The last few years have been good for specialty coffee shops in Bogota, with a blossoming of shops from north to south. Yes, Bogota is an exciting coffee destination!
Sniffing out good coffee is a rewarding challenge when visiting Bogota, and you may have to travel a bit to get to all of the shops. But it’s well worth the effort.
You won’t find many huge brands here – the emphasis is on small local ones with a personal touch. Most of these coffee shops in Bogota sell coffee they roast in-house, and which they source directly from coffee growers.
*This article was updated January 17, 2024
The past evolves into the future
Historically, coffee in Colombia was mainly a product for exportation. What was left in Colombia for consumption was often the worst quality, at times called pasilla. Therefore, while you could appreciate an excellent cup of Colombian coffee abroad, it was a challenge to find one in the country.
However, times are changing. Now the face of the coffee scene in major cities is transforming quickly at the hands of a new generation of young, enthusiastic, and hard-working baristas.
All Colombians seem to be passionate about whatever they do, and baristas are no exception. Generous with their knowledge, they give you not just expertly brewed coffee, but also share their love of their country’s finest product.
They’re shining the spotlight on outstanding coffees while providing exciting and rewarding experiences that go far beyond the basics. Take advantage of a coffee culture scene where the baristas have time to prepare your coffee in a wide variety of time-consuming manual brewing methods and guide you to appreciate the finer characteristics of specialty coffees.
Are you looking for a unique coffee experience in Bogota or Cartagena? Join us for a Specialty Coffee Experience that gives you a deep knowledge of coffee in Colombia as well as the people behind the cup.
Specialty coffee shops in Bogota
Varietale
Young and hip, Varietale is the place to be to tap into the energy of Bogota’s coffee scene. Their baristas are up on the latest trends in specialty coffee. They source coffee from diverse regions around Colombia and roast it at their Chapinero location.
The bright, airy shop in a restored convent has plenty of nooks and crannies to fall into for a quiet conversation or an intense planning session.
Don’t miss their shop in the international airport in Bogota – one of the best places to get a coffee before getting on your flight.
Calle 41 #8-43
Amor Perfecto
A big name in what is still the relatively small world of Colombian specialty coffee, Amor Perfecto started producing higher quality coffee back in the mid-1990s when there was little specialty coffee in the country.
Now you’ll see Amor Perfecto coffee in hundreds of bakeries and restaurants around the country, and it has won international awards. Amor Perfecto has also been the training ground for numerous national coffee champions. In 2021 their star barista, Diego Campos, even won the World Barista Coffee Championship held in Milan, Italy. It was the first time a coffee producer won the championship, and it was a celebrated event throughout Colombia and Latin America.
The flagship Chapinero location oozes a coffee education vibe, with a coffee lab right on the premises. Amor Perfecto sources their beans from around the country in small lots, so you’ll always be surprised by the ever-changing treasures alongside the old favorites.
This spot should be on every coffee lover’s list, to get a dose of Colombian coffee history.
Read our review of Amor Perfecto or our discussion of how the owner of Amor Perfecto has contributed to specialty coffee in Colombia.
Carrera 4 #66-46, Bogota
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Juan Valdez Orígenes
You’ll find Juan Valdez coffee shops all around Colombia – and internationally – but this three-story shop in Zona G is different. Here they put an emphasis on diverse coffee-growing regions.
Downstairs, the coffee farm vibe comes through with rustic ceramic reminiscent of a coffee farm kitchen, plenty of vegetation climbing the vertical gardens, and tables made of recycled coffee wood.
Juan Valdez is the public face of Colombian coffee growers. The brand represents the Colombian Coffee Growers Federation that was established in 1927 to support coffee farmers. Therefore, it’s not surprising that Juan Valdez baristas have gone on to win national coffee championships – and that it continues to be Colombia’s most popular coffee shop.
Calle 70 #6-09
Libertario
Libertario is the design cafe. It’s elegant and hip, classy. All the coffee served at Libertario comes from just one area – Zipacón, Cundinamarca.
They sell coffee from their farm, La Palma y El Tucan, but they also buy coffee from about 100 coffee-growing families located within a 10 km radius of the farm. That way they extend their knowledge to the whole community – and share the economic benefits.
Coffee from La Palma y El Tucán has been used in coffee competitions around the world – and has helped baristas reach first, second or third place in major championships.
Read our full review of Libertario.
Libertario Coffee Roasters website
Calle 70A #5-37, Bogota
Café Cultor
Café Cultor was among the first specialty coffee shops to open in Bogota. Now with four locations, each one has a wildly different feel:
- Soak up the academic feel in the huge Luis Ángel Arango library in La Candelaria
- Their recycled shipping container is a tiny spot with an outdoor feel
- Sink into a cozy couch at the Wilborada book store
- Our favorite location is Café Cultor Casa. Locals love it for the inviting garden out back. You might even see the master roaster at work in the roasting area.
What we love is their focus on coffee education. They help over 10,000 coffee farmers around the country produce better coffee, but they don’t leave out the consumers. The baristas here have an almost scientific approach to coffee preparation, so put the baristas to the test with all your toughest questions.
Try a Café Don Agustino, their version of coffee served on a farm, dressed up with spices and fruit. Or their refreshing chilled drink, limonada de cafe, which has no lemons or coffee beans.
Read our full review of Café Cultor.
Calle 70a # 9 – 44
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Cafe 18
If what you’re looking for is a huge selection of interesting coffee varieties, pop into Cafe 18. They have everything, from Sudan to Harrar to Pink Bourbon. And with some of the best baristas in Bogota, you’re in for a taste sensation.
And it’s also one of the best places for coffee if you’re at the airport and need a lift. You’ll find it in the domestic flights side, after going through security.
Rosales: Carrera 5 #71-45, Local 104B
Near Parque de la 93: Carrera 11B #96-54
Aeropuerto Internacional El Dorado – Muelle nacional L72
Tropicalia
Newly opened at the end of 2021, Tropicalia took Bogota by storm. Go for the incredible coffee, but enjoy the warm design (they won an SCA Coffee Design award for it in 2022) and the pet-friendly policy. The brunch menu is incredible and available all day long. With some of the best roasters in the city, Tropicalia is not to be missed.
Calle 81a #8-23
Azahar
Azahar has built up a brand that people associate with specialty coffee done from the heart. They source their coffee directly from farmers and are transparent with their costs and payments – in fact, they publish exactly how much above market price they pay for each coffee. Azahar is a chic spot to meet for a business lunch or afternoon snack.
And how have Azahar baristas fared in national coffee competitions? You got it – they’ve won their share of first place spots, too.
Calle 93B # 13 – 91
Carrera 9 # 79A-23
Colo Coffee
Colo Coffee is a coffee geek paradise. At Colo, lighter roasts let the origin shine through with lively acidity and complex flavors.
In our opinion, the must-see spot is in Usaquén. The outdoorsy feel of this immense shop makes it feel like a tropical resort. The roasting area at the entrance reminds you that yes, the coffee is fresh. The baristas are incredibly knowledgeable about both the coffee and the best brewing method to pair it with.
And the coffee tree garden in the back and along the sides of the shop gives you the impression you’re in one of Colombia’s many coffee-growing regions.
Carrera 6a #117-26 Usaquén, Bogota
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Catación Pública
Not far from Colo in Usaquen, Catación Pública is a pocket-sized coffee shop – but one that you shouldn’t miss.
When discussing coffee personalities in Colombia, the name of the owner of Catación Pública, Jaime Duque, is bound to come up. He worked as an agronomist for the Colombian Coffee Growers Federation for over 20 years and now uses that accumulated knowledge to source coffee from around the country for this shop.
It has a disproportionately large roaster area and lab in the back, which is fitting for an education-oriented spot. The selection of coffee here is probably the largest you’re going to find in any shop in Bogota, so you can try coffees from many regions around Colombia.
Calle 120 A # 3 A – 47 Usaquén, Bogota
Learn more about Colombian coffee
If you love Colombian coffee, you’ll love drinking coffee when you visit Colombia. How can you find the best coffee in Colombia, and avoid the not-so-great experiences?
Learn more about Colombian coffee with this extensive article about common coffee questions.
Or join us for a coffee workshop! We have Specialty Coffee Experiences that will guide you to some of the best coffee shops in Colombia and help you understand:
- How Colombians drink coffee
- Coffee history in Colombia
- How coffee has impacted culture and life here in Colombia
- Why coffee is more important than ever to the present and future of Colombia
- How you can help by purchasing the right kind of coffee
Learn about Colombian coffee in a whole new way.
And if you have any questions, just ask us! We love to answer coffee questions. The easiest way to get in touch is to use this contact form. (Keep an eye on your unwanted email folder, because sometimes our answers wind up there).
