15 Zagreb Cafes: Where To Drink Speciality Coffee

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Hello! Searching for speciality coffee in Zagreb? You’re in the right place. I write coffee guides almost everywhere I go and Croatia is no exception. There are plenty of cool cafes in Zagreb whether you’re looking for somewhere with great aesthetics or you simply care about the quality of your flat white.

I was travelling solo in Croatia and spent a full week in Zagreb, a relatively long amount of time. But I’m glad I stuck around to find all the best coffee shops and write this blog. Let’s get stuck in!

ZAGREB ESSENTIALS

Accommdation: Booking.com / Hostelworld

Getting there: flight (Skyscanner) / car / bus (Flixbus)

Getting around: foot / bus / tram / taxi

Activities: GetYourGuide

Food activities: EatWith

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Headed to Split? Read my Split coffee shop guide

How much does coffee in Zagreb cost?

Anywhere between 8 and 25 kunas. I noticed that flat whites were always the most expensive at a standardised 25 kunas (€3.30) at almost every cafe in Zagreb.

If you avoid the speciality roasteries in favour of smaller, local coffee shops, you can drink coffee for less than half the price. My first coffee in Zagreb (much needed as I had been awake all night after an early flight) was just 8 kuna (€1). It wasn’t fantastic but hey, sometimes you just need that caffeine hit!

Here are the best coffee shops in Zagreb, Croatia…

Cogito Coffee Shop

Cogito are the big guns on the Zagreb coffee scene. Not big like the Chain We Shall Not Mention (who aren’t in Croatia AT ALL – hoorah!) but still the most notable name in the game. Many smaller Zagreb cafes without their own roasting facilities stock their coffee.

Cogito Coffee Shop doesn’t quite have that minimalistic/mini cactus/exposed brick aesthetic that screams ‘coffee snobs only!’ – it’s more unassuming. The focus is on the coffee and, that my friends, is no bad thing!

Expect all your usual coffees (flat white, macchiatos etc) as well as some speciality options like cold brew, espresso tonic (I’m curious to try this), iced latte and affogato. There are soft drinks, craft beer and – if you need a snack – croissants and ice cream.

Stock up on Cogito coffee beans to take home from Brazil, Colombia, Guatemala and Ethiopia.

Address: Varšavska ul. 11 is the closest to the centre and there are another two branches at Deželića 40 and Urania.

They also have two cafes in Dubrovnik if you head that way.

Program Bar

This cool cafe in Zagreb doesn’t serve speciality coffee (although my latte was decent) so I’m giving it a mention based on the cafe experience.

What’s unique about Program Bar is the decadent retro style. It looks like a place!

With patterned tiled floors, antique rugs, chandeliers, velvet curtains and pink chairs hanging from the ceiling, I don’t know if it’s glamorous, ironically cool or tacky as hell. Either way, I love it!

During my second visit, I ordered a fruit rooibos tea with a giant chunk of orange and sachet of honey. It would have been nice to see fewer plastic packets but that’s my only complaint.

Address: Martićeva ul. 14F, 10000, Zagreb.

Amélie

Just a moment’s walk from Ban Jelačić Square in central Zagreb is this iconic cafe that’s been a favourite for years. With black & white tiled floors, chandeliers and comfy armchairs, it’s glamourous yet understated (no mini cacti here!).

Mirroring the interior, Amélie‘s menu is less about hipster drinks and more about classic coffees and delicious desserts. Top picks include the mascarpone and pistachio cake and the chocolate torte.

In case you can’t bag a seat in the small cafe, there’s a glass seating area (with heaters in the winter) just across the road. Perfect for people-watching!

Address: 10000, Vlaška ul. 6, 10000, Zagreb.

In The Yard

This is a lovely cafe in Zagreb serving delicious Cogito coffee. With the same unassuming but arty decor, you can tell they’re connected. What makes this cafe worth a visit is the spacious courtyard covered in Zagreb murals, tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

I ordered a matcha latte (which I sadly smudged with my sleeve before taking a photo). Matcha is easy to get wrong but I can vouch for this being excellent. I didn’t try the coffee but since it’s Cogito, I can safely assume it’s good.

Vegans can choose oat, almond or soy milk for 5-7 kuna extra. I always think this should be the same price as regular milk – vegans are doing their bit for our planet, after all – but I understand how business works…

In the Yard serve a range of Croatian wines from 28 kuna a glass / 175 a bottle. In the UK, coffee shops and bars are kept separate so I love the Balkan way of combing them!

Address: Ul. Jurja Žerjavića 7, 10000, Zagreb.

Inn the yard matcha latte — Matcha latte smudged courtesy of my cardigan

Botaničar (cute but too smoky!)

I heard great things about this Zagreb coffee shop near the Botanical Gardens. I arrived early, keen for my coffee, and admired the cute touches – potted plants and vintage furniture – as I made my way to the counter.

Unfortunately, I never got there because not one but THREE people were smoking in the cafe. Eurgh. It’s your body so do what you like, but don’t blow it all over me!

If you’re not bothered about smoke, give Botaničar a try. You might get lucky and find no one smoking. If you do, don’t worry because you’re super close to…

Korica

Did someone say cruffin?

Probably not, no one ever says cruffin. Or cronut. I hope that changes because I’m here for them!

If you’re like ‘we trusted this girl’s cafe advice until she started using made-up words!’, I’ll fill you in. Cronuts are doughnut-shaped croissants and cruffins are muffin-shaped croissants. I had my first one years ago in Cape Town and have been craving them ever since.

Cronut inside bakery — Pistachio cream filling

Korica has to be the best bakery in Zagreb. I’m sure there are more historical ones serving classic Croatian desserts but this is a winner if you want modern things like sourdough and speciality coffee.

I was pleasantly surprised by the prices: I paid 30 kuna for my cruffin and a coffee, barely more than a lone flat white in Cogito (but I think it’s because I ordered a cappuccino; these always seem to be cheaper than Zagreb flat whites).

Address: Preradovićeva ul. 39, 10000, Zagreb.

Monocycle Speciality Coffee Shop

In terms of the quality of the coffee, Monocycle is one of my favourite cafes in Zagreb, located beside the KOPAC Croatian Society of Fine Artists (a distinctive circular building where six roads meet).

It’s a small cafe with outdoor seating and a lounge room upstairs. There’s comfy seating and a window bar where I imagine you could work with a laptop.

There’s a huge list of coffees to choose from – starting from 11 kuna – including guest roasters and other warm beverages (tea, cocoa etc).

Address: Ul. Kneza Mislava 17, 10000, Zagreb.

Brokenships Bistro

If you visit the Museum of Broken Relationships (which you should, it was the best thing I did in Zagreb!), then stay a while longer for coffee – or food or a cocktail – at the cafe onsite.

Brokenships Bistro is a quirky venue with vintage posters, potted plants and signs saying ‘we have drinks colder than your ex’s heart!’ (pretty cold, then!). Not only do these serve tasty and well-presented coffees and teas, but they have cocktails and a wide range of dishes made with locally sourced ingredients.

For dinner in peak periods, you may wish to reserve a table in advance.

Address: Katarinin trg 3, 10000, Zagreb.

For more food recommendations, make sure to check the restaurant section of my Zagreb travel guide.

Quahwa

If you’re hunting for the best coffee in Zagreb, don’t miss Quahwa: it’s fantastic! As well as the usual offerings, there are a few funky options like espresso tonic (apparently a popular Croatian choice) and choco cookie coffee (a hazelnut and coffee blend).

Inside an old factory-style building, the aesthetics are on point. The tables are made with recycled coffee machines and some of the seats are covered with cloth coffee sacks.

It’s a diverse space with indoor and outdoor seating (with heaters for the winter) and a large room upstairs with vintage furniture and a section of booths for co-workers. Whatever your purpose, it suits.

Address: ul. Nikole Tesle 9/1, 10000, Zagreb.

Karibu Kaaawa

This is one of my favourite coffee shops in Zagreb but it’s a trek from the city centre so it depends how much time you have. Since it’s near Tržnica Trešnjevka, a bustling local market selling veggies, cheese, honey and more, you could combine a morning trip to the market with a coffee at Karibu Kaaawa.

It’s a modest little place with indoor and outdoor seating decorated with thoughtful details. Sustainability is clearly a focus as some of their art is made from used coffee lids, while old espresso machines act as pieces of furniture.

Browse their products including coffee-scented shampoos and soaps.

Outside Karibu Kaaawa coffee shop zagreb

They serve Guatemalan and Nicaraguan coffee, the former sourced by Zagreb coffee kings, Cogito. All the usual suspects are on the menu as well as teas, chai, soft drinks, homemade iced tea and craft beer.

The freshly-baked snacks when I visited included mango and coconut cookies and vegan carrot cake. Yum!

Address: Ozaljska ul. 34, 10000, Zagreb.

Caffe Bar Finjak

I popped into this cafe after seeing it mentioned online. It has a decadent style, similar to Program Bar, but I ended up not staying because it was deserted with overly-loud music and I wanted a real speciality coffee which I don’t believe they serve.

Still, if you don’t need the best coffee of your life and fancy visiting a glam little cafe with chandeliers and retro clutter, check out Finjak. They serve sandwiches, coffees, teas, winter warmers, Aperol Spitz, cakes and other treats.

Address: Vlaška ul. 78, 10000, Zagreb.

Still on my Zagreb cafe wishlist

Here are the places I didn’t personally make it to but heard good things about…

Otto & Frank – on popular Tkalčića Street, this cafe was high on my coffee hit list but alas, I ran out of time. I hear the brunch dishes are fantastic, topped with unusual breaded eggs (gooey yolks with breadcrumb batter). I need to revisit Zagreb to try these!
Velvet – beside Rokov Perivoj park, this is a popular Zagreb coffee haunt with highly-rated cakes. It has an upmarket vibe with a large courtyard suited for summer visits.
Dežman Bar – if you don’t know what you’re in the mood for, this place serves coffee, cakes, brunch, sandwiches, cocktails and savoury meals. Places that do this many things don’t often do them all well but I’ve heard great things about Dežman.
Eli’s Cafe – this often gets rated highly for speciality coffee in Zagreb. I hear the space is small so not ideal for spending several hours… Best to grab a strong espresso-based coffee to go!

A word about Booksa

I was excited to visit Booksa because what could be better than books and coffee combined? However, after lugging my laptop 30 minutes over there, settling in and getting geared up to work, I went up to the counter to order a drink… Only to be told you need to be a member to sit there! Nooo.

Membership is €10 (I’m not sure if this is monthly or a one-time payment) and I don’t believe includes any coffee. As I was leaving Zagreb the following day, it obviously wasn’t worth it for me.

I have seen this place listed in several other articles on coffee in Zagreb so I wanted to mention this so you know what to expect.

Thanks for reading my Zagreb coffee guide!

General:

Zagreb:

Split:

Dubrovnik:

Zadar

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TRUSTED RESOURCES FOR VISITING EUROPE

Getting around by air – I use Skyscanner to find the best-value flights, using the ‘search by month’ tool to find the cheapest dates. You can also use the ‘to anywhere’ feature if you’re flexible on where you’re going.

Driving in Europe – use Rentalcars.com to compare car rentals in European countries (and all around the world).

For trains, I use RailEurope. The search feature allows you to compare prices, and they show live departure times on the website.

For buses, I use FlixBus. Find journeys between European countries from €1!

Use Omio to compare trains and buses in one search. It’s so handy!

For hotels and self-catering apartments, I use Booking.com. You can filter by review score and price to find the best-rated budget places. For hostels, I use Hostelworld.com.

To save money on accommodation, I use Trusted Housesitters, a website that connects homeowners going away and travellers who can sit their homes & pets.

Browse tours and activities on GetYourGuide.

Need travel insurance? I use True Traveller (for UK & Europe residents) since it’s affordable but covers everything you’d need including various activities, valuables and pre-existing conditions. Unlike some companies, they insure you if you’re already travelling / don’t yet have your flight home booked. Get a quote.

For travel insurance for other nationalities, I recommend Hey Mundo and for long-term digital nomad travellers, I suggest Safety Wing.

Check out my resources page for more travel discounts and budget tips from my 10+ years on the road!

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