Cafe Sanjuan — Restaurant in Stockport

We went with my husband to have something to try the only Colombian restaurant in Manchester ( we have always visited the Colombian restaurants in London). We were so exited to eat delicious Colombian food, but it was everything else but delicious.

We asked for an arepa £2.50 with cheese, it was literally the smallest arepa I have even seen greasy and for the price, ridiculous!

The meat on top, the saltiest beef brisket, that is was not enjoyable. We also ordered an empanada, it was not good just very greasy. Usually, when you go to authentic Colombian restaurants they offer you with the empanadas or papas a FREE complement called Aji, ( Aji is a spicy souse), well this place didn’t have it but charged £4.50 for a greasy fry thing, so we ordered garlic mayo. The garlic mayo was £2 I mean, I was in shock when I paid the bill ! £2 for a table spoon of an awful already made sauce ?

My husband couldn’t even eat it, that’s how bad it was. The coffee neither good !

The only good thing about this place was that kind British lady who speaks Spanish.

It is embarrassing that this restaurant offers Colombian food and that the reviews show a 4.8 like if it’s a WOW.

They don’t have idea of Colombia food, I will never ever go back again or will recommend this place for you to waste your money.

We pie at the end £32 or so but call it a waste of money!

If you are someone who would like to try Colombian food, please do t go to this place. Live the experience in proper restaurants like the ones they have in London, then you will know how delicious Colombian food is.

If you are reading this and you are the owner. Take Colombian food more seriously, as you are not selling good food ! CHANGE the chef and those arepas if you want to called like that. The one I ate was not definitely worthy, it was...

This isn’t a review I want to be leaving but I want to make sure that this doesn’t happen to a customer who might not know how great the Colombian cuisine is.

I asked my partner to go and get a few things from Cafe San Juan and when he came back with the takeaway I was very surprised with how the food tasted and looked. Both my parents are Colombian and I know what the food should be like. My partner told me that he had to wait for his food so I thought that it was freshly made. The food I received was overdone and not fresh.

We paid a decent amount for the order and as a Colombian I wasn’t satisfied and in shock due to the lovely reviews. I don’t want to tarnish the reputation on the cafe but I don’t want this being a representation of the food I love. I don’t know if my partner being non Colombian or asking for a takeaway influenced the choice of food to pack but I wanted to flag this up as I couldn’t believe what he brought back.

Again this isn’t to ruin the reputation because I’m Colombian and I’ve been begging for food like this...

I arrived at Café Sanjuan and looked at the coffee set up and felt reassured. This was going to be a great experience. I was not wrong.

I got chatting with the proprietor about his coffee, extraction times, weights, techniques, equipment, and we connected as kindred spirits. I ordered an espresso which was beautifully complex, just a touch of perfect bitterness, with a body that led to an experience akin to a fine whiskey or wine. I couldn’t leave without buying some beans, and given I also enjoy a longer coffee in the morning with a dripper, he gave me a bag of coffee in the picture. What a beautiful coffee. Fruity, light, and an experience that is long-lasting. When I had my first cup, I found myself enjoying and thinking about it for hours later!

This coffee establishment is highly recommended, and the proprietor and barista are masters. Next time I’m going for breakfast, I’m going to take my time and savour...