The full-bodied flavors of Guatemalan coffee make it a popular brew around the world. Few people, however, are lucky enough to get a taste from the source. So, whether you’re visiting Antigua for a week or living there for a few years, don’t forget to let your taste buds do a little exploring too.
Already a popular tourist destination due to its volcanic vistas and historic charm, Antigua is also located in one of Guatemala’s well-known coffee growing regions. Once the country’s capital, this quaint town’s cobblestone streets are lined with colonial ruins, coffee shops and cafés.
You could spend days sitting down in each of Antigua’s cafés in pursuit of its best cup of coffee. So, by no means is my list exhaustive, and I’ve skirted large chains altogether. But for now, these are a few of my favorite haunts to launch your coffee tour. Let’s sip, explore, and enjoy!
La Vid Coffee Roasters
La Vid is the perfect place to begin our coffee crawl because it’s located right around the corner from Maximo Nivel on third street. While the majority of businesses in Antigua lure tourists in with terraces and gardens, this coffee shop is a hidden gem, sitting inconspicuously next door to a barber shop.
After stepping through its large barn-like door, you’ll feel like you’ve entered a refurbished home. The space is a calm reprieve from Antigua’s lively streets. Though its ambiance is minimalistic, La Vid is a comfortable place to work— furnished with communal tables and inviting couches and armchairs.
The menu at La Vid is simple and high quality. It’s definitely a coffee shop and not a café. They roast their own beans, and their baristas are well trained. From killer cold brew to a rotating selection of pour overs, they take their coffee seriously and don’t bother with trendy combinations or overly sweet syrups.
Café Boheme
But if you’re looking for more of a view or a full food menu, Café Boheme is a popular French lunch spot, a skip and a hop over on fifth street. On a clear day, its terrace offers a stunning view of the volcanoes that encircle Antigua, and an order there has never left me unimpressed.
Cafe Boheme serves a wide variety of fresh salads, sandwiches, and desserts. And though coffee is not their specialty, they still have a strong selection of espresso drinks. Or if you’re a bit burnt out on the coffee buzz already, they also make smooth chai and matcha lattes that aren’t too sweet.
Raiz Café
Built on a ten-by-ten grid, Antigua is truly a walking city. The next stop on our coffee tour occupies a small window front space on the corner of seventh avenue and sixth street. Raiz is another simple but first-rate establishment, focusing primarily on espresso drinks and a small selection of artisan sandwiches.
It’s the perfect place to sip an americano at the bar overhanging the street and just watch the world go by. If you’re lucky, the owner’s golden retriever may keep you company. There’s also a used bookstore across the street that’s organized by language and genre and always well stocked.
Fat Cat Coffee House
Another great daily grind for serious coffee drinkers is Fat Cat Coffee House, located on the other side of the main square on fourth street. Though slightly pricier than the spots I’ve mentioned so far, Fat Cat has diligently procured the caliber of its coffee at every stage, forging relationships with local growers and roasting their coffee themselves.
Whether you’re after a smooth cappuccino or a bold local brew, Fat Cat is making a name for itself in the international coffee world. Their employees aren’t just waiters but professional baristas who know their stuff. And if you’re feeling peckish, they also make hearty breakfast sandwiches on freshly baked bagels.
Café La Parada
And last but not least, La Parada, which literally translates to “The Stop” in English, is my go-to coffee spot in Antigua. La Parada only serves espresso drinks: strong, smooth, and simple. Their americanos may be the best coffee I’ve ever tried, but the café’s atmosphere is understated.
Yes, you’ll still find expats there, as well as fresh-faced tourists, but you’ll also find a lot of locals. La Parada is reasonably priced, and even though it rests on sixth street (the same street as Maximo Nivel), it’s a step outside the crowded center of town. Their turkey sandwiches are also a great complement to any cup of coffee!
Other Great Finds
Still not tired of smooth Guatemalan blends? Continue exploring on your own! I could probably fill an encyclopedia with all of the coffee shops and cafés in and around Antigua, but these five are a good start for any coffee connoisseur.
Other honorable mentions include Fernando’s Kaffee, Bella Vista Coffee, and even some chains like Pastelería La Cenicienta. If you’re an out-of-towner like myself, you’ll likely be impressed by the quality of the coffee served at Guatemalan chains! Antigua is an ideal place to enjoy locally grown coffee.
At Maximo Antigua, you can also book coffee tours are also available at farms a short ride out of town. But no matter what phase of production you’re interested in, exploring the coffee scene is a great way to see Antigua while supporting local farmers, roasters and baristas!