Cafe de Aca
Cafe de Aca occupies a restored colonial-era building on Calle Palma, a few blocks south of the Plaza de los Heroes. The space mixes old Asuncion architecture with a modern bar and restaurant concept. Exposed brick walls, wooden ceiling beams, and arched doorways provide the structure, while contemporary lighting, a polished bar counter, and proper glassware bring it into the present. The terrace extends onto the Calle Palma pedestrian zone with about 15 tables, offering prime people-watching on the city's main walking street. Inside, the bar seats 10 and there are about 20 additional tables across two rooms. The cocktail menu is more ambitious than most Centro bars, with a bartender who can handle classics and house creations using local ingredients. Wine by the glass comes from Argentine and Chilean producers. Food is lighter fare: tapas-style plates, empanadas, and cheese boards. The crowd skews younger than Lido Bar's, drawing university students, young professionals, and the small creative class that resists the migration to Villa Morra.
What to Expect
You'll step into a space that feels noticeably more curated than the traditional bars around it. The lighting is warm, the music is low, and the crowd is paying attention to what they're drinking. The terrace catches the evening breeze and the foot traffic of Calle Palma, creating a relaxed backdrop for conversation. It's a bridge between Centro's old-school drinking culture and Villa Morra's cocktail scene.
Warm, intimate, and slightly literary. The kind of bar where the architecture tells a story and the conversation tends toward ideas rather than gossip.
Low-volume jazz, bossa nova, and acoustic playlists. Background music designed for conversation, not dancing.
Smart casual. A step up from the jeans-and-tee norm of Centro. The crowd dresses with more intention than at Lido Bar, but it's nowhere near Villa Morra levels.
Couples, small groups who appreciate good cocktails, and people who want a more polished Centro experience without leaving the old town for Villa Morra.
Cash and cards accepted. Guaranies preferred.
Price Range
Cocktails 35,000-55,000 PYG, beer 18,000-25,000 PYG, wine 30,000-45,000 PYG, tapas 25,000-40,000 PYG
Cocktails ~$4.60-7.20/~EUR 4.20-6.60, beer ~$2.40-3.30/~EUR 2.20-3, wine ~$3.90-5.90/~EUR 3.60-5.40
Hours
Tue-Thu 5 PM to midnight, Fri-Sat 5 PM to 1 AM
Insider Tip
The terrace is the spot to be on a warm evening. Ask the bartender for a house recommendation rather than ordering off the menu; they often have something special that isn't listed. The wine selection punches above what you'd expect in this neighborhood.
Full Review
Cafe de Aca is an anomaly in Centro. While most of the downtown drinking establishments lean into the no-frills tradition of places like Lido Bar and Bar San Roque, this venue operates on a different level. The restored building alone is worth seeing: colonial-era brick and timber framing a space that feels both historic and alive. The people who run it clearly care about the details, from the glassware to the lighting to the curated playlist.
The cocktail menu is the highlight. The bartender works with fresh citrus, local fruits, and a spirit selection that includes several Paraguayan cana options alongside standard international brands. A well-made caipirinha runs 40,000 PYG. An Old Fashioned with cana instead of bourbon is worth trying. The wine list covers Argentine Malbecs and Chilean Carmeneres at reasonable markups.
The terrace is where you want to sit. Calle Palma at dusk has a particular quality as the commercial energy fades and the evening crowd arrives. The tables fill from about 7 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. Inside is quieter and cooler, with the architectural details of the building providing visual interest.
Compared to Villa Morra's cocktail spots, Cafe de Aca is less polished but more interesting. The location in Centro gives it character that a mall-adjacent bar can't replicate. The prices are lower than Villa Morra equivalents by about 30-40%. The crowd is more mixed and more likely to include the kind of people who have opinions about books and films rather than just Instagram followers. For a visitor looking for Asuncion's personality rather than its party scene, this is one of the best options in the city.
The Neighborhood
Cafe de Aca is on Calle Palma in the heart of Centro, a few blocks from Lido Bar and walking distance from the Plaza de los Heroes. The surrounding blocks have traditional restaurants, shops, and the main pedestrian zone. Growler craft beer bar is nearby for a different drinking experience.
Getting There
A Bolt from Villa Morra takes about 15 minutes. The bar is on the pedestrian section of Calle Palma, easily spotted by its terrace tables and restored facade. Walking from Lido Bar takes about 5 minutes along Calle Palma.
Other Venues in Centro - Lido
Lido Bar
Asuncion's most legendary bar on Calle Palma, open since 1955. Politicians, journalists, and regular Paraguayans share the same crowded tables over cheap beer and conversation.
Bar San Roque
Traditional Paraguayan bar near the Mercado 4 area serving cold Pilsen and simple food. The crowd is working-class, the prices are rock-bottom, and the atmosphere is as local as it gets.
El Bolsi
No-frills restaurant and bar near Plaza Uruguaya known for generous portions of traditional Paraguayan food and very cheap beer. Locals pack this place at lunch and it stays lively into the evening.
Growler Craft Beer
Craft beer bar in the Centro area offering Paraguayan microbrews alongside imported options. A newer addition that draws a younger crowd looking for something beyond mass-market Pilsen.