After a month living and working in Santiago, Chile’s bustling capital at the foot of the Andes, one of my favourite routines quickly became café-hopping. Santiago’s coffee culture is on the rise — with talented baristas, carefully sourced beans, and cosy spaces that make you want to linger.
Here are my top five coffee spots in Santiago, the ones I kept going back to for great brews, atmosphere, and a little inspiration.
1. Café Triciclo — Providencia
📍 Providencia, Santiago
If there’s a place that feels like home, it’s Triciclo. The coffee is solid — rich espressos and smooth lattes — but the pastries are what really set it apart (their cinnamon buns and financiers are worth the trip alone).
- Why I loved it: Bright and artsy, with just enough of a bohemian vibe to make me want to bring a book and stay a while.
- Extras: Vegan cookies and plant milks available, though savoury vegan options are more limited.
2. Ratio Coffee Company — Lastarria
📍 Merced 307, Lastarria
In the cultural heart of Lastarria, Ratio is a little café with a lot of character. Their pour-overs are excellent, and the staff genuinely care about their beans.
- Why I loved it: The blondie brownie paired with a V60 — sweet, smooth, and perfectly balanced.
- Best for: A quick coffee break with people-watching on Lastarria’s lively streets.
3. Café Altura (Paseo San Agustín) — Centro
📍 Moneda 877, Galería Paseo San Agustín
If you’re downtown, Café Altura is the perfect refuge. It’s more than just coffee: sandwiches, sweets, and attentive service make it a full café experience.
- Why I loved it: The focaccia + latte combo for a mid-morning recharge.
- Good to know: Prices are a little higher, but the calm atmosphere in the middle of the city is worth it.
4. Café Calderón — Central Santiago
📍 Central Santiago
Bright, leafy, and modern, Café Calderón became my “safe choice” — the place I’d go when I wanted something simple but reliably good.
- Why I loved it: Good balance between coffee and food, plus plant-based milk options.
- Vibe: Stylish but not pretentious, with plenty of natural light and greenery.
5. R3 Coffee — Miraflores
📍 Miraflores 537, Santiago Centro
R3 Coffee was the highlight of my month in Santiago. They roast their beans on site, source from Central and South America, and the baristas are as passionate as they are skilled.
- Why I loved it: Espresso tonics with seasonal twists (mandarin, grapefruit, ginger) — refreshing and unique.
- Food: Sourdough sandwiches, cheese bread, and cakes like carrot or lemon, all done with care.
- Atmosphere: Small, modern, and cozy. It gets busy, but that’s part of the charm.
Santiago’s coffee scene is on the rise
Santiago might not yet be on the global map as a “coffee capital,” but it absolutely should be. In just a month, I found cafés with skilled baristas, carefully sourced beans, and atmospheres that made me want to stay for hours.
If you’re visiting, plan a little café-hopping route: start with Ratio in Lastarria, wander the cultural streets, then swing by Altura in the city center. On another day, take it slower in Triciclo or Calderón. And keep your eyes open — Santiago is full of hidden gems that might just become your new favorite coffee spot.
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