Cafe Hopping in Arequipa, Peru
I'm always looking for a place with a 'lil "treat" (most of the time salty) and a great cup of coffee.
And now that I live in a country known for its production of arabica coffee, I am slowly turning into a coffee snob.
*DISCLAIMER: as a budget backpacker at heart, instant coffee will always have a place in my life.* Take this information and do with it as you will...
Now, let's take a look at some of the coffee shops here in Arequipa, Peru:
First on the list because I truly think this is the best cup of coffee you can get in Arequipa in terms of quality and technique. They take their coffee seriously and will even happily adjust to your tastes making it a great place if you're a coffee snob (or are traveling with one).
This low-key coffee shop is understated from the outside compared to some of the others on the list but the high-class desserts and coffee will not disappoint.
*Bonus points* because the owner is so kind making this place even more worth a visit if you're in the area.
I'd say this is one of the top fancy cafes in Arequipa, which made me a little skeptical. Luckily, Oso Cafe's coffee and dessert are both surprisingly delicious.
While you're going to spend a bit more money than at other places, you're going to receive higher-quality food and drinks.
This is a great rooftop cafe if you're looking for a bit of a break and some people-watching, but it definitely gets hot during the day. So, I recommend getting a sunset treat here.
This shop as been around for a while, and for good reason.
Known for it's frappes, this cafe still sells its products for a reasonable price.
If you're looking for ambiance, this isn't it. But you will still find the best frappe here. So I'd definitely recommend heading here on a hot day.
This is a classic coffee shop in Arequipa, with two locations. It's known for its chocolate but serves all types of desserts and coffee. It has a cool rooftop sitting area which is nice if you just want to chill or get some work done.
You'll find some quality desserts and coffee here. I love the latte here because it always comes out 'just right'.
I'd say the coffee here is just average but the cafe food is top-notch.
If you're looking for a mid-morning brunch or pick-me-up, I recommend grabbing something to eat here.
Specifically, the lemon cake and the Caprese sandwich, have made it on my list of TOP TREATS in Arequipa.
A trendy cafe in the San Lazaro neighborhood. Unfortunately, the coffee was horrible when I went and I haven't felt the need to give it a "second chance" yet...
But, the sandwiches are pretty good and fresh.
This is a classic main-stream cafe "that's not Starbucks".
This place has solid coffee and you can bring your laptop if you're looking for a place to just chill and work. It's pretty small but does the trick.
Another "standard-to-good" quality coffee in Arequipa.
The vibe of this place is very relaxed and it has a nice outside sitting area. If you have some time to kill and a good book to read, I'd recommend this cafe for its patio area.
Also, it's another great place to work from your laptop.
Conveniently located in San Lazaro, Ristretto is one of my top picks for coffee lately. I love a good iced latte from there in the afternoon. They always put a little coconut milk ice cube in it to keep it cool and give it a nice flavor.Â
I recently walked in when they were making some fresh waffles and they smelled delicious. I'll definitely be giving them a try in the future.
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