It’s a sunny morning in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The smell of freshly ground coffee fills the air. The grinder hums behind the counter, steam rises from the espresso machine. Here, coffee has been part of the culture for as long as anyone can remember. Porteños—people born in the city of Buenos Aires—used to drink “cortado” and “café con leche,” extremely hot, bitter, loaded with sugar or sweetener. Some still do; it reminds them of simpler times. But the new generation has arrived to shake up old habits, and redefine what coffee means in this city.
In recent years, a new wave of baristas, chefs, and bartenders raised the bar of what to expect when eating out. Then came the Michelin stars, and Buenos Aires took on a new identity as an international culinary destination. Now districts like Palermo, Villa Crespo, Chacarita, and Colegiales are home to the best specialty coffee spots you’ll find. Skilled baristas, local roasters, and a design-obsessed crowd color the scene. What began as a quiet niche has turned into a cultural movement.
As locals say—Vamos a tomar un cafe—let’s go have coffee. With more than 300 cafes in the city of Buenos Aires, here are eight spots to get you started.
Blanca Studio
After a decade running Louis & Lewis, a candle factory, Juan Riesgo and Carolina Shalum decided to explore a new path. Combining their passion for decor and gastronomy, they opened Blanca, with special focus on quality product. In addition to their three established locations, they introduced Blanca Studio, which is dedicated to manual coffee brewing and the art of taking thing slow. It’s a small, intimate, exclusive space that stands apart. Customers ring the bell to enter and the use of laptops is not allowed, creating a focused environment where coffee and design take center stage.
This petiribi wood interior, bathed in warm tones, creates a cozy and inviting atmosphere—perfect for coming alone or with a small group, savoring a carefully crafted coffee while listening to a vinyl spinning in the background.
Baristas are genuinely engaged, guiding guests through the nuances of each coffee. Their attention and expertise make every cup feel personal and unforgettable. Featuring a Modbar undercounter system, Blanca Studio roasts its own coffee; on a recent visit I enjoyed a Pink Bourbon variety from the the Pitalito region in Colombia, with vibrant sweetness and notes of dark chocolate, papaya, and pineapple.
La Ventana de Anafe
Chef Mica Najmanovich and Nico Arcucci are the duo behind this cafe, which is the coffee bar offshoot of a popular restaurant called Anafe. At La Ventana de Anafe, a full menu of breakfast, brunch and lunch accompanies intentionally mismatched chairs and cozy vibe, with serious coffee given pride of place.
Coffee served here is by Fuego Tostadores, a local roaster that’s well-regarded across Buenos Aires. This season’s sweet Brazilian blend features notes of almond and chocolate—perfect to pair with one of their iconic medialunas, considered among the best in the city. The one with quince paste and pastry cream is definitely a must.
Lharmonie
Melanie Jafif and Martin Masri opened the original Lharmonie in 2021, and the company now has four locations, including this newest one in the charming Avenida del Libertador.
The coffee comes from Cuervo—another gem on the list—but the fresh made pasties are every bit as much of a draw, and can be found at select cafes and restaurants elsewhere around the city. Get the almond croissant, and also the pistachio babka, both of which have a huge following here.
Exceptional service is a major focus at Lharmonie, and this blends beautifully with the cafe’s cozy atmosphere and relaxed vibe that encourages you to stay.
Cuervo
One of Buenos Aires’s specialty coffee pioneers, Cuervo is the work of founders (and musicians) Pablo Tokatlian and Agustin Caro. It should come as no surprises that music plays a starring role at Cuervo, with the owners curating every playlist from their own experience. Regulars here often share a connection to the arts, making the cafe as much a cultural hub as a coffee destination.
Today Cuervo has six locations across the city, and also has become an in-demand wholesale roaster for other cafes. In Belgrano, they turned an old house into a cozy and friendly place that serves homemade ice cream with cones and capelinas made in-house, adding to the artisanal charm.
From the start, Tokatlian and Caro have stayed true to their original vision—exceptional coffee and welcoming spaces that encourage guests to move chairs, get comfortable, bring a laptop, and soak in the atmosphere. Cuervo remains a reference point in the city’s coffee scene, combining quality, creativity, and a sense of community in every cup.
Cuadra
Run by brother and sister duo Rodrigo and Agustina Gutierrez, this spot defines itself as an eclectic bakery: a space that blends artisanal pastries, specialty coffee, and restaurant-style dishes. From the ovens come country loaves, buckwheat bread, baguettes, and whole-grain sandwiches, all made with organic flours and natural sourdough. Everything is baked fresh daily and completely homemade, also supplying several other cafes and restaurants across the city.
Coffee is roasted by Fuego Tostadores, and the bakery-cafe mini-chain now has three locations across Buenos Aires—in Núñez, San Isidro, and Palermo—each with its own charm. The Palermo outpost doubles as a restaurant, tucked away in a sunlit, plant-filled alley buzzing with energy, with long communal tables. The food menu goes big here, with great burgers, fresh salads, and a perfectly grilled rib-eye steak.
After three thriving locations in Buenos Aires, they took the concept overseas—opening a fourth spot in Madrid, where their beloved medialunas share the spotlight with a creamy Basque-style cheesecake that’s already earned a loyal following.
Hobby
Hobby was founded by childhood friends Lele Garbulsky and Matias Buk, as a nod to their shared passion for coffee and gastronomy, which they turned into a full-time venture.
Inspired by the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi, finding beauty in imperfection and the passage of time, they opened their first location in Chacarita followed by a second in Palermo, on the ground floor of a boutique hotel. Here, every element—from tables and chairs to lighting—was designed and crafted by local artisans. The space feels modern and minimal, yet warm and human. A place to pause and connect, true to their motto: “Coffee and Friends.”
Coffee here is serious business, but never intimidating. A Modbar setup paired with Mahlkönig grinders keeps every interaction open and personal. Their beans come from Puerto Blest, one of Argentina’s leading roasters, ensuring every cup reflects both quality and intention. The long bar is divided into espresso and manual brew stations, a space built for connection as much as for efficiency.
Oss Kaffe
Architect and scenographer Fernando Iglesias Molli first discovered specialty coffee on a business trip to Oslo. Inspired, he returned to Buenos Aires with a vision to recreate that Nordic sensibility, one cup at a time. He then transformed his home garage in the Nuñez district, nto a minimalist coffee window, a sort of framed view of craftsmanship and connection. In 2017 ÖSS Kaffe was born, serving coffee through a single opening to guests who gathered on mismatched chairs along the sidewalk.
From the start, Iglesias Molli placed a strong focus on traceability and product quality. ÖSS sources its beans from Puerto Blest and hosts regular classes and tastings to share knowledge with its growing community.
Today, ÖSS Kaffe has four locations in Buenos Aires, plus one in Montevideo, another in Barcelona, and one more in Madrid. Each cafe is unique, yet all share a common thread—a space where art, design, and coffee culture converge, turning every visit into an act of discovery and connection.
The Shelter Coffee
The Shelter Coffee was opened in 2015 by Jaime Chmea, and helped bring new standards of coffee quality and care to Buenos Aires. “We seek excellence in every cup,” read one wall. “We are roasting,” says another, a quiet nod to their commitment to excellence in every detail.
With the feel of a London pub, Shelter Coffee offers a calm, grounded atmosphere across its locations. Leather couches, brass stools, and soft lighting invite guests to slow down and stay awhile. The menu keeps its focus where it matters—on coffee—paired with pastries and alfajores filled with dulce de leche. Simple, honest, and done right.
Shelter now counts four locations across the city. The standout is on Uriburu Street, in the chaotic neighborhood of Balvanera. It’s a genuine hideaway from the endless traffic and the district’s constant noise outside—a spacious spot with its own roastery and the kind of warmth that makes you want to stay for just one more cup.
Julian Hilale is a freelance journalist based in Buenos Aires. This is Julian Hilale’ first feature for Sprudge.
