The Best Cafés in Toruń, Poland

Literally translating as ‘cafe with atmosphere’, the charming little Atmosphera Kawiarnia has a quiet and pleasant ambience, perfect for a relaxing coffee or tea. The location is ideal as well, less than a minute from the pretty Old Town square, but far enough away to still find some peace. Try a smoothie, an ice cold flavoured coffee or one of the many teas on the menu. The interior is full of amusing knick-knacks like old sewing machine tables, lamps and chests of drawers. There is fast Wi-Fi throughout the café, and the staff are very friendly; it certainly lives up to its name of ‘café with atmosphere’.

Named after the popular US sitcom Friends, Central Perks Coffee is a well-located and cosy venue in which to sip a good coffee on the streets of Toruń’s UNESCO-listed Old Town. The menu has the usual range of cappuccinos, lattes, iced coffees and herbal teas, but the charm here is in the venue’s décor and ambience. There are great cakes and muffins to accompany your coffee, and a popular vegan burger for lunch. The bar has fast and easy-to-use Wi-Fi, which makes it a nice place for a business meeting or to work online. There is outdoor seating on the street in the summer months.

This café is as central as it can get in Toruń as it is on the main square, opposite the statue of Nicolaus Copernicus himself. Cukiernia Sowa is a delightful and traditional coffee shop with history, charm and character. The company started as a family business in the 1940s, providing quality cakes, buns and hot drinks to locals. Since then, it has grown into a huge business while still maintaining its charm. This is one of their cosiest venues due to the location and the history. Try the honey cake (grandmother’s recipe), the house cheesecake or the rhubarb tart. There is a Viennese-style coffee on the menu, as well as a range of three hot chocolates. It can get busy during peak hours, but is always worth the wait.

Kona Coast Cafe is situated on the cobbled Chełmińska Street and is one of the quirkiest and most innovative cafés in the city. Good Wi-Fi, outdoor seating on deckchairs surrounded by apple crates and an intriguing menu make this the alternative cool coffee spot in town. Try the latte with cream and Oreo cookies or one of their house specials from the alternative coffee menu, such as the AeroPress or the Chemex. Prepare to be surprised. Food is served from 8am on, including good breakfasts, paninis, tortillas and pasta dishes.

Cukiernia Lenkiewicz dates back to 1945 and is one of the coolest cafés in Toruń. Success meant the brand opened a second café in the city and expanded the business to contain a cocktail bar and a pastry shop. To escape the crowds, head to their Wielkie Garbary venue, which is still in the Old Town but has more room and fewer crowds, especially in the busy summer months. On the menu, you can expect a delightful range of pastries and cakes to accompany your coffee or tea. Sit outside on a hot day and watch the world go by with a smoothie or an iced coffee. Cukiernia Lenkiewicz also does excellent ice creams.

An elegant luxury coffee shop in the heart of Toruń’s Old Town square is Grande Coffee. In here, there are some truly excellent options for drinks. You can drink delicious smoothies made from the finest fruits, vegetables, nuts and creams. Coffee is served delicately with a biscuit in glasses or in cups, depending on your choice. Grande Coffee is also one for the early birds as it opens at 7am on weekdays, serving up Polish pancakes and breakfast specials. Location-wise, it is also handy – it’s in the main square opposite the town hall.