When you’re exploring Zagreb you will quickly notice that drinking coffee is a popular pastime. Locals fill the outdoor seating of coffee shops around Flower Square and the Dolac Market, especially on a Saturday morning. And whilst it’s a great way to soak up the local atmosphere, Zagreb has so many more incredible coffee shops to enjoy. After spending six months in Zagreb (over three trips) we have tried many and found our favourite places for coffee and more. Here is our guide to the best coffee shops in Zagreb, Croatia.
Cogito Coffee (Varšavska)
When you think about where to get the best coffee in Zagreb, Cogito Coffee instantly comes to mind. Cogito Coffee have some of the best coffee shops in Croatia, with multiple coffee shops in Zagreb, as well as Dubrovnik and Zadar.
We love their iced latte, flat white and espresso. The first Cogito Coffee in Zagreb is located in a super central spot near Flower Square, with some indoor and outdoor seating. The outdoor seating here is our pick, with seats and little tables lining the walls in front of the coffee shop. Cogito has a way of designing their spaces so that they seamlessly fit into their surroundings. Maybe it’s because it was one of the first coffee shops we frequented in Zagreb, but when we think of Zagreb, we always think of Cogito.
Address | Varšavska ul. 11, Zagreb
Opening Hours | Monday – Friday 8 AM – 8 PM + Saturday 9 AM – 7 PM + Sunday 9 AM – 3 PM
Cogito Coffee 2 (Deželićeva)
Although we love the original Cogito Coffee, their second space in Zagreb is great too. This one is a little closer to where we usually stay in Zagreb and has a more residential feel on a tree-lined street. There is some seating inside but also a nice area outside that feels like it’s a part of the street. Cogito Coffee 2 has the feel of a local neighbourhood cafe, with all the same incredible coffee and service.
Address | Prilaz Gjure Deželića 40, Zagreb
Opening Hours | Monday to Friday 7 AM to 6 PM + Saturday and Sunday 9 AM to 3 PM
U Dvorištu
U Dvorištu is also a part of the Cogito coffee family but has a fairly different feel. To get here you walk through a lane off a street into a yard surrounded by residential buildings. Visiting U Dvoristu is about so much more than coffee, it’s an opportunity to experience another layer of Zagreb. The location, the access and the design are synonymous with Zagreb. Practically speaking, it of course has delicious Cogito coffee and plenty of seating with a nice big outdoor space and indoor space.
Address | Ul. Jurja Žerjavića 7, Zagreb
Opening Hours | Monday – Friday 9 AM – 8 PM + Saturday 9 AM – 5 PM + Sunday 9 AM – 3 PM
Eli’s Caffe
Eli’s caffe is one of Zagreb’s original places to come for an amazing coffee. There are seats inside and a couple of seats outside by the windows, but it’s more of a place to grab a quick coffee rather than sit and relax. We love their espresso and cortado.
Address | Ilica 63, Zagreb
Opening Hours | Monday To Friday from 8 AM to 7 PM + Saturday from 8 AM to 4 PM and Sunday from 9 AM to 2 PM
Monocycle Specialty Coffee
Monocycle is a speciality coffee shop with really nice service. We loved the coffee here and they also do really nice homemade lemonade too. I loved Limunada Georgetown, which had lemon, mint and soda, all smashed together with a wooden pestle. Although it is isn’t big, there is outdoor seating and a few seats indoors both upstairs and downstairs. Monocycle is also in a great location near Meštrović Pavillion (Croatian Society of Fine Artists).
Address | Ul. Kneza Mislava 17, Zagreb
Opening Hours | Monday To Friday 7 AM to 9 PM + Saturday 8 AM to 3 PM
Express Bar
If you’re looking for excellent coffee in a super central location not too far from Ban Jelacic Square, then Express Bar is perfect.
Address | Petrinjska 4, Zagreb
Opening Hours | Monday To Friday from 8 AM to 9 PM + Saturday from 9 AM to 9 PM
Quahwa
Quahwa is another coffee shop in Zagreb that you will find down a laneway off the street. They do a good double shot cafe latte and have plenty of seating.
Address | Ul. Nikole Tesle 9/1, Zagreb
Opening Hours | Monday to Saturday from 9 AM to 9 PM + Sunday 10 AM to 6 PM
Najgora Kava u Gradu
Najgora Kava u Gradu translates to the ‘worst coffee in town’, but it’s definitely one of the better places for coffee in Zagreb. It’s located down a nice small lane lined with small stores not too far from Flower Square (Trg Petar Preradović). We loved the cappuccino and hot chocolate here, especially on a crispy morning in Zagreb. They don’t have a lot of seating but we love the location and vibes here.
Address | Sestara Baković 3, Zagreb
Opening Hours | Monday to Friday 9 AM to 8 PM + Saturday 9 AM to 10 PM
Dežman Bar
Dezman Bar is a great place to come for coffee and food, with plenty of seating inside and outside with a great design. Dezman Bar is a cafe by day and it’s also a bar in the evenings.
Address | Dežmanova ul. 3, Zagreb
Opening Hours | Monday to Saturday from 8 AM to 12 AM
Crafters Lav
Most of the coffee shops in this list are located in the lower town, but if you’re looking for a place in the picturesque upper town then Crafters Lav (also known as Kavana Lav) is our pick. With plenty of seating inside and a few tables on their outside terrace, it’s a great place to relax or get a drink whilst exploring Zagreb’s upper town. Whilst it’s not our favourite coffee in Zagreb, we love coming here to enjoy the terrace and location in the upper town.
Address | Opatička ul. 2, Zagreb
Opening Hours | Every day from 9 AM to 11 PM
More Options For Coffee in Zagreb
We also visited many other great coffees shops in Zagreb like Noel Bar, Botanicar and Regular Bar. Although we enjoyed our time at each of them, to make this article more helpful, we have highlighted our favourite places for the best coffee in Zagreb. But these are a few more if you have time or want more variety.
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