Everyone talks about Roma Norte. 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.
On this site: Roma Sur hub · All English guides · CDMX nomad topics (airport, rideshare, cost of living).
Less foot traffic. Fewer tourists. Calmer streets. And a café scene that has quietly become one of the best in CDMX — especially along Calle del Bajío, which 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 Roma Norte is the open-plan coworking office, Roma Sur is the private booth.
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 — 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, more spacious, and the food is genuinely great, not just "good for a café."
The space is big enough that you never feel like you're fighting for a table. Multiple reviewers specifically mention working here comfortably — taking calls, spending full mornings with laptops, settling in for long sessions. The chilaquiles verdes are excellent, the café de olla is proper, and the staff 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
This is the one on Calle del Bajío that actually works as a remote office.
Babüin sits on the corner at Bajío 303, and the review that sealed it for us was someone who wrote — in Spanish — that it's "a great place to work remotely, with fast and reliable internet." That's not a vibe check. That's a field report.
The music curation is a standout detail: 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. Opens at 7:30 AM and stays open until 9 PM on weekdays — that's 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 isn't trying to be a coworking café. It's a specialty roaster run by Miguel, who roasts on-site and genuinely 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. This is the kind of place where you learn something every time you visit.
It's dog-friendly, sun-lit, and intimate. Not the place for a 6-hour grind session — but perfect for a 2-hour focused morning where the coffee is the highlight, not just the fuel.
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
A Brazilian chain that opened in Roma Sur with a Japanese-inspired aesthetic: white walls, clean lines, minimal noise. Everything is ordered via iPad — no small talk at the counter, no hovering waiters. You sit, you work, you leave. 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.
The vibe is the polar opposite of Anima. If Anima is the warm brunch-and-work café, The Coffee is the sterile, headphones-on, get-it-done booth.
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 — 200 Mbps fiber Wi-Fi, a dedicated desk with a 27" QHD monitor, 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★, 370 reviews. Excellent brunch spot with a standout cold brew tonic and pistachio matcha. The catch: it closes at 3 PM every day. Great for a morning session, not for an all-day grind. The avo toast with scrambled eggs and a touch of picante was called out by a reviewer as genuinely worth ordering.
Bizcochito Café (Bajío 273) — 4.5★, 141 reviews. A quieter, cozier option with outdoor seating. One guest stayed for a full week of vacation breakfasts and came back every morning. The ham and cheese sandwiches and croissants get consistently praised. Good vibes, but unconfirmed on WiFi reliability for work.
Como la Flor (Bajío 107) — 5.0★ with only 11 reviews. A tiny café inside an art gallery. Multiple people have called it "the best latte I've ever had." Family-owned, specialty coffee, Oatly available. Closed Sundays. This is the hidden gem 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
The Bajío crawl: You can walk 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.
Sunday closures: 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.
The street market: On weekends, a tianguis (street market) sets up near Babüin. It adds local color but can make finding a seat harder. 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 English guides on Rincones
- 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. Same setup guests book us for: fiber Wi‑Fi, desk + 27" monitor, Herman Miller chair, rooftop pool when you need a break.
→ See our Roma Norte loft on StayWork CDMX · → Book direct (save vs OTAs)
Daniel & Analí are hosts in Roma Norte and Narvarte. They've hosted 280+ guests from 40+ countries. More CDMX guides at rinconesmexicanos.mx/en.
