Rosarito is now home to approximately 150 coffee shops, most of which have opened in the past two years. These establishments provide spaces for social interaction and recreation, blending diverse influences reflected in their architecture and design.

This trend has been documented by the National Chamber of the Restaurant Industry (CANIRAC) in metropolitan cities, where it has been warmly embraced by both locals and tourists.

“In the last two years, Rosarito has seen a significant increase in coffee shops, and what’s remarkable is that they haven’t closed; they’ve endured,” stated Octavio Machado, the local president of CANIRAC.

Mr. Machado noted that this phenomenon isn’t exclusive to Rosarito; similar growth has been observed in Tijuana and Ensenada. The coffee shop concept, with its various iterations, has gained significant traction in the region.

He explained that this surge began after the end of the coronavirus pandemic when people sought out places to reconnect and socialize. “The search for smaller, more intimate venues drove the boom in coffee shops after the pandemic, along with the burgeoning coffee culture surrounding these spaces,” he added.

Finally, Mr. Machado highlighted that CANIRAC offers a special program to support these ventures during their affiliation process. The program aims to help them operate within regulatory frameworks, ultimately positioning these coffee shops as part of the city’s tourist attractions and local culinary offerings.