6 Must-Try Coffee Shops in San Juan
From alcohol-infused coffee to specialty-grade filtered espresso, these Metro area coffee shops are sure to satisfy your caffeine cravings.
Coffee lovers know that a good cup of joe can be hard to come by, especially when you’re on vacation. Several key factors come into play: the bean, roasting temperature, fineness of the ground, and the way it’s filtered. Platea has hand-picked the best coffee shops in San Juan for a roast to remember.
Since the COVID-19 has affected the hours of shops across Puerto Rico, we suggest calling before you go.
1. Café Regina
If you’re walking by this hidden gem, you just might miss it. Discreetly tucked inside an off-white Spanish-style building on the ground floor, Café Regina is a local favorite. The specialty coffee shop offers quality espresso and experimental coffee drinks. Bestsellers include the Cashew Milk Iced Latte, which blends house-made cashew milk with two shots of espresso, organic maple syrup and cinnamon, and the “Cafe Stormy,” a concoction of cold brew, ginger beer, lime, coconut and cardamom. The women-owned business often collaborates with local coffee producers, adding unique Puerto Rican flavors. Pair your perfect cup of coffee with one of their house-made pastries, such as the mouthwatering Poppy Seed Banana Bread or flourless Chocolate Muffin made with 100 percent Puerto Rican chocolate.
Address: 58 Taft Street
Hours: Mon-Fri, 8am-3pm; Sat and Sun, 8:30am-4pm
2. Café Comunión
Coffee power couple Abner Roldán and Karla Quiñones are behind this contemporary multi-roaster shop located in the artsy neighborhood of Santurce. Roldán is a two-time Puerto Rico Latte Art Champion, so the coffee shop’s artistic lattes are on point. Tasty breakfast items and pastries pair well with their quality roast. Café Comunión has also been globally recognized and recommended by international magazines such as Condé Nast Traveler and Imbibe.
Address: 1616 PR-25
Hours: Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm; Sat and Sun, 9am-2pm
“Take advantage of their really nice outdoor patio (it’s tucked away).” – Gigí Nieves Bosch
3. Barista Squared
There are two locations of this local favorite–one in Condado and the other in Hato Rey. One of its signature drinks is the Cereal Milk Latte, made with oat milk pre-soaked in cereal. Barista Squared is the go-to coffee shop for that afternoon pick-me-up that gives you the energy to vacation on for the rest of the day. It also offers delicious pastries, affordable sandwiches and serves breakfast all day.
Address: 1102 Av. Magdalena
Hours: Mon-Fri, 7am-7pm. Closed on Wed in Condado; Mon-Fri, 7am-4pm in Hato Rey
4. 787 Coffee
The recently opened coffee shop in Santurce grows, processes and roasts its own coffee on their farm, which is located on one of the highest points of Marcicao’s mountains in Puerto Rico. Coupling that with locally sourced products, their motto is “from our farm to your cup.” Their specialty includes alcohol-infused coffee beans. Its “Whisky Infused” coffee carries tantalizing vanilla, berries and dark chocolate tasting notes. Its “Rum Infused” coffee beans are infused for 48 hours with the exclusively Puerto Rican Don Q rum. With a strong presence also in the mainland U.S., 787 Coffee has seven locations in New York City.
Address: 1669 PR-25
Hours: Mon-Sat, 7am-6pm; Sun, 8am-5pm
“My favorite part is their different kinds of infused coffee beans. The rum-infused coffee I tried was pretty good!”
5. Café con Cé
This coffee shop is the perfect spot for a cup of joe before the beach or after dining at a restaurant on Calle Loíza. Look closely because it is hidden behind Café Tresbé, a street-food restaurant that serves out of a concession stand. Café con Cé offers a small but mighty menu of espresso drinks. To complement your coffee, choose from its myriad of scrumptious dessert options, including the Yucca Cake, Nut Nutella Brownie and Vegan Baklava Guava. There are also gluten-free plain or guava cookies called “Guess the Biscuits.” Enjoy your coffee in its lushly decorated and modernly furnished outdoor patio.
Address: 1765 Calle Loíza
Hours: Mon-Sun, 7am-8pm
6. Filtrado
Nestled in the heart of Old San Juan, Filtrado specializes in filtered coffees. Its namesake Filtrado drink features specialty grade pour over coffee that’s offered in both hot and iced versions. Other hot favorites include its specialty grade espresso, Matcha, Macchiato and Mocha drinks. The Cortado, which means “cut” in Spanish, is balanced with an equal amount of espresso and steamed milk. Many locals order the mixed grain salad with their coffee.
Address: 200 Calle del Santo Cristo
Hours: Mon-Sat, 12pm-7pm
“The cool thing about Filtrado is that the store owners cultivate their own coffee.”
Not sure where to start? Use this map (and save it) to find out which option is closest to you.
What pairs well with coffee? Brunch, of course! Once you’ve hit the best coffee shops in San Juan, here are 7 Best Brunch Spots to check out!
