Bandida

How did this place come about and what made it different from the start?
Bandida was born from the union of two dreams: Steph’s dream of having an illustration shop filled with interesting objects, and Diego’s dream of creating his own coffee shop. Bandida is a love for drawings, coffee, and gathering around the table.

What made it different was the need to create a space in the city that would inspire you to create, have fun, and experiment with everything that makes you who you are. From constantly proposing new drinks and delicious, random food, and building friendships, to being a space where you can sit down to draw, write, work, or create.

What part of the day, space, or creative process do those who work here enjoy the most?
For Diego, the best part is experimenting with flavors and creating new dishes and drinks. For Steph, it’s discovering new illustration proposals and meeting the people behind them; building community with people who inspire and whom she admires.

If someone is coming in for the first time, what should they not miss?
The Bandida Tonic: a double espresso, homemade berry honey, and tonic water for a refreshing touch. Without a doubt, one of our absolute favorite drinks.

What has been an interesting challenge that has made you rethink something about the project?
Our first pop-up outside the shop. It was complete madness—we were invited to serve coffee at House of Vans during an illustration bazaar GAMA. We had been open for just over six months and had, at most, five customers a day. We didn’t grasp how many eyes were on Bandida, and it blew our minds to realize how many people knew about the project and were interested in collaborating with us.

It was a very satisfying moment, because what had until then been our tiny café in Narvarte with a very, very local audience transformed into a project growing by leaps and bounds. Today, Bandida is a dream come true.

What influence, idea, or reference continues to shape the way you work today?
The idea that will always guide Bandida is to be a creative place—whether at the bar, in the kitchen, or through drawings.

What place, project, or person has inspired you recently and why?
Definitely our greatest inspiration is our neighbors—projects that grow alongside us, whether local businesses, illustrators, or other creatives.

If your space could invite someone to collaborate for a day, who would it be and what would you do together?
Fortunately, Bandida already allows us to collaborate with people we admire—from illustrators like Alejandro IC, Chica Yeye, Ojos Flotando, to other coffee bars like Relámpago.

Is there an object, corner or detail of the place that has a story that few people know?
Not really—the story of Bandida is still being written.

If this project were a city, a book, or a record, which would it be and why?
It would be Mexico City, where a diversity of people and ideas from many different places come together.

Answers by Stephanie González and Diego Nájera, owners, baristas, cooks, and creatives of Bandida