A Coffee Tour of Zagreb
When our travel plans for November unraveled, we decided to spend a couple of extra days in Zagreb, Croatia’s capital city, to regroup (and do a bit of laundry).
The feel is a sharp contrast to Dalmatia. Autumn was in full-swing when we arrived. The architecture itself was a bit cooler and more formal tied to a stronger Austro-Hungarian influence. The locals dressed stylishly in topcoats and leather jackets and walked quickly through the wide streets. Though, the city managed to maintain a younger, trendier vibe as well. It’s one of the few places you can find avocado toast. Croatia is known for it’s coffee culture, and Zagreb is the capital of that as well. It seems every 100 meters there’s a specialty coffee shop. On breaks from travel planning, we decided to take in some of the local culture one cup at a time. Here are a few of our favorites.
Velvet
Tucked away just off of one of the main shopping districts, this French-style café serves more wines and liquors than coffee—though both lists are quite extensive. Pair either with a slice of cake and pick a cozy corner to dive into a good book. Not only are the shelves lined with them, the shop offers more than 100,000 titles digitally and is the self-proclaimed world’s first “free reading zone.” Or, just come for the coffee and ambience. You really can’t go wrong.
Melt
Come for the coffee but stay for brunch. Just off Bana Josipa Jelačića Square, Melt blurs the lines between morning and afternoon offering everything from avocado toast to gelato. Order takeaway up front or grab a table in the back. I recommend the açaí or granola bowl.
Magnolia
A perfect stop for afternoon tea, coffee, or cake. Ask the barista for local recommendations. Chestnut was in season, so we sampled one of the chestnut cakes. The desserts in general sit lighter here and tend to be more of a mouse than the heavier cakes we’re used to back home. Expect your latte to come in a glass with a straw. Bring cash or awkwardly walk to the ATM around the corner.
Mr. Fogg
A coffee shop by day and a bar by night, the steampunk-industrial vibes are strong here. The whole place seems to be made up of dimly-lit, tucked away corners to chat in. Grab a coffee or drink and spend some time catching up. Just be aware that smoking is permitted inside all hours.
The Cat Caffe
A long walk or a short Uber ride from the main square is a quirky café converted rescue shelter for cats. The entire menu is feline-themed, and the entire cafe is outfitted for the rescues that live there. The cats will come and go, sit in your lap, or just ignore you while you sip on your coffee. It attracts all kinds of characters, so either way, it’ll make for a memorable experience. For best results, bring some hand sanitizer and a mini lint roller.
Honorable Mention
The Sheraton Piano Bar — Most days from 2pm to 7pm, the piano bar serves cake and coffee served with white linens and all the five-star pomp and circumstance for 30 kuna (around $4.60 USD). Grab a plush arm chair by the window and take in the scene.
