Exploring Old San Juan’s Coffee Culture: The Best Cafes to Visit

Looking for the best coffee shops to visit in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico? Look no further than this guide to exploring Old San Juan’s coffee culture! From traditional roasting methods at Hacienda San Pedro to specialty coffee at Don Ruiz Coffee, discover the top cafes to satisfy your caffeine cravings in this historic city.

Iced Americano at Café Lab, Old San Juan, Puerto Rico

Old San Juan, Puerto Rico is a vibrant and exciting destination for coffee lovers. From cozy cafes with local charm to trendy spots with modern flair, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at Old San Juan’s coffee culture and explore some of the best cafes to visit during your trip – and YES, there is a Starbucks, but you won’t find it on our list. 🙂

Cuatro Estaciones

Cuatro Estaciones, a kiosk located on Calle San Francisco in the Plaza de Armas, is a charming coffee shop perfect for a morning pick-me-up or an afternoon break. The café serves up a variety of coffee drinks made with Puerto Rican beans, including their signature café con leche. Cuatro Estaciones also offers a selection of pastries and sandwiches, making it a great spot for a quick bite. We highly recommend trying their quesitos (a cheese-filled pastry)!

Café Lab

Café Lab is a modern coffee shop also located on Calle San Francisco. The café serves up local Puerto Rican coffee from Lajas, PR, along with local art, books, and cozy chairs. To top it all off, each coffee comes with a delicious homemade pizzelle. What’s better than that?

Don Ruiz

Don Ruiz Coffee is located inside Ballaja, a historic building that was built from 1854 to 1864 for the Spanish troops established on the island. Today, the building is used for educational and cultural activities, including the Museo de las Americas, which is the most important museum in the Caribbean with the history of humanity from North to South America, as well as restaurants and Don Ruiz-Roastery, Museum and Cafe.

The shop specializes in coffee preparation, from traditional espresso to different kinds of brewing or pour-over methods, always using their single-origin specialty coffee from Yauco, Puerto Rico. 

In Don Ruiz Coffee, visitors can enjoy a variety of coffee drinks, from a delicious espresso to a magnificent iced coffee. The café also offers fine pastries, sandwiches, and other snacks. Don Ruiz Coffee is also a great spot to shop for souvenirs, including coffee bags, fine rums, and cigars from Puerto Rico. With its unique location and quality coffee, Don Ruiz is definitely a must-visit spot for any coffee lover in Old San Juan.

Café Cuatro Sombras

Located on Calle San Francisco, Café Cuatro Sombras is a must-visit destination for coffee lovers. This family-owned business specializes in artisanal coffee made from 100% Puerto Rican beans. The cozy cafe is decorated with vintage photos and antique coffee grinders, giving it a unique and authentic feel.

Caficultura

Caficultura is another popular spot for coffee enthusiasts in Old San Juan. The cafe serves up a range of coffee drinks, including espresso, cappuccino, and their signature café con leche. Caficultura also has a full menu of breakfast and lunch items, making it a great place to start your day.

In conclusion, Old San Juan is a paradise for coffee lovers, with an array of cafes to choose from. Whether you prefer traditional Puerto Rican coffee or a trendy latte, you’re sure to find something that suits your taste. So grab a cup of coffee and enjoy all this historic city has to offer!

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