Café San Alberto Calle 81 Bogotá: A Deep Dive into Colombian Coffee Culture
- Mark Vogel
- Sep 18
- 6 min read
Updated: Oct 6
Bogotá, Colombia ✈
Bogotá, Colombia has no shortage of international coffee chains. You can find Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts in shopping centers and along busy avenues. Yet visiting Colombia without stepping into a Colombian coffee house would mean missing the opportunity to learn firsthand what makes Colombian coffee distinct. That was my motivation when I walked into Café San Alberto Calle 81, located at Calle 81 # 9-33, one of several locations the brand operates in the city. The day before, I had stopped by their branch inside the Gold Museum for a quick latte. On this day, I was prepared to go deeper and learn the craft behind a cup of coffee that Colombians proudly consider part of their cultural identity.
“For anyone traveling to Bogotá, visiting an authentic Colombian coffee house is essential. Café San Alberto provides that opportunity, blending education, preparation, and atmosphere in a way that deepens appreciation for what makes Colombian coffee unique.”
Colombia’s reputation for producing some of the world’s finest coffee rests on a mix of geography, climate, and farming tradition. The country’s coffee-growing axis, known as the Eje Cafetero, provides the perfect altitude, fertile volcanic soil, and consistent rainfall that Arabica beans thrive on. Unlike mass-produced coffees that often use Robusta beans, Colombian coffee is almost entirely Arabica, which gives it a smoother taste, balanced acidity, and layered flavor profile. Harvesting is still done mostly by hand, ensuring that only ripe cherries are picked, which contributes to quality consistency. Over decades, Colombian coffee has built its international reputation on these factors, backed by farmers who often see their work as a point of national pride.
Café San Alberto originates from Hacienda San Alberto in Quindío, one of the main coffee-growing regions of Colombia. Since 1972, the estate has been dedicated to cultivating coffee under what they describe as a five-step selection process. This system involves careful harvesting, multiple rounds of bean sorting, and blending methods designed to emphasize the caramel, chocolate, and fruit-like notes that define San Alberto coffee. The family behind the brand has positioned it not only as a premium coffee label but also as a place to experience Colombian coffee culture through guided tastings and specialized brewing methods. Today, San Alberto is one of the most awarded Colombian coffees in the world, recognized in competitions for its quality and distinct flavor.
When I entered the Café San Alberto location on Calle 81, the first impression was one of spacious design mixed with classic touches. The café occupies a restored house, with a wide staircase, wrought iron details, and modern light fixtures that hang above the seating areas. The ground floor combines retail and café service, with shelves stacked with packaged beans, gift boxes, and branded accessories. There is lounge-style seating with leather sofas, wooden chairs, and framed photographs on the walls, giving it a balance between casual and refined.
I was given a short introduction to the brand’s history and its focus on quality. Staff explained how San Alberto maintains strict standards by following its five-step selection process: harvesting only ripe cherries, floating beans to remove defects, hand-sorting, electronic selection, and final manual screening. Each step reduces the margin of error and ensures consistency. From there, the beans are roasted with attention to balance and profile, resulting in a cup of coffee with recognizable caramel sweetness, chocolate undertones, and fruit-like acidity.
After the overview, it was time to experience the brewing process. The method I was encouraged to try was the Japanese siphon. This is a theatrical way of preparing coffee that uses heat, vacuum pressure, and glass equipment. The setup resembled laboratory glassware, with a round bottom chamber holding water and an upper chamber where the ground coffee would be brewed. The preparation began with heating water in the lower chamber over a flame. As the water reached boiling, it rose to the upper chamber. The ground coffee was then added, and the mixture was stirred before being allowed to steep. Watching the water rise and mix with the coffee was not only visually striking but also a lesson in how brewing methods affect flavor extraction. Once the steeping finished, the heat source was removed, and gravity pulled the liquid back down into the lower chamber, leaving the grounds above. The result was a clear, aromatic coffee served immediately after.
The siphon method emphasized clarity and balance. The cup I tasted carried caramel notes, a touch of fruit, and a smooth finish. Unlike espresso, which concentrates flavor into intensity, this method highlighted subtlety. The staff explained that the siphon is often recommended for those who want to experience the complexity of Colombian beans without the heaviness of milk or sugar masking the flavors.
The setting of Café San Alberto on Calle 81 felt both professional and social. During my visit, the tables were filled with small groups chatting over coffee, individuals working on laptops, and others quietly reading or tasting. Lighting was soft, and large arched windows let in natural daylight earlier in the afternoon before evening set in. The café’s design made it equally fitting for casual meetups or business conversations, and the fireplace lounge provided a more relaxed environment. The use of San Alberto’s branding was consistent throughout the space. Purple accents on the walls and packaging stood out against the cream and wood interiors. Decorative elements included burlap coffee sacks, wall maps, and displays of brewing devices, all reinforcing the café’s identity as a place to learn and not just consume.
Café San Alberto Calle 81 is located in the northern part of Bogotá, in the Chapinero district. This part of the city is known for dining, shopping, and cultural activity, and the café is within reach of several other points of interest. One of the best known is Parque de la 93, a public square framed by restaurants and cafés where people gather both during the day and at night. For those who want to extend their outing into shopping, Andino Mall is not far away, located in the Zona T and El Retiro sector. Andino Mall is one of the most upscale malls in Bogotá, housing international retailers, Colombian boutiques, and dining options. Around the mall, the pedestrian streets of Zona T offer additional cafés, bars, and nightlife.
For visitors who keep kosher, the location is practical because HaMakom, a kosher restaurant situated directly next to Andino Mall, specializes in shawarma, falafel, and Middle Eastern food, making it a reliable choice for those seeking kosher dining in Bogotá. These nearby dining options complement a visit to Café San Alberto, allowing travelers to experience both authentic Colombian coffee culture and international cuisine within the same area of the city.
The café is open daily, generally from morning into evening, with hours typically around 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. This makes it convenient whether you want a morning coffee ritual or an evening tasting session. Accessibility includes a ramp at the entrance, wide doorways, and stair access to the upper floors. Staff are available to guide visitors through both the retail side and the educational experiences.
Café San Alberto made it clear that in Colombia, coffee is treated as more than just a drink. It carries cultural weight similar to wine in France or tea in Japan. It is tied to rural livelihoods, national pride, and international reputation. The café highlights this through its “coffee temples,” spaces designed not just to serve but to educate. By combining presentation, brewing methods, and storytelling, the café situates each cup within a broader heritage.
The siphon method was one example, but the staff also mentioned that they offer tastings through Chemex, French press, and espresso-based drinks, each highlighting different characteristics of the beans. This flexibility reflects the way modern coffee culture in Colombia blends tradition with innovation.
Visiting Café San Alberto on Calle 81 was not about rushing in for caffeine. It was about learning the story of Colombian coffee through a structured experience. From the history of Hacienda San Alberto to the five-step selection process and finally to the siphon brewing demonstration, the visit connected each stage of production to the cup in front of me. The contrast with the latte I had the day before at the Gold Museum location was noticeable. While that stop was about quick enjoyment, the Calle 81 visit was immersive. I left with a better understanding of why Colombian coffee is celebrated and how brands like San Alberto translate agricultural expertise into a cultural experience accessible in Bogotá’s urban setting.
For anyone traveling to Bogotá, visiting an authentic Colombian coffee house is essential. Café San Alberto provides that opportunity, blending education, preparation, and atmosphere in a way that deepens appreciation for what makes Colombian coffee unique.
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