My 10 Favorite Coffee Shops in Oaxaca

ByJulien Casanova Updated On

There is an abundance of cafes in Oaxaca City. So how do you know which one to pick?

I’ve detailed my favorite coffee shops in Oaxaca which I’ve narrowed down while living in the city for the last three years. All of these serve a great cup of coffee but some are also highlighted for their beautiful atmosphere, decadent pastries, or other unique characteristics.

If you’re looking for the best coffee in Oaxaca, start here! I’ve also included an outdoor cat cafe that I love to support.

A cappuccino in a white mug sits on a wooden table. The coffee drink has lots of bubbles and a layered heart decoration drawn in the foam.

Where to Find the Best Cafes in Oaxaca

You’ll notice this list of the best cafes in Oaxaca focuses on centro. There’s just something about the enchanting atmosphere of the renovated historic buildings. Plus, it’s close to where most travelers choose to stay.

From the street, some of these coffee shops in Oaxaca centro look small. But once inside an unexpected area may be revealed in the form of a beautiful courtyard or rooftop. It’s something to keep in mind as you’re looking for your favorite coffee spot.

1. Muss Café

Located on the lower level of a gorgeous renovated building turned hotel, Muss Café is one of the most popular coffee shops in Oaxaca.

A large brown dog sits at the entrance to Muss Cafe, one of the best cafes in Oaxaca. He is staring straight at the camera with his butt in the cafe and his front legs on the step below.

The main cafe is tiny but it expands to a beautiful courtyard with arched columns, a large table, and comfy seating areas. Or you can choose to go upstairs to the rooftop bar and restaurant known as Amá Terraza.

I prefer the tranquility of the upper level with tables surrounded by plants and beautiful architecture. But the food menu is different and a bit more expensive, especially when considering the portion size. This area was originally intended for hotel guests, but they’ve relaxed on that lately.

2. Bodaega – Best Pastries and Coffee

Bodaega is known for incredibly decadent pastries. Started by a Mexican-Danish couple, they masterfully blend Mexican ingredients with Danish baking techniques.

Highlights include the cardamon bun, spandauer, and multi layered Danish pastry topped with seasonal fruit and edible flowers. And the coffee is solid as well.

Keep in mind, the seating consists of just one large community table with an open view to the kitchen where you can watch the bakers in action.

Impressively, Bodaega grows all their own wheat. What they produce each year is all they use to create their sourdough breads and pastries.

3. Sagrado Filemón

On top of the coffee bar at Filemon Cafe, Oaxaca is an espresso machine, coffee grinder, and mugs. On the right is a table and chair sitting under and open window with a plant.

This cafe in Oaxaca flows from room to room through the lower level of a historic building. Tall arched ceilings and colorful tiles keep the atmosphere cool. And the small patio expands the areas to sit.

The laidback feeling replicates drinking coffee at a good friend’s home. And the coffee is rich! This is one of my friend’s favorite places for a good cup of coffee in Oaxaca.

Sagrado Filemón also made my list of the best breakfast in Oaxaca. While prices are a little elevated, the menu has an array of interesting dishes.

4. Café SL28

At Cafe SL28, a mural depicts a young girl sitting with her legs crossed amongst a plant as she picks a bright red fruit. Inside the cafe are tables and chairs as well as a shelf full of coffee products. Behind is the main bar with espresso machine and glasses.

Don’t let the simple decor of this Oaxaca coffee shop fool you. The space is bright and slightly homey feeling. But they serve some of the best coffee in Oaxaca!

The coffee is sourced from different regions of Oaxaca. And it can be prepared using your preferred method from Chemex to V60 pour over. They also have a highly rated cold brew, which is perfect for the hotter months in Oaxaca.

It’s clear they have a passion for coffee at Café SL28. The menu of salads, sandwiches, and breakfast items is affordable and tasty as well.

5. La Selva de los Gatos – Cat Cafe in Oaxaca

This cat cafe in Oaxaca is appropriately named La Selva de los Gatos, or The Jungle of Cats. And this courtyard cafe is just that. It’s a cat oasis. The more than a dozen cats are free to roam while customers enjoy their company.

At the cat cafe in Oaxaca, this overhead shot shows a stripped cat is curled up and napping on a pillow with tropical leaves.
At the cat cafe in Oaxaca, a white, black, and orange cat looks at the camera while lying on a stone platform. Surrounding the cat are various plants.

In addition to having cute cats, La Selva de los Gatos is a great place to eat vegan food in Oaxaca. All of their milks are plant based and they offer an array of homemade gluten-free vegan desserts.

The cats are all rescues looking for a permanent home, so regardless cat lovers will feel good about supporting this coffee shop in Oaxaca.

6. LIA Café

The coffee car at Kun cafe has an espresso machine as well as a coffee grinder. Other items on display are artisan goods from Oaxaca.

Located in the heart of Oaxaca City, LIA Café is both a coffee shop and a beautifully curated boutique. It easily made my list of the best places to shop in Oaxaca, but keep in mind the prices are a bit elevated for the area.

This coffee shop only has a couple of chairs to sit in the center, surrounded by the beautiful handicrafts. I consider it to have some of the best coffee in Oaxaca, but perhaps better to order to-go.

7. Terno Café

This a tiny cafe located just north of Jardin Conzatti serves some of the highest quality coffee in Oaxaca. And it’s immediately clear that the owner, Teo, is passionate about every aspect that goes into crafting a cup of coffee.

While many of these coffee shops likely qualify for the same distinction, without a doubt I would consider this third wave coffee. Each coffee is served with a paper that details its flavor profile, origin, process, producer, and even the barista who made your drink.

8. Sorbo Café

At Sorbo Cafe in Oaxaca, Centro, deep turquoise walls are balanced by light wood tables and chairs. The wall is decorated with at least a dozen honeycomb shaped mirrors. In the background in a hand written chalk menu and the coffee bar.

This small but stylish cafe is located in La Noria, a neighborhood in just south of Centro. Rich turquoise walls balance the wooden tables while handmade textiles add a splash of Oaxaca.

This cozy coffee shop doubles as a place to shop in Oaxaca. They have textiles and other items made by local artisans.

9. Pataxte Café y Diseño

Colorful banners hang from the ceiling of Pataxte Cafe in Oaxaca. Underneath is a small patio with plants and black tables and chairs.

This small cafe and design studio has just a few tables to sit on a covered patio. The menu includes smoothies, coffee drinks, and more refreshing beverages such as the Ginger Mich which blends the freshness of a limonada with ginger, yum!

But perhaps the most interesting drink is the signature Pataxte, which is a Mesoamerican superfood. Pataxte is related to cacao but its subtle nutty flavor is quite different and actually balances the flavor of cacao quite nicely.

Bonus, the small but interesting food menu at Pataxte includes a great falafel sandwich with a side of pickled vegetables. The only downside, is I sometimes find this Oaxaca coffee shop to be closed during business hours.

10. Lluvia y Cosecha Café

I love this atmosphere of this Oaxaca cafe. It features natural decor that spills over to its clay coffee mugs and stone plates. Inside are several wooden tables surrounded by a mix of benches, stools, and chairs for seating. 

They proudly serve Oaxacan coffee from Pluma, a mountainous region south of the city towards the coast that’s known as the best coffee in Oaxaca. And they have a few food offerings – delicious sandwiches and charcuterie.

Lluvia and Cosecha, which translates to Rain and Harvest, is a self-described “Barra de Experiencias.” They also host popup food events and live music in the evenings later in the week.

Julien, the creator of Oaxaca Travel Tips, stands in an rock arch that frames the ocean in La Punta, Oaxaca. She's wearing a purple dress and has long blonde hair.

Hola! Soy Julien Casanova. And Oaxaca stole my heart.

When I set off to explore Mexico again, I found myself always coming back to Oaxaca. The vibrant culture, wonderful people, stunning beaches, and incredible food. All of it stole my heart and suddenly I desired to stay in one place. For a while at least. After living in Oaxaca for over a year, I decided to share my love for this area of Mexico.

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