Timorese food · Drink
Timorese coffee
Shade-grown highland Arabica, organic by default: the country's best-known export.
Last verified: Checked against a Timorese cookbook and published food sources
By David
Quick answer · as of October 2026
Timor-Leste grows shade-grown highland Arabica, mostly organic by default, in Ermera, Aileu, Ainaro and around Maubisse. The Timor Hybrid, a natural Arabica–Robusta cross found there in the 1940s, resists coffee leaf rust and is used by breeders worldwide. In Dili, an excellent cup costs USD 1 to 3 and a 250 g bag USD 5 to 15.
- Type
- Drink
- Origin
- Timorese highlands
- Vegetarian
- Vegetarian
- Also called
- kafé, Timor coffee
On this page
What is Timorese coffee?
Coffee was introduced by the Portuguese and is the country's main non-oil export. It is grown by smallholders at about 900 to 1,800 metres, shade-grown under forest canopy, hand-picked and sun-dried, according to Rezerva. The harvest runs from May to September.
The Timor Hybrid (Híbrido de Timor) was found on the island in the 1940s. Because it resists leaf rust, it has been used in coffee breeding programmes around the world.
Dili has a growing specialty coffee scene, with cafés roasting single-origin beans from Letefoho, Atsabe and other highland areas.
How it is made
- Cherries are hand-picked in the highlands from May to September.
- Most coffee is processed and sun-dried by smallholders and cooperatives, then roasted in Dili or abroad.
Where to try it
In Dili, try specialty cafés such as Letefoho Specialty Coffee Roaster, Kafé Atsabe, Heyday Coffee, Peace Coffee and Aroma Timor, which also sells beans. To see a farm, visit Maubisse, Aileu or Ermera; day tours from Dili cost about USD 60 to 120 per person.
Café
Letefoho Specialty Coffee Roaster
Central Dili
Coffee
Dili's best-known specialty coffee house, roasting single-origin beans from the Letefoho highlands on site. The essential stop for Timorese coffee.
Check hours before you go
Café
Kafé Atsabe (Fomento)
Rua Fomento II, Comoro, Dili
Coffee
A three-storey neighbourhood café serving single-origin coffee from the owner's own farm, with snacks, juices and covered rooftop seating. The coffee is the point here, not the food.
- Rooftop
Mon–Sat 07:00–23:30; Sun 12:30–23:30
Café
Kafé Atsabe (Cristo Rei)
Cristo Rei, Dili
Coffee · Timorese
A friendly café near Cristo Rei serving highland coffee from Atsabe and simple dishes: a handy stop before or after the climb to the statue.
- Breakfast
Mon–Tue 07:30–23:50; Wed 07:30–21:30; Thu–Sun 07:30–23:50
Café
Heyday Coffee
Central Dili
Coffee
A small specialty roaster and café near Dili's local markets, known for carefully brewed Timorese coffee.
Daily 07:00–21:00
Café
Peace Coffee
Central Dili
Coffee · Pizza
A local coffee shop making Timorese coffee on a proper espresso machine, with air-conditioned seating upstairs, pizza and English-speaking staff.
- Air-conditioned
Mon–Sat 08:00–18:00; Sun 10:00–18:00
Café
Aroma Timor
Central Dili
Coffee
A café and shop for Timorese coffee and local products, a good place to taste coffee and buy beans and artisan goods to take home.
- Coffee beans to buy
Mon–Sat 07:30–20:00; Sun closed
Café
Corner Coffee, Resto & Local Products
Metinaro, on the coast road east of Dili
Coffee · Timorese
A café, restaurant and local-products shop in Metinaro on the coast road east of Dili, with freshly roasted Timorese coffee and souvenirs: a good stop on the drive to Baucau.
- Coffee beans to buy
Check hours before you go
Café
Café Maubisse
Maubisse
Coffee · Timorese
A small mountain café and guesthouse in Maubisse serving highland coffee and Timorese food.
Check hours before you go
See all restaurants and cafés in Timor-Leste.
Tips
- Coffee beans make one of the best souvenirs: buy them roasted in Dili.
- Some cafés do not take cards; carry small US dollar notes.
More Timorese dishes
Drink
Tua mutin (palm wine)
Also: palm wine
Fresh palm wine tapped from palm trees, sold by the roadside in recycled bottles.
Vegetarian
Main dish
Batar da'an
Also: batar daan
Corn, mung beans and pumpkin stewed together: Timor-Leste's everyday comfort food.
Vegetarian
Frequently asked questions
Is Timorese coffee good?
Yes. Highland Arabica from Timor-Leste is grown organically by default and has balanced acidity with fruity, chocolatey notes. Dili's specialty cafés roast single-origin beans.
Can I visit a coffee farm in Timor-Leste?
Yes. Farms around Maubisse, Aileu and Ermera can be visited year-round; harvest is May to September. Day tours from Dili cost about USD 60 to 120 per person.
Sources
Official sites, operators and references we checked for this page.
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