World Cup Café — Restaurant in Taos

I will tell you I have never posted a bad review, I try to stick to positivity around these parts and I know the effect this can have, but…

This was the absolute worst customer service experience we have had in ages. It was not just poor but the gentleman - taller six foot brown eyes/hair - was intentionally rude to us. We had asked politely for a sleeve as the drink he made was extremely hot (no biggie love a hot drink) he said ‘we don’t have those’ rudely and abrupt. I then asked if we could be provided another cup instead to cap the heat and he says ‘no I can’t do that for you’. I am then thinking this is pointed - was it a race issue with us? Was it the cowboy hats? Guess what? We have no idea. Totally bizarre and outlandish.

So, surely he will sell us an extra cup so I proceed to ask - this time I am a little frustrated. The answer was ‘no I won’t (not can’t, but won’t) do that for you. Woah.

We know that Taos is not known for its customer service but my goodness this was absolutely wild.

coffee was decent, quality of service would definitely not...

5 stars for the coffee, 3 stars for the experience... World Cup must be the best (only?) true coffee shop on the Taos Plaza, at least based on my visits there plus scanning the other options. They really know their coffee. For example, their baristas will make a cortado without batting an eyelid. They source their own blend in Central America - a little bold for my personal taste, but still outstanding. And if you want a sweet espresso drink, do try the Mocha Borgia (as recommended by others here). As for the experience, they only serve coffee, plus toast with different spreads. Just a few bar-stool seats in this quaint, hole-in-the-wall location (where they have been for 35 years!). So this is not where you'd want to spend a few hours enjoying snacks. No wifi, either. Unfortunately the staff is mixed - very friendly on one visit, rude on another - hence the lost star. Still, this is now my go-to coffee place in Taos - and many locals...

How do they do it? How do they get it right every time? I'm in awe of the beverage brujas at World Cup Cafe, fiercely focused and simultaneously feisty and friendly. They rule with their badass playlists (Ethiopian, Greek, and African music on the morning I visited) and pithy postcards. And unlike many other high-ranking coffee specialty bars, their non-caffeinated offerings are just as inspired as their incomparable coffee drinks. I had a ginger turmeric oat milk latte that is still haunting me like a handsome maharaja. What could be more pleasant than sitting on their outdoor bench, chatting amiably with strangers, and watching the parade of eclectics go by? Or sitting inside at the bar and writing postcards to all of your far flung friends? For me, no trip to Taos would be complete without stopping...