My Top Five Cafes and Coffee Spots in Puerto Escondido
Cafe has become a very broad term, so allow me to clarify...
The word “Cafe” has become an umbrella term for any place that serves coffee, along with anything else. For example, Dan’s Delux Cafe here in Puerto made both my top 5 favorite chiliquiles and burger lists, and has “Cafe” in the name. It’s a big category these days. But, for this ranking, I’m not eating burgers or big breakfasts. I’m sticking primarily to coffee, the vibe, and maybe a quick pastry as the main variables that make up this ranking.
Imagine you’re going to write a blog or read a book for an hour somewhere, this list is my top 5 favorite spots for those types of slow mornings when you just want a thoughtful coffee and a cozy spot.
Growing up I was never a coffee snob, but then I spent a year and a half in Australia—home of the coffee snob. During that time, I firmly decided that out of all the numerous variations, flat whites are the superior blend of espresso and stretched milk. I decided drip coffee isn’t as good as espresso. I decided latte art was cool.
Don’t get me wrong, I’ll drink instant coffee in a pinch, but I did work at one of Melbourne’s best coffee shops for a while, and I’ve seen god in the latte art those baristas make. I’ve tasted the pearly gates in a perfect Flat White. I know what I like when it comes to coffee, and I like these 5 places below.
Note: My food (or coffee!) rankings are always based on an undefined internal-algorithm that takes into consideration taste, price, and overall experience. It’s also just my opinion, which is why I word the title as such.
Finally, before we jump in I’ll quickly say, I love all of these places. Out of a 10-point scale, they’d all get at least a 9. Even the honorable mentions are all amazing. Go drink coffee everywhere in Puerto, and support as many of these local businesses across every neighborhood as you can, while getting fired up on caffeine!
1. Sandala (Tamarindo)
There might be a slight neighbor bias here (it’s two minutes from my place), but I deeply love spending a few hours at Sandala writing or reading. Their food menu is great, but I pretty much exclusively get a Flat White—to the point where they call me “Mr. Flat White.”
All of their food and coffee options are delicious and thoughtful, all the way down to the cup choice and presentation. They even have an adorable little white Chihuahua named Pina to come greet you as you walk in.
The team is amazing, their little outdoor garden is calm and beautiful, the Starlink WiFi is reliable, and basically—they're just really good at what they do. If my weekly pattern of behavior is a consideration in my rankings, they had to top this list. I’m there almost every day because I love being there. It’s the closest thing I have to an external living room.
Note: I also noticed they just got a huge roaster delivered, so it looks like they have future plans to roast their own beans, with the goal of elevating their already amazing coffee.
My Favorite Order: Flat white, and if I went there to eat, the Shakshuka or Avo Toast.
2. Fincas Las Nievas (Zicatela)
If this review were just—close your eyes, take a sip of coffee, which one is the best—Fincas Las Nievas would be number one. Their cortado is essentially what I want in a Flat White, and it’s executed perfectly every time. They grow, roast, and serve all their own coffee as well, so it’s about as special of a cup of coffee as you can find anywhere in the world. Their food menu is lovely as well, with generous portions of healthy food.
It’s a great place for a meeting or Spanish lesson, but I don’t think they give out WiFi any longer, so don’t go there hoping to take a video call for work! I normally just stop in to read my book and slowly sip what I consider the best coffee in Puerto Escondido. Go try their incredible cortado or coffee order of choice, and enjoy the sea breeze and tranqi vibes of a Puerto Escondido institution.
My Favorite Order: Cortado… siempre, cortado. All of their food is delicious as well.
3. Amarisa (La Punta, Zicatela, Rinconada)
Amarisa feels like home to me. In part, because I’m good mates with Philippe ( one of the owners) and also because it’s incredibly welcoming and cozy. You can see the goal of the vibe they're aiming to achieve right in both their new heart-shaped logo and new motto—Sabor Con Sentido (flavor with feeling).
They also have a fabrica in the Lazaro neighborhood, where all of their baguettes and pastries are made fresh daily, and then delivered to their three locations spread out across Puerto. No matter which neighborhood you call home, you can pretty easily end up at an Amarisa. It’s an amazing spot to put in a few hours of work on your computer or to take a group of friends for a tasty breakfast at fair prices.
My Favorite Order: Flat white and a croissant. I think they have the best croissants in town, and their baguette is among the very best as well. All of their pastries and tortas are incredible.
4. Dulce Tierra (Rinconada, Zicatela, La Punta)
Much like Amarisa, Dulce Tierra has three locations spread out around Puerto Escondido. They’re a well-established and well-loved institution. Some mornings I wake up thinking about their cinnamon rolls. It’s one of the best I’ve ever had in my life. It gives the chain Cinnabon a run for their money.
They just expanded the back area of their Zicatela location, and it’s become one of my favorite places to sit and work while sipping a coffee (and stuffing pastries in my mouth). I’m there as I type this now. Go pop in for a caffeine reload, or a treat from their bakery. The staff is always so welcoming, as are the well-designed spaces at all three locations.
My Favorite Order: Cortado double and a cinnamon roll or red velvet cupcake. Their entire bakery selection is so good, including their vegan options.
5. Art Cafe El Huizache (Centro)
I drove by this spot probably a dozen times before first stopping in. It always caught my attention. Driving by I would think “That place just looks so cute and welcoming.” I finally followed that intuition one day while running errands in centro, and now I try to stop in for even half an hour whenever I’m cruising the mean streets of centro.
The woman who runs the cafe is so lovely, and the place matches her energy perfectly. I don’t know her name yet, but I feel a first-name basis friendship coming soon. Her coffee shop has art, plants, and beautiful little artistic touches throughout. I even love her nautical-themed bathroom. The cafe also serves as an art gallery, as most of the paintings on the wall are for sale.
My Favorite Order: Americano and whatever pastry she has that day in the little glass cake tray. She also serves organic root beer!
Honorable Mentions:
There are so many great coffee spots in Puerto Escondido. These 5 would round out my top 10, so check them out as well!
Ojitos Abiertos
Café Binisa
Café N’Duva
Panaderia Helena
Malagua Cafe
Eco Shoutout
To Sandala, Amarisa (all 3), Dulce Tierra (all 3), Ojitos Abiertos (both locations), and Malagua for being a part of Sostenible PE’s free water refill network to help the community get rid of single-use plastic water bottles!
If you own or manage (or know someone who owns or manages) a cafe, restaurant, or any space open to the public, write Sostenible on Instagram to get a water filter at an 80% discount!
Fairly New Spots I’m Excited to Try:
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