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!

BUT FIRST, COFFEE

It's fall. That transition period which marks the end of summer and patiently leads us into the less anticipated winter time. The leaves may have already changed into kaleidoscopic colours, yet with the weather still taking it easy, I have been taking advantage of the last days of comforting warmth aka - I have constantly been rocking summery kicks and outfits.

As most of us these days, I am always on the go.  Therefore a drink that I can take with me whilst working is absolutely essential to my daily routine. Yes, I am an absolute coffee fiend and a morning without a good caffeine dose in my blood just doesn't exist. After 5 years of Med School, I have learnt that a good kick start in the morning can really make or break the day and I'm not the one to take a risk on this one..

It does't matter where I am in the world or what time of the year it is. Cappuccinos, lattes or americanos I love them all, however recently I noticed that I didn't feel too well after excessive amounts of dairy. I figured that this is most likely partially due to the fact I have replaced much of the dairy in my diet with dairy free options. For example, I started using almond milk instead of regular cow milk  in my oatmeal. I believe that because of the change in my eating habit, my stomach doesn't tolerate dairy as well as it used too, which posed a slight problem with my cappuccino habit. Whilst searching for new products, I came across Jimmy's oat milk based Iced Coffee. It's a super delicious and a great dairy free alternative to normal coffee. What more if turned out to be ideal when I am in a rush and lack the time to prepare my coffee on the hob!

Whether I am working at home on some projects, rushing to the hospital or simply waking up in the morning, coffee is an essential element to my day and Jimmy's Iced Coffee is helping to keep my daily agenda on point - home or away! Will it become part of your routine? Give it a try!

To learn more and check out all of the other coffee options and flavours that Jimmy has on offer head over to:
www.jimmysicedcoffee.com

Amsterdam x Hotspots

Endless lines of bikes, museums, infamous coffee shops and bars - Amsterdam's trademark features that define its culture for the average traveller. With its architectural gems and good vibes, this city has so much on offer but, what about the food? There's no lie in stating that the foodie movement is definitely trending among city breaks and taking a photo of what we eat has become routine. Hence having visited Amsterdam before, this time round I decided to round up a list of trendy & tasty food hotspots.. All of the spots named below were personally tested and here are the ones that managed to make it to the top of my list:

Coffee & Coconuts 

 What's a day without a good cup of coffee? Situated in a renovated 1920s theatre, this place is not only charming but a great spot for a coffee or a bite to eat. Palm trees, high ceilings and the tasteful decor really create a great atmosphere & make you not want to leave this space. Coffee & Coconuts also offers a wide selection of herbal teas teas, freshly made exotic juices and alcoholic beverages. On top of this you can start your day here with a filling granola, lunch on salads or simply drink a coffee with their home made pastries. If this isn't enough they offer a wholesome evening menu that includes a wide range of fusuion dishes. Amongs those you'll find Korean shrimp tacos, beetroot burgers or even ramen bowls. You definitely won't be stuck for choice! 

Open everyday 8am - 11pm

Ceintuurbaan 282-284, 1072 LR

http://www.ctamsterdam.nl

Juice Brothers 

As you can tell by the name this is definitely a great spot for juices. Juice Brothers' offer a wide variety of 100% organic cold pressed juices. Whether you want to grab a one off juice on the go or equip yourself with a 5 day detox juice artillery- this is the place for you! There are many flavours to choose from their rainbow selection of juices that stock the shelves. Having tried their Almond Acai Bowl I would definitely recommend it. Being a self proclaimed Acai junkie - it's not easy to impress me - but this bowl is totally one of the best I've tasted in Europe. They use their own granola, which along with their other dried goods and sweets you can also buy for home use. It's important to note that they also deliver - what can be better than an Acai bowl in bed!?

Opening hours:

Mon- Sat                             7.30 am - 9.00 pm

Sun-                                     9.00 am - 9.00 pm

Van Woustraat 151, 1074 AJ 

Raamsteeg 2, 1012 VZ  

http://www.juicebro.com

Bakers & Roasters

On my first morning in Amsterdam I really wanted a filling breaky and following a suggestion from a friend we decided to try out Bakers & Roasters - 'a New Zealand style cafe, served with a heavy dose of Brazil'. On that morning I went for the blueberry 'American style' pancakes and Alex decided to try their banana nut bread french toast. Both which were very delicious as well as filling for our day of activities ahead. As you can see from the photo above the coffee was just too good to make it to the photo in time! One thing is clear: Bakers & Roasters surely didn't disappoint us. What I loved the most about this charismatic cafe is its breakfast choices- offering savoury (eggs of any kind: benedict, florentine, huevos rancheros - to name a few) and sweet breakfasts (acai bowls, pancakes, granola, musli). Smoothies & juices are in abundance too, if you only fancy a drink. Along with its this huge breakfast selection B&R also offers a choice of savoury eats if you'd like to lunch there. It's definitely next on my list to try for lunch!

Open everyday  8am - 4pm

Eerste Jacob van Campenstraat 54

Kadijksplein 16

http://bakersandroasters.com

Lavinia Good Food            

Hidden among residential, yet central street of Kerkstraat this adorable restaurant was a great find! Its cosy and relaxed vibe is very welcoming, along with the friendly staff - it was a very hard one to leave! 

Initially wanting a quick bite to eat we tried their own much healthier version of a pizza - a pizzetta - a thin spelt flour base with a selection of toppings (ranging from salmon, mushrooms, aubergines or lamb). Light and flavoursome, yet filling - the pizzetta is a great option as an alternative afternoon snack. They also offer a fresh salad buffet which I'll definitely have to try on my next visit. Our Lavinina experience didn't end there - just as we were about to leave, we noticed their nut banana bread on the counter & simply had to try it! It definitely was one of the best breads I've tasted - the fig was a great touch to its rich taste - I'll definitely come back for more! It is worth to mention that Lavinia offers many vegan options and most importantly it serves breakfast all day long! It doesn't get much better than this..

Opening hours:

Mon, Tue                  8.30 am - 4.00   pm

Wed, Thurs, Fri       8.30 am - 10.00 pm

Sat                             9.30 am - 10.00 pm

Sun                            9.30 am - 6.00   pm

Kerkstraat 176, 1017 GT Amsterdam

http://www.laviniagoodfood.nl

KOKO Coffee & Design

On one of my days in Amsterdam it was raining really bad & I decided to find shelter at KOKO. Located in the heart of Amsterdam, KOKO is more than just a coffee place or a standard hangout it's a really cosy concept store stocked with a variety of pieces from independent designers. The place has a gentle feminine touch, yet it also sells mens' apparel. I couldn't agree more with the store's ethos - unique basics meet exceptional pieces. Inside you'll find labels such as Libertine-Libertine, Stutterhein or Garment Project, to name a few. Additionally, you can browse all of these with a good cup of coffee (one of the best I've tasted in Amsterdam) peacefully in a totally stress free environment. When in Amsterdam, make sure to drop by KOKO!

Opening hours:
Mon               10.00 am - 18.00 pm
Tues, Fri         9.00 am  - 18.00 pm
Sat                 10.00 am  - 18.00 pm
Sun                12.00 pm - 18.00 pm
http://ilovekoko.com

I have to say I still have more places to add to this list as the amount of cool hangouts in Amsterdam is never-ending - stay tuned for more!

Chairs & Coffee, London

Situated within the vicinity of Stamford Bridge, Fulham's Chairs & Coffee is a hidden gem amongst coffee fiends. 

Whether sweet or savoury is your preferred breaky choice - this place will satisfy both carvings! With fresh croissants,cannolis & banana bread on one side and delicious parma ham with scrambled eggs on sour dough (with truffle sauce, yep) on the other. After trying the latter, I have to admit it was one of the best scrambled eggs I've eaten out - as I'm super picky with those it's not easy for me to say that. Here, they even added creme fraiche to give the egg a less dry texture. The service was great and the atmosphere of the place was just super welcoming and friendly - just what you need in the a.m.. If you're about drop by and grab a coffee, you won't regret it!

Aida, London

Another Shoreditch hotspot! AIDA, a cafe and a shop in one that caters for both men as well as women. There, you'll find a diversity of brands offering anything from handy rain jackets to accessories such as watches or jewellery. There's a hidden treasure for everyone! Among those finds, you'll also be able to get hold of salads, baguettes and croissants.. Their freshly made juices are also delicious too, I went for the beetroot one - as you can see below;)

 The interior has a rustic feel with a modern twist. A look that is definitely trending amongst many store and restaurant hot spots of today. The place is totally hip and effortlessly retro. I love it! Among the quirky brands they stock, you'll find: Twist & Tango, RAINS, Eleven Paris, Des Petits Hauts & Just Female, to name a few. The store is located 4min walking distance from Shoreditch High Street overground station, so it's an easy find. Want more? AIDA is more than just a shop & a quick coffee - it's a community & a blog - make sure to check them out..http://aidashoreditch.co.uk/