Buenos Aires's Best Coffee Shops, Ranked by Locals (2026)

Buenos Aires has a deeper cafe tradition than most European cities. The "cafés notables," historic coffeehouses that have been operating for a century or more, are protected cultural landmarks. Marble tables, brass fixtures, bow-tied waiters. The coffee served in these institutions is typically espresso in the Italian tradition: dark, strong, and unquestioned. The specialty scene is newer and smaller, but it is growing with the intensity that porteños bring to everything they care about.

Where to Go

Coffee Town. Multiple locations. The Palermo shop has the strongest roasting program in Argentina. Good pour over and solid espresso. Cuervo Café. San Telmo. Small, precise, passionate. Light roasts, careful extraction. LAB Tostadores de Café. Precise, experimental, focused on showcasing origin character. Café Tortoni. Operating since 1858. The most famous. Order a cortado at the bar and watch the room. Bar Notable El Federal. San Telmo. Less touristy than Tortoni, more atmospheric. Dark wood, old tile, regulars who have been coming for decades.

What to Know

"Café con leche" is the standard morning order: espresso with hot milk, served in a large cup, usually with medialunas (sweet croissants). Argentine coffee culture runs late. Merienda (afternoon coffee, 5 to 7 PM) is a daily ritual. Palermo has the most specialty options. Explore all coffee shops in Buenos Aires.

Keep reading: Best Coffee Shops in Bogota, What Is a Cortado, How the World Drinks Coffee.