Santa Leña Laureles — Restaurant in Medellín

Just a stone's throw away from my hotel in the bustling heart of Laureles, Medellín, I discovered Santa Leña Café, a hidden gem that redefines the coffee experience. With its prime location, merely a block away from a Starbucks, Santa Leña effortlessly stands out as a superior choice for true coffee aficionados.

What sets Santa Leña apart is not just its coffee, which is, in my opinion, the second-best in Medellín, but the entire atmosphere it offers. Each sip of their coffee is a journey in itself – rich, aromatic, and distinctly superior to the generic brews of nearby chains. It's a sensory experience that Starbucks, despite its convenience, simply cannot match.

The café's ambiance is equally impressive. Whether you're looking to immerse yourself in a good book or focus on work, Santa Leña provides the perfect setting. The beautiful couches invite relaxation and comfort, while the excellent WiFi ensures productivity is never hampered.

As a traveler, the convenience of having such a remarkable café within a short walking distance was the cherry on top. Santa Leña isn't just a café; it's a sanctuary for coffee lovers and a testament to the rich coffee culture of Medellín. If you find yourself in the city and seek more than just a cup of coffee, but an experience to savor, Santa Leña is the place to...

Never again! The service was terrible. They took a very long time to bring 2 drinks and 2 pastries at table #23 on the 2nd fl, over 25 minutes of waiting, and then my gf had to cancel her choux b/c they didn't have it, after 25min of waiting, ridiculous! Meanwhile, I was talking to a diff waitress about the delay, Natalia, and she gets hostile about the situation, giving me the bogus excuse that there were other tables in front of us and that our waiter, Luis M. should have told us, and says that it's not her fault, so she decides to blame her fellow coworker. I would assume this is not the best place to work. This restaurant is supposed to be a fancy establishment and I have to wait over 25 min for 2 drinks and some bread? So, our waiter is laughing about the situation by the back wall while I'm talking to Natalia about the delay. Later, when I confronted them about it they denied it, and tried to look at me like I was in the wrong, instead of apologizing for their lousy service and trying to belittle me. After reading the negative reviews, it would seem that this establishment doesn't strive to provide respectful, excellent customer service. From reading the Google reviews about this dump I'm not...

Santa Lena Laureles absolutely deserves 5 stars across the board—for food, service, and atmosphere.

Food: The coffee here is excellent—rich, flavorful, and perfectly prepared. Their pastries are always fresh, and the breakfasts are truly outstanding. Whether you're in for a quick bite or a full meal, the quality is consistently top-notch.

Service: The service is stellar. Staff are attentive, prompt, and genuinely make you feel valued—not just as a customer, but as a person. It’s the kind of hospitality that keeps you coming back.

Atmosphere: The ambiance is just as impressive. The ground floor is spacious and airy, with lots of natural light and a welcoming feel. Upstairs, there's a stunning patio with beautiful decor that’s perfect for relaxing or getting some work done. Their lightning-fast Wi-Fi is a huge bonus for digital nomads or anyone needing a productive spot to settle in.

Well done, Santa Lena! This place is a gem in Laureles and an easy favorite of mine....