Ultimate Tourists’ Guide: Coffee Shops in Ljubljana

For coffee lovers visiting Ljubljana and Slovenia in general, you’re in for a treat! 

The city’s vibrant coffee culture blends high-quality local roasting with a relaxed café lifestyle that invites you to slow down and stay awhile. You’ll find everything from freshly roasted specialty coffee beans to cozy spots perfect for unwinding, and even workshops if you’re curious to dive deeper into the craft of coffee or try your hand at being a barista or coffee taster..

We’ve already put together detailed guides to Slovenian specialty roasters and the best grab-and-go coffee spots around the Slovene capital. 

This time we’re focusing on specialty coffee shops in Ljubljana, where you can sit down, soak in the atmosphere, and enjoy your cup, assuming you can snag a seat during busy hours.

Café Cokl

Being in tight collaboration with Buna roastery, Café Cokl is a must-visit for environmentally conscious travelers. Sustainability is at the heart of everything here, so much so that takeaway coffee isn’t offered. Instead, visitors are encouraged to slow down and enjoy their drink in a proper cup. The menu includes classics like espresso, cappuccino, and iced coffee, all served with care in a calm, mindful setting. During the summer season, we recommend checking if they have iced cascara. And yes, Cokl has decaf.

Credits to cafe.cokl

Crno Zrno

Ranked among Europe’s best coffee shops in 2020, Crno Zrno is a standout stop for visitors seeking something beyond the ordinary. Alongside standard and specialty coffee drinks, they serve inventive coffee cocktails and regularly collaborate on creative projects. One such collaboration even led to a cold brew Negroni, a unique twist worth trying if you’re feeling adventurous. When visiting, and if Alex (chef-barista and owner of Crno Zrno) is behind the bar, do ask for panela lemonade.

Credits to crno_zrno

Kavarna Natura

If you’re looking for a place to relax year-round, Kavarna Natura delivers. In winter, you can warm up by the fireplace on their terrace, while in summer it’s a perfect shaded escape from the heat. The menu ranges from espresso and white coffee to filter brews, and if you fall in love with a particular blend, you can even buy it to take home and get it ground for you on the spot.

Credits to kavarnanatura

Kavarna Specialka By Goat Story

Popular among digital nomads, students, and remote workers visiting Ljubljana, Kavarna Specialka combines a specialty coffee bar with a coworking-friendly atmosphere. It’s spacious, welcoming, and even dog-friendly, which makes it ideal if you’re traveling with a pet. The coffee comes from Goat Story’s own roastery, ensuring consistently fresh brews across their wide drink selection. Note that Specialka offers a choice of beans for espresso, and you can get some hand-brewed, batch-brewed coffee is always available. 

Credits to kavarna_specialka

Lana’s Corner

Lana’s Corner offers a slightly different vibe, blending specialty coffee with wine, fine food, and indulgent desserts. It’s a versatile stop, perfect whether you’re after a simple espresso, a creative coffee cocktail, or a relaxed evening with drinks and appetizers. 

Our recommendation is: go for a double-shot espresso and tiramisu.

Credits to lana_s_corner

Mala Pražarna

Small, cozy, and full of charm, Mala Pražarna is both a café and a roastery. Cat lovers will especially enjoy the playful feline theme throughout the space. The coffee is always freshly roasted, and the welcoming interior makes it feel more like visiting a friend’s living room than a typical café. Apart from regular cafe operation, Mala Prazarna offers free of charge coffee tastings every Monday at 12:00. 

If you are a black coffee drinker, do order a hand brew. In Mala Prazarna, you can often choose from 6 coffees, all fresh and rested. 

Credits to malaprazarna

Moderna

Located inside the Museum of Modern Art, Moderna is an ideal stop before or after exploring Ljubljana’s contemporary art scene. The menu includes everything from macchiato and double espresso to filter coffee and creative coffee cocktails. Even if you’re not visiting the museum, it’s an inviting place for a relaxed coffee break.

Credits to kavarnamoderna

Pražarna

At Pražarna, freshness is key, since they roast their own beans on-site, making it a great destination for true coffee enthusiasts. The menu is diverse, and there’s a unique bonus: you can buy specialty coffee capsules compatible with Nespresso machines, so you can recreate the experience back home.

Once at Prazarna, don’t just go in for regular espresso. Ask Eldin, a chef barista ever-present behind the bar, to find and fit coffee specifically for your taste.

Credits to prazarna

R&B Café Roasters

Short for “roastery and brunch,” R&B Café Roasters is a fantastic stop for visitors who want more than just coffee. Alongside a wide range of drinks, from espresso and cortado to coffee cocktails, you’ll find a rich all-day brunch menu. Coffee drinks are made using beans roasted in-house, ensuring both quality and flavor.

Three espresso coffee grinders usually have a daily-driver Brasil, slightly more acidic and refreshing Colombia, or Ethiopia, and some sort of specialty grade decaf.

Credits to rnbcaferoasters

Stow Cukrarna

Stow Cukrarna is as much about atmosphere as it is about coffee. With a diverse menu that includes specialty brews, craft beer, and more, it caters to a wide range of tastes. The venue also hosts events like concerts, making it a lively place to experience Ljubljana’s cultural scene alongside your drink.

Credits to rafinerija_cukrarna

STOW

Created by STOW roastery, this café is a reliable choice for high-quality, freshly roasted coffee. The space is cozy yet spacious, offering plenty of seating both indoors and outdoors, perfect for a relaxed break while exploring the city. If you enjoy what you taste, you can even purchase beans on-site to take a piece of Ljubljana’s coffee culture home with you.

Credits to stowcoffeeroasters

Outro

Ljubljana offers a rich choice of cafe concepts and formats, from in-museum to tiny coffee studios. 

Whether you’re wandering through the old town, taking a break from sightseeing, or simply searching for your next great cup, Ljubljana’s specialty coffee scene offers plenty of memorable stops along the way.

By the way, we have reviews not only of specialty coffee shops in Ljubljana. If you are planning a trip to Maribor, check out this guide to learn more about its coffee shops.