The Best Cafes in Banja Luka Bosnia

Banja Luka, the Republika Srpska’s financial and cultural hub, feels different to the rest of Bosnia. Austro-Hungarian facades fill the centre and shady streets extend into the near distance in this Serb majority city. Few visit, but those who do tend to fall in love with Banja Luka. Despite its differences from the rest of the country, cafe culture thrives. Here are some the top cafes to check out in Banja Luka.

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Dionis

Bar, Cafe, European, Coffee

Dionis is a versatile cafe/bar in central Banja Luka, a few minutes walk from Christ the Saviour Cathedral. In the morning, a range of coffee, from the traditional Bosnia and Turkish styles to espressos, instant and cappuccinos are on sale. Visitors have access to free Wi-Fi throughout the cafe and offer complimentary newspapers. A selection of games keep the younger ones entertained while older patrons can watch live sports. Evergreen pop/rock creates the ambience during the day as bands play live music in the evenings and weekends.

CoMBo Café

Bar, Cafe, European, Coffee, Beer

The cafe tends to attract the younger locals who come for the selection of coffee, soft drinks and beer — and to watch sports while spending time with their friends. The garden area is a perfect place to sit during the warmer months and you can expect the cafe to be busy at all times of the day. Staff are friendly, and the service is rated as high. CoMBo Cafe is especially busy during popular football games, including those from the EPL and La Liga.

Cafe Downtown

Cafe, Cocktail Bar, European

The centrally located cafe is 200 metres (656 feet) to the east of Christ the Savior Cathedral and a favourite spot for Banja Luka’s youth. A large terrace, with fans and sprinklers, attracts coffee drinkers in the summer. The indoor seating area doubles as a dance floor in the evening, when DJ’s blast house music. You have a variety of coffee types, cocktails and beer, which all make Cafe Downtown a great place to stop at any time of the day.

Caffe Vegas

Cafe, European, Coffee

A short walk from central Banja Luka, Caffe Vegas serves inexpensive coffee and a range of other drinks – alcoholic and non-alcoholic. You have the choice between an outdoor terrace and indoor seating area inside this family- and pet-friendly cafe. The service is consistently goodand most staff can speak at least some English. Caffe Vegas, with its central location, is a good spot for your morning coffee and people-watching before a day of exploring Banja Luka.

Eklektik Cafe

Bar, Cafe, European

Eklektik sits opposite one of Banja Luka’s most famous landmarks, the 16th-century Ferhat Pasha Mosque. The small cafe is in the centre of Kralja Petra and less than five minutes on foot from Kastel Fortress making it a good spot to break up a morning of sightseeing. You have a selection of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks at affordable prices and daily drink promotions too. The staff is friendly and usually willing to give you a few suggestions if you ask. The cafe has both indoor seating and an outdoor terrace.

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