Places with a lot of personality.

We love getting creative in Barrio México, and this time we looked for city spots with distinct personalities; in other words, places that, through their space, are more than just coffee shops—they are something more.

In this case, we recommend a few places we found that you’ll definitely want to schedule a visit to soon. You can grab brunch, dance, have a drink, or do some crafts, all in the same day—because that’s what they’re there for!

We start with Damiana Café, a warm spot where books, culture, sweet pastries, and great coffee come together to make this the ideal space to spend the afternoon alone or with good company. Located in the Country Club area on Mar Mediterráneo, it’s open from 8:30 am to 8:30 pm, Monday through Saturday.

You can check their social media, where they constantly post their weekly schedule of events or activities held at the café, such as bohemian nights, film screenings, flamenco shows, reading or poetry nights, ceramics, drawing, painting, and much more.

It has a space perfectly equipped for remote work, where you can get settled comfortably. While you work on your projects, you can enjoy a coffee paired with a delicious breakfast. You’ll definitely want to try their entire menu, as it’s perfect for brunch or saving room for the dessert of the day.

They have a variety of excellent sourdough sandwiches, each named after a famous writer. You can try their avocado toast or, if you prefer, a serrano ham toast. If you’re more of a breakfast classicist, the French toast won’t disappoint. But if you’re like us and love something creamier, you can’t miss the smoked salmon benedicts, which are spectacular.

To top it all off, order a hot coffee with a karmelito, which will make your visit so fascinating you’ll want to come back.

Our second recommendation is one of our favorite coffee shops in the city, Sismo Café. Located in the Santa Tere neighborhood on Juan Manuel street, very close to Colonia Americana, it’s open Monday through Sunday with varying hours during the week and on weekends. We recommend checking their social media to see the weekly schedule and what events are planned for the weekend; they are highly recommended for having a great time.

We love how multifaceted this place is, where you can enjoy a good brunch, excellent coffee—which, by the way, is ground in-house—a unique vermouth for the summer heat, dance nights with a live DJ, a space to work during the day, or simply go to taste their menu with something delicious for lunch and pair it with an appetizer.

They often have different activities in collaboration with many brands, such as special gastronomic editions on their menu with specific products, drawing afternoons, mixology nights, jewelry and painting workshops, ceramics, and much more.

So, more than just a recommendation, this place is a must-visit at any time of day, whether it’s midday for brunch and a good coffee, or at night to get in the mood with a good drink and friends while you get carried away by the music selection.

The third stop is at Fábrica Morelos, a space created for the city's culture and gastronomy. It has become a meeting point for locals and tourists alike, located in the Americana neighborhood on José María Morelos street, just a few steps from our Casa Morelos in Guadalajara.

Its name comes from the site's former use as a factory, which gives it that industrial, modern feel. During your visit, you'll find restaurants, bars, an art gallery, a coffee shop, fashion boutiques, and a perfect venue for events like concerts or live music, exhibitions, and design markets. It’s an ideal spot to enjoy urban art and culture.

One of the most compelling spots in the neighborhood, so follow them on social media and keep an eye on their monthly calendar to stay updated on upcoming events and enjoy everything they have to offer. In the meantime, we recommend an ideal place for a delicious pizza, which you can find here at “Pinches pizzas peligro.” Be sure to try them.

In fourth place, we have Galería Tiro al Blanco. This place is located in the Americana neighborhood, very close to Av. Federalismo on Juan Álvarez street.

To get in, you have to ring the bell since it’s not immediately visible to everyone, but once inside, the space is completely industrial and worthy of a gallery like Tiro al Blanco, featuring various exhibitions that you can enjoy throughout its galleries. It is known for hosting contemporary art from both emerging and established artists. Its main focus is to promote local art and create a meeting point for the city's artistic community.

It’s a great place to spend the afternoon with friends, a partner, or on your own, enjoying a tour that invites you to immerse yourself in the world of art culture through the works of different exhibitors. This space is also used for cultural events and various workshops.

Plus, you can complement your visit with a delicious coffee—which you'll see as you walk in—or a beer or a drink while you browse. We recommend checking their social media for their weekly or monthly schedule. Without a doubt, a place you will find fascinating.

If you’re looking for a place that has a little bit of everything, our fifth recommendation is perfect for any occasion. Espacio Abierto, is a café concept where you can go for brunch, lunch, a glass of wine, a coffee, learn from the various workshops held in their beautiful outdoor space, or visit the exhibitions in their art gallery.

This cultural platform was created with the goal of being a space dedicated to community and cultural creation in Guadalajara. Within their weekly programming, you can find community, artistic, educational, or recreational activities. Espacio Abierto aims to be an inclusive and accessible place for its entire community, promoting active participation and a sense of belonging among neighborhood locals.

You can also take advantage of your visit to try their delicious menu, which includes options like a quiche paired with a cold beer for this heat, an authentic duck sandwich, or how about a serrano ham and fig toast? And, of course, their Spanish omelet is a must. It’s all a treat for your taste buds, especially when paired with a refreshing vermouth to end the day.

We recommend following them on social media to stay up to date on all their workshops and events, which are a must in the Colonia Americana. Beyond the open space, you can enjoy basic gardening care courses, book clubs or reading nights, textile and weaving classes, printmaking workshops, and many other activities. What are you waiting for? Go pay them a visit!

Let us know on social media what you thought of these recommendations and if you’ve ever visited any of our suggested coffee shops or spaces with so much personality in one place. What other spots do you know?

Talk to you soon, ciao!