Everyone talks about Roma Norte, and the cafés there are great (we wrote the guide ). But Roma Sur is where we actually go when we want to get serious work done.
Related guides: Roma Norte coffee shops · All blog posts · Uber vs Didi in CDMX .
The streets are calmer, with less foot traffic and fewer tourists, and the café scene has become one of the best in CDMX. Calle del Bajío in particular has turned into a proper coffee corridor without anyone really noticing.
If you’re staying in Roma Sur, Narvarte, or the south end of Roma Norte, these are the spots we’d send you to.
Why Roma Sur over Roma Norte for deep work
Roma Norte cafés are social. People come to see and be seen. That’s great for networking, less great for a 3-hour focus session.
Roma Sur cafés are functional. The crowd skews more local, the music is lower, the WiFi is just as fast, and nobody cares if you camp for half the day with your laptop.
If you are planning a month or more here, the practical base is a furnished apartment in Roma Norte ten minutes north, or one of our monthly apartments in Mexico City if you would rather work from home and treat these cafés as the change of scenery.
Ratings and review counts are from Google Maps as of March 2026.
Photos below are sourced from Google Maps listings (place photos). They may rotate over time, so swap in your own shots when you visit.
1. Anima Cafe — The best all-day workspace in Roma Sur
If Roma Sur had a Boicot, this would be it, except Anima is calmer and more spacious and the food is great, well beyond “good for a café.”
The space is big enough that you never feel like you’re fighting for a table. Multiple reviewers mention working here comfortably, taking calls and settling in with laptops for full mornings. The chilaquiles verdes are excellent and the café de olla is proper. The staff also brings out English menus without you having to ask.
This is our #1 pick because it checks every box: space, WiFi, food, hours, and a vibe that says “stay as long as you want.”
What guests say on Google Maps:
“Anima Café was a great spot to spend a morning as I was able to get some work done and take a few calls comfortably. The cafe is very spacious, clean and they have lots of great food and drink options.”
“Last breakfast in Mexico City and ended up here at this cool little spot. Service was excellent and super friendly. Food was good and big portions.”
“Beautiful little breakfast in Roma Sur. The matcha was outstanding. The staff were really great as we only speak English, they even brought out an English menu for us.”
Address: Tuxpan 54, Roma Sur Hours: Mon–Sat 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM · Sun 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM Rating: 4.8★ (1,295 reviews) Wi-Fi: Yes, free · Outlets: Yes Best for: Full work mornings, video calls, brunch + laptop sessions Walk from StayWork loft (Roma Norte): ~18 min Google Maps: Open in Maps
2. Babüin Café — The remote worker’s corner on Bajío
Of the cafés on Calle del Bajío, this is the one that actually works as a remote office. Babüin sits on the corner at Bajío 303, and what sealed it for us was a review, written in Spanish, calling it “a great place to work remotely, with fast and reliable internet.”
The music stands out: all Spanish-language, a mix of Latin America and Spain, played at the right volume. The bakery is excellent and the staff gets consistently praised. It opens at 7:30 AM and stays open until 9 PM on weekdays, which covers a full remote work day with room to spare.
On weekends, the street market sets up nearby, which adds energy without noise. Grab a cortado and a window seat and you’ll see Roma Sur at its most local.
What guests say on Google Maps:
“Un gran lugar para trabajar en modalidad remota o HO. La panadería es excelente. Los precios accesibles y el servicio de 100. A great place to work remotely, the internet is fast and reliable.”
“I had a cortado and my girlfriend had a flat white. We both loved our drinks. Everyone working was very kind and the place has a cool laid back vibe.”
“So gorgeous, my favorite coffee in the city so far — beautiful art and little nook on a sun soaked street. Had an oat milk latte. Revelled in it all.”
Address: Bajío 303, Roma Sur Hours: Mon–Fri 7:30 AM – 9:00 PM · Sat 7:30 AM – 8:00 PM · Sun 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM Rating: 4.5★ (356 reviews) Wi-Fi: Yes, fast and reliable (confirmed by reviewers) · Outlets: Yes Best for: Full remote work days, Spanish-language vibes, weekend mornings with the street market Walk from StayWork loft (Roma Norte): ~22 min Google Maps: Open in Maps
3. Brown Caffeine Lab — The one for coffee nerds
Brown Caffeine Lab is a specialty roaster first and a place to work second. Miguel runs it, roasts on-site, and wants to talk to you about what you’re drinking. If you care about Mexican coffee beyond “it’s good,” this is where you go.
They had five single-origin options on the bar when one reviewer visited, and the team made an impromptu tasting flight. The quality difference is obvious even to people who are new to specialty coffee, and you learn something every time you visit.
It’s dog-friendly, sun-lit, and intimate. Skip it for a 6-hour grind session. For a 2-hour focused morning where the coffee is the highlight, it’s perfect.
What guests say on Google Maps:
“If I had found this shop earlier, I would have stopped by every day. A great place to have tasty coffee, and an even better place to talk and learn about coffee.”
“They really care about the quality of the coffee served and all of the options we tried were delicious. It was the favorite stop on the last trip to CDMX.”
“Specialty coffee with all methods. The owner knows very well and he’s passionate about good coffee — you’ll learn a lot! Comfy place, good sunshine.”
Address: Tonalá 313, Roma Sur Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM · Sat–Sun 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM Rating: 4.6★ (453 reviews) Price level: $ (budget-friendly) Wi-Fi: Yes · Outlets: Limited Best for: Coffee education, tasting flights, focused mornings, dog-friendly Walk from StayWork loft (Roma Norte): ~20 min Google Maps: Open in Maps
4. The Coffee Roma Sur — Minimalist focus zone
The Coffee is a Brazilian chain that opened in Roma Sur with a Japanese-inspired look: white walls, clean lines, and very little noise. You order everything on an iPad, so there’s no small talk at the counter and nobody hovering over your table. It’s almost clinical, and for some remote workers that’s exactly the point.
One reviewer called it “perfect for a quiet break or a productive work session.” The drip coffee from Chiapas producer Pepe Arguello got a rave review from a self-described coffee snob. Seating is limited (six tables inside, two outside), so come early on weekdays.
It’s the polar opposite of Anima. Anima is a warm place for brunch and work; The Coffee is sterile, and you go there to put headphones on and get things done.
What guests say on Google Maps:
“Nestled on a tranquil corner in the heart of Roma Sur, The Coffee stands out as a chic new cafe that exudes minimalist elegance — perfect for a quiet break or a productive work session.”
“I’m a bit of a coffee snob so I tried their top drip coffee from producer Pepe Arguello in Chiapas. It was very very good.”
“It gives you the whole experience, the place is quite comfortable and aesthetically pleasing to be in. Their drinks are really good and so are their pastries.”
Address: Manzanillo 52, Roma Sur Hours: Mon–Sat 7:30 AM – 9:00 PM · Sun 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM Rating: 4.4★ (468 reviews) Wi-Fi: Yes · Outlets: Yes (indoor seats) Best for: Deep focus, solo work, minimal distractions, afternoon sessions Walk from StayWork loft (Roma Norte): ~15 min Google Maps: Open in Maps
Staying in Roma Norte or Narvarte? Our apartments are built for remote work, with 200 Mbps fiber Wi-Fi, a dedicated desk with a 27" QHD monitor, a Herman Miller chair, and a rooftop pool for when you’re done. Book direct and save 18% vs Airbnb.
Honorable mentions on Calle del Bajío
Bajío is becoming Roma Sur’s café street. Besides Babüin at #303, three more spots are worth knowing about:
Camelia Café (Bajío 335), 4.5★ from 370 reviews. An excellent brunch spot, with a cold brew tonic and pistachio matcha that stand out. It closes at 3 PM every day, so it works for a morning session but not an all-day grind. One reviewer singled out the avo toast with scrambled eggs and a touch of picante as worth ordering.
Bizcochito Café (Bajío 273), 4.5★ from 141 reviews. A quieter, cozier option with outdoor seating. One guest came back every morning for a full week of vacation breakfasts, and the ham and cheese sandwiches and croissants get consistently praised. Good vibes, though its WiFi reliability for work is unconfirmed.
Como la Flor (Bajío 107), 5.0★ with only 11 reviews. A tiny, family-owned café inside an art gallery, serving specialty coffee with Oatly available. Multiple people have called it “the best latte I’ve ever had.” It’s closed Sundays. This is the place you tell one friend about.
Roma Sur vs Roma Norte for remote work
| Roma Norte | Roma Sur | |
|---|---|---|
| Vibe | Social, buzzy, tourist-friendly | Local, calm, residential |
| Café density | Very high (20+ options) | Growing (8–10 solid spots) |
| WiFi | Universally fast | Fast where confirmed |
| Noise | Can be loud, especially weekends | Consistently quieter |
| Food quality | Good (café food) | Surprisingly great (brunch-level) |
| Best for | Networking, social work, variety | Deep focus, calls, long sessions |
| Walk from our loft | 3–12 min | 15–22 min |
If you’re staying with us in Roma Norte, both neighborhoods are walkable: Roma Norte for mornings when you want energy around you, Roma Sur for afternoons when you need to actually finish something. Still comparing neighborhoods? Read Polanco vs Condesa vs Roma Norte and Roma Norte vs Polanco for work .
Tips for working from cafés in Roma Sur
You can do a Bajío crawl on foot, from Como la Flor (#107) to Bizcochito (#273) to Babüin (#303) to Camelia (#335), in about 12 minutes. On a slow morning, hit two of them back to back.
Como la Flor and several smaller spots close on Sundays. Anima opens at 8 AM on Sundays (until 4 PM) and is your best bet for a weekend work session.
On weekends, a tianguis (street market) sets up near Babüin. It adds local color but can make finding a seat harder, so arrive before 10 AM.
Tipping 10–15% is standard. If you’re staying 3+ hours, order a second drink. It’s good karma and keeps the spot sustainable for the next nomad.
More StayWork guides
- 7 best coffee shops in Roma Norte for remote work : the busier, social café grid we use for networking days.
- Roma Norte hub : neighborhood-focused English posts.
- Cost of living in Mexico City for digital nomads : rent, food, and sample budgets.
- Uber vs Didi in Mexico City : which app to open first.
Where to stay while you work from Roma Sur
Our furnished apartments are in Roma Norte and Narvarte, both a walk or short ride from the Bajío café corridor. They have the setup guests book us for: fiber Wi‑Fi, a desk with a 27" monitor, a Herman Miller chair, and a rooftop pool when you need a break.
→ See our Roma Norte loft on StayWork CDMX · → Book direct (save vs OTAs)
