Huellas & Café Reviewed, The Café That Sets Their Heart Before The Hype

I went to Huellas & Café alone after spending a Sunday morning in Usaquen’s flea market near Santa Barbara, not really expecting to discover anything, howeverI was gladly surprised to find such a nice space with such a noble purpose. 

The smell of espresso hit before the sign came into view, followed by the hum of relaxed conversation and the soft shuffle of paws on tile. Inside, the afternoon light fell across pale wood tables, calm jazz played low, and two golden retrievers shared the floor with their humans. Nothing here felt staged or commercial. It felt lived in, like a space built on affection rather than ambition.

It All Started With Candy

Every good Bogotá café has a story; few have one as sincere as this.
The owners founded Huellas & Café after being turned away from a coffee shop while trying to sit with their adopted dog, Candy — who at the time was diabetic and needed constant care.  That small rejection sparked an idea: if no one else would make space for dogs, they would build one themselves.

That decision gave life to a place where love for coffee meets love for animals. The result isn’t just “pet-friendly”; it’s an environment where dogs are part of the rhythm — water bowls under tables, the occasional bark blending with the grinder’s hum, and even a small section on the menu called “Para los amores” (For our loved ones), offering snacks like a torta perruna (cake) or albóndiga peluda (meatball) for furry visitors.

Coffee, Made With Care and Conversation

The menu reads like a map of small indulgences — espressos, flavored cappuccinos, and a Scottish Terrier special: a bold Americano laced with Baileys or whisky.
I ordered a cappuccino, made with their house Colombian beans, and it arrived just as it should: soft crema, balanced sweetness, temperature perfect. The flavor had that clean, nutty tone that tells you the beans were roasted recently and handled with pride.

Later, I tried their cold brew — brewed for 48 hours and brightened with lemon — and it was exactly the kind of drink you don’t expect to work until it does. The acidity was subtle, not sharp, and it left a citrus whisper at the back of the throat.

There’s no pretension here. When I asked about their beans, the barista didn’t recite tasting notes; she explained the process slowly, smiling, and told me she liked to describe coffee “like a person you want to know better.”
That line stayed with me because it captured how the whole place operates: patient, personal, never trying too hard.

The Calm, the Service, the Feeling of Being Known

If Bogotá cafés were rated by atmosphere rather than aesthetics, Huellas & Café would lead the list.
The space feels peaceful — no music fighting conversation, no laptops colonizing every corner. The staff talk to you, not at you. When I asked about the food, they offered genuine recommendations instead of the usual script: “If you’re hungry, try the Kibbe — it’s one of our best.”

So I did. The kibbe came golden and aromatic, served with just enough crisp to bite but soft inside. It reminded me of how Middle Eastern food, when done right, fits naturally into Bogotá’s comfort scene. The price was fair for the portion — maybe slightly high, but justified by quality and warmth.

That same quiet generosity runs through every exchange. I watched one of the staff kneel down to greet a dog, not the owner — a small gesture that said everything about this place’s priorities.

Snacks For Everyone

The café’s pastry display is the sort that tempts without effort. The torta de chocolate — dense but not heavy, dark and slightly bitter — pairs naturally with the Macchiato. The torta de zanahoria and torta de banano con arándanos balance sweetness with spice, and both look homemade, not factory-polished.

For savory cravings, there’s the Sándwich H&C, offered in chicken, turkey, or ham, served with a side cookie — a combination that sounds strange until you realize it’s meant to feel like lunch at home, not a café formula.

I tried the Chai, mild and creamy, dusted with cinnamon; it’s the kind of drink that lingers even after the cup is empty.

Each plate, each sip, carried the same quiet promise: nothing rushed, nothing showy. Just enough.

Purpose Served in Every Cup

What makes Huellas & Café remarkable isn’t only what’s on the menu — it’s what happens beyond it.
This October, they partnered with the foundation Adopta, No Compres, giving voice and visibility to dogs waiting for homes. Their collaboration turns every order into a small contribution to a larger cause. It’s not charity framed as marketing; it’s part of who they are.

When I paid, the barista slipped a small flyer beside my receipt — an invitation to “Apoya. Comparte. Adopta.” It was subtle, almost modest. But it told me everything I needed to know about this café: they believe empathy should be practiced quietly, not performed loudly.

Even their word-choice: “somos una familia con propósito” (“we are a family with a purpose”), resonates deeply after just one visit, revealing a genuine network of support among businesses united by shared causes.

More Than Pet-Friendly — Genuinely Welcoming

Bogotá has many cafés that call themselves “pet-friendly,” but most mean “we tolerate dogs if they’re quiet.” Huellas & Café redefines the term.
Here, animals are part of the design, not an afterthought. The floor space is open enough for movement, and there’s no awkwardness in bringing a large dog inside. Staff don’t just allow it — they enjoy it.

As I sat near the window, a woman came in with a small terrier who barked twice before settling. No one glared. No one sighed. Instead, the barista brought a small bowl of water and said, “Bienvenido, campeón.”
That moment — simple and unplanned — said more about their values than any sign could.

It’s this unforced hospitality that makes the café stand out. It’s not a theme; it’s a temperament.

Usaquén’s Corner of Calm

In a neighborhood where restaurants fight for attention, Huellas & Café wins hearts quietly. Its charm lies not in design trends but in sincerity — the soft lighting, wooden textures, and open smiles.

The clientele is mixed: young professionals working on something creative, older couples sharing cake, families with dogs resting at their feet. No one seems in a hurry. And that’s the beauty — it’s a rare Bogotá space where you can slow down without feeling out of place.

If you spend enough time here, you start to notice small rituals: a barista refilling a water bowl before anyone asks, a customer leaving a treat for someone else’s dog, a staff member kneeling to chat with a child. It’s community disguised as café culture.

Leaving With a Little More Than Coffee

When I finally stood up to leave, the owner thanked me personally and said, “We hope you come back with company — maybe even four-legged.” I walked out lighter, carrying not just the aftertaste of espresso but the sense that small, thoughtful places like this still exist — ones that make you believe cafés can change moods, maybe even lives.

The name Huellas fits perfectly. Because you don’t just stop here — you leave a trace, and the place leaves one on you.