Best Cafes and Coffee Shops in Colonia Americana (Guadalajara)

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I’ve stayed in Colonia Americana several times for as long as up to a month each time. Believe me when I say that if you love slow mornings, good coffee, and wandering a very walkable neighborhood – Colonia Americana is your place to be. 

It’s one of those neighborhoods where you can walk a few blocks and pass a handful of great cafes. 🌿 Some are tucked inside old houses, some hide behind iron gates or brick walls, and a few are just outside in neighboring Arcos Vallarta but worth the short ride or even a nice long walk (if it’s not too hot lol). 

Here are my favorite cafes in and around the neighborhood, from specialty pour-overs to bakery-café stops to brunch spots – all provided for you depending on what you’re looking for. ☕

(Heads up: cafe hours change a lot in Mexico, so I always recommend checking Google Maps or the cafe’s Instagram before you go.)

Best Cafes in Colonia Americana

My personal favorite for the top cafe in the neighborhood is Espacio Abierto, for overall vibe and quality of the food and coffee. But you can’t go wrong with any of the spots below. You have several options depending on what you’re in the mood for, whether that’s a quiet laptop session, a long brunch, a pastry run, or a garden courtyard with your dog. 🐶☕

1. Espacio Abierto

$$ | 📍 Colonia Americana | 🗺️ Google Maps

I genuinely love this beautiful open-air garden café. 🌿 You enter through a big iron gate into an outdoor courtyard with climbing vines, a pebble floor, and wooden tables with umbrellas. 

The coffee menu covers espresso drinks, cold brew, and an espresso tonic, and the matcha latte is a reviewer favorite. For food, there’s a long list that includes chilaquiles, sandwiches, pancakes, fruit and oatmeal bowls, and pastries. I also always get their green juice for my daily green intake. 🌱

Wifi is free and works well so naturally I’ve worked from here many times. It’s also pet-friendly given that it’s mostly outdoor seating. 

Worth the trip for: the garden courtyard, good food and coffee/drinks, and a work-friendly, pet-friendly stop.

2. Peligro al Fondo

$$ | 📍 Colonia Americana | 🗺️ Google Maps

A hidden garden café: an open-air courtyard with a greenhouse full of plants and a modern design. 🌿 The menu mixes Mexican flavors with Mediterranean touches, and it works at any time of day. They’re known for their various types of chilaquiles, french toast, and pancakes along with several other dishes. They also have cocktails and beers if it’s that kinda day for you! 🍻🍹

It’s also dog-friendly on the terrace (pups reportedly get a treat). Portions for some dishes can be on the smaller side so maybe don’t wait until you’re starving before going. 😅

Worth the trip for: the garden-greenhouse setting, brunch and drinks in one stop, and a dog-friendly terrace.

3. Pigmento Sabor Vivo

$$ | 📍 Colonia Americana | 🗺️ Google Maps

A no-frills but cozy, plant-filled café that’s coffee-focused but serves breakfast, brunch, lunch, and desserts, with vegetarian and vegan options. Their chilaquiles, pancakes, French toast, and smoothie bowls all look so good. 🍌 I love getting an iced latte and green smoothie while I get some work done using their free wifi. 👩‍💻

I’ve only been to their original location which is indoors but I see they opened up a new location not too far away also in Colonia Americana. This one seems to have more of a beautiful outdoor vibe which I love. I’ll definitely check it out next time I’m back! 

Worth the trip for: the plant-filled space, a long brunch menu with vegan options, and easy to work from.

4. Sinónimo

$$ | 📍 Colonia Americana | 🗺️ Google Maps

This is where I’d send you for a proper brunch. It’s a charming spot with a terrace and a relaxed, unfussy vibe, and the menu goes well beyond coffee. 

This spot just seems to have something for everyone. Though the menu isn’t necessarily extensive, they do have variety. Delicious coffee (also matcha and golden milk lattes), burritos, chilaquiles, pastries, sandwiches, pancakes, fruit bowls, acai bowls, and more. 

Service is quick and friendly, and the indoor and outdoor seating means you can usually find a spot with a view of the street. Just note that it closes at 3:30PM, so this is a morning-to-early-afternoon kind of place.

Worth the trip for: a full brunch menu, a pretty terrace, and flexible options for vegetarians.

5. Gabinete

$$ | 📍 Colonia Americana | 🗺️ Google Maps

Cafe + cozy: a bright, greenhouse-style brunch spot that feels homey. 🌿 The chilaquiles are popular and they also have plenty of vegan and vegetarian options. The cold brews and teas are a hit and there’s wine too if you’re staying into the evening.

Wifi works well here and it’s a spot that I’ve worked from quite a few times. It can get warm inside so I would try to avoid it during peak sun hours on hotter days.

Worth the trip for: the chilaquiles, the greenhouse atmosphere, and a laptop-friendly brunch with wifi.

6. BANETTO Panadería Boutique

$$ | 📍 Colonia Americana | 🗺️ Google Maps

Pastry time! Banetto is a chic little bakery on the Lafayette side of the neighborhood. 🥐 The almond croissant, alfajor and guava pastry are popular items, and the coffee is good too.

There’s plenty of outdoor seating, so it works for a slow pastry-and-coffee break or a takeaway bag for your walk. Go early, since pastries can sell out. 

Worth the trip for: the almond croissant, alfajor, guava pastry, patio vibes, and an afternoon coffee break.

7. Neretta Café & Gelato

$$ | 📍 Colonia Americana | 🗺️ Google Maps

Here’s an option for people who want coffee and dessert, because yes, there’s gelato. 🍨 The coffee side is serious too, with a manual brew bar and beans from Mexican regions. The breakfast menu is a standout: the French Toast Reload, served with a scoop of gelato and house-made jam, is pure indulgence, and the shakshuka and croque madam are popular items as well. Besides their delicious gelato there’s also other dessert options to choose from. 

What I love most is the cozy patio. It’s quiet, leafy, and a nice place to slow down with a book. It also has some of the longest hours on this list, so it works for a late-afternoon coffee or an after-dinner gelato.

Worth the trip for: a quiet patio, pour-over options, and gelato with your French toast.

Other Cafes Worth Checking Out

If you have more time, here are a few extra stops in the neighborhood that are worth mentioning:

• KONA Miscellaneous Corner: minimalist pour-over bar that also sells beans, and great for remote work.

• Xitzin Cafe: If you’re a coffee nerd, this tiny specialty bar is a must. Xitzin rotates its Mexican micro-lot pour-overs with fresh beans about every two weeks. The baristas are friendly and happy to explain what’s in your cup, and the room has a cozy, relaxed feel with good music.

• Cafe palReal: Delicious food, coffee, and decor making it a great brunch spot right outside of Colonia Americana in Arcos Vallarta. 

• Taller de Espresso: Mexican-focused coffee purists with a very high rating, and pastries instead of a full food menu.

• Saint Malo: Open air cafe behind a brick wall. Serves coffee and food while also great for remote work. 

• RinTinTin Café: Set inside a former house, with colorful murals, local design touches, and an outdoor back patio.

• Karmele: Beautiful cafe bakery right outside of Colonia American in Arcos Vallarta. Great for their almond croissants, fresh breads, and a weekday-morning pastry run.

Best Cafes in Colonia Americana for Working & Wifi

Colonia Americana is a dream if you’re a remote worker. What’s great is that there is free wifi almost anywhere you go and I also noticed that most places would not tell you that you can’t have your laptop out. 

However, when I’m considering places to work from I’m thinking about a few things other things as well. I like working from somewhere that’s spacious, easy to grab an available table and space, not super loud, and comfortable enough seating. With that said, my favorite places to work from are KONA Miscellaneous Corner, Peligro al Fondo, Pigmento Sabor Vivo and Saint Malo. 

A few tips: go on a weekday morning for the best chance at a seat, bring a portable charger (outlets aren’t guaranteed), and order something every hour or so if you’re staying a while.

Best Cafes in Colonia Americana for Brunch

If you’re looking for a solid brunch, my top recommendations would be Sinomino, Neretta, Cafe palReal, and Cafe Abierto. All have delicious food and drinks with a nice space and vibe. 

Pro tip: a lot of brunch spots close in the mid-afternoon, so aim for before 2PM, especially on weekends when everyone has the same idea. If you want to avoid a wait, go early or on a weekday.

FAQs

Here are quick answers to common questions about Colonia Americana.

What is the best cafe in Colonia Americana?

Cafe Abierto is my favorite cafe in Colonia Americana. I just absolutely love the unique open-air and tranquil setting and I genuinely like the coffee, green juice, and food. Plus since working remote is a big part of my day it also is a huge plus that I enjoy working from there. 

Is Colonia Americana safe to walk around?

Colonia Americana is one of the most popular and walkable neighborhoods in Guadalajara, and it’s where many visitors choose to stay. As with anywhere, I’d stay aware of my surroundings, keep my phone out of sight when I’m walking, and use Uber or DiDi at night instead of walking long distances on quiet streets.

What’s the best time of day to visit cafes in Colonia Americana?

Weekday mornings are the sweet spot, before the brunch crowds show up. Weekends fill up fast at popular brunch spots. A few places close by 3PM or 4PM, so if you want brunch, go before then.

Where to Stay Near Colonia Americana’s Best Cafes

If you want to be able to walk to everything on this list, staying in or near Colonia Americana is the move. You can roll out of bed, walk to your first coffee, and spend the whole day cafe hopping without needing a car. For a full breakdown of neighborhoods, check out my guide on where to stay in Guadalajara.

Final Thoughts

Cafe hopping is one of my favorite ways to slow down in a new city, and Colonia Americana makes it so easy. Between the specialty coffee, the leafy patios, and the brunch spots on almost every block, it’s the kind of neighborhood where you can build a whole day around your next cup. The best cafes in Colonia Americana aren’t just about the coffee, they’re about slowing down, sitting somewhere with a nice vibe, and letting the morning unfold. ☕

My advice: pick two or three from this list, leave room in your day to wander, and don’t overplan it. I’m sure you’ll leave Guadalajara with your own favorites.

Sharing is caring! If this helped you plan your trip, send it to a friend who loves a good coffee shop. 🫶

xo, Joie

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