"Get Your Caffeine Hit You might detect the aroma of fresh coffee on your stroll along the Macedonio Alcalá tourist corridor, and if you're hankering for a caffeine hit, just follow your nose. Cafe Brújula has three locations, but the more central of the three is on Oaxaca 's main pedestrian street. Order your coffee and snacks at the counter, then make your way to the back of the building and find a spot in the typical Oaxacan arched patio. Besides great coffee (roasted in small batches at their location on Garcia Vigil), they also offer tasty salads and sandwiches. There's free Wi-fi, so if you need to get some work done, this is a good spot for it."

"Popular Coffee Spot This small, independent coffee shop offers excellent coffee (many say the best in the city), and also has an extensive food menu, including a set meal which changes daily. They roast their own coffee and make pastries on site too. There's free Wi-Fi, but no electrical outlets, so bring your devices fully charged if you plan to do some work. It's a popular spot, and often jam-packed, so sometimes the best option is to get your coffee to go."

"Laid-back Coffeehouse Cafe Los Cuiles is a casual coffeehouse located in Plaza los Virgenes right in the center of Oaxaca . It's a great spot for a coffee and breakfast, to take a break from sightseeing or to catch up on your email. Have some "enfrijoladas" or a waffle for breakfast, or meet with friends later in the day for a beer and snacks. Besides local dishes, the menu also includes some difficult to find in Oaxaca items like soy burgers and hummus. Sit inside the cafe on one of the cushioned benches in the corners, or pick a spot in the patio. The staff won't rush you (they rarely rush themselves, so be patient) and you can take your time enjoying the laid-back vibe of this artsy cafe."

"Organic Coffee in a Tranquil Setting Cafe La Antigua has a pleasant courtyard and a choice of two indoor sitting areas. They serve organic coffee that is grown in the shade in the Pluma Hidalgo region of Oaxaca , and they roast and grind the coffee on the premises using solar energy. Besides great choices for coffee, the menu also includes sandwiches, salads and tapas, wine, mezcal and beer, including a local craft beer. They also host occasional live music performances. I wandered into Café La Antigua on a hot afternoon. A cold beer and mushroom tapas sounded appealing, and a large side of salad rounded out the dish perfectly. I asked the waitress for the Wi-Fi code, and I spent an enjoyable hour and a half catching up on social media as I enjoyed the soothing sounds of light jazz piped over the speakers."

"Lobo Azul Cafe The coffee in Oaxaca is better than it is in Mexico City but still not Blue Bottle standard. We found this relatively new place near the 20 November market. The espresso is great. They roast their own beans and also serve food. Plus free Wi-Fi—it's a bit of an expat hangout. Lots of communist propaganda on the walls for a nice revolutionary touch. By AFAR Traveler , AFAR Contributor"

"Cafe-Gallery with a Conscience Café Café got its beginnings as a coffee roaster and then went on to become a coffee shop offering different blends of organic coffee from a few regions of Oaxaca . They hope to encourage the consumption of locally produced quality coffee, and they also function as a gallery, providing a space for local artists to display their work. The company has a project to support the education of young indigenous women. Order a suspended coffee: the coffee shop will match the amount you pay, and the funds will go to the Fondo Guadalupe Musalem which provides scholarships for young Oaxacan women to pursue their education."

"Coffee in a Historic Theater Oaxaca's Macedonio Alcalá theater was built between 1903 and 1909. It is striking from the outside, but the interior is even more impressive, with a marble staircase and paintings on the domed ceiling and walls. The cafe on the theater premises is a franchise of La Organizacion, a Oaxacan company that serves organic, fair trade coffee from small producers. Unlike that of the theater itself, the cafe's decor is modern, and entirely black, white and red. It is an appealing spot to pass some time, or grab a coffee on the go. The quote from Mexican writer Elena Poniatowska on the wall: "un buen cafe cambia la vida" (a good coffee changes life), comes from a 2008 article she wrote about the joys of coffee and the importance of fair practices for those who produce it."

"Coffee and Meals Near the Ruins It's a good idea to get an early start for a visit to the Monte Alban archaeological site. It's best to get there before the crowds and before the sun is high in the sky. If you don't have time for a coffee before you get there, you can grab a cup at the on-site restaurant. Choose a spot either inside or out on the patio with a lovely view, and enjoy their good, strong coffee. They also serve fresh fruit juices and have a good selection of breakfasts and other food items on the menu."