Coffee Spots in Krakow

Our Coffee Quality Consultant Luis Alvarez recently travelled to Krakow in Poland to attend a “World Coffee Events Judge Certification programme”. During his visit he got the chance to explore the coffee scene and visit some remarkable places.

I always wanted to visit Poland. So much culture, so much history, so many Polish friends. The weather was not kind to me during the first 24 hours with continued thunderstorms and low temperatures, but soon enough it cleared up to show Krakow in all its splendour. The first couple of days I went to “Coffee Proficiency” to attend the WCE Certification in which I had to undergo different sensory and written tests in order to become a world level judge for coffee competitions. During business days, Coffee Proficiency is a specialty café with its own roastery, they also serve food and run coffee courses too.

My first coffee stop was “Tektura”, a lovely specialty café using coffee from local roasters, it’s cosy and very instagrammable. They serve breakfast, toasties and cakes. Had a lovely cheese toasty (with blue cheese!) and an Americano from Guatemala. Later on, I went to “Somnium Café Bar”; this place has like a mini attic above the bar in which people can chill on very comfy bean bags and cushions (no shoes allowed!). If you go there, ask for Simon. One of my last stops was at “Wesoła Café”, and boy I regret going there last because it was a really cool coffee shop, with guest roasters from Warsaw and Denmark, a wide variety of filter methods and a full brunch menu. They even have an outside area at the back.

Everyone was extremely lovely, especially the guys from “Tociekawa”. I went to this coffee shop two times, and I could’ve gone more but I didn’t have time. It’s a tiny specialty café, with just a couple of stools, very nice equipment, and incredible welcoming people. I met Dawid, the owner, and Karolina, they made me an espresso and an Americano with a Brazilian coffee from some local roasters, and it was delicious.

Krakow offers a great culinary scene at affordable prices, if you ever go don’t forget to try Pierogi (stuffed dumplings) and Bigos (Cabbage stew with sausages or pork). Polish sausages are a must, especially when accompanied by any local beer. The Old Town still maintains part of the city walls from medieval times, there’s almost one church every few blocks and the Wawel Castle is still guarded by a Dragon that lives underneath. Overall the main square and its surroundings are incredible vibrant and charming.

Just 30 minutes away from Krakow you will find the Salt Mines from Wieliczka; an incredible achievement in engineering and mining which turns into an art gallery every step of the way, it shows the greatness of the human endeavour. In contrast, about one and a half hours away, you will find the Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp Memorial, a moving experience that displays one of humanity’s most horrifying episodes: “For ever let this place be a cry of despair and warning to humanity, where the Nazis murdered about 1.5 million men, women and children, mainly Jews, from various countries of Europe” (Plaque at Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial).

I loved Krakow, made new friends, had unforgettable experiences and, in the meantime, I managed to keep myself well caffeinated.

Dziękuję Polska!