Krakow, my new favorite city in Europe and Poland’s cultural capital is full of history, a mix of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture, great restaurants, and an abundance of cute and cozy coffee shops. I enjoyed Krakow’s cafes – working from them, reading a book, or catching up with amigos – so much that not only I have included them in my list of popular and off-the-beaten-path things to do in Krakow, but also dedicated an entire article to them.
In this guide to the best (or more like my favorite) coffee spots in Krakow, I introduce you to the places that I liked the most. And they all have three things in common – great coffee, a cozy atmosphere, and are digital nomad friendly.
So, without any further ado, here are my favorite coffee spots in Krakow:
Massolit books and coffee – favorite coffee spot in Krakow for reading a book
This place is gorgeous! Located on the outskirt of Krakow’s Old Town and just 10 minutes walk away from the famous Wawel Castle, Massolit books and coffee is an independent English-language bookstore. Here, you can find books on all subjects (specializing in Polish, East European, and Jewish literature in English) to borrow and read with your coffee, or to buy at significantly discounted prices. If you need a recommendation, their staff will be more than happy to help you choose, or simply navigate you through their 20,000+ books.
The Massolit books and coffee was founded in 2001 by three American friends charmed with Krakow (I understand you fellas, I do. And thank you for creating such a beautiful place).
Address: Felicjanek 4
Mleczarnia – favorite coffee spot in Krakow, Kazimierz
With its wobbly furniture and old school photos of Polish Jews hanging not quite straight on the walls kind of interior, Mleczarnia is definitely one of the most charming and atmospheric coffee spots in Krakow’s Kazimierz neighborhood. It is located right next to/opposite the Schindler’s List Passage, so I highly recommend stopping by for a coffee and a cheesecake when you’re exploring the area. Plus, some of the most amazing pieces of street art in Krakow are also near this coffee shop.
During the summer, Mleczarnia is one of Krakow’s most beloved beer gardens.
Address: Rabina, Beera Meiselsa 20
Tektura – favorite coffee spot in Krakow for breakfast
Another coffee spot that is situated right on the outskirts of Krakow’s Old Town. Tektura is proud of its barista experts and variety of microbrews. Their mantra is (or at least that is what they’ve written on their wall) that ”good coffee is a human right” and I can’t agree more. Their spot on this list or any other ”best cafes in Krakow” list is very well deserved and comes with my highest recommendation.
They offer a range of fresh sandwiches, power breakfasts, and baked goods, and for that, in my opinion, Tektura is an ideal coffee spot for breakfast in Krakow.
Address: Krupnicza 7
Cheder – favorite coffee/lunch spot in Krakow
Serving as a Jewish cultural center and cafe, Cheder was founded by the Jewish Culture Festival Association and is housed in a former prayer house. Here, you can have a fine cup of Israeli coffee made in finjan, tea, and tasty middle eastern cuisine, including a truly mouthwatering hummus. Cheder is located in the very heart of Kazimierz and throughout the year hosts a variety of events such as lectures, film screenings, and other events promoting Judaism. You will also find a great selection of Jewish-related books in their in-house library.
Address: Józefa 36
Szalej – the best coffee spot in Krakow
I only found this place by looking at Google maps and what is near me, near where I am staying. Luckily, I noticed this coffee spot on the map and decided to give it a try; after all, it was just 3 minutes walk away from where I was staying and had a rating of 5.0 – absolutely deserved rating. The coffee is great, their sweets are delicious and the service is wonderful. I honestly can’t recommend it enough.
One of the places that I recommend on my things to do in Krakow list, 2 Pomorska street (Gestapo headquarters during WWII), is only a 7-minute walk away, so I suggest combining your visit.
Address: Kremerowska 16/ U-II
Pop up – favorite coffee spot in Krakow for a quick coffee
Only 2 minutes away from Szalej cafe, towards 2 Pomorska street, is another coffee spot worth visiting in Krakow – Pop up cafe. Pop up is a really small coffee shop and that’s why I have listed it as a quick coffee stop (just because you might not be able to find a seat). Anyways, the coffee is really good so even taking a cup for to go is an option.
In my opinion, Pop up is also a little bit off the beaten path and unlike the others where I’ve seen tourists or expats, this one felt more local. It has a very cute pink and yellow interior, offers baked goods, and apparently an espresso tonic-style drink Almdudler. I only learned about this drink after, so haven’t personally tried it, but if you do, let me know how is it.
Address: Karmelicka 45A
Kaffe Bageri Stockholm – favorite coffee spots in Krakow for a Swedish fika
I visited Krakow just after a long weekend trip to Stockholm where I’ve had lots of cinnamon buns and fikas. Okay, but, to be 100% honest, the cinnamon bun that I’ve had in Kaffe Bageri Stockholm in Krakow was 100 times better than any cinnamon bun that I’ve had while in Stockholm. This is to say that if you like Swedish fika and cinnamon buns, you’ll absolutely love this place.
They have two locations in Krakow, one in Piasek Północ and one in Kazimierz. I visited the branch in Kazimierz and loved their attention to detail – the I love ABBA stickers, the wooden horse’s souvenirs, and the Pippi Longstocking-inspired coffee cups.
Address: Łobzowska 17 / Podbrzezie 2
And there you have them – my favorite coffee spots in Krakow. I’ll be surely visiting the city again in the future, discovering many more awesome coffee spots, street art, restaurants, etc. My new favorite Krakow cafes will be added here, of course. And I would love to hear about yours, too. If you have any recommendations of coffee places to visit in Krakow, please send them my way. Thank you!
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