¡Buen día! / ¡Hola!
Un café de olla, por favor
oon kah-FEH deh OH-ya por fah-VOR
A traditional clay-pot coffee, please
Un americano, por favor
oon ah-mer-ee-KAH-no
An Americano, please
¿Cuánto cuesta?
KWAN-toh KWES-tah
How much is it?
¡Qué rico!
keh REE-koh
How delicious!
Traditional Mexican coffee brewed in a clay pot with cinnamon and piloncillo (unrefined cane sugar) — a pre-colonial tradition
Strong coffee with hot milk — the standard breakfast order
The default order in Mexico City's third-wave cafes
Popular in specialty cafes in Condesa and Roma Norte
Hot chocolate with water — a Mesoamerican tradition predating coffee; often ordered alongside
Café de olla is a cultural institution — try it at a traditional restaurant or market
Mexico City's specialty cafes are stylish and serious — dress code is casual-cool in Condesa
Many cafes in Roma Norte and Condesa are also bookshops or galleries
Service is unhurried — enjoy it, don't rush
Oaxacan coffee is often on the menu — ask about its origin with pride
Mexican breakfast (desayuno) culture involves coffee alongside tamales, chilaquiles, or pan dulce
10–15% is standard and appreciated. Mexico City cafes often have card readers with tip prompts.
MX$60–MX$90 for espresso drinks; MX$40–MX$60 for café de olla
Did you know? Chiapas and Oaxaca are among the world's great coffee origins — Mexico City's specialty cafes are only now showcasing this to the world, but Mexican coffee has been winning awards since the 1990s.