photo by Young Shanahan (via Flickr)
Coffee is synonymous with Colombia is a big part of any adventure in the country. The best coffee beans in the world are grown in the humid, lush coffee regions of the Andean mountains. While Colombia is known as an exporter of excellent coffee, it hasn’t always been known for serving its own delicious product - at least not until recently. The coffee shop scene in Bogotá has exploded, and since several of Uncharted Colombia’s adventure tours begin and end in Bogotá, it’s the perfect time to explore these four charming coffee shops.
photo by kerrylrice (via Flickr)
Amor Perfecto
Amor Perfecto means perfect love, but it might as well say perfect coffee. This quaint and beautiful little shop boasts big flavor. They were the first to purchase and begin using the SMART Loring coffee roaster. The SMART Loring machine roasts the coffee beans with a patented “smokeless” single gas burner system, which incinerates the smoke in a cyclone funnel, and creates the ultimate in smooth flavor. At Amor Perfecto, they want consumers to have the best possible coffee experience, whether in the cafe or at home. They also support local farmers, ensuring their beans are 100% Colombian and the very best. Stop in and pass an afternoon in this idyllic coffee paradise.
Contraste Coffee Lab
Tucked away in the Hotel Continental is a serious little coffee shop. The baristas at Contraste Coffee Lab are experts in preparing coffee, whether you want cold brew, espresso, or a pour over. This crew is about the science of coffee, and their research will delight your taste buds! Their coffee comes from the farms in Viotá (about 90 minutes from Bogotá), and you can also purchase roasted coffee beans to take with you. Although Café Origami boasts an excellent flat white, there are some ardent fans of Contraste that claim they make the best flat white in Colombia...maybe anywhere.
photo by Diana Connolly (via Flickr)
Juan Valdez Café
Everyone knows Juan Valdez . The image of the famous coffee farmer has been part of the coffee culture for decades. It was the first recognized national brand of Colombian coffee and fulfilled its mission to promote Colombian coffee around the world. While the cafes are an international chain, it would be remiss to have a coffee in Colombia without experiencing the brand that put Colombian coffee on the map. There are several cafes around Bogotá that you can experience, and even a few stores in the United States in Washington D.C. and New York City!
Café Origami
By far the quirkiest shop in the list, Café Origami blends good Colombian coffee with origami and Iranian food! Located in the trendy and bohemian Macarena neighborhood, this innovative little cafe offers a respite from the hustle and bustle of the city. They are especially famous for their flat white, a drink that can be difficult to find. A flat white is a double shot of espresso in which a barista carefully pours only the microfoam of the steamed milk into the expresso (the velvety portion with small bubbles, not the foam or the liquid milk). That, combined with the opportunity to fold your own unique origami creation, makes this one destination you will want to include on your travels through Bogotá.
Book a customized tour of Colombia and let Uncharted Colombia’s guides point you in the right direction to taste the very best coffee the city of Bogotá has to offer. Soak up the ambiance of beautiful and quirky cafes while people-watching. The unique culture and taste sensations will surely win your heart. Colombia is waiting.