Cultura Cafecina en Puerto Rico (Coffee Culture in Puerto Rico)

In Puerto Rico, we take our café very seriously. It is a tradition we love to upkeep and make sure it is done correctly. 

Unsurprisingly, we house some of the most beautiful coffee shops serving excellent local café. I remember waking up early in the morning, accompanying my parents for a coffee and a walk to start our weekend correctly. The café Puertorriqueño is now recognized by many as one of the best coffees in the world; we Puerto Ricans are very proud. There are a million coffee shops that you will find in the metro area alone. I hope to write about them all and what makes them so special. For now, I give you six unique places that are a must. 

Café Regina

One of the magical things about coffee shops in Puerto Rico is that, albeit their small space, they will always guarantee a great experience. This women-owned café sets the stage for gorgeous coffee shops in San Juan. With its elegant and minimal decoration, Café Regina makes you feel like a rich aunt. I adore the small and intimate bar where you order that somehow makes it feel like a luxury experience. Its immaculate outdoor seating lets you enjoy a solid coffee while feeling the ocean breeze. Although I don’t recommend it if you are looking for a workplace space, I love this coffee shop for taking breaks and grounding ourselves in this beautiful island.

58 Calle Taft  

Barista Squared 

I learned about Barista Squared through its location in the financial district of San Juan. Their original Condado location has a larger space ideal for picking up a coffee and working for a bit. Apart from their solid coffee, I love this shop's insane wraps. I adore their chicken Caesar wrap as well as the one that has chorizo. It comes with crispy chips; nothing is better than picking up a coffee after lunch! 

1102 Ave. Magdalena 

Dosis Café 

I love passing by Dosis Café on my way to work to pick up a coffee and alfajor; this might be the best way to start the work week! Dosis has a comfortable shop to sit, sip on some café, and work. You can also grab a coffee and walk around the iconic Calle Cerra, admiring the beautiful murals of “Santurce es Ley.” I love Dosis for working; it has excellent space for meetings.

730 Calle Cerra 

Café con Cé

Café con Cé is another small shop that offers incredible coffee. Ć has a gorgeous tropical environment with great outdoor seating. It’s located in a very central area in San Juan (right in the corner of Calle Loiza), which makes it a perfect spot for after-the-beach coffee. Although they don’t offer as many food choices, I recommend visiting Ć solely for their coffee and environment; I promise you will love it.  

1765 Calle Loíza 

Café Comunión 

It took me a while to visit Café Comunión for the first time, and as many say, good things come to those who wait! Located on Ponce de León Avenue, I loved the place's ambiance; it has a simple and relaxed outside area surrounded by plants giving you such peace. The coffee is terrific, but I can confidently say that the food is impressive. They have great breakfast options, from avo toast to breakfast sandwiches; I adored their egg sandwich with a guava spread which gave it a charming touch. I love this café whether I’m looking for a work spot or a great breakfast. 

1616 Ave. Ponce de León 

Habitante Café 

I instantly fell in love with this chic and minimal coffee shop in Santurce near Calle Cerra. Although they opened recently and have a small food selection, their coffee is insanely good. Besides their delicious coffee, they also create fantastic specialty drinks, such as a hibiscus lime mocktail that I adore. They also offer small snacks and breakfast, great for a quick run in the morning. We tried their lemon cake, and it was top-notch. The space is relatively small, with limited seating inside and outside. However, nothing beats an 8 am coffee while seeing the sunrise! I love this place for a slow morning vibe where I want to pick up a drink, eat some lemon cake and enjoy my morning.  

959 Ave. Fernandez Junco 

If you’ve learned anything about this post, Santurce houses iconic restaurants and shops. I cannot recommend visiting Santurce more and choosing a few places to eat, drink and walk around. 

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