Where would we be without coffee? We don’t want to think of such horrors. Life without coffee isn’t life; it is purgatory. Croatia is one of the continent's most underrated coffee destinations, and plenty of brilliant brews are waiting to be savoured. For the ultimate coffee road trip, hit up these spots. An espresso for us, thanks.
Cogito (Zagreb and Dubrovnik)
Deželićeva 40
This neat little minimalist masterpiece serves coffee from Cogito, the city’s prime independent importer and roaster of quality, carefully-sourced beans. With functional-but-cute decor, indie rock in the background, and a varied choice of English-language magazines, it’s a great place to take a breather. And there’s an outdoor terrace on this ruggedly handsome nineteenth-century street. Also at Varšavska 11 (B-2) and Jurja Žerjavića 7 (B-3) and in Dubrovnik at Stajeva 5.
Kavantura (Zagreb)
Horvaćanska 23aCoffee for people who take coffee seriously but want to have a good time when drinking it. Speciality coffee is the name of the game of Kavantura, where the beans are crisp and the atmosphere is good, all enjoyed in a cafe with a playlist curated by the customers. Kavantura also serves excellent craft beers, juices, teas and more for those who have had enough coffee, and the seriously enthusiastic can take beans home for personal use.
Express Bar (Zagreb)
Petrinjska 4It's an unassuming looking place, but with friendly staff (but oh so skilled), and a pretty decent selection of coffee and tea blends. Plenty of seating both indoors and outside, naturally, on the street. Coffee? Purely seasonal and is based on fresh harvest and freshly roasted coffee. Express has 'blends', a mixture of coffee most often from different countries, so Costa Rica, Salvador and Brazil might be in blend this week, whereas next weeks could be entirely different. They also have single origin coffee! So, if you devour coffee, then you need to put the time aside to try a few cups.
4coffee soul food (Split)
Hrvojeva 9The name says it all, heartfelt ownership and staff that make every effort to ensure your experience is soulful! Though tiny inside, the coffee experience is why locals reverberate here as the beans that are used and served send a scent of freshness and in the air will have your nose twinkling.
Bonk (Zagreb)
Vrbje 1bThe past decade or so has seen something of a cycling renaissance across Europe, and if it means more places like Bonk, then we are all for it. Part cycling shop and part cafe, Bonk marries the liberating joy of life on two wheels with the beauty of socialising. The coffee (roasted by Bonk) is fantastic, and the craft beer selection is a delight. Pick up whatever you need for your next cycling trip, and stick around for coffee and conversation to get the planning done.
D16 Specialty Coffee (Split and Zadar)
Dominisova 16
Split’s coffee haven is in fine form with amazing reviews on social media. Positioned in the heart of town, D16 Coffee serves 100% Arabica freshly roasted using specialty coffee beans. You can also take your coffee to-go in biodegradable cups or sit down for a break from sightseeing. If you want a cold drink, the cold brew coffee is a hit. It’s not pricey and the quality is excellent. Free wifi available and do check out the mural inside showcasing the history of coffee. Also at Trogirska 8 and Poljana pape Aleksnadra III in Zadar.
Utopia (Split)
Ruđera Boškovića 11Good coffee is one of life’s great joys, and the beans brewed at Utopia are second to none. The interior of this cafe in Split is as minimalist as it gets, with soft brown furnishings creating a calm atmosphere, perfect for sipping your morning brew or slamming espressos in the afternoon. Just us? The outdoor seating is pretty darn charming when the weather is good, meaning Utopia is a Split cafe that manages to live up to its name. Now, back to that espresso…
Kava 2 (Split)
Ante Starčevića 2/1Drinking coffee is becoming an increasingly romantic pastime, so it warms the cockles to champion the caffeine served by a couple who have made their way as wedding photographers. This is coffee served with an extra side of love, hot stuff to savour while taking in the stripped-back terrace. Kava2 is just outside Diocletian’s Palace, making it a great place to stop off for a caffeine fix before heading back into the narrow streets.
Kava 37 (Hvar)
Kroz Burak 37If you’ve drank the gorgeous coffee of Kava2 in Split, Kava37 in Hvar is a pilgrimage spot. This is where the story began, when Ivana and Marko took a leap of faith and opened a specialty coffee shop in an old neglected Hvar space. The results speak for themselves, which means delightful minimalist aesthetics and some of the best coffee in Croatia.
Marsecchia (Rijeka)
Šime Ljubića 4aAdd Marsecchia to Rijeka’s roster of excellent coffee shops. In fact, thrust it to the top, such is the quality of the brews coming out from behind the counter at this city centre charmer. Like most of the best coffee shops in Croatia, this place is small but perfectly formed, and those in charge of making the brews know precisely what they are doing. The cups are gorgeous. Marsecchia is cash only, so remember to bring those coins.
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