5 Up-and-Coming Cafés and Restaurants in Laureles

Editor’s note: Read the 2019 updated article here.

As a digital publisher in a growing city, we know that some of our stories get outdated, sometimes quickly, some places open, some close. We’re always getting reader suggestions for new cafés, restaurants, and clubs, which we love.

We’re lucky to be in a place so dynamic that we can hardly keep up with all the cool venues opening up. This is definitely the case for Laureles. In the last year, a lot has been going on in the area, businesses are opening up left and right.

Laureles has such a romantic feel to me, it’s streets are arranged in circles (for a certain area within the neighborhood) inspired by Parisian streets, its Avenida Jardín is home to tens of design stores and great restaurants and bars, all while being a great place to live.

Here are some of the new places in Laureles that I’ve been frequenting lately. Some have been around for a little over a year, but they’re still new to many and have been attracting big crowds.

All of them are generally affordable and have varied menus for all budgets.

1. Uno Más Uno: Dynamic Gastronomy

Uno Más Uno is a restaurant that focuses on, as they put it, dynamic gastronomy. They really charm up the corner of Circular 4 and Carrera 71 in Laureles (Circular 4ta N 71-3).

Placed next to a Vespa shop and a clothing design store, they’re the perfect vintage trio to liven up a normal residential street.

So, what does “dynamic gastronomy” mean?

They describe it as “the product of a search for that local flavor that with time has evolved in these kitchens where we had our first tastes.”

The staff is always nice and welcoming, smiley and dutiful.

Their lunch is simple but tasty and sits at 10,000 pesos ($3.15).

They have great snacks like empanadas with a maracuyá sauce and several craft beers available.

My personal favorite is their cardamom/clove shake, but their menu is quite varied. Take a look through the options here.

2. Algarabía: The New Café on the Block

Algarabía is a new café right on the first park of Laureles. (Calle 39 C # 73-29). It’s small and pastel-colored and has a great big wall with a painted map of the neighborhood.

The menu ranges from teas to hot and iced coffees, alternative methods of brewing include the Dripper and the French Press. They also provide snacks and pastries.

During our visit, we had matcha tea and a latte, and I snacked on a delicious caramel pastry which had me “mmmm”-ing out loud.

Though it’s small, it’s quite charming with a great view of the first park, though that often means that the crowds of smokers that gather there are  frequently noticeable scent-wise.

It is definitely bringing some color to the park and allows for people-watching (and dog-watching- my favorite!). It’s a great spot to sit down with a book and some good, Colombian java.

They’re open Monday-Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (However, they might not be punctual with those, I’ve had to change plans last minute because they weren’t open right at 9).

3. Naturalia Café: Healthy, Feel-Good Food

Naturalia has been around for over a year. More than a coffee shop, they’re really a bakery/restaurant. You can find them on Circular 3 #70-39.

They’ve won their customers over with their attention to detail, their healthy menus, their super cheap vegetarian lunches (at just 10,000 pesos each), but don’t worry, you can add chicken or salmon to your lunch for 2,500 pesos.

Recently, they started serving breakfast as well.

Their wide variety of baked goods: homemade breads, brownies, quiches and hand-crafted pizzas will grab your attention for a night out, and on top of that, the space is beautiful and welcoming.

I’ve kept my distance from writing about Naturalia due to a close friendship I have with them, but it can’t be denied any longer, this place needed to be featured in the blog.

This year they expanded and now have a huge space in the back for everyday serving and events like movie nights, live model drawing sessions, live music, ping pong tournaments and more.

Naturalia is open Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. It’s closed on Sundays.

4. Chocolatería Moré: The Golden Ticket in Laureles

So, Chocolatería Moré was a place that surprised me when I came back from traveling in September.

Suddenly, on a street where there was nothing special before, there it was. A beautiful storefront with a display full of chocolates.

It popped out of nowhere: a shop that makes you nostalgic for the times of Willy Wonka and all things chocolate.  It’s located on Circular 4 #74-41 (near Nutibara).

They offer brownies, marzipan, mousse, cakes, nibs (yum!), among many others.

There’s no better time to recommend this place, it’s full of holiday spirit! Friends: this is what you can expect from me this holiday season.

There’s no seating, but it’s worth a visit because it is so darn cute. This could be due to the fact the chocolatier herself is an artist. However, if you would like your treats delivered, they have an online store.

They’re open Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and they’re closed Sundays.

5. Paradisíaca: Trendy Juice Bar

Paradisíaca is located on Circular 4 #72-4.  They offer smoothies that you can assemble with your favorite fruits or choose according to your needs: detox, acid reflux, blood pressure, energy, you name it.

They also have teas and lemonades as well as “energy bowls” with yogurt, granola or cereal and fruit with chia seeds.

This is a place to sit down and enjoy a healthy snack, with big windows and nature inspired decoration.

They’re open all week: Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sundays 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

What’s your favorite place in Laureles? Tell us in the comments below!