Coffee just isn't the same without a pastry.

Nothing compares to starting your morning with a great cup of coffee, and it’s even better when paired with a delicious pastry.

We know the Americana neighborhood is known for its extraordinary coffee shops, which offer unique spots where you can enjoy specialty coffee. And of course, calories don't count when it comes to savoring their freshly baked bread, served warm and ready to eat.

While we usually recommend places near Barrio México, this time we’re branching out to take you on a tour of different spots outside our usual area. This way, you can take advantage of our recommendations, visit them, and discover more options around Guadalajara.

           We’ve rounded up 5 coffee shops around the city so you have a different spot to visit every weekend during the month.

We’re kicking off our tour with none other than  Armena Café, a delicious spot located in La Estancia. If you’ve already visited this charming space, you know it’s fantastic, and everything is made with sourdough.

To start your day, there’s nothing better than their great coffee—a true delight in both aroma and flavor. If you want to build the perfect combo to go with your hot drink, we recommend trying one of their crookies, with flavors like Lotus or Nutella with walnuts. They’ll blow your mind! Plus, they have a variety of pastries: filled, fluffy, or crispy, so you can choose your favorite.

If you prefer something sweet in the form of a meal, you can’t miss their French toast, stuffed with cream cheese, berry jam, and a hint of cinnamon. They also have a delicious poached egg toast—both are true delights that feel like a party in your mouth. For the traditionalists, the classic pancakes with fruit never fail.

For those of us who love a mix of sweet and savory, we recommend the ricotta and fig toast, served with chips. But it’s not all sweet at Armena; they also offer delicious savory dishes like their chilaquiles with pork belly or the "lonche bañado" (drowned sandwich) with pork leg—a real treat that wins you over at first sight.

Our second stop is in the city’s Historic Center, a place with a great vibe that you’ll love visiting soon with family or friends. It’s the ideal spot thanks to its charming second-floor terrace, which offers a view of Guadalajara’s historic streets and the famous Rotonda de los Jaliscienses Ilustres.

‍Los Ilustres is a restaurant known for baking happiness into its pastries. You can’t miss the chance to enjoy their fluffy baked goods, paired with their delicious and authentic Mexican coffee. It’s the perfect plan for cold winter mornings.

To make the most of your visit, we recommend trying their incredible dishes, which offer a unique experience in every bite. Highlights include their famous suckling pig, classic pizzas, the skirt steak "pepito" with melted cheese, the fresh mozzarella salad, and one of their star dishes: salmon served on a bed of mashed potatoes with asparagus.

What are you waiting for? Stop by and enjoy the spectacular cuisine this place has to offer.

Café Pía is one of our favorites and takes our third spot. Located on Naciones Unidas with a lovely outdoor terrace, this place is perfect for brunching with a good coffee and delicious bread in hand.

If you’re like us and prefer to start with something sweet to whet your appetite, this café is the ideal recommendation. Order your coffee just the way you like it and pair it with one of their homemade breads, such as the apple cinnamon crumble, the orange bread that’s love at first sight, or their classic strawberry or cinnamon rolls, which are among our favorites.

And if you still have a little room left, you can’t miss their desserts. We recommend the banana pie, which will have you dancing with joy thanks to its texture and flavor; the extraordinary tiramisu; and, to top it all off, the Café Pía-style French toast with cream on top.

Best of all, you can also place your bakery order and pick it up to enjoy fresh-baked bread at home every morning.

Our fourth recommendation is Binaural Café, located very close to the city center and the Basílica de Zapopan. This place reminds us that days start off on the right foot when there’s fresh-baked bread, good specialty coffee, music to get you moving, and the company of friends to enjoy it with.

We love discovering spaces with so much personality, and this is one of them. Their carefully curated playlist perfectly complements the authentic atmosphere you’ll find at this café.

During your visit, be sure to try their exquisite, crispy bread. Some must-try options include the pain au chocolat, which looks irresistible; the crescent roll, fluffy and perfectly baked; the classic cinnamon roll; or, if you prefer something sweeter, the roll with cream and guava jam. If you’re a fan of the classics, you’ll love their croissant.

If you prefer something savory, there are options for every taste as well. Try their pork belly sandwich, the house favorite, or a lighter option like the cheese omelet sandwich.

What are you waiting for to set the mood for your morning and soak up the good vibes that Binaural Café offers from the start of the day?

We’ve reached our fifth and final stop: Meridiano Café, a charming café located in the south of the city that lets you enjoy your coffee outdoors, surrounded by nature and the best vibes. This space inspires tranquility and positive energy.

If you’re looking for an urban oasis to brunch, start your day with activities that help you relax and disconnect from the routine while enjoying a good coffee and breakfast, all surrounded by plants in their nursery, Meridiano Café is the perfect place to do it all in one spot.

Here you can start your day by trying their variety of fresh-baked artisanal bread, such as conchas, croissants, chocolatines, the delicious chocolate "meridianitos," or the classic cinnamon roll. They also have savory options, like their exquisite Brioche bread, ideal for enjoying at home with your meals.

If your visit extends into the afternoon, don’t hesitate to order one of their savory dishes. Their offerings are an explosion of flavor, from the mortadella and air-dried panela cheese croissant to the smoked beet, the "pepito meridiano," and the Filibertha cecina tacos, which will definitely surprise you.

What are you waiting for? Come visit and enjoy the pleasure of a great coffee in such a peaceful corner of the city.

With these recommendations, you have no excuse for not knowing where to go this weekend. Discover and enjoy new coffee shops in Guadalajara, and if one is nearby, it’s sure to become one of your favorites.

See you soon.