If you have ever chased the perfect latte, you will feel right at home at Cafetal Coffee & Familia. This tiny Tempe gem pours heart, heritage, and serious craft into every cup, and people cross entire cities just for a sip.
The beans come straight from the owners’ Colombian family farm, and you can taste that farm to cup care. Come for the lattes, stay for the arepas, the warm hospitality, and the campus vibe that somehow still feels like a local secret.
Signature Latte: La Dulce Vida
You will taste pure comfort in La Dulce Vida, Cafetal’s cult favorite latte starring house made dulce de leche. The caramelized sweetness hugs their Colombian espresso, letting the crema bloom without turning cloying.
One sip, and you understand why drivers plan detours for this cup.
The baristas time every shot, keeping it bright yet silky, then balance steamed milk so the sugar sings, not shouts. Ask for oat or almond milk if you prefer a nutty edge that complements the dulce notes.
It is a latte that lingers in memory long after the cup is empty.
Order it hot for velvety comfort or iced when Tempe heat kicks in. You will catch aromas of toasted sugar and vanilla drifting through the small, cheerful space.
If you keep a latte power ranking, brace yourself. This one usually ends up at the top and stays there.
Farm to Cup Espresso From Colombia
There is a story in every shot here, and it starts on the owners’ fourth generation Colombian farm. Beans are grown with care, then roasted to showcase a lively acidity and cocoa sweetness that shine in milk and stand tall as straight espresso.
You feel that lineage in the crema.
Baristas dial in like pros, weighing, timing, and tasting before your order lands on the bar. Shots arrive with a zesty sparkle and a rounded finish, never bitter, never flat.
If you chase perfect extraction, you will be geeking out before the first sip disappears.
Try a cortado to let the espresso lead, or a flat white for velvety balance. The flavor is confident yet welcoming, like a friendly nudge into specialty coffee.
Ask about whole beans to take home. They will gladly grind to your brew method so you can keep that farm to cup magic going.
Seasonal Latte Specials Worth the Drive
When seasons change, Cafetal rolls out playful lattes that respect the coffee. Think mocha plus butterscotch for a buttery ribbon that frames, not buries, the espresso’s zing.
Or a pumpkin spiced number that feels grown up, built on actual espresso character, not just sugar.
Here is the secret you will love. They test and tweak until the drink sings on its own, then train the team so every cup tastes repeatable.
That is why travelers return twice in a long weekend. Reliability meets creativity, and your taste buds get both.
Ask what is featured when you arrive. The staff will happily walk you through tasting notes and sweetness levels.
If you prefer less syrup, they will dial it down. If iced is your thing, they will balance dilution and texture.
Seasonal here is not a gimmick. It is a showcase for thoughtful, dialed in recipes.
Dulce Nuez Pecan Latte
If you crave nutty depth, the Dulce Nuez latte is a revelation. Pecan warmth threads through velvety milk, meeting Colombian espresso with a buttery snap.
Sweetness is purposeful, a gentle lift rather than a sugar rush, and you will catch subtle praline notes trailing into the finish.
Order it iced to spotlight the pecan’s toasty edges, or hot for comfort that feels like a hug. Staff can fine tune sweetness and milk choice so it lands exactly where you like.
It is the kind of drink that makes you close your eyes for a second.
Pair it with a breakfast bagel or an almond croissant if you want a little contrast. The latte’s balance holds steady even alongside richer bites.
You will understand why reviewers keep calling it the best they have had in ages. The name promises sweetness, but the craft is what seals it.
Matcha, Chai, and Tea Lattes Done Right
Not a coffee person today? You are still set.
Cafetal whisks 100 percent organic matcha to order, and steeps tea properly with timers so tannins stay friendly. The result is vibrant green matcha with umami depth and tea lattes that taste intentional, never murky.
Chai here leans aromatic and cozy, layered with spice that warms without overwhelming. Ask for a touch of house sugarcane syrup if you want more roundness, or keep it lean for a drier finish.
Either way, you will notice clarity in flavor that is rare.
Tea service like this respects ingredients and your palate. The crew takes as much pride in kettle work as they do with espresso.
If a group visit includes mixed preferences, you will all walk out happy. Tip: ask what single origin teas are rotating.
A silky London fog or spiced chai pairs beautifully with a pastry.
Arepas, Empanadas, and Breakfast Sandwiches
This is not just a latte destination. The food matters, and it shows.
Build your own bagel with chorizo, egg, and pepper jack for a savory wake up, or bite into a warm arepa layered with avocado for creamy crunch. Empanadas come flaky and satisfying, exactly what a mid morning needs.
Flavors nod to Colombian roots while staying campus friendly and quick. Portions are thoughtful, and the menu is compact on purpose so execution stays sharp.
You can grab and go or linger with real plates that keep things green friendly.
If you like heat, grab Cholula and add a few drops to your arepa. For balance, pair with a cortado or the Dulce Nuez latte.
Prices reflect quality ingredients and careful prep. You will feel fueled, not weighed down, and ready to make that next meeting or study session count.
Vibe: Cozy Campus Energy
Step inside and you will find a small, vibrant space that feels like a friend’s living room upgraded with a pro espresso bar. Music hums, conversations bubble, and the staff greets you like a regular by your second visit.
It is a campus adjacent vibe without the chaos.
Seating is clever for the footprint, with booths added to squeeze in more happy people. Outlets are gradually expanding, so laptop warriors can settle in.
The hum says community first and specialty coffee second, but you quickly realize they deliver both.
When it is busy, patience pays off. Drinks are crafted with intention, and that rhythm ensures quality.
Bring a book, meet a friend, or catch up on email while sipping a signature latte. By the time you leave, you will understand why so many call this place their home away from home in Tempe.
Sustainability and Reuse Mindset
You will notice little green flags everywhere. Real dishes for dine in, encouragement to bring your own cup, and eco friendly straws that do the job.
It is practical sustainability, not performative, and it makes lingering over a latte feel even better.
Behind the bar, choices mirror that mindset. Sourcing directly from a family farm reduces middle steps and builds accountability back to the earth.
Training cuts waste by getting drinks right the first time, and that care adds up day after day.
As a guest, you are invited into that loop. Refill a personal tumbler, skip single use where you can, and savor the result.
Good coffee should honor its origins from soil to shot. At Cafetal, that promise shows up in small, steady habits that create real impact without sacrificing flavor or hospitality.
Tips for Beating the Rush and Parking
Because Cafetal sits by ASU, mornings and mid day can get lively. Plan a quick walk if you are on campus, or factor in paid parking nearby.
Early afternoons often ease up before closing at 3 PM, and Sundays start later, so check hours before you roll.
Order ahead if you can, but even in line, the crew moves with purpose. Grab a window seat when available, or post up at a booth for a study sprint.
If you are meeting a friend, arrive a few minutes early to snag two spots together.
Bring a personal cup for discounts or planet points, then settle into the aroma of fresh shots pulling. The wait is rarely wasted here.
Flavor rewards patience, and your latte lands precise and warm. You will be out the door satisfied, or you might just stay longer than planned.
What To Try On Your First Visit
Start with La Dulce Vida to understand the house style. It is balanced, creamy, and unmistakably Colombian at heart.
Pair it with an almond croissant if you like sweet on sweet, or with an arepa to add savory contrast and texture.
If you want espresso forward, order a cortado. For a cozy non coffee path, the chai latte is fragrant and silky.
Matcha drinkers should ask for organic matcha whisked with just a kiss of sugarcane syrup to round the edges without overpowering the tea.
Grab whole beans for home if a cup hooks you. The staff will guide grind size and storage, and you will leave with brewing confidence.
By the end of visit one, you will see why regulars return like clockwork. This place respects your palate, your time, and your craving for something genuinely crafted.