Somos un espacio para todo el día, de desayunos y cafe, hasta bocas y vino.
1 / 10

Franco Escalante

4.6
·491k reviews·,

A popular cafe in San Jose's trendy Escalante neighborhood, known for world-class coffee and fresh, healthy food options in a welcoming atmosphere.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

CrowdLow
Somos un espacio para todo el día, de desayunos y cafe, hasta bocas y vino.

Franco Escalante

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A popular cafe in San Jose's trendy Escalante neighborhood, known for world-class coffee and fresh, healthy food options in a welcoming atmosphere.

4.6
(491k reviews)

"Franco is the place to go for an exceptional coffee experience with a taste of home."

TIP

Focus on the Coffee

Prioritize the exceptional coffee experience, especially the flat white, over food.

Try the Flat White

Highly recommended by visitors, this coffee is noted for its smooth texture and perfect balance.

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Quick Facts

Closed·Opens Friday 7AM

Cuisine

Cafe

Price

Mid-range

Phone

+506 8956 2626

Address

Entre Calles, Av. 7 3166, San José Province, CARMEN, Barrio Escalante, 10101, Costa Rica

Website

franco.cr/

Insta-Factor

High

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Exceptional Coffee Experience

Exceptional Coffee Experience

World-class coffee crafted with precision on a La Marzocco machine, served with passion.

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Beautiful Outdoor Space

Beautiful Outdoor Space

Relax and savor fresh, healthy food options in a beautiful, welcoming outdoor seating area.

11 BEST Restaurants in San Jose, Costa RicaGoogle Review
Artisan Pastries

Artisan Pastries

Indulge in delicious homemade pastries, including almond croissants and coffee cakes.

Where to Eat in San JoséGoogle Review
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Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Restaurante y Cafetería Franco , en Barrio Escalante. ☕️🥯 Honestamente es uno de mis lugares favoritos. #cafeaesthetic #restaurantessanjose #cafeteria #foodvlog #barrioescalante #cafeteriasbonitas #comida #brunch #brunchspots #EspecialistasEmPontos
@caribbeanjami
54 likes • 2.4K views

Focus on the Coffee

Prioritize the exceptional coffee experience, especially the flat white, over food.

Try the Flat White

Highly recommended by visitors, this coffee is noted for its smooth texture and perfect balance.

Esta temporada también tenemos conchas, tan deliciosas que se acaban rápido 🔥😮‍💨 #sanjosecostarica #sanjosecostarica #francorestaurante #costarica🇨🇷 #barrioescalante #romanticizeyourlife
@francorestaurante
92 likes • 3.5K views
Pronto en Franco y en @Simple Fresh Eatery Especial de temporada: Pan de muerto 🖤🧡 #sanjosecostarica #francorestaurante #costarica🇨🇷 #coffeetiktok #barrioescalante #costarica #fyp #romanticizeyourlife
@francorestaurante
93 likes • 3.3K views

Engage with Baristas

Chat with staff to learn about their coffee process and get personalized recommendations.

Visit Off-Peak Hours

To avoid noise and crowds, consider visiting during less busy times.

Once a quiet neighborhood in San José, Barrio Escalante has become one of the trendiest areas in Costa Rica. With more people moving in, creative studios opening, and some of the best coffee spots in the city, this place is turning into the heart of culture and innovation. ☕🎨✨ #BarrioEscalante #CostaRica #SanJose #TravelCostaRica #Cafes
@int.relocation.partner
51 likes • 3K views

Tips

from all over the internet

Focus on the Coffee

Prioritize the exceptional coffee experience, especially the flat white, over food.

Try the Flat White

Highly recommended by visitors, this coffee is noted for its smooth texture and perfect balance.

Engage with Baristas

Chat with staff to learn about their coffee process and get personalized recommendations.

Visit Off-Peak Hours

To avoid noise and crowds, consider visiting during less busy times.

Ask for Garden Seating

Request to sit in the beautiful back garden for a more tranquil dining experience.

What Travellers Say

4.6
(491k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Franco Escalante is lauded for its exceptional coffee, friendly service, and pleasant atmosphere, making it a favorite brunch and coffee spot. While many praise the quality of their drinks and pastries, some diners have noted inconsistencies in food quality and portion sizes, alongside occasional service lapses. Despite minor drawbacks, the overall dining experience is highly recommended, especially for coffee aficionados.

"The restaurant was clean and the staff was polite and patient! We were greeted and seated promptly,
The menu was available in English after scanning the QR code.
Our food arrived hot and appetizing.
We shared the Jazz fries, which were delicious.
We then moved onto the cheesecake! What an awesome flavor and texture. It was smooth and creamy. The addition of caramel made it even better. We forgot to take a photo! The chocolate cake was also tasty and moist.
We visited the restaurant three times during our ten day stay. We will be back!"

Chequetta Roberts

"Actually, best almond croissant I ever had, and i am a local guide. The chia pudding was wowzers. European style coffee -YUM. best you ll find. Vibe is cool."

Tudor Maxim

"Delicious hearty food at Barrio Escalante. The atmosphere was lovely, a mix of locals and tourists. We had a couple salad bowls and they were so good! The fries were hand made and delicious too!"

Iñaki Abadia

What People Like

Exceptional coffee quality
Friendly and passionate staff
Beautiful ambiance and outdoor space

What People Dislike

Inconsistent food quality
Small portion sizes for the price
Occasional slow service

Frequently Asked Questions

Franco Escalante is highly acclaimed for its exceptional coffee, crafted with precision on a La Marzocco machine, and its fresh, healthy food options, particularly in a beautiful outdoor setting.

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It is recommended to make reservations or be prepared to wait, as the restaurant is consistently busy.

Google Review

Popular food items include chia pudding, salad bowls, French toast, and breakfast burritos. The almond croissant is also a highly recommended pastry.

TikTokWhere to Eat in San JoséGoogle Review

Yes, Franco Escalante features a beautiful outdoor space and garden area, which is recommended for a more relaxed experience.

11 BEST Restaurants in San Jose, Costa RicaGoogle Review

Absolutely. Franco Escalante is celebrated for its high-quality coffee, with a strong emphasis on locally sourced beans and expert brewing techniques.

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Yes, the menu indicates options that are Gluten-Free (GF) and Vegetarian (V).

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Fashionable Franco serves gourmet beverages made from the country’s premium coffees, all to the tune of a European-style espresso bar. Your inner amateur barista may want to check into the slate of coffee workshops offered here.

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For breakfast, brunch, or lunch (plus coffee and pastries), head to hip Franco in the trendy Escalante neighborhood. The locale is the dream of two brothers, one an engineer and the other a barista; both fans of really good food. You'll find homemade pastries and third-wave specialty coffee, plus brunch dishes like avocado toast, pancakes, breakfast bagels, and fresh salads.

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Chia reposada en leche de almendras y coco de la noche anterior, aromatizado con ralladura de naranja, frutas, semillas de marañón, hojuelas de coco confitado, miel de abeja y canela. De los platos salados, los tacos de huevo y chorizo, con pico de gallo, aguacate y natilla son espectaculares. ¡El café en Franco es de los mejores que he probado!

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Who doesn’t love a great brunch, especially when it lets you eat tasty fresh food at almost any time of the day?. Franco Restaurant is one of the most well-known brunch spots in all of San Jose. Here you’ll find a wonderful variety of lovingly made food at any time of the day, served side-by-side with some of the best coffee in town.

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Franco's Marzocco never stops churning out rich espressos, ready for the most spectacular latte art you'll find in San José. The space itself is pretty spectacular: plenty of space for everyone, both indoors and outdoors. The place is pet friendly, so get ready to see some fluffy cuties around!

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It’s also the doctor you need to awaken your senses in the morning after. The back patio and garden are beautiful, and the entire place feels trendy, flowery, clean, and fresh. The daytime atmosphere is incredible, with spacious indoor seating and a warm, welcoming aspect.

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Cafe Franco, Under Ground Brew Cafe and Cafe La Mancha, were the cafes we visited. We discovered two of these fantastic cafes through Luis Arocha, one of our hosts at OXCART Coffee. He led us to his two local favourites - Franco and Under Ground Brew Cafe.

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Known for its curated coffee selections, Franco in the Nunciatura section of Rohrmoser offers a unique experience. Franco is known for its high-quality coffee, with a strong emphasis on locally sourced beans from different regions of Costa Rica.

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