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 that information and do with it as you will...
Let's take a look at some of the coffee shops here in Arequipa, Peru:
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First on the list because I truly think this is the best cup of coffee you can get in Arequipa. They take their drinks seriously and will even happily adjust to your tastes.
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.
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I'd say this is one of the top fancy cafes in Arequipa. I'm usually a little skeptical about trying these places, but 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.
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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.
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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.
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This is a classic coffee shop in Arequipa, with two locations. It's known for it's 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'.
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The coffee here is average but the cafe food is top-notch.
If you're looking for a mid-morning brunch or pick-me-up, I definitely 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.
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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.
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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.
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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. It's another great place to work from your laptop.
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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.
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.
What coffee shop should I try next?
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