Cortado, lágrima, café con leche, jarrito. Ordering coffee in Buenos Aires can be a language all its own. This simple guide helps you understand what to order and how coffee is enjoyed in the city. Cortado, lágrima, café con leche, jarrito. Ordering coffee in Buenos Aires can feel like a language all its own. This simple guide will help you understand what to order and how coffee is enjoyed in the city.

You walk into a café in Buenos Aires. You open the menu. And you see words you might not recognize… “Cortado. Lágrima. Jarrito. Café con leche.”

It’s not complicated. You just need to know what each one means.

1. Café
If you simply order “a coffee,” you’ll usually get an espresso.
It’s short, intense, and served in a small cup.
2. Cortado
This is one of the most classic orders.
It consists of espresso with a small amount of milk.
It has more coffee than milk.
If you want to mellow out the espresso without turning it into a café con leche, this can be a good option.
3. Lágrima
Here, the ratio changes.
The lágrima has a lot of milk and just a little coffee.
It’s mild and is usually served in a glass or large cup.
4. Café con leche
A breakfast and afternoon snack classic.
It has a more balanced ratio of coffee to milk.
It’s usually served with croissants, toast, or something sweet.
5. Jarrito
The jarrito is larger than an espresso.
You can order it black or with milk.
It’s a good option if you want a slightly larger cup of coffee.
6. Americano
It’s also appearing more and more on menus.
It’s espresso with hot water.
It has a milder flavor and comes in a larger cup.
7. Double Espresso
If you want more intensity, you can order a double.
It’s two shots of espresso.
Simple and straightforward.

What to have with your coffee?
Croissants are the classic choice.
You’ll also find toast, puddings, alfajores, and pastries.
In Buenos Aires, coffee is often just an excuse to hang out for a while.
Breakfast, an afternoon snack, meeting up with friends, or a break during a walk.

What time do people drink coffee in Buenos Aires?
Any time.
In the morning, it’s part of breakfast.
In the afternoon, it’s served with an afternoon snack.
And after lunch, many people order an espresso or a cortado.
There’s no set time to sit down at a café.

Where can you have coffee in Buenos Aires?
Downtown has plenty of options.
Avenida de Mayo, Corrientes, Florida, San Telmo, and Recoleta are home to both historic cafés and newer spots.
If you want to keep exploring, check out our article “Must-Visit Cafés Near Downtown Buenos Aires.”

Quick Guide to Ordering Coffee in Buenos Aires

1. Café: espresso.
2. Cortado: espresso with a little milk.
3. Lágrima: lots of milk and a little coffee.
4. Café con leche: coffee and milk in more equal proportions.
5. Jarrito: a larger cup of coffee.
6. Americano: espresso with hot water.
7. Doble: two shots of espresso.

Coffee in Buenos Aires is all about taking a break.
It’s a tradition that’s part of the city.

You might walk in for ten minutes and end up staying for an hour.
A chat, a croissant, a table by the window.
Sometimes, getting to know Buenos Aires starts with something as simple as knowing what coffee to order.