($$) I was quite happy to discover Bamboo Coffee Shop recently so I have a closer place to get my triple-shot iced latte with hazelnut fix. Before a friend introduced me to Bamboo, I was literally trekking out to Ixtapa to Lilian's. Yes, there are other Zihua restaurants & cafes that serve excellent coffee but most local offerings of iced coffees are from powdered mixes, are blended and/or are just too weak for my tastes. (On the other hand, if you like coffee-infused milkshakes or frappes with whipped cream, you have quite a few indulgent options to choose from!) I wanted something super-strong and with that slight hint of nutty flavor. Bamboo delivered.

don't miss: Obviously, I'm a sucker for the iced lattes. Bamboo also has excellent (& strong!) cafe americano, espresso drinks (hot & cold), chai tea, and milk or yogurt-based smoothies. Prices range from 10 pesos for a small coffee to 22 pesos for most espresso-based drinks. (My triple shot adds 8 pesos, 4 pesos per extra shot). Take the time out to have a panini-style baguette as well. At 50-75 pesos (depending on the ingredients), the sandwiches might be more expensive than most local tortas but they are massive, have high quality ingredients, and if you stick around to eat at her sandwich bar, you'll get friendly conversation and perhaps a few Spanish pronunciation tips as well!

just the facts, ma'am: During low season, Bamboo's hours are loosely adhered to but you'll find Leticia manning the espresso machine by noon (but usually earlier) Wednesdays through Saturdays. She has been closing lately at 8 pm but will stay later if there are enough people milling about.

meet me @: It took me a while to find Bamboo because it is tucked away in Plaza los Adobes at the end of Paseo de Pescador. Walk along Playa Principal past most of the restaurants, fishermen, and souvenir stands towards Municipal Pier, turning right into the corridor immediately after you pass Shiva Bar.

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($$) Yes, there is a creperia in Zihuatanejo! Café Mandarina specializes in both savory and dessert crepes in addition to being one of the first locations to serve strong-brewed coffee and espresso drinks. The menu doesn't stop there, though! There is a full selection of Mexican tortas and other traditional fare, contintental breakfasts, large entree salads, and cakes. The owners, Carlos and Esperanza, are genuine people who get to know their customers and are constantly working to improve the cafe through menu changes, decor improvements, and training their employees in good customer service.

don't miss: the savory crepes are very filling and the dessert crepes are almost too big! In fact, I've never finished managed to finish one. The chef's salad with a honey mustard dressing is especially satisfying on a hot day.

just the facts, ma'am: open daily from 9am until midnight.

meet me @: Café Mandarina is located directly across from the Church on Cinco de Mayo, on the same side of the street as the Artisan's Market.

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($$) With certified organic coffee beans grown in the mountains surrounding Zihuatanejo and Ixtapa, Café Zihuatanejo is a place any coffee lover won't want to miss. For years, they have offered green and freshly roasted beans (both whole and ground) in their small store on Calle Cuauhtémoc. In 2006, they also opened a "proper" cafe in Centro that serves up their coffee, espresso drinks, a wide range of teas, and both breakfast and daytime fare.

don't miss: Wake up the whole family with a pot of coffee for just 40 pesos (a single serving cup of café americano is 10 pesos). There are plenty of options for non-coffee drinkers including a wide range of fruit smoothies and teas. The ginger te (te gingebre) is especially delicious. Breakfast "packets" are a wonderful way to start the day before heading to the beach while the crepes (savory or sweet) taste great with a cappucino at night.

just the facts, ma'am: Café Zihuatanejo is open from 8 am until midnight every day with breakfast served until noon. Many menu items can be ordered as entirely "organic" (there is typically a 5-10 peso surcharge due to increased cost in ingredients). Café Zihuatanejo has been certified organic by the USDA, OCIA, and has received awards for their coffee from as far away as Australia. In addition to being committed to organic coffee growing techniques, they also promote recycling by offering a small discount on coffee bean purchases when you bring your bag back to their Cuauhtémoc shop.

meet me @: the pedestrian street of H. Galeana (between restaurants Jarocho and Nueva Zealandia). Café Zihuatanejo has quickly become a popular meeting place for locals looking for an alternative to bars and clubs.
You can also still buy green and roasted beans by the 1/2 kilo or kilo in their shop at Calle Cuauhtémoc # 170. They offer several roasts/blends including French Roast, Cuban Roast, Americano, Expresso, an anti-depressive blend, and decaffeinated varieties.

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($$) If you hear "the song of the mermaids" you must be up really late! El Canto de la Sirena is Zihua's live music after hours club where the action often doesn't start until most other clubs have closed. Owner Jose Luis Cobo starts his set of storytelling songs around 10 pm and other musicians wander in on their nights of or after their other gigs have ended. El Canto is one of those places who's nightly ambience depends greatly on both the patrons and the musical acts that happen to stop by. Some nights the hours slowly drift by but when the right mix of people show up, there is a powerful mix of dancing, singing, and drinking until dawn. Half the fun of going to El Canto de la Sirena is not knowing who will be there, what will happen, or if the sun will be up before you head home the next morning.

don't miss: the spontaneity of El Canto de la Sirena. The club may be the closest thing Zihua has to an "underground music club" - except that it is on the second floor!

meet me @: El Canto de la Sirena is on Heroico Colegio Militar in Colonia Industrial, next to the main bus station. Look for the magazine stand on the corner and it is across the street on the second floor.

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