The Coffee Society

San Miguel has its share of coffee shops, but they are not all created equal. The Coffee Society, a relatively new establishment in the historic Mesón de San Ignacio, at Mesones 53 (corner of Relox), is the place for the discerning coffee lover. Run by master barista Jesús Muñiz, The Coffee Society carries two significant designations that set it apart: “specialty coffee” and “micro-roastery.”

Specialty coffee is not a marketing term; it is a standard set by the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA). For a coffee to be confirmed as specialty, it must meet the rigorous SCA standards for factors of aroma, flavor, acidity, body and sweetness. As a micro-roastery, The Coffee Society roasts its beans in small batches, allowing for precise control of the roast profile and ensuring that each bean expresses its full potential.

The Coffee Society menu includes a wide variety of coffee drinks, including flavored lattes; noncoffee drinks, such as matcha and chai lattes and chocolate; along with delicious sandwiches and snacks. The menu also includes gluten-free brownies and other treats from the gluten-free bakery The Almond Tree.

The Coffee Society is open every day from 8:30am to 7:00pm, except on Wednesdays, when it closes at 5:30pm. It is on the ground floor of Mesón de San Ignacio, a landmark of Spanish-style architecture dating from 1720, a calm and peaceful setting in which to enjoy your specialty coffee.

Directly across from The Coffee Society you will find Japi Eyes, a boutique for high-quality frames and lenses at remarkably low prices. Proprietor and optician Daniel Soberanis offers designer frames for men and women, vision testing to determine your prescription, and many extras, such as photochromic and polycarbonate lenses. Soberanis, who opened his San Miguel branch of Japi Eyes in January, has boutiques in Tuxtla, San Cristóbal de las Casas, Tapachulita, Puebla Veracruz and Queretaro, and boasts over 50,000 satisfied customers.