I remember 1966, when I was ten years old, when my father took me to the place he claimed sold the best coffee in Medellín. Something that caught my attention was the way my coffee was paired, which, according to my father, softened the strength of the coffee or the harm it could cause. At that time, it was thought to be harmful to your health, and yet, children were given tinto and even allowed to smoke, especially in December when we burned gunpowder. Our parents even gave us one or two aguardienticos on December 24th and 31st. Perhaps back then, everything was taken responsibly and with less fear than it is now.
Returning to the starting point, my father took me to the coffee bar next to another one, the cattle bar. Both were located on Sucre and La Playa streets, and according to him, they sold the best tinto in Medellín, always accompanied by a glass of iced water. Until my youth, I continued to visit the Bar Cafetero, a very pleasant place where beautiful, well-dressed ladies served us with kindness, seriousness, and mutual respect. I must not forget, dear reader, that these two bars were the permanent meeting place for Medellín's wealthiest merchants, both coffee growers and cattle ranchers, and others who, accompanied by a delicious cup of coffee, embarked on business ventures and important financial ideas. Unfortunately, these cozy cafés have since closed, and only their sweet memories remain.
In 2021, coffee has become a more popular beverage because doctors no longer prohibit it, even for those of us with high blood pressure. During my checkup appointments, the doctor asks me: How many cups of coffee do you drink a day? I answer five, and he tells me that's great! Well, the fact is that cafes that offer an excellent cup of this wonderful beverage have also become popular. For this reason, I want to give you a list of traditional coffee shops and new businesses where you can enjoy a variety of specialty coffees and learn about their processing and different ways to consume them. So, let's get started.
1. The Coffee Shop
It's a physical and online store located in Medellín, where you'll find the best Colombian coffees. We specialize in high-quality Colombian specialty coffee , carefully selected and roasted to highlight each of its unique flavors. At our store, we're passionate about coffee and want to share the experience of enjoying it at its best with you.
We offer a wide variety of options, from fresh beans to specialty blends, perfect for every taste and preparation. We also offer products and accessories to complement your coffee ritual. Whether you visit us in our store or shop from the comfort of your home, at La Tienda del Café we are always ready to advise you and ensure you enjoy excellent Colombian coffee. Visit our location in the Oviedo Shopping Center, Cra 43A # 6S-15, Unit 1122.
2. Café Versailles
An emblematic site in Medellín, possibly the birthplace of "Nadaism," a literary movement that brought together Gonzalo Arango and the great Nadaist writers of the time. They were a bunch of rebellious, hairy kids who only ordered coffee. However, the owner of Café Versalles tolerated them because they spoke beautifully and attracted customers with that pleasant, novel literary language. Even Manuel Mejía Vallejo and Jorge Borges graced this café during their stay in Medellín in 1978. Café Versalles has been located on Junín Passage, near Bolívar Park, for almost 60 years. There you can enjoy delicious coffee and the variety of edible products that have always delighted its clientele.
3. Coffee with lots of love
Located in the Palacio Nacional shopping center, it is owned and operated by professional barista Diego Buitrago Duque. This business is a family venture where you can enjoy excellent service and spectacular coffees, made with the finest ingredients from Antioquia. Its motto is: "Here we are born from love and we begin with affection and friendship." At "Coffee with Much Love," talks about coffee are held and courses are offered on espresso and latte art preparation.
4. The coffee laboratory
It was born from the research Milena Gómez and David Molina conducted eight years ago in Antioquia. They discovered that our department has great coffee potential. Thus, "El laboratorio del café" was born, a place where specialty coffees are consumed and sold, with educational experiences where coffee growers learn about their coffees and everything they can achieve with this product. Only Antioquia coffee from municipalities such as Urrao, Caicedo, Giraldo, Valparaiso, Anzá, Jardín, Támesis, and Betulia is promoted. To ensure you can enjoy its variety of coffees, "El laboratorio del café" has several meeting places: the Antioquia Museum, Olaya Herrera Airport, Puerta del Norte Shopping Center, Plaza Ruta N, and the laboratory's roastery located in Guayabal.
5. Urbania Café
The word Urbania refers to "bringing the best of the countryside to the city." Urbania Café opened its doors on April 6, 2015, on Calle Ocho in El Poblado. It offers visitors a comfortable space with high-quality coffees. Manager Ricardo Restrepo seeks to demonstrate that Antioquia produces the best coffee in the world. Urbania assists Antioquian coffee growers in the roasting process and offers brands of Antioquian and Tolima coffee. They now have a new location on Avenida Las Palmas.
6. Brown Parchment
For four years, the coffee shop has been promoting specialty coffees in Medellín. It's a project of the Echavarría family, which aims to export premium coffees from Santa Bárbara, Urrao, and Caicedo from Antioquia. The coffee shop is located in a pleasant space where new coffees are continually being tasted, with customers being able to sample the different preparation methods. It's located at Carrera 37 No. 8-37, Primavera Road.
7. Café Velvet
Velvet means velvet. In a beautiful old house, they have been offering coffees based on specialty drinks and unconventional preparation methods for two years. The decor of "Café Velvet" evokes a soft, modern Antioquian setting. In Itagüí, they have a roasting plant specializing in different preparation methods. Their location is located at Carrera 37 No. 8A-46, Primavera Road.
Well, you now have six interesting places on your list where you can enjoy a delicious cup of coffee with your loved ones and friends, from a variety of brands and specialties . You'll also be able to learn everything about the coffee roasting and tasting process.