Just off the main square in Antigua, there is a great café. It’s called El Gran Café to be precise. It was the first place I visited to get my caffeine fix while in town and it became my regular. I went four times in total. I just fell in love with it.
From outside, it looks very inconspicious and if you blink, you might miss it. I knew exactly what I was looking for though and I’m glad I found it. This coffee shop is really tiny and has almost no seating. But it’s interior is absolutely beautiful. From the gorgeous tiles on the floor to the classy branding and the well-equipped bar. It all works.
The staff was always friendly and knowledgable. I learned that El Gran Café has its own Finca just outside Antigua where much of its coffee comes from and where its coffee is roasted. Unfortunately, you cannot visit, which would have been great to do for an afternoon.
El Gran Café also works with a number of other producers from around Guatemala. Some of its coffees are Cup of Excellence participants. You can buy them to take home or have them brewed for you on site. I actually only had flatties there because El Gran Café was one of the only coffees shops I came across that knew how to prepare this drink properly. In other words, using the right cup size and coffee to milk ratio.
If you have travelled around Guatemala by road, you will have noticed the sad amount of trash everywhere. In contrast, Antigua is surprisingly clean and this is in part thanks to a volunteer project called ‘Nuestra Antigua limpia’. Volunteers can always get their morning coffee from El Gran Café as it is one of the supporters of this project, amongst other initiatives.
According to its founder Josué Morales, he always dreamed of creating a space like El Gran Café where the best specialty coffee could be showcased. I think he very much accomplished that dream. I loved having my morning coffee on the big bench opposite the bar or sitting by the window looking out. This fine little café stole my heart and it will steal yours too.
