6 Awesome Coffee Shops in Old San Juan

Do you have a passion for coffee? If yes, then the selection of Specialty Coffee Shops in Old San Juan will not leave you caffeine deprived.

Puerto Ricans have a passion for coffee and some of the best coffee in the world is grown here; in fact coffee has been grown in Puerto Rico since the early 1700’s.

Back then, coffee production was a huge part of the islands economy, but today labor market and economic factors mean that Puerto Rico has to import coffee in order to meet the islands demand.

Fortunately there has been a surge in independent Specialty Coffee Shops opening in Old San Juan (and San Juan Metro Area) serving locally grown Puerto Rican Coffee. Some of the coffee shops grow their own coffee beans and bring you coffee straight from ‘the farm to the cup’, others serve single bean or blended coffee obtained from local growers.

If you are looking for a great cup of 100% Puerto Rican coffee, then give one or more of these awesome Old San Juan Coffee Shops a try. I promise you; will not be disappointed.

Caficultura

Located on San Francisco Street overlooking Plaza Colon, Caficultura was one of the first of the new breed of artisan coffee shops to open in Old San Juan. With indoor and outdoor seating, you can enjoy a great cup of smooth coffee made from a blend of locally grown beans.

Their highly skilled baristas will pull you a perfect espresso, cappuccino or latte, while their food menu will not leave you hungry. Breakfast items such as French Toast infused with coconut milk are extremely popular along with their selection of gourmet sandwiches and evening tapas.
Location: 401 San Francisco Street, Old San Juan
Hours: Monday – Thursday 8am – 5pm; Friday, 8am – midnight; Saturday – Sunday, 8am – 8pm

Cuatro Sombras

Located on Recinto Sur Street opposite the Federal Court House, Cuatro Sombras brings you coffee straight from the farm to cup. Their 100% arabica. coffee beans are grown in the mountains of Yauco and one of the owners Pablo Munoz, is a descendent of the founder of Hacienda Santa Clara in Yauco.

The coffee produced by Cuatro Sombras is a medium bodied coffee with hints of semi-sweet chocolate, caramel and spices

The coffee shop has its own roaster and they offer coffee cupping / tasting sessions in conjunction with Flavors of San Juan Tours
Location: 259 Recinto Sur Street, Old San Juan
Hours: Monday – Friday 8am – 7pm, Saturday – Sunday 8am – 8pm
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Café Don Ruiz Coffee Shop

Café Don Ruiz Coffee Shop is one of the newest artisan coffee shops to open in Old San Juan, located in the Cuartel Ballaja building close to El Morro Fort. Café Don Ruiz serves their own coffee grown and roasted at their Yauco farm.

Along with coffee, you can also find sandwiches, pastries and fruit drinks.

The décor has a modern and open feel with additional outdoor seating overlooking the courtyard of Cuartel Ballaja. In addition the coffee shop will house a small museum showcasing coffee production related antiques.
Location: Cuartel Ballaja, Old San Juan
Hours: Tuesday – Thursday 9am – 4:30pm, Friday 9am – 7pm, Saturday 8am – 7pm and Sunday 11am – 5pm
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Café Finca Cialitos “Expresso Art”

San Justo Street in Old San Juan is home to Café Finca Cialitos. If you drop in to try their great coffee you will more than likely be served by owner Joaquín Pastor Gonzalez, whose passion for coffee holds no bounds. He is more than happy to give you a brief history of Puerto Rican coffee and his coffee production, while serving a great tasting cup of coffee.

Along with coffee Café Finca Cialitos serves freshly made sandwiches and pastries
Location: 150 San Justo Street, Old San Juan
Hours: Tuesday – Friday 8am – 4:30pm, Saturday 9am – 5pm, Sunday 10am – 5pm.
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Café Cola’o

Café Cola’o is the smallest of the coffee shops but do not let that fool you. Their coffee is extremely good and their location at Pier 2 in Old San Juan makes this a great stop if you are taking the Catano Ferry or waiting for the free Old San Juan trolley.

Café Cola’o sell a selection of coffee from various produces around the island
Location: Pier 2, Old San Juan
Hours: Monday – Friday 6am to 6pm, Saturday – Sunday 9am – 7pm
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Café Poético

Café Poético is my latest find. Located on Cruz Street opposite Plaza de Armas, Café Poético serves San Pedro coffee, produced in the town of Jayuya.

Coffee is not the only thing on the menu at Café Poético with freshly made quiches and sandwiches to help fight off hunger. For something a little stronger you could try one of the Old Harbor Brewery beers that they have on tap.

Café Poético’s owner also runs the Poets Passage store in the same building and the 2 combine on Tuesday evenings for Poets Night and Thursday evenings for Music Night.
Location: 203 Cruz Street, Old San Juan
Hours: Daily 9:00am – 8:00pm
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All of the above coffee shops in Old San Juan serve really awesome coffee and all have highly skilled baristas who not only pull great coffee shots, but produce really amazing crafted latte art.

If you are looking for a Specialty Coffee Shop in the San Juan Metro Area; try one of these:
Hacienda San Pedro Coffee Shop, 318 De Digo Ave, Santurce
Barista Squared, 420 Avenida Juan Ponce de Leon, San Juan
Café Flor Estrella, 1206, Ave. Américo Miranda

Got any favorite coffee shops in the San Juan area, give them a shout out in the comments below…