Judging by the number of recently opened coffee shops, Kiev is fast becoming a caffeine-fuelled capital. No matter the time of the day, you’ll find office workers here crowding round for a cup, or travellers leisurely enjoying afternoon latte. Here’s our pick of the best spots in town.
The Blue Cup Coffee Shop
Cafe, European, Vegan, Vegetarian, Coffee, $$$
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Having entered The Blue Cup Coffee Shop, you’ll walk into a world of fragrant coffee, healthy snacks and fabulous decor. Be sure to get your regular intake of freshly roasted coffee classics such as espresso, cappuccino and latte, or try alternatives and hot chocolate specialities. The interior of the coffee shop is stylish and unique – the walls are decorated with plastic deer heads, colourful wall paintings and rope lamps.
If you’re a fan of Friends, be sure to check out Chashka Espresso Bar, located in the very city centre. Much like in the TV series, here you can get a delicious cup of coffee, gather with friends or listen to good music. Not surprisingly, the coffee shop is crowded from the early morning to late night. Its friendly atmosphere makes it a great place at weekends, when it becomes a venue for workshops, book readings and coffee brewing courses.
ONE LOVE is a chain of coffee shops all over Kiev’s Right Bank. However, if it’s the first time you’re visiting, ONE LOVE Espresso Bar is a great one to visit first. Situated in front of St. Nicholas Cathedral – one of the most beautiful cathedrals in Ukraine – the venue offers great coffee, a variety of artsy books and an incredible view from the summer terrace.
Come and Stay is easily the cosiest coffee shop in the city. It serves not only freshly ground coffee, but also a range of tasty desserts for very affordable prices. In winter you can enjoy warm beverages and pies, while in summer Come and Stay will delight you with creamy frappuccino and flavoured homemade popsicles. Despite being located in a back alley, this spot is packed with visitors the entire day.
While most of Kiev’s coffee shops offer only light snacks, Whitebeard Blackbird is the place to get a hearty breakfast or order pasta, sandwiches, and salads for either lunch or dinner. The place has a wide range of classic and alternative coffee drinks, and is an ideal venue for a business meeting, Sunday brunch or romantic date. On Thursdays, you can pop in here for lectures about coffee culture, or at the weekends there are live concerts on show.
This place is not only a coffee shop but also a coffee school, where you can learn to accurately distinguish the quality of coffee beans, different varieties of coffee, how to create a professional brew, or attend themed workshops. You can also buy accessories from the world’s leading manufacturers to prepare professional-standard coffee even at home.
In Kiev, the popularity of a coffee shop is often determined by its central location – which makes 1900 coffee point top of the charts. This tiny cafe occupies an old building on Saksahanskogo Street, where customers can work and relax, recharge with strong coffee or get something hearty to eat. You can also attend interesting lectures and master classes.
Espressoholic was among the first wave of coffee shops in Kiev, and has been serving delicious drinks since 2011. The team at this coffee shop actively develop alternative methods of coffee brewing, and introduce new deep and rich blends into their range of drinks on offer. Espressoholic is so popular in Kiev, that even when the city empties for the holidays, it’s still overflowing with local coffee nerds.
Make My Cake is actually a sweet treat cafe that has come to Kiev from the port city of Odessa. Of course, people head there for lush macarons and tasty cakes, but its fragrant coffee is also worth attention. Take a seat here and enjoy the pleasant ambience, friendly waiters, lovely interior and extremely delicious food and drink.
This place brews excellent coffee and serve adorable and enjoyable snacks including granola, brownie, pies, biscuits, and homemade ice cream. The venue opens from early morning to late evening – it’s the perfect spot to get an invigorating cup of coffee or listen to local DJs with friends. It is also among the few coffee shops in Kiev that can be visited with pets.
