Coffee in Croatia

There are countless coffee lovers in the world and I know several of them are Croatian. Like many countries, coffee is a part of Croatia's culture. Going for coffee is almost like a ritual in the morning and an important social element in daily life where many friends meet. It's where major events can happen like holding business meetings or it's where you might just relax and read the newspaper.

It is very common for Croatians to have multiple coffees throughout the day. Whatever tasks you have to do that day, they are usually separated by a stop for coffee. You can find a cafe almost anywhere you go. Besides the more common places like grocery stores and in shopping malls, they also have cafes in places like hardware stores, furniture stores and gas stations. Here is all you need to know about coffee in Croatia.

typical Croatian cappuccino with a heart

Kava is the Croatian word for coffee. One of the most popular coffee brands from Croatia is Franck. Other popular coffee brands in Croatia are imported from nearby Italy, like Illy, Lavaza and Segafredo. Most varieties have a rich, smooth and almost chocolatey flavor, unlike some African and Latin American coffees that have a more earthy taste.

Cafes, or in Croatian spelled Caffe, are usually called a Caffe Bar because they serve non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages and are open from morning to night. If you order coffee in a cafe it will be espresso. There is only one kind of milk added in coffee and that is whole milk. You will really stick out as a tourist if you ask for another kind of milk, like skim, almond, coconut or soy, or if you ask for an iced coffee. Croatians drink hot coffee, even in the summer heat.

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Caffe Wagner at Hotel Milenij, Opatija, Croatia

Coffee is served with a small glass of water to drink at the end. I find this very sensical because it washes down the acidity of the coffee a bit in your stomach and it also helps rinse the coffee off your teeth so you are less likely to have stains. Some cafes might even serve your coffee with a piece of chocolate or a small cookie, which to me is such an appreciated treat and always puts a big smile on my face.

Coffee is served in traditional sized porcelain cups, much smaller than the mugs served in America. White sugar packets are served with your cup or already at the table. You will rarely see any other kind of sugar or sugar replacement offered. There are no paper, plastic or styrofoam coffee-to-go versions because that would go against their cultural style. If you do see this option, it's just to accommodate tourists.

Igor always orders a macchiato (espresso with cold milk) and I always order a cappuccino (espresso with foamy milk). If coffee is not your thing, you can always order tea (čaj in Croatian), juice (sok), soft drinks (try Cockta, a Slovenian soda brand that tastes kind of like Dr. Pepper), hot chocolate (toplo čokolado, thick melted chocolate), hot cocoa (kakao, powdered chocolate), sparkling water (mineralna voda) or a popular with the kids, vitamin powdered drink called Cedevita.

traditional way of serving Turkish coffee

When you go visit a Croatian at their home, the first thing they will do when you walk in the door is make you coffee. This cooked coffee or as some call it, Turkish coffee, is different than espresso and is made in a small, traditional pot on the stove with boiled water and your preferred amount of sugar. It is served in similar kind of coffee cups in a cafe with coffee grinds settling at the bottom. Do not drink the grinds or you will end up with a very dark, grainy smile (I very amusingly to Igor learned that the hard way).

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Another traditional coffee is called bijela kava meaning white coffee. It is not actually coffee but malted milk traditionally eaten with baškot, a ring shaped hard bread, that you dip into your drink to absorb the coffee and soften. The small, sea port town of Bakar along the Kvarner Bay and only a few minutes drive outside of the city of Rijeka, is known for their baškot. One of the most famous bakeries for baškot is Pekara Sveti Kuzam (Pekarski Obrt Sv. Kuzam), so if you are visiting the area definitely make a stop and give it a try.