WHERE TO COFFEE IN WARSAW

The coffee movement has definitely been ruling social media for a while now.  Coffee is something that unites us and we all know life is too short to drink bad versions of it. In the end it is all of our little rituals and special moments that make up our life. Having spent a little more time in Warsaw now, I have found my top 3 places for coffee. I guess I am a little coffee fiend and I do appreciate a good cup of it. All of the three places I mentioned have great coffee and an attractive atmosphere that already lures you in before you realise you're at a caffeine haven. I will be updating this list as I'll discover more favourites. 

COPHI SOLUTIONS

Hoża 58/60

On Hoża street you'll find COPHI. I would classify them as Warsaw coffee gurus - they have a great selection of coffees and coffee products that they also sell at their online store. What more, the staff is super helpful - I bought my Japanese coffee grinder there just the other week and I couldn't have done it without their advice. It's a local place that also organises many barista competitions and courses. I really like how involved they are in the coffee scene and it makes the whole place feel even more authentic. Their paper cups have beautiful drawings too - it's all about the details that create the idyllic coffee experience. 

KAWIARNIA FABRYCZNA

Fabryczna 28

Located in the Warsaw Powiśle district, this cafe blends in perfectly with its surroundings. As you enter, the vintage feel is definitely enhanced by retro furniture pieces that define the vibe of this place. Laid back,  relaxed, slightly nostalgic with no commitments -  that's exactly how you feel in this space. What I really like about Fabryczna is that it is spacious and has two separate rooms as well as outside benches that are perfect to perch on, on hot summer days. The people working there are really friendly and they serve up great coffee. In the menu you'll also find eggs, oatmeal and a shaksuka. Home-made fresh ciabatta sandwiches are also up for grabs, just like declines cakes that change daily.   It's local and feels local - a home away from home - with great coffee.

STOR

Tamka 33

Everyone is Warsaw knows STOR. It is also located in Powiśle, just on Tamka street. The decor is on point, the cakes are delicious, they make killer coffee and yummy matcha lattes. Visually,  I really like how the big old school windows invite you in but at the same time make people watching ever so accessible from the inside. It's local with a super friendly feel - kick back and relax as you sip your good coffee and cut a piece of rhubarb tart. In addition, their selection of accessories to buy for drip, chemex or espresso coffees is rich too. Last but not least - STOR definitely gets extra points for having a compost bin #babysteps.

ETNO

Marszałkowska 87

They have three locations just in Warsaw and I can't believe that I have only just discovered this place a couple of months ago. This location is definitely my favourite and I was ever so impressed by the quality of the coffee here. So far, I have enjoyed everything I tried at ETNO. From coffee which I really loved to salads and their tiramisu - nothing has left me disappointed. Furthermore, the spacious arrangement inside really makes working there pleasant. They offer a range of seating possibilities and an ideal space for co-working or meetings. In addition, they have a store too and I believe other cafes in other big polish cities. 

HAŁAS VINYL + COFFEE 

Jagiellońska 30

Praga is definitely a very special part of Warsaw. It was heavily destroyed during the war but houses some of the most stunning, un-renovated buildings. I do not need to say more that it definitely deserves its own place with good coffee. The small vinyl record store that makes up a part of the shop definitely 'had me at hello' and when I saw a Pink Floyd album I knew I was sold. It's a very small cafe with a super cosy and local feel to it. I always take their banana bread because 1) it's banana bread and 2) they know what they're doing. The ingredients are simple but just like with good coffee it is about method and proportion. 

RELAX NA WILCZEJ

Wilcza 17

My most recent discovery - I absolutely adore the decor and the amount of space that is available in this cute and cosy interior. There are tables available outside and inside, whilst the coffee is on point. Relax na Wilczej also offers great breakfasts and their own home baked sweet treats! This is a minor detail but I dig their dark coffee cups too. Just like all of the other cafes I wrote about, Relax also encourages the bring your own cup policy. I love my Keep Cup and always try to carry it for takeaway coffee.

This list is by no means complete,  however these are definitely my current favourites. I will be adding more coffee spots as the list grows!

A taste of Dulwich, London

Usually when I am in London I tend to stick to central. I guess because I am not there all the time, I enjoy that constant buzz. However is that the REAL London? I wanted to explore this notion, so this time round I decided to venture in a different direction- more precisely, the South, Dulwich.

There is no denying that London is like a hub made up of many different "mini towns" which is great because that's what fuels it's incomparable diversity, however it can make you stick to one area and not venture outside of it. I guess that usually tends to happen to me..not this time round though! I wanted to live the life of a real Londoner and hence I ended up in Dulwich. An area of London, previously a part of Kent that definitely carries some of it's flavours. 

I have to say I really liked the area with its green fields, hills and friendly local cafes & shops. It has it all. I even found a really adorable small book shop on the highstreet and didn't want to leave it. It's those small bespoke community stores and restaurants that really draw me into places like Dulwich. In a sense it didn't feel like I was in London but at the same time I was only a 20 minute tube ride away from the "touristy" London known to us all. 

Hence, next time when you're in London you need to step out of your comfort "district" whether it's Shoreditch or South Ken and venture out, it's definitely worth it.

Here's some snaps from the day..