8 Best Work Cafes in Guadalajara, Mexico

Are you a digital nomad headed to Mexico? Do you need a Guadalajara work café where you can do remote work on your laptop?

I lived in Guadalajara for 2 months in 2021. While exploring the city's best birria and mezcal, I also managed to work during the day. There are hundreds of top work cafes in Guadalajara, but these were my favorite 8 choices specifically for work. 

It took me awhile to find quality work cafes in Guadalajara. Most expat lists focus on locations in Providencia, Americana, and other expat-friendly colonias in Guadalajara. From my apartment in Santa Tere (short for Teresita) these are the places that I found the most convenient and pleasant.

• walking distance from Santa Tere (no driving)
• decent coffee & tasty snacks
• comfortable seating
• plugs available for charging your laptop
• open-air seating or large doors/windows for fresh air

With that in mind, here is my list of the 8 best work cafes in Guadalajara, Mexico.

1. Caligari Café

photo from Facebook

Located here on Juan Manuel, this café is a heavy hitter. Excellent kitchen for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and work days. Plenty of vegetarian options for your crunchier work buddies. The quirky retro pop art décor from around the world will keep your eyes entertained on screen breaks. Meanwhile the drinks menu takes you easily from work to party. Seriously, get a vermouth to ride out that last hour on your laptop.

2. La Arepiza Bistro

photo mine

Located here near the border street Avenida Mexico between Santa Tere and Colonia Americana, this restaurant is more than just a café. Enjoy Venezuelan food on work breaks like empanadas and arepas ricas, plus imported sodas like Frescolita. Welcoming staff. 

3. Cafetería MUSA

photo from website

Located here, the coffee shop attached to the Museum of the Arts of the University of Guadalajara is all about the view. The outdoor patio faces the Universidad de Guadalajara historic building. If you love the white noise of traffic (hey you are downtown in a city of 4 million) then you will enjoy working here as much as I did. Fantastic exhibits to see on work breaks as well. Order a large drip coffee and get a free refill to fuel your longer hours.

4. Howm

photo mine

Howm is located here, beneath the Selina hostel chain's Guadalajara outpost. Stylish, dark, and spacious, here is where you can put in serious hours. The coffee menu isn't too exciting, but feel free to order a tonic and espresso to mix your own "shakerato" espresso tonic at your table. 

5. Cafetería d'Vico

image from Facebook

Locared here in Santa Tere, D'Vico was my work café of choice in Guadalajara. It was the nearest to my house and had everything I needed. The owner has a tía living in Gilroy, CA so enjoy the cute California-style vintage décor. This café feels small and bright, with its natural wood tables. They have ok coffee and very nice pan dulce sweet pastries to choose from.

6. Panadería de Barrio

photo mine

Located here in Colonia Americas on the east side of Chapultepec, this spot has very good bread and coffee. Despite uncomfortable stools in the front room, explore further to find two large communal tables in the rear. Ideal for co-working meet-ups. Also "panadería" means this is first-and-foremost an artisanal bakery. Don't skip out on a cardamom pear pastry or the special of the day. The best part? Puesto Ambulante micro-brewery's taproom is right across the street. Perfect for post-work happy hour.

7. Livin Cafe

photo mine

Located here on the edge of Parque Revolución, I stumbled across this café on the way to MiBici public bike offices in el centro one day. The spot is cute and welcoming. The waffles are decent, good espresso, and the location is convenient if you have business downtown.

8. Como Si Fuera Domingo

photo mine

Located centrally here just off Chapultepec, this café sticks out in my mind as a place where the staff left me the most alone. The second floor loft full of plugs is hidden from the rest of the world. It's a good place to hide out and fire out a few reports. Nice shakerato (espresso tonic) with rosemary and orange zest.

Best work café in Tlaquepaque: Del Corazon de la Tierra

photo mine

Bonus: If you spend the day in the nearby pueblo mágico of Tlaquepaque and need a work cafe, this place is a solid option. I stopped here for a coffee and wished I had brought my laptop. Serving Käjkape brand coffee from the nearby roaster (check their café out too) this unorthodox coffee shop sits in the middle of an elegant gift shop. What a peaceful oasis from the busy tourists filling up the roads. Relax here with an interior courtyard, complete with a fountain. Great coffee as well. 

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So that's it. My top 8 best cafe work spaces in Guadalajara plus one in Tlaquepaque.

How about you? Do you have any recommendations for work cafes around the world?