Cafeoteca

I’ve been to this café several times for both breakfast and lunch, and I 100% recommend their breakfasts—they are absolutely delicious! If you’re in San José, this is hands down the best spot to try pancakes, French toast, and especially their star dish in my opinion: the çılbır eggs. The place is cozy, and they always offer great customer service. Highly recommended!

Cafeoteca is a must-try experience when you’re in the San José area. They offer a great selection of coffee and provide an opportunity to learn about different brewing methods and coffee traditions. In Costa Rica. The menu also includes a tasty variety of food and pastries.

Café Oteca – The Ultimate Coffee Tasting Experience in San José! If you’re serious about coffee or just curious to experience Costa Rica’s finest, Café Oteca is an absolute must. I did their coffee tasting experience, and it was exceptional from start to finish. We sampled three different single-origin Costa Rican coffees, each processed differently—washed, yellow honey, and natural. Every cup was brewed with precision, carefully measured for weight, time, and pre-infusion. The highlight for me was the traditional Costa Rican Vandola brewing method. While I enjoyed the V60 and Chemex, the Vandola brought out incredible fruity, floral, and aromatic notes, especially in the natural-wash coffee. It was smooth, vibrant, and unlike any brew I’ve had before. They pay attention to every detail—from warming your cup before pouring to offering sparkling water between tastings to cleanse your palate. The explanations about specialty coffee vs. commercial beans and small-batch roasting were so helpful and gave me a deeper appreciation for what I was tasting. I also ordered an almond croissant, and it was outstanding—flaky, buttery, filled just right, and warmed up perfectly on request. Shoutout to Su for being incredibly patient with me while I used Google Translate to understand everything—she made the experience so smooth and welcoming. And huge thanks to Ana Lu, who was so warm and hospitable, offering tips on local artist events and making me feel completely at home. I’m already planning to return tomorrow to try their espresso—they use two different beans, one for straight espresso and another for milk-based drinks. Their salads and food menu look legit, and I can’t wait to explore more. The vibe here is fantastic. There’s an outdoor space for kids, cozy spots for a date, a bar inside for coffee connoisseurs, and a takeout area for quick coffee and pastries. Plus, they offer one of the largest selections of beans and brewing gear I’ve seen anywhere. If you’re in San José, Café Oteca should be on your list. Exceptional coffee, great people, and an experience you won’t forget! Primary my most memorable coffee experience yet!

This place takes their coffee seriously. If you’re a coffee connoisseur, you won’t be disappointed. They have a whole menu with their coffee options, the farms they are from, their notes, their recommended brewing process, etc. Get the vandola process (the blue ceramic pot in my photo) because it’s unique to Costa Rica!

We came for breakfast with our kids. It was amazing. Pricey, yes, which is normal for Escalante. But what you get is not only first class quality food / bakery and a really relaxed atmosphere, but the friendliest and most attentive service ever. The portions are generous, so if you wanna go easy on your budget: share a fancy breakfast dish and order (affordable) eggs and fruit (super nicely done!) on the side. Clear recommendation. We‘ll be back!

Best croque madame that I've had in my life. The coffee spritz and cheesecake were also delicious.

They just remodeled and the place looks great. But beyond looks it’s the food that matters and let me tell you the food is incredible to match some of the best coffee in the world. Friendly staff and great service.

Great spot with lots of food options. Amazing patio. Friendly staff with exceptional coffee.