Café restaurants in South America
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A
Cafecito
A few steps above street level, this open-air café serves imported beers, desserts, cocktails (caipirinhas and mojitos), tapas plates and gourmet sandwiches (with ingredients such as smoked trout, artichoke hearts, prosciutto).
reviewed
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B
California Café
Run by Tim, from California no less, this hip pad does breakfasts at any time, plus light lunches and salads – it’s a funky, chilled space to while away many hours. You can spend the day listening to the sublime world music collection or reading one of the hundreds of books available for exchange. Wi-fi is a godsend to laptop junkies and rich espressos and dozens of herbal teas will keep you sipping till closing time. Tim is active in the development of ecotourism in the Cordillera Huayhuash and is a goldmine of information on that area. He organizes ‘ultimate Frisbee’ games every Friday.
reviewed
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C
La Puerta Falsa
This is Bogotá’s most famous snack shop – with displayed multicolored candies beckoning you into the tiny spot that’s been in business since 1816. Grab a sticky breva candy, eggs or tamales for breakfast, or sit with chocolate completo (hot chocolate with cheese, buttered bread and a biscuit; COP$4000).
reviewed
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D
Crepisimo
A cozy place to get your caffeine fix, this cultural cafe has a crackling fireplace, balcony tables, board games and more than 100 kinds of sweet and savory crêpes filled with everything from Chilean smoked trout or wild Swiss mushrooms to exotic South American fruits.
reviewed
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E
Café Café
- Lima, Peru
- Restaurants › Café
Café Café in Mártir Olaya advertises 120 different drinks, gourmet coffees, sandwiches and desserts. The other branch at LarcoMar branch, Malecon de la Reserva 610, is the place to see and be seen, with a great location looking directly out to sea and down to the surfers below; it's not for sufferers of vertigo.
reviewed
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Kato
Tired of the Arístides squeeze? This mellow neighborhood café/bar/restaurant is way hipper than all those places, and there's no fighting for a table. Empanadas, pizzas and sandwiches in a super-chic environment. Those in the know head straight for the lounging action on the sofas out the back.
reviewed
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F
Muse
- Cuzco, Peru
- Restaurants › Café
The coolest cafe-bar-restaurant in town, the Muse offers consistently delicious food with lots of vegetarian options, live music every night, an excellent hangover breakfast, very cool staff, great coffee, a good wine list and a rotating display of art – in short, a hard place to leave at any time of day.
reviewed
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G
Café Mirador
The café of the Museo de los Niños Tanga-Tanga overlooks a botanical garden that exhibits a range of foliage from around the country. The panoramic views are a sunset treat and worth the hike up the hill, and it's a sweet place to linger over juice, sandwiches, cocktails or the rich desserts.
reviewed
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La Barraca
Casual atmosphere and great music complement excellent snacks (guacamole and chips, popcorn and the like), which all make perfect bedmates with an ice-cold beer. The 'international' main courses, however, leave plenty to be desired.
reviewed
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Miracolo
Buzzing with activity day and night, this popular snack spot features outdoor seating on the cobblestones of Paraty's biggest square. Run by an Italian expat, it's a relaxing place to watch the world go by while sipping a beer.
reviewed
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Don Hono
- Nazca, Peru
- Restaurants › Café
This venerable restaurant doesn’t waste effort on atmosphere, but concentrates on serving hearty fare with farm-fresh produce and mean pisco sours. It’s a few notches above other touristy eateries around the plaza.
reviewed
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K
Café Mokka
A stylish place with a pavement terrace overlooking the square, they serve not-amazing coffee, decent cocktails and good, light grub. Tables are decorated with weird arrangements of peanuts and coffee beans.
reviewed
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Sr Café
The most stylin’ little cafe in the center, this is a good place for coffee and a sandwich anytime. Weekend nights, pull up an outside table and enjoy the live music.
reviewed
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Confeitaria Colombo
Located inside the Forte de Copacabana (admission R$2), this café has shady outdoor tables with magnificent views of Copacabana Beach.
reviewed
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Bopan
A good place to break up a walk along the Malecón, Bopan has an extensive menu of crepes, tortillas, sandwiches and pastas.
reviewed
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chiQuito
This intimate and artsy café makes for a perfect lunch or coffee break during a leisurely walk down to Guápulo.
reviewed
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El Capitão
This buzzy and friendly staple has a big terrace, well-poured chopp (beer), and a menu of pizza and other food.
reviewed
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P
Café Austria
Every caffeinated drink known to humankind, dainty Austrian cakes, pressed sandwiches and goulash make for a great menu at this Austrian-owned café. English-language newspapers are always available.
reviewed
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Comedor del Paraíso
This simple and friendly spot is just down from the Casa de San Martín on a street named after the Liberator’s mother. There’s no menu as such, just a limited choice from what’s available. Portions are small but very cheap. If you ask a few hours beforehand, staff can organize other dishes for you. There are river views and out the front is a large, 300-year-old palo borracho tree, in which, they say, a young San Martín used to play.
reviewed
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Q
Confitería Zurich
Perfect for a midday break, this classic café offers suited waiters, professional service and sidewalk tables that scream for attention on a warm summer day. If you’re peckish there are salads and sandwiches, or just nibble on some dainty croissants while you watch the world go by at the plaza across the way. Things are especially exciting when the weekend feria (street fair) is in full swing.
reviewed
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Motes de San Juan
Businessmen, nurses, cops, laborers, families, you name it - everyone comes to this hole-in-the-wall eatery, high on a hill in San Juan neighborhood. Why? They all swear it's the best mote (hominy, served with fried pork, toasted corn and hot sauce) in town. Fifty years cooking Quito's most traditional dish has to mean something! Take a cab or kill your legs hiking up José Riofrío.
reviewed
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Pizzaria Tribos
One of a handful of kiosks in a small park a block off the main plaza, Tribos serves up tasty pizzas at small outdoor tables and gets kudos for playing something other than forró or Brazilian pop (or simply blasting the TV). Select from one of the dozen or so usual suspects – shredded chicken, prosciutto, tuna, palm hearts – while head-bobbing to Maria Rita, Natiruts or some good ol’ U2.
reviewed
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Tea Connection
Tea lovers in BA no longer have to settle for plain black leaves anymore. At this attractive corner café are 30 kinds of tea to choose from, including various kinds of black, red, green and infusion teas. The menu even instructs how long to soak the teabag and the ideal temperature. Sandwiches, salads, vegetable tarts and creative rolls all make good snacks, and breakfast is also served.
reviewed
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Vinilo
From bakers to butchers to effortlessly hip resto-bar: the mismatched tile floor tells the story of the many incarnations of this Cerro Alegre institution. Sandwiches and chocolate-and-raspberry cake seduce during the day. Later, quirky Chilean fare takes center stage. As the last plates are licked, the namesake vinyl gets turned up and things slips into bar mode.
reviewed
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Confitería Donato
Plenty of dark wood paneling and brass fittings give this place an old-time feel and the wraparound seats may have you lounging around for hours on end. The menu runs the usual confitería gamut, with plenty of sandwiches, cakes and coffee on offer. There is live music Friday to Sunday nights and the occasional tango show – drop in for the schedule.
reviewed
