Restaurant in Buenos Aires, Argentina
LAB Tostadores de Café
Palermo's premier specialty coffee roaster with multiple locations. Third-wave coffee culture with pour-overs, cold brew, and expert baristas.
LAB Tostadores de Café is a Buenos Aires specialty coffee roaster and café group with its flagship location at Humboldt 1542 in Palermo. One of the formative names in Argentina's third-wave coffee movement, LAB operates as both a micro-roastery and a retail café, applying a sourcing and preparation philosophy centered on traceability, single-origin selection, and transparency about processing methods and provenance.
The Palermo flagship functions as the roastery's principal point of contact with Buenos Aires' specialty coffee community. The bar menu covers a full range of espresso-based preparations — cortado, flat white, cappuccino — alongside manual filter methods including V60 pour-over, AeroPress, and cold brew. Beans rotate with seasonal harvests, drawing from Colombian, Ethiopian, and Guatemalan origins, as well as from emerging domestic micro-production in Argentina's northwestern provinces of Jujuy and Tucumán, where altitude-grown cultivation has developed in recent years. The cold brew is a particularly well-regarded preparation at LAB, prepared in small batches from carefully selected single-origin beans. Retail bags of whole-bean and ground coffee are available at the counter for take-home purchase.
The staff at the Humboldt location are drawn from the Buenos Aires specialty coffee community and approach customer interaction with readiness to discuss sourcing, roasting profiles, and brewing variables. This educational orientation distinguishes LAB from the traditional espresso bars and confiterías that otherwise predominate in Buenos Aires' café culture. The space itself is minimal and focused — bare surfaces, industrial display shelving holding retail coffee, and a bar counter designed to make the brewing process visible to seated and standing guests.
LAB has expanded beyond the Palermo original to operate branches across Buenos Aires including locations in Núñez, Puerto Madero, and the Microcentro. The Humboldt 1542 flagship remains the most representative expression of the roastery's identity and the one most closely associated with its specialty coffee focus. Operating hours run from early morning to evening, making LAB a practical daily stop for Palermo residents and visitors seeking precision coffee within the neighborhood.
Signature dishes
- Pour Over Coffee — $5
- Flat White — $4
- Avocado Toast — $10
Hours: 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM daily
Reservations: Walk-in
Visit / Book / Contact
- Phone: +54 11 4773-9698
Location
Humboldt 1542, C1414 CABA, Buenos Aires
-34.5889, -58.4333 — View on map
Highlights
- Buenos Aires specialty coffee roaster with flagship at Humboldt 1542 in Palermo — a formative name in Argentine third-wave coffee
- Manual filter bar with V60, AeroPress, and cold brew alongside espresso drinks made with traceable single-origin beans
- Seasonal bean rotation drawing from Colombia, Ethiopia, Guatemala, and domestic Argentine micro-production from Jujuy and Tucumán
- Retail whole-bean and ground coffee available at the counter; staff discuss roasting dates and origin details on request
- Multiple Buenos Aires locations including Núñez, Puerto Madero, and the Microcentro, with the Palermo flagship as the original
Tips
- Ask baristas about the current filter coffee menu — single-origin offerings rotate with seasonal harvests and vary considerably in flavor profile
- Cold brew is a signature preparation especially well-suited to Buenos Aires summers; confirm availability at the counter on arrival
- Retail bags of whole-bean coffee for home purchase are stocked at the bar; asking about the roast date identifies the freshest options
- Visit the Humboldt 1542 flagship for the most focused specialty coffee experience; other branches have broader food menus and busier atmospheres
- Morning visits offer the broadest filter coffee selection — some manual-brew options may be discontinued during peak afternoon periods
FAQ
What is third-wave specialty coffee?
Third-wave coffee treats coffee as a craft ingredient with emphasis on traceable origin, specific varietals, precise roasting, and careful brewing. LAB applies this approach in Buenos Aires, sourcing directly from producers and presenting origin and processing details to customers at the bar.
Where are LAB's coffee beans sourced?
LAB sources from established producing countries including Colombia, Ethiopia, and Guatemala, with rotating seasonal offerings. Domestic Argentine micro-production from Jujuy and Tucumán is also featured — a growing sector of Argentine specialty coffee.
Does LAB serve food?
Yes. Light food including avocado toast, pastries, and sandwiches is available at most locations. The food offering is secondary to the coffee programme and the menu varies by branch.
How many LAB locations are there in Buenos Aires?
LAB operates multiple Buenos Aires locations beyond the Palermo flagship at Humboldt 1542, including branches in Núñez, Puerto Madero, and the Microcentro. The Palermo original is the most representative of the roastery's character and specialty coffee focus.
Accessibility
The LAB Tostadores flagship at Humboldt 1542 in Palermo is on the ground floor with step-free access from the pavement. The open-plan interior provides clear space for wheelchair users, and counter seating is available. The space is not cramped and can be navigated without significant difficulty.