Mi Cartagena Cafe — Restaurant in Detroit Lakes

Two summers ago ('23), having come up from the Twin Cities, I stopped in to this place with a local bloke I know. I enjoyed it then, so when I returned to Detroit Lakes this time, 2025, on a road trip from Duluth to Crosby to DL to Fargo and back home to Mpls., I decided to stop in two days in a row. I'm glad I did.

The owner was accommodating, friendly, talkative and personable. She seems like a genuine soul--and her latte art was spot on, haha!

The first day, I relaxed for a bit inside at the ledge near the large front window, overlooking the patio out front and the lake across the street. What a view! The latin music was soothing, so I found it easy to lounge for some time.

On the second day, after a bike ride around part of the lake, I stopped back in for an espresso, which was delish. The vista was even better on a sunnier day, with a different genre of music also adding to the comfortable ambience.

Chatting with the owner for a few minutes provided a sense that she's dedicated to her profession and business, with my also observing an amicable approach to connecting to customers who came through while I was...

Mi Cartagena Cafe is a beachfront coffee shop that brings a distinctly Colombian feel to the tourist heavy town of Detroit Lakes. Mi Cartagena Cafe is a seemingly perfect marriage between beach life and old world Spanish charm.

Go ahead and get yourself any number of refreshing seasonal drinks and take in the beautiful views as you bask in the sunshine, from the large patio seating area. Unless of course you prefer to find some shade under a tree, or take your beverage to go as you walk up and down the beach.

It's a perfect location for locals and tourists alike to cross paths and enjoy delicious beverages both hot and cold; caffeinated or otherwise. Don't forget to grab any number of baked goods to quell your hunger!

Mi Cartagena is a must stop if you're coming to or through Detroit Lakes, as well as my personal favorite coffee shop in DL. There's no better...

So glad we found this place! We were looking to grab coffee in DL and I read the owner is from Columbia and uses Columbian coffee. Wow! It was delicious and they have unique flavors you don’t find everywhere. (But don’t worry… you can still just get an iced vanilla latte if you’re like my husband!)

The barista was so sweet and I absolutely loved the personal touch. The place itself has a great aesthetic with beautiful flowers and colorful patio furniture, and the location is very picturesque right across from the beach. Cute merch, too! Also, dog friendly and has free dog treats for your furry...