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9 Best Coffee Shops in Roma Norte, Mexico City

ByJessie Updated on

One of the best ways to take in Roma Norte’s cool neighborhood charm is by exploring the local coffee culture. 

Even though I’ve lived in Mexico City for 6 years, it’s still one of my favorite ways to get out and enjoy the neighborhood.

If you stay in Roma Norte, start your morning off with a scenic walk to one of these coffee shops – I live in Roma Norte and can walk to any of these in under 25 minutes.

The neighborhood is teeming with cafes, but many rely on Instagram-worthy aesthetics rather than quality coffee to attract tourists and remote workers, leaving you with a sub-par coffee experience.

But not these coffee shops! Loved by locals and foreigners alike, they have excellent coffee, skilled baristas, and a unique appeal.  

From the elegant architecture and cool design of Qūentin to the organic, eco-conscious coffee by Buna, here are the best coffee shops in Roma Norte for the cafe ambiance, a coffee to-go, or working remotely.

1. Cardinal

The interior of Cardinal Coffee Shop, featuring a rustic and eclectic design. The counter is made from reclaimed wood, with shelves behind it holding coffee equipment and a collection of vintage globes. The space is warmly lit by pendant lights, with a menu board overhead and a mix of wooden chairs and tables in the seating area.
A cappuccino served in a blue cup with matching saucer, placed on a dark wooden table. The foam on the cappuccino is carefully crafted into a simple yet elegant design.

Cardinal coffee house makes my favorite coffee in town. And it’s not just me. The other day, my friend suggested we meet here for a coffee because he also thinks they have some of the best coffee in Roma Norte.

He says they make the best cold brew in all of CDMX and their café de olla cold brew is to die for. My go-to is usually a latte and it’s absolutely perfect, but next time I’ll have to give the cold brew a try. 

It’s a small shop but they do have several places to sit down and enjoy your coffee while you read a book, chat with a friend, or plan what you want to do next in Roma Norte. 

Cardinal’s skilled baristas use Chemex, V60s, Aeropress, French Press, and Kalita Wave in addition to their La Marzocco espresso machine to brew your perfect cup with local Mexican beans. 

They’ve been around for years and have outlasted many other popular competitors.

FOOD: Pastries | SEATING: Yes | WIFI: Yes

2. Cumbé

A small outdoor café area with green and yellow furniture under a covered patio, surrounded by lush greenery. The area leads to a street lined with trees and other businesses.
A menu board for 'CUMBÉ Coffee Roasters' displaying a variety of coffee options, surrounded by numerous colorful stickers on a rustic wooden door.
A small outdoor seating area with a yellow bench and matching yellow tables and chairs. The wall behind is covered with colorful posters and stickers, and a bicycle is mounted on the wall as decoration.

Cumbé is a breath of fresh air in the world of coffee where so many coffee shops have the same overly-perfect look. 

But don’t let modesty fool you. This casual, friendly, and colorful cafe has some of the best coffee around.  

They have a huge variety of beans from all across Mexico and they’re happy to chat with you about it. 

Their espresso drinks are done Melbourne-style. From magic flat whites and lattes to Chemex and Pour Over, they craft each beverage with precision and care. 

I sat down to work here for an hour or so, but they don’t offer the best seating for working. It’s better suited for sitting down for a few minutes while you enjoy your coffee rather than hours of focused work. 

They toast their own coffee and have beans for sale too! 

FOOD: Pastries | SEATING: Yes | WIFI: Yes

3. Qūentin

A street view of a corner building with an art deco architectural style, featuring large, curved windows and a small cafe named Quentin on the ground floor. A person is walking past the cafe holding a large cardboard box.

Qūentin is the cool and trendy neighborhood coffee shop to visit when looking for something a little more aesthetic. 

They have two locations in Roma Norte. The one on Alvaro Obregon has a small seating space indoors with four small tables and a few additional chairs at the bar. The one on Avenida Yucatán just has outdoor seating and is better for a to-go coffee unless there is a free table.

Regardless of which one you visit, they know how to make a great cup of coffee and have delicious pastries too.

It’s a great cafe for enjoying a coffee solo or with a friend while taking in Roma Norte’s picturesque neighborhood vibes. 

They sell bags of their varieties of coffee from different Mexican states like Veracruz and Chiapas. A friend gifted me a bag and both my boyfriend and I thought it was excellent and loved being able to brew it at home.

FOOD: Pastries | SEATING: Limited | WIFI: Yes

4. Drip

The exterior of Drip Coffee Shop with a clean, minimalist design. The storefront features white double doors with large windows, through which you can see staff working behind the counter. The sign above reads 'drip café especial' with the words 'hacemos café, hacemos historias' written across the facade.
A plastic cup of iced coffee from Drip Coffee Shop with the words 'hacemos hacemos' printed repeatedly in black on the cup. The cup is placed on a textured stone surface with green foliage in the background.

Drip is a cute, surprise-find. I ventured away from my then-office in search of a coffee on my lunch break and stumbled across this charming spot. 

They have your typical espresso drinks, cold brew, teas, matcha, and (my personal favorite) dirty chai!

Drip has been around since 2014 and hasn’t lost that local-neighborhood-coffee feel. It’s an unpretentious coffee shop that serves carefully crafted coffee that doesn’t disappoint. 

The knowledgeable and friendly baristas are happy to talk to you about their specialty coffee while they prepare your latte, pour over, or V60 brew.  

I prefer to order my coffee to go and enjoy it while I walk around the area. I’ve sat in the upstairs loft before to do some work but it’s not the most comfortable or exciting space.

FOOD: Pastries | SEATING: Limited | WIFI: Yes

5. Buna

A white coffee cup with the words 'café rico' printed on it, sitting on a saucer. The cup contains a latte with intricate foam art on top, placed on a light green table in an outdoor setting.
Interior of a coffee shop with a minimalist, industrial design featuring a concrete wall with the words 'Buna café rico' in bold black letters. The counter is cluttered with coffee equipment, bags of coffee beans, and other supplies, giving the space a cozy, artisanal atmosphere.

Buna organic coffee has taken Mexico City by storm. Apart from their tiny coffee shop in Roma Norte, they are the supplier of Michelin-star restaurants like Quintonil, Rosetta, and my favorite breakfast place in Roma Norte, La Ventanita. 

They focus on growing ecologically conscious coffee and protecting Mexican ecosystems to ensure a delicious and sustainable brew. They also make chocolate!

Their OG coffee shop is located just off of Plaza Rio de Janeiro and it’s perfect for getting a cup to go while you walk around the buzzing park and watch dogs chase after balls and play in the fountain. 

While not in Roma Norte, their toasting location and second cafe is just a few blocks from Roma in the neighboring Doctores neighborhood. Located in an old textile factory, it has a cool industrial vibe with way more seating and a better atmosphere for sitting and enjoying a coffee with friends or even getting work done.

It might be the only coffee shop on this list that you could put in all three categories. It’s a real gem of a place and unlike any other coffee shop around!

FOOD: Pastries | SEATING: Limited | WIFI: Yes

Best coffee shops for Remote Work

6. Dosis

A latte served in a black and white striped cup, placed on a wooden table next to a sleek, silver laptop. The setup gives a cozy, modern vibe perfect for working in a café.

I really like working at Dosis. They are friendly and have a long wall lined with plenty of small tables, so chances are there will be space to sit down and work. I don’t have to worry about biking all the way there to find myself without a place to work. 

The space is bright and airy. I find it really cheerful for working and I love the view of Avenida Álvaro Obregón from inside. Just be sure to come with a fully charged laptop because they have ZERO outlets. 

I did find that the internet started to slow down significantly when more people showed up. I’d recommend avoiding the mid-day rush and go before noon or later in the evening for best internet. 

They only sell large drinks and as someone that can’t tolerate more than one shot of espresso, I was a little bummed, but they were accommodating enough and made me the large latte with just one shot of espresso. I still had to pay the full price, but at least I didn’t leave with crazy jitters.

Their coffee tastes great and they have a bakery in the back where they make fresh bread and pastries daily. They have a variety of breakfast/brunch options (mostly fancy toasts) if you plan to stay for a few hours and get hungry.

FOOD: Breakfast/ Brunch Plates, Pastries | SEATING: Yes | WIFI: Yes

7. Blend Station

The interior of Blend Station café, featuring a bright, modern design with large plants and light wood furniture. A sign reading 'Pimp Your Blend' is displayed on a colorful wall, and the space is open and inviting, with people seated in the background.
A glass of cold brew coffee filled with ice, sitting on a wooden table next to a potted plant. The background is softly blurred, focusing attention on the refreshing drink.

Blend Station is a favorite of mine for cafe-working. While the seating isn’t the most comfortable and it’s mostly bar seating, there are plenty of places to sit – indoors and out.

Like Dosis, and most coffee shops where people tend to sit at a table for hours and work, their coffees are bigger and more expensive to help compensate for the amount of time you spend there. 

While the space does cater to remote workers, it’s first and foremost a coffee shop with an excellent coffee selection and plenty of brewing methods to choose from. They have natural, washed, and honey beans and have bags of coffee for sale as well. 

They offer a hearty brunch menu. I usually order their avocado toast and the portion is huge compared to most other places, which is great for me because I love a big breakfast! 

Even if you aren’t looking for a coffee shop to work from, I’d still check out Blend Station for their excellent coffee and original design.

FOOD: Breakfast/ Brunch Plates, Pastries | SEATING: Yes | WIFI: Yes

8. Boicot

The interior of a coffee shop with a modern, cozy design. The counter is stocked with pastries and coffee-making equipment, with a bright menu board overhead and a small seating area visible outside.

Boicot was an extremely popular cafe in the expat community. But since Covid, I think a lot of those expats left and the ones that replaced them have been going to other coffee shops like Blend Station instead.

I’ll be honest, I never really loved Boicot, but if you need a place to work for a few hours and not feel like you’re overstaying your welcome, it’s a good option. 

They have a huge food menu which is convenient if you plan to stay a while and need to eat, and it’s pretty tasty. 

I also like the eclectic design and how it doesn’t feel like a pretentious, cookie-cutter coffee shop, so it gets points there. And they have a ton of seating so you can always find a table to work at. 

But what I liked the least was surprisingly the coffee. I didn’t even finish the latte I ordered because it was way too big and just didn’t taste great.

FOOD: Breakfast/Brunch, Sandwiches, Pastries | SEATING: Yes | WIFI: Yes

9. Libertario

Libertario is a remote worker’s paradise. It’s incredibly spacious with lots of comfortable seating, a good selection of food and coffee, reliable internet, and a cute location right on Plaza Luis Cabrera. 

But with all these bells and whistles, I find that it lacks the charm and character that makes the other cafes on this list so much more appealing. 

But I can’t deny the convenience and comfort of this place which is why I needed to include it on the list. 

If having a polished and comfortable place to work is your priority, then Libertario is a great option, especially if you’re with a group. If you want to grab a coffee at a cool, local spot, try a different coffee shop on this list.

FOOD: Breakfast/Brunch, Sandwiches, Pastries | SEATING: Yes | WIFI: Yes

FAQs

Where can I buy bags of coffee to take home?

To my knowledge, every coffee shop on this list has their own coffee for sale so be sure to ask. They make great souvenirs or gifts for friends and family!

Should I tip my barista?

Not all coffee shops will ask for a tip when you pay with card, but some will. Tipping 10-20% is customary, especially if you sit at a table and work for a few hours.

Which coffee shops have good food?

The coffee shops at the end of this list that are good for remote working have the best food options. That being said, their specialty is still coffee so you won’t eat as well as you would at actual restaurants in Roma Norte , but they have options that are more filling than just pastries.

Map of the Best Coffee Shops in Roma Norte

Final Thoughts

Tasting Mexico’s delicious coffee at the best coffee shops in Roma Norte is a delightful way to immerse yourself in the neighborhood and experience the impressive variety of Mexican coffee.

Coffee shops are usually open until 8pm, so nothing is stopping you from sipping a flat white from morning ‘til night. 

Want more coffee shop recs and local tips like these? Join my free Facebook group, Mexico City Things to Do, where I share my latest finds, answer your questions, and post real-time updates on what’s happening around Roma Norte and beyond.

Read More About Roma Norte

Jessie is the creator of An Earthly Paradise. In 2018 she quickly fell for Mexico and has since called Mexico City home. She has traveled to 24 of 32 Mexican states. She helps fellow adventurers plan immersive and unforgettable trips to destinations all across Mexico.