In June 2022, my husband and I visited the world-renowned, beautiful Lake Atitlán, and compiled a list of the Top 8 Best Cafes to Visit. We looked for cafes with exceptional coffee, customer service, and options for non-coffee drinkers.
About Us:
My husband is an avid coffee drinker. He does everything from sourcing the green beans to roasting, grinding, and brewing. On the other hand, I love coffee, but my body can’t handle the caffeine. I usually go for a nice tea, hot chocolate, or decaf option, as it is easier on my system. This puts us in a tricky situation, how do we satisfy my husband’s sophisticated coffee palate and accommodate my sensitive system? Below are the top cafes that could accommodate both our needs and yours.
1. Tornados Coffee
Location: San Pedro La Laguna
Tornados Coffee is a little slice of heaven in San Pedro. When you first walk into Tornados Coffee you may think it is a simple cafe, but slip into the back and you will find yourself in an enchanting garden, filled with hanging flowers and brightly colored hummingbirds. We talked with the Cafes owner Aldo, who told us a bit about the cafe’s history. Due to the pandemic, the cafe had to move from its original location by the waterfront, to its present location in downtown San Pedro. These last few years have been hard on many small businesses, but we are glad that Tornados Coffee has weathered the storm (no pun intended!).
What we ordered: I ordered a hot chocolate (16Q) with almond milk (3Q). Tornados Coffee uses locally sourced Guatemala cacao, which gives the hot chocolate its bittersweet and creamy texture. My husband opted for a Latte (16Q) and the “Pie de queso” or cheesecake (15Q). The lion latte art was impressive, making it difficult to take a sip as it meant destroying the artwork.
Milk Alternatives: Soy, Almond, Skim, and Lactose-Free
Payment Methods: Cash
Bathroom: Yes, in the back of the garden to the left.
2. The Little Spoon
Location: Panajachel 
The Little Spoon is an expat haven, as friendly, smiling foreigners could be found gathering outside and inside the trendy restaurant. The owner greeted me and was kind and attentive, making sure that every guest who entered was welcomed and taken care of. I have been to The Little Spoon twice, once to grab lunch and again to grab two hot drinks to go. Both times were a great experience. The veggies sandwich with hummus was a delight and hit the spot on that warm day in Panajachel. The view from the roof-top balcony allows you to canvas the busy main street of Panajachel and people watch as you enjoy your meal.
What we ordered: The veggie sandwich (55Q) had a unique mild flavor that is difficult to describe. The hummus was creamy, the bread was fresh and the included side salad was a nice touch. I picked up the chai latte with almond milk (25Q) and the latte (20Q) to go. There was only one to-go size available. The chai latte was the best one I have had so far in Panajachel. The combination of honey sweetness, creamy texture, and chai spices came to a perfect balance. My husband’s latte also hit the spot, although it sits lower on the list than some of the other cafes listed. Drinking water is also available for free, close to the main counter.
Milk Alternatives: Soy, Almond, Oat, Skim, Lactose-Free
Payment Methods: Cash, No Card (yet!)
Bathroom: Yes, straight ahead when you walk up the stairs.
3. Artisan Coffee
Location: Panajachel
A small operation with a big heart and amazing talent! The latte art at Artisan is top-notch, and the coffee is roasted in-house and exceptionally fresh. With a little back room and good Wifi, Artisan is a spot where you can sit and relax, away from the bustling streets of Panajachel. The two men we have seen running the shop are kind and accommodating, even waving and smiling to us when we walk by as we mozy about the town.
What we ordered: I opted for the Chai Latte (20Q) with Almond Milk (3Q), while my husband tried the Latte (20Q), Americano (20Q), and Banana bread (12Q). My husband thoroughly enjoyed the coffee, even purchasing freshly roasted beans (19Q) to bring back to our Airbnb to enjoy during the week. The chai latte was more mild but sweet and creamy. It was so hard to believe that it was dairy-free, I looked up the chai mixture to confirm!
Milk Alternatives: Soy, Almond
Payment Methods: Bitcoin, Cash, Visa, Mastercard
Bathroom: Yes, there is a tiny toilet on the left-hand side of the seating area. There is no sink, but the staff lets you use the kitchen sink to wash your hands (when in Guatemala!).
4. Cafeina
Location: Panajachel
Cafeina is a quaint cafe that is easy to miss, as it is tucked away on a side street in Panajachel. The cozy interior opens up to the outside and allows you to watch as people drift by. A young man was working when we arrived and attended to us. He kindly answered our questions about the local Celebration of Corpus Christi, with the assistance of Google Translate. Although we didn’t indulge ourselves, we noticed their professional waffle maker, and have noted it for our next visit.
What we ordered: Cafeina has a variety of options available, including herbal teas, matcha, and various chai. It was later in the day, so I opted for the Rooibos Chai Vanilla Latte (15Q) with almond milk (3Q), as it was caffeine-free. My husband treated himself and went for the affogato (sorry, no price), which is ice cream topped with hot espresso. Although the ice cream was store-bought, the coffee was fresh and combined for a decanted dessert.
Milk Alternatives: Soy, Almond
Payment Methods: Cash
Bathroom: Yes. The bathroom can be found on the right, beside the bar.
5. Cafe Loco Coffee Roasters
Location: Panajachel
Cafe Loco Coffee Roasters is a small cafe, located on the main tourist street of Panajachel. The coffee shop is Korean-owned, with a Korean coffee crew that speaks excellent Spanish and English. Their to-go cups are unique and exceptionally cute, with innovative designs and sealed tops that keep out the bugs and allow for fantastic photo-ops. They also have adorable illustrated maps of various sizes available for purchase, as well as coffee, tumblers, and other souvenirs. Please note, seating is limited.
What we ordered: It was a bit late in the day, so I opted for an iced “Black Hawaii” (Q17) with Soy (Q2), which has a chocolate coconut flavor. My husband went for an iced “Shrek” (Q20), which has an organic green tea latte flavor. Both drinks were very refreshing. The variety of menu options and unique flavors were also a nice touch. The ice cubs were a bit large, but Cafe Loco is still a fantastic option for a hot day in Panajachel. They also have plenty of hot drink options available too.
Milk Alternatives: Soy, Lactose-Free
Payment Methods: Cash, Visa, Mastercard
Bathroom: Yes, in the back of the cafe on the left-hand side.
6. Cafe San Juan
Location: San Juan
Cafe San Juan has a little bit of everything. From freshly grown and roasted coffee beans in-house (you can see the person roasting coffee in the cafe area!), a store selling locally made chocolate, scarves, and ceramics, coffee tours, and a restaurant, this cafe has you covered. The seating area is spacious and open, but it felt strangely private when we sat down. Although the prices are a bit higher at this location, probably due to the quality and being a tourist hot spot, it is worth a visit for the drinks alone.
What we ordered: We ordered two meals, the chicken tacos (55Q) (we shared) and burritos (50Q). The tacos and burritos included salsa and guacamole, which was a nice touch. The tacos typically only come with three tortillas, but they were kind and snuck the fourth tortilla on the plate for us. The tacos came with a ton of chicken and were bursting at the seams. On our second visit, we tried the burrito, the ingredients tasted exceptionally fresh, and we both felt full in the end. The real winner of our visit was the drinks. My husband had an iced latte (30Q) and I had an iced chai with soy milk (30Q). On that hot day in San Juan, this hit the spot like no other, and I have to say wow! The iced chai tasted like a milkshake. It was creamy and smooth and very flavourful. It is one of the best iced chai lattes I have ever had! Please try it, you won’t regret it.
Milk Alternatives: Soy
Payment Methods: Cash, Visa, Mastercard
Bathroom: Yes. When you walk in, turn the corner to the left. The bathroom is on the left-hand side.
7. Te Quiero
Location: Panajachel
Te Quiero screams professional business. At first, I thought it was a major chain! From the interior design, outdoor seating area, menu, and engraved cups with their logo, Te Quiero has put a massive effort into how they present themselves and cater to their customers. They even offer two sizes of drinks, regular and medium, which is not common in the villages around Lake Atitlán. There are currently two locations available in Panajachel. We went to the location near the top of town.
What we ordered: I ordered a regular vanilla chai latte with almond milk, and my husband ordered a medium latte and a slice of cheesecake, which came to Q70 altogether. There were three chai lattes available: rooibos chai, vanilla chai, and a robust, more traditional chai. Honestly, I did find my drink to be a bit sweet, but almost everything for me has been on the sweeter side in Guatemala. My husband’s cheesecake was rich and authentic. There was no fake filler, this was the real deal!
Milk Alternatives: Soy, Almond
Payment Methods: Cash, Visa, Mastercard
Bathroom: Yes, there is a small bathroom to the right of the counter. It was clean.
8. Nectar Art Cafe
Location: San Marcos
Located in the hippie town of San Marcos, Nectar Art Cafe is found just outside the bustling tourist strip. After entering this peaceful oasis, you will be greeted by a professional barista, and maybe a dog or two. With organic teas, traditional cacao, and an up-and-coming ceramic shop, you will find all you need to relax after a long day of exploring San Marcos.
What we ordered: I ordered the Traditional Cacao (Q25) with Almond Milk (Q5). The drinks description states it is “artisan, local, and a ceremonial serving”. The drink was very bitter because it contained no sugar but pure cacao. Of course, sugar was offered, which I gladly accepted. Trying this traditional cacao drink allowed me to taste the subtle flavors of the cacao, creating a unique experience. My husband tried the Cafe Latte (Q25) and found the coffee to be of good quality and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Milk Alternatives: Almond, Coconut, Grass-Fed Goat Milk, Grass-Fed Cow’s Milk
Payment Methods: Bitcoin, Cash
Bathroom: Yes, on the main floor at the back of the cafe to the right. The door looks like a closet.
With ingredients plucked straight from a local garden or organic farm, the cafes around Lake Atitlan provide you with an authentic taste of Guatemala. Savor the freshly cultivated coffee beans, taste the locally sourced honey, and sip the traditionally processed cocoa. Lake Atitlan is the perfect place to indulge without breaking the bank. Try visiting one of the cafes listed and let me know what you think! Many of the cafes are owned and run by local Guatemalans. I am sure they would appreciate your visit.
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