Now this is something we’re looking forward to writing about. Croatia coffee culture. Even as I write these lines, there is a cup of espresso on my right side. I’ll just have a sip before continuing… Great, everything is better and much clearer now. Just like many other Croats, we can’t live without coffee. It’s a ritual, not just any kind of drink. And at this moment, we try to reduce the number of coffees we drink throughout the day. In this article, we are going to discuss the art of drinking coffee in Croatia.
We are going to write about the point of this ritual and what coffee drinking in Croatia usually looks like. As you’ll find out, it’s much different than in many other European countries, and you could say that Croats spend the most time in this ritual. For many, a coffee part of the day is the best part of the day. Some can even spend hours in this ritual, with their own thoughts or looking at the world moving around them.
So here’s a detailed look into Croatian coffee culture , from its history to modern-day habits and what every visitor to Croatia should know about it.
The Essence of Croatian Coffee Culture Croatians take their coffee seriously. Not only Croatians, but the whole Balkans too. When you think about coffee, the first country to comes to your mind will probably be Italy. But the coffee drinking culture in Italy and Croatia is completely different. Croatians like to drink coffee slowly , ideally in good company, and often as part of a longer break from the activities of the day. Coffee is the most common way to start your day, and if you’re to walk in any of Croatia’s cities early in the morning, you’ll see a lot of locals sitting and drinking coffee, sometimes for an hour or more.
A Brief History Let’s discuss the beginnings of this beloved ritual that can be traced few centuries in the past when the Ottoman Empire was so close to the Croatian borders.
Coffee culture in Croatia has its roots back to the era of the Ottoman Empire , which introduced coffee to the whole Balkans in the 16th century.
Over time, Austro-Hungarian influences shaped the café culture even further, especially in cities like Zagreb, Rijeka, and Osijek.
In Dalmatia, the coffee culture has a Mediterranean vibe. It’s relaxed, usually outdoors and by the sea, and has strong social connotations.
This unique blend of Ottoman, Central European, and Mediterranean traditions shaped a unique coffee culture in Croatia.
Types of Coffee You’ll Find in Croatia For a long time, we used to drink coffee with milk. Not sure why anymore because I can’t even think of it nowadays (we have switched to espresso since then). But I believe it was because coffee with milk is large,r so you can spend more time drinking it. Croatians mostly drink espresso-based coffee , and the terminology can be different from that in other countries. Here are the most common types of coffee in Croatia:
Espresso (kava) – The standard pure coffee and our favorite and only choice.Bijela kava – Similar to a café latte; espresso with a generous amount of milk.Macchiato – Espresso with a dash of milk. You can order it as topli (with warm milk) or hladni (with cold milk).Kava s mlijekom – Coffee with a bit of milk (more like a cappuccino, but lighter).
Filtered or American-style coffee is rare in Croatia, though you may find it in larger hotels or in some touristy cafés. It’s funny how coffee culture changes from country to country, and each of the countries that border Croatia has a completely different approach to coffee rituals.
The Role of the Café (or what we call Kafić) For a long time, we used to live in the city of Ploče (where I originate from) in southern Croatia. It’s a rather small and peculiar city, but it has more cafes per capita than anywhere in Croatia. You’ll find all kinds of cafés all across Croatia. Each village has at least one, and it’s the main place where people go and meet friends and spend some time discussing the latest news and world events.
Cafés are everywhere in Croatia. Even small villages often have a central spot where locals gather and spend some time together.
It’s completely normal to sit for an hour or more with one drink. No one will rush you. It’s meant to be this way. Try it if you have never tried before, you’ll love this slow-paced way of life.
Tipping isn’t required in Croatia, but rounding up the bill is appreciated.
Coffee and Social Life As you might notice from the previous sections, all things in Croatia are discussed over a coffee. At least in the morning. In Croatia, coffee is an excuse to meet . Here’s what it looks like when we say it:
“Idemo na kavu” – Let’s go for a coffee (can mean any kind of social catch-up, even if no coffee is consumed).
“Nađemo se na kavi” – Let’s meet over coffee.
Meeting over coffee is how people get together, discuss business, start romantic relationships, or simply pass the time. Coffee is an essential part of Croatian social life across all generations.
Fun Facts About Coffee in Croatia With so many Croatians enjoying and starting their days with coffee, you would think that there are going to be more coffee producers in Croatia, but that’s not the case. Here are a few interesting facts about the Croatia coffee culture:
Zagreb has one of the highest concentrations of cafés per capita in the whole of Europe.Coffee drinking is so deeply rooted in the Croatian culture that during the 2020 Coronavirus lockdown, many Croatians joked that the hardest part was missing coffee with friends .
Some cafes in Croatia serve domestic coffee brands like Franck and Gloria, while most focus on Italian espresso brands like Lavazza or Illy.
In more traditional households, especially inland and in rural parts of Croatia, Turkish-style coffee (also known as turska kava ) is still prepared with grounds simmered in a small pot (džezva).
Tips for Visitors We are ending this article about the Croatia coffee culture with a few tips that will make your coffee drinking experience even better:
Feel free to order a coffee and stay as long as you like. One coffee can last an entire afternoon. Just enjoy the experience and don’t worry about anything.
Coffee is usually not served with milk or cream on the side unless specifically requested.
Wi-Fi is widely available, and many people use cafés in Croatia as informal workspaces. Still, it’s much better to drink coffee and unwind, observing the world moving around you.
Always try to find peaceful and secluded cafes where you’ll enjoy a coffee in a special setting.
Where to Enjoy Coffee in Croatia The short answer is – anywhere. Wherever you’re based in Croatia, we’re there is a cafe near you. But when it comes to a few famous locations in Croatia, here are our suggestions:
Zagreb : Tkalčićeva Street and Britanski trg are full of cafés, but you can find great places to drink coffee all across the town. There are even some cafes with craft coffee.Split : Riva promenade is the perfect place for seaside coffee sessions.Rovinj & Pula : Visit old-town cafés within narrow streets.Dubrovnik : Avoid the priciest tourist spots on Stradun (main street in Dubrovnik) and head to the quieter side streets and secluded cafes.Osijek : Home to some of the oldest coffee-drinking traditions in inland parts of Croatia.
Before You Indulge in a Croatia Coffee Culture Are you ready to embrace Croatia coffee culture? Sure, you are, and we believe you’ll love it. Coffee is much more than a drink here. I think I’ll make myself a new one after I finish writing this article. It’s a nice day outside, so drinking on a terrace is a good idea. Coffee is just one of the things that makes life better, and it’s easy to slow down when drinking it. Make sure to indulge in these rituals when visiting Croatia.
Enjoy Croatia coffee culture!
