Today at The Coffee Shop , we continue our tour of the most iconic places to sip coffee. According to the FAO, Latin America is one of the most important producing regions in the world, with more than 60 million bags produced annually. This is where we breathe and make coffee . That's why we couldn't miss a look at the stories behind the most magical and historic coffee shops on our continent, where our writers and intellectuals have shaped our culture and sensitivity toward coffee.
The Tortoni, Buenos Aires
Tango is breathed here, and it has become a must-visit for both tourists and locals who care to avoid losing its authenticity. Founded in 1858 by Frenchman Joan Touan, this café has hosted luminaries such as Juan Manuel Fangio, Carlos Gardel, Jorge Luis Borges, Alfonsina Storni, and Federico García Lorca, as well as prominent international figures such as Albert Einstein, among others.
The most important literary association in Buenos Aires, led by painter Benito Quinquela Martin, also operated here. In this bar, it seems as if time has stood still, becoming an indispensable part of Buenos Aires' history.
Café Lamas, Rio de Janeiro
Classic and discreet, Lamas opened its doors on April 4, 1874, in the Largo do Machado square, on the border of the Flamengo and Larangeiras neighborhoods in the southern part of Rio de Janeiro. It is said that the Portuguese Manuel Thomé dos Santos Lamas used to sell coffee and bread there, in a place where billiards could also be played. Although it wasn't a luxurious space at the time, a kind of elite was already forming, one that still exists today, and the desire to belong to it continues to grow.
It was frequented by artists, politicians, soccer players, television actors, and just about everyone else. Although bohemian and celebrity clientele have been regulars here, and personalities such as architect Oscar Niemeyer, artist Cándido Portinari, and writer Machado de Assis were frequent visitors, the Lamas has always been closely linked to politics and the generation of ideas.
The Floridita, Havana
The birthplace of the famous daiquiri and one of writer Ernest Hemingway's favorite haunts during his years in Cuba. The establishment welcomes some 250,000 customers each year, and while the author of "For Whom the Bell Tolls" is the most famous, the list of illustrious visitors doesn't end with the American Nobel Prize winner: other writers such as Tennessee Williams and Graham Greene, former US President Barack Obama, film stars such as Gary Cooper and Marlene Dietrich, and soccer and baseball stars have all visited the establishment.
Brazilian Coffee, Montevideo
Located in the historic center, Ciudad Vieja, the walls of Café Brasilero have witnessed the growth of the Uruguayan capital. Founded in 1877, this small corner, with an antique aroma among the old tables, glass facade, and warm lighting, has been featured in travel guides in recent years as one of the best cafes in the world, and within its walls, great literary stories lie hidden.
When we talk about Café Brasilero, we're also talking about the writer and journalist Eduardo Galeano, who considered it his refuge, his second home, where he would sit at the table by the window to reflect, watch people walk by, and find inspiration for his writing.
The tranquility, or the limited space for the public, or perhaps the fact that it's a café with more than 140 years of history, made sense and inspired other great writers to take ownership of the café. Among them was Mario Benedetti. On the cover of his short story collection "In the Image and Likeness," the author can be seen sitting at "Galeano's table" and looking out toward the street.
The Café de Tacuba, Mexico City
Café de Tacuba was founded in 1912 by Tabasco native Dionisio Mollinedo. Throughout its history, it has been a favorite café for artists, intellectuals, and politicians, including Diego Rivera, Agustín Lara, and Porfirio Díaz. The walls are decorated with various paintings, which, combined with the Talavera tiles, showcase the most beautiful aspects of Mexican architecture.
Café de Tacuba is also closely associated with music, which is why tuna music can be heard from Wednesday to Sunday. The musical group, called "Tuna Bohemia del Estado de México," moves around the tables while playing Spanish, Mexican, and instrumental music, among others. The Mexican band Café Tacuba adopted its current name in honor of the restaurant when its members moved to Mexico City (they are originally from Ciudad Satélite), although they used an old-fashioned spelling (replacing the u with a v) to avoid legal issues. With its success in various countries, Café Tacuba made the name of Café de Tacuba known beyond its borders.
I hope you enjoyed this trip and that you were able to transport yourself to each of those tables where so many great figures in history sat. And it doesn't end here; we still have one more tour to go, a surprise that will come closer to you.