Food and Drink Awards 2025 | 15 upholding the stellar customer service and unrivalled experience the location offers, which extends beyond its coffee. For those after something a little stronger than Honduras’ famous coffee – or the smoothies and hot chocolate it serves, both of which are fan favourites – Café San Rafael also showcases the vibrant flavours of the region by offering a range of signature cheeses paired with wine from an extensive list. Although the wine is magnificent – especially at happy hour (3PM to 6PM) – the combination of it with the unsurpassed selection of cheeses is what really makes Café San Rafael a go-to destination for foodies worldwide. Be it mainstays such as brie, camembert, and blue or more local styles such as queso fresco, these cheeses are the striking centrepieces of cheese boards which also include staples like olives, crackers, nuts, and meats, complementing the authentic taste of Honduras no end. The timeless pairing of wine and cheese is just one way that Café San Rafael’s artisan cheeses can be enjoyed, as they also find their way into a selection of gourmet sandwiches – including grilled cheese, cheese and tomato, tuna melt – and a multitude of other dishes. “I’m trying to develop a cheese culture in my town.” The extensive menu here also spans breakfast options inspired by European cafés – omelettes, hash browns, toast, and fruits – as well as a selection of pancakes and waffles. A couple of bistro favourites, namely shakshuka and a ribeye steak with eggs, round out these breakfast offerings, giving way to an equally comprehensive main menu of burgers, wings, and salads, which can be washed down with a curated list of cocktails or a selection of beer from around the world. But make sure to save room for a slice of cheesecake. All of this top-notch food can be enjoyed outside in Café San Rafael’s stunning garden patio, with its shaded seating area being the perfect place to cool off after exploring the Maya ruins nearby. Whilst tourists certainly love this destination – many credit it as being one of few places in Central America to get really great cheese, and a number of reviewers have even described its lattes as some of the best they have ever tasted – the spot is equally celebrated by the locals, many of whom stop by weekly for a coffee and a slice of cake. Even those who do not live close enough to Café San Rafael to be able to drop in regularly can enjoy this signature coffee from wherever in the world they are, thanks to the team selling bags of their coffee blend from inside the shop. Ideal either as a memory from an unforgettable coffee shop or as a gift for a coffee enthusiast back home, these bags are available in a number of sizes, from 340g up to 1kg, covering all bases for customers. Hot sauce and sweet ketchup – both of which are made in-house – are also for sale. This adds up to something truly special for San Rafael Family Estates, whose blend of vertical integration (using its own coffee and dairy for these products) and welcoming location in a standout area has positioned Café San Rafael as a premium, authentic, and gourmet dining experience – the likes of which cannot be matched for miles around. With plans to build a rooftop seating area and develop a new menu in the pipeline, things are only set to improve for visitors of this bustling café in the beating heart of Copán. Recognised as having the Wine Bar of the Year 2025 – Western Honduras and as the Best Artisanal Cheese Producers 2025 – Honduras, Carlos René Guerra and the rest of the team behind San Rafael Family Estates have something really special on their hands with Café San Rafael. For more on its full range of wines, cheeses, coffees, and other such items, simply visit the web address listed below and experience first-hand what makes this modern destination one of the most popular, sought-after spots in the entire region. Contact: Carlos René Guerra Company: Café San Rafael Web Address: https://www.cafesanrafael.com/
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