Café del Mural — Restaurant in Cartagena

Tucked away on a vibrant street adorned with stunning mural artwork, Cafe del Mural is a hidden gem that will delight coffee enthusiasts and coffee history buffs alike. As a coffee roaster, this charming cafe truly stands out, thanks to the expertise of David, the knowledgeable owner who will guide you through a fascinating coffee tasting and lesson on coffee history and Columbia’s role in it. From the moment you step inside, you'll be surrounded by a treasure trove of historical coffee brewers, each one telling a story of its own. But the real highlight is David's passion for coffee as he takes you through a variety of roasts and brewing methods, from light and delicate to rich and full-bodied. David's knowledge of coffee's rich history and Colombia's role in producing coffee is impressive, and he shares his expertise with infectious enthusiasm. The atmosphere at Cafe del Mural is cozy and welcoming, with rustic decor that adds to the cafe's charm. The mural-lined street outside provides a colorful and Instagram-worthy backdrop, making this a must-visit destination for anyone exploring Gesemani. In short, Cafe del Mural is a must-visit for coffee lovers, history enthusiasts, and anyone seeking a unique and authentic experience in Colombia. Be sure to stop by, and let David take you on a journey through the world of coffee. Recommended for: Coffee enthusiasts, history buffs, and anyone looking for a unique experience in...

TL;DR - great place if you aren't a coffee snob

Cute little cafe near a local Instagram-area.  The staff is super friendly, but not strong with anything other than spanish.  They have indoor and outdoor seating, but no AC (fans only).

The coffee is roasted in-house by the owner.  Sourced locally, but a number of the offerings are post-roasting mixes from more than one farm.  The flavors and aromas are there, but there's a bit of a disconnect with the actual brewing.  They have the gear (v60, chemex aeropress, etc.), but it's a little more for show than actual execution.  The baristas are super friendly, and genuinely want you to enjoy everything; however beds aren't level, there's no blooming, the filters are too fast for the grind, scales aren't used, blahblahblah-snobsnobsnob.

The deserts we had were also quite tasty.  The carrot cake was missing the traditional creamcheece icing, but it didn't actually miss it.  The Yuca-something we had was the only GF option, but was pleasantly akin to an apple cake.  Recommend both.

If you want a nice place, where you will have a good time, and a decent cup of coffee, and a nice desert, then definitely go here.  If you're looking for single origin high mountain geisha poured at exactly 94C through hario filters, maybe check the snobbery...

Amazing ambience and friendly staff. The drink options are inspiring and tasteful.

The menu is a bit difficult to understand, but someone will gladly explain it.

Only issue with customer service: I ordered the hot chocolate with cheese (a coastal beverage I wanted to try), and the waiter came back to tell me the cheese had gone bad. I was going to look at the menu again and she said she had already made the chocolate. I just accepted it, as I was curious to try it, but I felt a bit weird because she made me feel as if I should pay for it even if I didn't want it without cheese. This is possibly a cultural difference/expectation.

They brought the hot chocolate with a free shot of espresso and chocolate to mix in, which I believe was on the house and because of the cheese. Of course I said "thank you," as this was a nice gesture; however, I had ordered the chocolate because I didn't want caffeine, so I just gave the shot to a friend.

I would have preferred for the waitress to have just asked if I wanted a...