Barra de cafés
1 / 10

Cafeoteca

,

A premier coffee destination in San José, offering 23 varieties from 8 Costa Rican regions and unique brewing methods. Enjoy delicious food and pastri...

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

CrowdLow
Barra de cafés

Cafeoteca

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A premier coffee destination in San José, offering 23 varieties from 8 Costa Rican regions and unique brewing methods. Enjoy delicious food and pastries in a cozy atmosphere.

"Cafeoteca offers an exceptional coffee experience with incredible quality food and warm service."

TIP

Try the Vandola Brew

Experience unique fruity, floral, and aromatic notes, especially with natural-wash coffee.

Coffee Tasting Experience

Sample different single-origin coffees and learn about processing methods and brewing techniques.

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Closed·Opens Thursday 8AM

Cuisine

Cafe

Price

$$$

Phone

+506 8453 3232

Address

C. 31, San José Province, San José, Barrio Escalante, 10101, Costa Rica

Insta-Factor

High

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Exceptional Costa Rican Coffee

Exceptional Costa Rican Coffee

Experience unique brewing methods like Vandola and taste 23 varieties from 8 regions. Knowledgeable baristas guide your coffee journey.

Best Cafes In San José, Costa Rica5 Must-Visit Specialty Coffee Shops in San José, Costa RicaThe 7 Best Coffee Shops In San Jose, Costa Rica+1
Delectable Pastries & Desserts

Delectable Pastries & Desserts

Indulge in outstanding almond croissants and other tempting treats like key lime pie, perfect with your coffee.

Google Review+1
Cozy Ambiance and Friendly Service

Cozy Ambiance and Friendly Service

Enjoy a beautiful garden courtyard and warm, attentive service that makes you feel right at home.

TikTokGoogle Review+1
Your AI travel agent

Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you

Start Chatting

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

I went to @cafeotecacostaric in San José, Costa Rica in the 76th spot of the top 100 coffee shops in the world according to @theworlds100bestcoffeeshops (on Instagram). I took a filter coffee and I'm sharing with you my opinion on it. Overall the place was great, the outdoor terrasse was gorgeous, the food splendid and the coffee was indeed very good. I highly recommend you try some filter coffees...
@thethinkingcorvid
17 likes • 610 views

Try the Vandola Brew

Experience unique fruity, floral, and aromatic notes, especially with natural-wash coffee.

Coffee Tasting Experience

Sample different single-origin coffees and learn about processing methods and brewing techniques.

Cafeoteca - San José, Costa Rica No. 76 in the 100 World’s Best Coffee Shops. Totally worth the visit! #costarica #coffee #travel #fyp #nature
@wreckingrosie
43 likes • 1.3K views
Cafeoteca 🇨🇷☕️ #coffee #coffeelover #coffeeshops #sanjosecostarica #travel #fyp
@gloryandcoffee
525 likes • 43.6K views

Off-Peak Hours for Quiet

Visit during less busy times for a more relaxed and tranquil atmosphere.

Consider Sharing Dishes

Portions are generous; share a fancy breakfast and order affordable sides to manage budget.

No final eu não trouxe pq o pacote de 300g custava 140 reais 😬 mas o lugar é incrível, fica em San Jose e se chama Cafeoteca (vale muito a pena ir lá)
@lauraomiranda
22 likes • 567 views

Tips

from all over the internet

Try the Vandola Brew

Experience unique fruity, floral, and aromatic notes, especially with natural-wash coffee.

Coffee Tasting Experience

Sample different single-origin coffees and learn about processing methods and brewing techniques.

Off-Peak Hours for Quiet

Visit during less busy times for a more relaxed and tranquil atmosphere.

Consider Sharing Dishes

Portions are generous; share a fancy breakfast and order affordable sides to manage budget.

What Travellers Say

4.6
(491k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Cafeoteca is highly praised for its exceptional specialty coffee, offering a wide variety of Costa Rican beans and unique brewing methods. Diners rave about the delicious pastries and food, as well as the warm and attentive service. While it can be pricey, the quality and experience are consistently described as well worth it, making it a must-visit for coffee enthusiasts and food lovers alike.

"Café Oteca – The Ultimate Coffee Tasting Experience in San José!

If you’re serious about coffee or just curious to experience Costa Rica’s finest, Café Oteca is an absolute must. I did their coffee tasting experience, and it was exceptional from start to finish. We sampled three different single-origin Costa Rican coffees, each processed differently—washed, yellow honey, and natural. Every cup was brewed with precision, carefully measured for weight, time, and pre-infusion.

The highlight for me was the traditional Costa Rican Vandola brewing method. While I enjoyed the V60 and Chemex, the Vandola brought out incredible fruity, floral, and aromatic notes, especially in the natural-wash coffee. It was smooth, vibrant, and unlike any brew I’ve had before.

They pay attention to every detail—from warming your cup before pouring to offering sparkling water between tastings to cleanse your palate. The explanations about specialty coffee vs. commercial beans and small-batch roasting were so helpful and gave me a deeper appreciation for what I was tasting.

I also ordered an almond croissant, and it was outstanding—flaky, buttery, filled just right, and warmed up perfectly on request.

Shoutout to Su for being incredibly patient with me while I used Google Translate to understand everything—she made the experience so smooth and welcoming. And huge thanks to Ana Lu, who was so warm and hospitable, offering tips on local artist events and making me feel completely at home.

I’m already planning to return tomorrow to try their espresso—they use two different beans, one for straight espresso and another for milk-based drinks. Their salads and food menu look legit, and I can’t wait to explore more.

The vibe here is fantastic. There’s an outdoor space for kids, cozy spots for a date, a bar inside for coffee connoisseurs, and a takeout area for quick coffee and pastries. Plus, they offer one of the largest selections of beans and brewing gear I’ve seen anywhere.

If you’re in San José, Café Oteca should be on your list. Exceptional coffee, great people, and an experience you won’t forget!

Primary my most memorable coffee experience yet!"

Maryam P Garg

"Cafeoteca is a must-try experience when you’re in the San José area.
They offer a great selection of coffee and provide an opportunity to learn about different brewing methods and coffee traditions. In Costa Rica.
The menu also includes a tasty variety of food and pastries."

cecia alvarado

"I’ve been to this café several times for both breakfast and lunch, and I 100% recommend their breakfasts—they are absolutely delicious! If you’re in San José, this is hands down the best spot to try pancakes, French toast, and especially their star dish in my opinion: the çılbır eggs. The place is cozy, and they always offer great customer service. Highly recommended!"

Gal Charpentier

What People Like

Exceptional specialty coffee
Outstanding pastries and food
Warm and attentive service

What People Dislike

Can be pricey

Frequently Asked Questions

Cafeoteca is renowned for its exceptional specialty Costa Rican coffee, offering 23 varieties from 8 regions and unique brewing methods like Vandola. They also serve delicious pastries and food.

TikTokBest Cafes In San José, Costa Rica5 Must-Visit Specialty Coffee Shops in San José, Costa Rica+1

The Vandola method is unique to Costa Rica and highly recommended for bringing out complex flavors. They also offer V60 and Chemex brews.

TikTokGoogle Review+1

While specific options aren't detailed, they offer a variety of food including salads and pastries, and the staff are known to be accommodating.

Yes, it's described as a quiet place with a good atmosphere, especially if you visit during off-peak hours.

Best coffee shops for digital nomads and freelancers in Costa Rica | by TonyGoogle Review

Yes, Cafeoteca offers a selection of their roasted coffee beans for purchase, allowing you to enjoy their unique blends at home.

TikTokSan José - Top 8 Attractions for Coffee LoversGoogle Review

For a quieter experience, visiting during off-peak hours is recommended. However, the atmosphere is generally described as welcoming.

TikTokGoogle Review

Mentioned in

Featured in these publications

Fodor’s Travel

Restaurants in San Jose

This café blends and roasts its own coffee on-site which pairs well with the cakes and pies on offer. All coffees served here are also for sale in the shop, including samplers of eight different varieties from around the country in individual single-cup sachets.

Visit Source →
The Culture Trip

Best Cafes In San José, Costa Rica

Cafeoteca has 23 different coffees from eight different coffee-growing regions in Costa Rica. Suffice it to say this café is a coffee connoisseur’s happy place. The baristas are incredibly knowledgeable and even use multiple brewing methods.

Visit Source →
Perfect Daily Grind

5 Must-Visit Specialty Coffee Shops in San José, Costa Rica

Cafeoteca serves 23 varieties from the 8 different coffee regions in Costa Rica – making it the perfect place for discovering the wide range of profiles offered by our coffees. And with two great baristas, and a variety of brewing methods, you can be sure of an excellent cup of coffee here. Yet it’s not just the coffee that makes Cafeoteca great: its friendly atmosphere, its spot in one of the prettiest areas of the city, and its dedication to supporting local designers make this café unmissable.

Visit Source →
ArrivalGuides.com

San José - Top 8 Attractions for Coffee Lovers

Cafeoteca is a place where one can truly have an authentic coffee experience in a stylish space with 50s Scandinavian design and a cozy outdoor space. Choose the coffee beans of your liking, as well as cup size and the brewing method. In case you get addicted to their particular blends (which can easily happen), you can even purchase bags of their roasted coffee beans.

Visit Source →
Medium

Best coffee shops for digital nomads and freelancers in Costa Rica | by Tony

Cafeoteca is a rustic-style coffee shop in the center of Barrio Escalante, San José, Costa Rica. It is a quiet place to provide you with tranquility and has a beautiful green garden in the backyard. Among the options are drinks such as tea, coffee, smoothies and juices, in addition to breakfast and lunch options while you are working, reading or chatting with friends.

Visit Source →
Magical Cafés

The Best Cafes in San Jose for Digital Nomads: Where to Work and Relax

Overview: For digital nomads seeking a top-tier coffee experience, Caféoteca is a must-visit. This specialty coffee shop has earned a reputation for offering one of the best coffee selections in the city. The café emphasizes quality, from bean selection to brewing, ensuring a delicious and unique coffee experience every time you visit.

Visit Source →
Villa Firenze

Popular Cafes in Costa Rica to Visit on Your Trip

Cafeoteca is a coffee haven that attracts locals and visitors seeking a unique coffee experience. The interior combines wooden furnishings, industrial accents, and warm lighting, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere. One of the special features of Cafeoteca is its focus on showcasing the entire coffee journey.

Visit Source →
enjoytravel.com

The 7 Best Coffee Shops In San Jose, Costa Rica

Trendy decor and a focus on specialty coffee fuse together to form the delightful surprise that is a visit to Cafeoteca. Here, it’s all about the actual beans, the taste, and the overall quality in each cup. They serve 23 different varieties of coffee from each of the eight different coffee regions in Costa Rica.

Visit Source →
Frommers

Restaurants in San Jose, Costa Rica

This ambitious café and gallery aims to become the center for specialty coffee in San José. Towards that end, it partners with 15 single estate, micro-lot family run farms, so the java here is truly unique. Aside from a roaster, coffee cupping bar, and café area, there’s a full…

Visit Source →
Find My Costa Rica

A Guide to the Best Coffee Shops & Tours in San Jose, Costa Rica

Cafeoteca offers an impressive selection of 23 coffees sourced from Costa Rica’s 8 coffee-growing regions. The shop has a welcoming vibe, delicious pastries, and a boutique where you can buy goods from local designers. Location: Barrio Escalante, Calle 31 Avenida 5

Visit Source →
Maximo Nivel

Our Favorite Coffee Shops & Cafés in San Jose, Costa Rica

But if it’s all about the coffee for you, definitely don’t skip Cafeoteca Coffee Shop. Cafeoteca takes the quality of its coffee seriously. This hidden gem has worked hard to foster long-term relationships with local growers and their dedication doesn’t stop there.

Visit Source →
CR Nomads

5 BEST Coffee Shops You MUST Try in Barrio Escalante, San José

At Cafeoteca, you´ll get to have a coffee cup prepared by extremely skilled baristas. We dare to say that this is really one of the top specialty coffee shops in the country. We recommend trying different blends and asking for the history behind every cup.

Visit Source →
NATIVU blog

#Explore: 4 Cafes in San Jose Ideal for a Sunny Afternoon

At Cafeoteca, you can choose from 23 different varieties from Costa Rica’s eight unique coffee regions. It’s the perfect destination for coffee lovers!. With the expertise of talented baristas and a diverse selection of brewing methods.

Visit Source →
CAMINO TRAVEL

A Foodie’s Guide to Where to Eat in San Jose, Costa Rica

Cafeoteca offers good classic brunch and lunch style food served alongside delicious Costa Rican coffee. Located in a beautiful, light-filled house-style building, you can choose to eat there or in their garden courtyard.

Visit Source →
caminotravel.com

A Foodie’s Guide to Where to Eat in San Jose, Costa Rica

Visit Source →
Roam Chronicles

Barrio Escalante, San Jose's Coolest Neighborhood

Cafeoteca is just around the block from Franco, so I took the long meandering way through the neighborhood while scouting out possible places for dinner later.

Visit Source →
The Best Deals and Discounts in San José| sanjoselovers.city

Coffee Shops To Work In San Jose [Cheap discounts 2024]

31, San José Province, San José, Barrio Escalante, 10101, Costa Rica. Address Website WhatsApp. Verify Not verified This business has not been claimed.

Visit Source →
The Independent

San José city guide: Where to eat, drink and stay in Costa Rica’s low-key capital

You’ll find the best quality coffee at pretty pit stop Cafeoteca, or handed over the pastry counter at Kam Breakfast & Bakery.

Visit Source →
ITA Costa Rica

Top 8 Coffee Shops in San Jose, Costa Rica

Visit Source →
Cafeoteca (2026) – Best of TikTok, Instagram & Reddit Food Guide