Tucked into the vibrant neighborhoods of Buenos Aires, Hobby Café is more than just a coffee shop—it’s a thoughtfully designed space where quality coffee, creativity, and connection come together. With two locations in Chacarita and Palermo, Hobby brings a fresh perspective to the city’s café culture, blending a modern, minimal aesthetic with a warm, handcrafted touch. It’s a place that invites you to slow down, enjoy the ritual of coffee, and feel at home—whether you’re catching up with a friend, working on a project, or simply enjoying a moment to yourself.
What made you want to open a cafe?
We’re two friends who decided to open a coffee shop when we were just 21. Coffee and gastronomy were hobbies for us at first, and that’s actually how the name Hobby came to be—it’s a nod to the passion that started it all.
From the beginning, we wanted to create a place where people could truly enjoy their free 45 minutes of the day. A space to disconnect, recharge, and savor a really good cup of coffee. It’s a cafe built with love for the small, meaningful rituals that make up everyday life.
How would you describe the brand of your cafe?
At Hobby, our motto is Café y Amigos – Coffee and Friends. That really captures who we are.
We’re all about combining coffee with leisure, bringing together great craftsmanship, warm hospitality, and thoughtful design. The space is modern but inviting, with natural materials and handmade touches by local artisans. We’re also inspired by the Wabi Sabi philosophy—embracing imperfection, and creating a space that feels alive, organic, and welcoming.
Describe the location/demographics of the area where you opened. Why did you choose this area?
We have two locations in Buenos Aires: Chacarita and Palermo.
Chacarita has a relaxed, creative vibe. It’s a rising cultural neighborhood filled with artists and young locals, and our cafe there reflects that spirit—spontaneous, colorful, and a little offbeat.
Palermo is more established and design-forward. It’s packed with restaurants, concept stores, and creative offices, which made it the perfect place for our second shop. We went all-in there—with a bold design, a full Modbar setup, and a coffee experience that really showcases our identity.
What equipment are you using to make coffee?
In our Palermo shop, we use the Modbar AV and Modbar Steam, paired with a Mahlkönig E65S GBW and a Mahlkönig EK Omnia.
The bar is long, open, and divided into stations for espresso and manual brew methods. All the equipment was chosen to fit a minimal, black-on-concrete aesthetic—clean, modern, and bold, just like the space itself.
Why did you choose this equipment?
We were aiming for a coffee experience that felt unique and transparent. Modbar was the ideal match—it eliminates barriers between barista and guest, making the whole interaction feel personal and open.
Aesthetically, it aligns perfectly with the clean, contemporary look we wanted. But more importantly, we wanted a setup that’s rare and high-performing—something that would raise the standard for coffee service in Buenos Aires. It was a bold move, but it pushed us to elevate every part of what we do.
Describe your bar or customer flow. How did the equipment influence the flow or vice versa?
The Modbar layout completely changed the dynamic. It opens up the bar, both visually and emotionally. There’s no wall between the baristas and guests—just conversation, eye contact, and a shared experience.
It creates a smooth and inviting flow, where people feel welcome to approach, ask questions, and watch the process. At the same time, it keeps the bar highly functional and efficient for our team.
What’s one thing that makes your cafe special?
What makes Hobby special is the way everything comes together—our love for specialty coffee, a genuine and friendly team, and a space that reflects our identity through design and detail.
It’s more than just a coffee shop. It’s a place where people feel at ease, connect with others, and enjoy those everyday moments that really matter.
Oh—and a special shoutout to Tienda del Barista in Buenos Aires, where we got our Modbar. The owner, Agustín Quiroga, also runs Puerto Blest, the roastery we proudly work with. That local connection made the whole journey even more meaningful. And of course, none of this would look the way it does without Cupla Arquitectura, the amazing studio led by Tomás and Lucía, who helped us turn our vision into a space that feels just like Hobby was meant to.