot, it has a terrace perfect for enjoying sunny afternoons in the capital.
Café Cultor began life as an exporting company, but when the business saw that almost all of the great coffee they were selling was leaving the country, they decided to share coffee culture with Colombians too. This leads it to be education-oriented; Cafe Cultor has a talk on a new topic every month.
A cool place to be, especially on a hot summer’s day. Credit: Café Cultor
| Where | Cll 69 # 6-20 Bogotá |
| Style | Urban |
| Espresso Machine | Simonelli Appia II |
| Espresso Roast | Medium |
| Filter Roast | Medium |
| Roaster | Leonardo Acosta roasts on a Probat at their own lab |
| Must-Try Drink | Slow Bar |
| Food | Small pastries |
6. Libertario Coffee
This fancy coffee spot also happens to be in Zona G. It offers exotic varieties such as Gesha and SL28 grown by their friends at La Palma & El Tucan, located in the Cundinamarca Department just 90 minutes from the shop. (By the way, if you want to learn about the whole process of coffee and don’t have the time to visit the coffee triangle, La Palma y el Tucán would be a good choice.)
At Libertario, you’ll find two stunning espresso profiles to choose from: Paz and Libre. These can also be tasted in different brewing methods alongside their rotating varietal offerings. Oh, and don’t miss out on a barista recommendations: they know what they’re talking about.
| Where | Cll 71 # 5-34 Bogotá |
| Style | A Mediterranean-American fusion |
| Espresso Machine | La Marzocco GB5 |
| Espresso Roast | Medium light espresso Libre Medium espresso Paz |
| Roaster | The head barista, Jonathan Rodick, roasts on a San Franciscan |
| Filter Roast | Medium |
| Must-Try Drink | Ask for Rock of the Week |
| Food | Pastries and sandwiches for lunch |
Libertario won’t leave you short on information.
7. Azahar
Located in Park 93, Azahar is all about single origin coffees from different regions of Colombia. And the baristas are just as good as the coffee. In fact, you’ll find Mauricio Romero, our current national barista champion, pulling shots here.
But that’s not all: every last Saturday of the month, Azahar offers a free public cupping to showcase their new coffees.
| Where | Cra. 14 # 93A-48 Bogotá |
| Style | Urban |
| Espresso Machine | Nuova Simonelli |
| Espresso Roast | Medium |
| Filter Roast | Medium |
| Roaster | Joper |
| Must-Try Drink | Any of their single origin coffees brewed in a V60 |
| Food | Small pastries |
| Nearby Sights | Park 93 |
8. Bourbon Coffee Roasters
This beautiful spot in Quinta Camacho is dedicated to Bourbon coffee. They roast on site, meaning you can watch the magic happen. And their baristas are ready and willing to explain the latest innovations in Bourbon cultivation and processing, including new fermentation processes – meaning you can learn about all the steps in the coffee’s journey from bean to cup. It’s an experience for both your palate and your mind.
What’s more, Bourbon Coffee Roasters is a lovely place to spend an hour or two. A pleasant terrace at the back at the back of the coffee shop is perfect for sipping on a cup of coffee with friends.
Try the rare pink Bourbon here. Credit: Bourbon Coffee Roasters
| Where | Calle 70A # 15-83 |
| Style | Classic and rustic |
| Espresso Machine | Marzocco |
| Espresso Roast | Medium High |
| Filter Roast | Medium |
| Roaster | Quantik |
| Must-Try Drink | Mocha with cocoa |
| Food | Small pastries, quiches, and sandwiches |
As I said, there are many more specialty coffee spots to visit in Bogota, but I consider these eight to be a good representation of the growing coffee culture emerging in the capital. What’s more, they’ll help you visit the different areas within the city.
Colombia is well known for its quality coffee abroad, but its own ever-increasing coffee community makes Bogotá even more interesting. Don’t miss the chance to explore and discover for yourself. Let me tell you that rediscovering my own city through coffee has led me to meet incredible people and have such great experiences.
Coffee, as usual, has been essential.
Written by A. Molina Ospina.
All views within this opinion piece belong to the guest writer, and do not reflect Perfect Daily Grind’s stance.
The post A Specialty Coffee Tour of Bogotá’s Cafés appeared first on Perfect Daily Grind.
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