Mexico City is one of the world’s most intriguing capitals. Full of history, life and some of the world’s best food. But despite being a coffee growing nation, for a long time there was very little or no good coffee at all. In recent years however, Mexico City has started to form a really awesome coffee scene and one of its most recent arrivals is Alma Negra, a hole-in-the-wall kind of coffee bar that is helping to breathe new life into Colonia Narvarte.
Founded by coffee fans Ari and Umberto, Alma Negra is one of the first specialty coffee spots in the south of the capital, away from Colonia Roma and Condesa. The place itself is extremely friendly and the small size of the bar invites you to watch the baristas at work while they make you one of their signature drinks. I was offered the Gibraltar, which is technically a Cortado.
Next to their own beans from Oaxaca, Guerrero and Nayarit states they also feature guest roasters like Huckleberry Coffee Roasters from Denver and they’re always looking for great new coffees to include in their offering. Interestingly I was also told that a lot of customers order filter coffees, which is a sign that people in the city are embracing great coffee in all of its beautiful ways.
The guys at Alma Negra are as passionate about coffee as you can possibly be and it’s great to see this cute coffee bar make its mark. Although the area itself is mostly residential and lacks major sights, it’s a pleasant place to wander around and feel like you’re a local too.
