Guadalajara - cafe culture

The term “cafe culture” has worked its way into the ultimate foodie dictionary over the past years. Cafe goers find the trendiest spot in the neighborhood, cozy up to a chai tea, page through their latest read and make this their new home away from home. My adventures have taken me to some pretty trendy nooks, but some of the most memorable came from where I least expected — Guadalajara, Mexico.

Mexican cafes have an upper hand in a number of ways. A standout aspect of Guadalajara’s most welcoming cafes is outdoor seating — the cherry on top is comfortable weather for the majority of the year. The only thing better than the weather is the fruit it brings with it. Mexico’s easy access to exotic fruits makes smoothies more delicious than the North has ever seen. Not to mention these fruits, and everything else on the menu, come at extremely low prices. What’s not to love?

Here are a few of my favorites:

1. MAMEY.co: Mamey is one of the many fruits native to Mexico that us Northerners are jealous of. This petite, but oh-so-colorful cafe takes this fruit to a new level with the “Mameyco” smoothie. This delicious mix consists of mamey, of course, coconut milk, cinnamon and vanilla. The perfection is in the simplicity. For a more punchy taste, try this delicious mix of berries, berries and more berries.

2. Sweet & Fit Healthy Bakery: This cafe bakery combo has everything from healthy meals to vegan treats. The “Energy Avocado” is a must try. Vegan toast, avocado, organic panela cheese, sprouts and cherry tomatoes make for avocado toast like you've never had before.

3. Freshii: These franchise cafes seem to be popping up all over the globe, but that doesn't make them any less delicious. The “Tex Mex” burrito puts a healthy spin on Mexican food. A whole wheat tortilla, brown rice, corn, black beans, avocado, cheddar cheese, falafel and pico de gallo come together to take the unhealthy out of burritos.

This is only the beginning of the list! Check back for more great cafes in Guadalajara.

P.S. Click on the photos to check out my superstar blogger friends who took them.