“No coke allowed”, says the sign at the entrance of Cafe Papalotl. A successful restaurant run by a kind woman, Consuelo, who respects the rules of fair trade by serving a coffee that comes from Mexican fields, directly bought to indigenous people. A coherent practice with the sign that welcomes both regulars and new clients who look for a healthy and delicious option for lunch in Ciudad Universitaria (CU), the gigantic campus of the Universidad Autónoma de México (UNAM).
The restaurant is decorated with colorful butterflies of all kinds that hang from the ceiling and walls all over the place (“Papalotl” means butterfly in nahuatl); it is well illuminated, plants can be seen everywhere and if you are looking for an open-air area you can pick a table at the little garden in the back or maybe, sit in front of the little fountain.
Variety here is the word. Whether you are vegetarian or not, and if you are used to comidas corridas, you have three choices depending on the weekday. Meat is always on the menu, but on Tuesdays and Thursdays fish is one of the big attractions. You They also serve combos that include a sandwich or baguette, salad, aguas frescas and delicious coffee. They offer a large variety of dressings that includes honey mustard (my favorite) or yoghurt. Items on the menu are from 50 to 70 pesos, but always well served.
If you come by yourself, the music is nice and magazines like Proceso or La Jornada can be found at the entrance. Regulars come from CU, including machas from Philosophy and Literature Department, which is considered the most macha spot–at least in our circle of friends. Highly recommendable.
Cafe Papalotl. Comercio y Administración, 40, Col. Copilco Universidad. Opens 8 am to 8 pm. You can reach the place by walking from Facultad de Economía as if you were going to the subway.