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14 Best Coffee Shops In Bucharest

The Bucharest cafe scene is cool, classy and caffeinated! Discover our favorite Bucharest cafes with great coffee (often of the third wave variety), lightning fast internet and cool vibes.

Cappuccino at Origo Coffee - Bucharest Cafe Guide
Cappuccino at Origo, Bucharest’s Original Third Wave Coffee Shop | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Imagine yourself sitting in a cafe inside a gracefully dilapidating interbellic building. You’re drinking a cup of expertly crafted third wave coffee while checking your email. You might think that you’re in Paris, but you’d be wrong. In this dream, you’re actually in Romania.

However much time a visitor has in Bucharest, a chunk of it must be set aside for the cafes. Though the city has a plethora of attractions, exploring the cafe scene is one of the best things to do in Bucharest. We don’t make this statement lightly.

As coffee connoisseurs who have enjoyed some of the best brews in cities all over the world, we believe that Bucharest’s cafe culture matches, and perhaps, exceeds them all. Sure, Bucharest coffee, roasted by two main roasters (Origo and Guido), is top notch – that’s a given.

But that’s just part of the Bucharest cafe story.

Building in Bucharest Romania
Typical of the architecture in Bucharest, glorious buildings like this stunner often house cafes and other businesses. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Whether you’re in town for a Bucharest city break or for a longer visit, the key is to go beyond the Old Town to explore the city’s sprawling neighborhoods. Filled with stunning buildings confiscated by the Communists during the mid 20th century and later abandoned and left to ruin, these neighborhoods provide a window into the past when Bucharest was one of Europe’s cultural hubs.

Today, many of these buildings have been repurposed as cafes with amazing design and lovely terraces, and the city is buzzing yet again. Is the buzz due to the copious amounts of caffeine served at the best cafes in Bucharest or vice versa? Regardless, the positive energy is contagious.

But we still haven’t mentioned the best part of the Bucharest cafe experience, especially for digital nomads – the internet speed. Romania has some of the fastest internet connections in the world, consistently ranking in the top ten and number one in Europe.

Set up by neighborhood internet service providers, Bucharest’s internet is cheap, fast and readily available. It’s not unusual to work at speeds of 100 mbps+ when working on a public wifi system at a cafe. Plus, Bucharest’s wacky fast wifi is generally available at larger cafes on an unlimited basis for the price of a well-crafted cappuccino or an herb-infused lemonade.

Our Favorite Bucharest Coffee Shops

Can you tell that we loved the Bucharest cafe culture? Here are our favorite spots for drinking coffee (plus lemonade and tea) in Bucharest plus a few additional cafes that we plan to check out during our next visit.

1. Origo

Origo Coffee Sidewalk Scene in Bucharest Romania
Origo’s interior design may be super cool with all of the hanging coffee cups, but the cafe’s sidewalk cafe is where the action happens during the warm summer months. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Though a short walk from the touristic Old Town, Origo coffee shop serves cutting edge coffee with a neighborhood vibe. Opened in 2013, Bucharest’s original 3rd wave coffee shop is popular with both locals and tourists, with many streaming from the tiny, sleek cafe onto the cafe’s sidewalk. The Origo team roasts beans from Africa and South America at an offsite facility, using many of the roasted beans to brew coffees with a range of modern methods including Hario V60, Aeropress, Chemex and Siphon.

Beyond its comprehensive coffee options, Origo has a small menu of breakfast items and desserts during the day as well as a separate cocktail menu at night. Yes, Bucharest’s premiere specialty coffee cafe turns into a trendy cocktail bar when the sun sets.

Pro Tip
Origo does not offer free WiFi inside the cafe; however, it is available at the sidewalk tables.

Origo is located at Strada Lipscani 9, București 050971, Romania.

2. BOB Coffee Lab

Cookie and Cappuccino at BOB Coffee Lab in Bucharest Romania
We don’t know which is better at BOB Coffee Lab – the coffee or the chocolate chip cookies. Both were superb. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Open since August 2017, BOB Coffee Lab’s award-winning friendly baristas, house-roasted beans and vivacious crowd of young hipsters make this compact coffee house an exciting new addition to the Bucharest cafe scene. The cafe also offers tasty sweets including some of the best chocolate chip cookies we’ve eaten outside of the states. Plus, there’s a brewery right upstairs.

Pro Tip
BOB is a good place to work but only if you’re fortunate enough to score the table in the back next to the electrical outlet.

BOB Coffee Lab is located at Piața Charles de Gaulle 3, București, Romania.

3. Frudisiac

Flat White at Frudisiac in Bucharest Romania
Great minds think alike! The team at Frudisiac loves coffee too. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Located in the Dorobanti neighborhood, Frudisiac is an airy cafe with great coffee and surprisingly good food. With a Scandinavian style that includes modern decor and Drop coffee straight from Stockholm, Frudisiac brings a refreshing element to the Bucharest cafe scene.

We initially visited the Frudisiac for coffee and returned a few days later to try brunch. As it turns out, Frudisiac’s brunch game is strong with dishes like pepper flake dusted avocado toast and luscious, dense pancakes topped with fresh berries and ricotta cheese. We enjoyed both of these dishes along with lattes at an outside table. If there’s a better way to start a Saturday in Bucharest, we have yet to find it.

Pro Tip
Stop by Frudisiac to take a fika break. The cafe encourages the daily Scandinavian ritual and has the menu (including freshly baked products from artisanal boulangerie Rue du Pain) to back it up.

Frudisiac is located at Intrarea Bitolia 4, București 011677, Romania.

4. Coftale

Barista Dumitrescu Marian Laurentiu at Coftale in Bucharest Romania
Barista Dumitrescu Marian Laurentiu proudly displays his coffee techniquest at Coftale. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Despite its fanciful name, Coftale is a serious cafe that serves third wave coffee drinks as well as a menu filled with sweet and savory food options. Friendly baristas craft some of the best coffee in Bucharest using the latest coffee technology techniques, but, interestingly, Coftale does not roast its own beans. The cafe instead opts to source quality beans from local coffee roasters including Origo, Papa Jacques and Guido.

Coftale’s atmosphere feels retro chic with the building’s grand, vintage architecture that harkens back to the early 1900s, an intriguing juxtaposition to the thoroughly modern coffee. The coffee shop also has a large terrace with several tables and just as many trees.

Pro Tip
Coftale is a 10-minute walk from Modelier, a quirky hamburger joint, should you want to further explore the neighborhood.

Coftale is located at Strada Ștefan Mihăileanu, București 024024, Romania.

5. M60

M60 in Bucharest Romania
M60 is a cool space to drink coffee and… beer. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Surrounded by a myriad of funky cafes, M60 is unique for its cool Scandinavian design. Here, baristas craft coffees with Hario V60 filters and beans from Guido as well as cappuccinos with a La Marzocco Linea Classic espresso machine. Other beverage options include lemonade, tea, hot chocolate, Ground Zero beer and Romanian wine.

In other words, there’s no need to be thirsty at M60.

Pro Tip
M60 is open until 1:00 am every day of the week if you need a coffee after a night out enjoying the Bucharest nightlife.

M60 is located at Strada D. I. Mendeleev 2, București 030167, Romania.

6. Artichoke Coffee Shop

Cappuccino at Artichoke Coffee Shop in Bucharest Romania
We loved photographing our coffee at Artichoke Coffee Shop almost as much as loved drinking it. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Artichoke Coffee Shop is almost too cool for school with its water served in liquor bottles, fluffy pillows and spiral staircase. But don’t let looks fool you.

Open since January 2017, Artichoke serves well-crafted coffee drinks made with beans roasted by Olivo Roaster in Cluj, Romania. The cafe’s patio also features an award-winning view of the adjacent two-century-old Kretzulescu Church.

Pro Tip
Despite its name, Artichoke Coffee Shop does not serve vegetables. Instead, the shop serves sweet treats like chocolate chip cookies.

Artichoke Coffee Shop is located at Calea Victoriei 45, București 010062, Romania.

7. Acuarela

Umbrellas at Acuarela Cafe in Bucharest Romania
The outdoor space at Acuraela Cafe is downright adorable. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

We loved hanging out at Acuarela. However, we can’t recommend their coffee since we drank refreshing lemonades during our visit.

The artsy cafe is a feast for the eyes with decorations and installations in every nook and cranny. Parasols hang from the ceiling, similar to Bucharest’s famous umbrella alley but somehow cooler.

Pro Tip
Feeling artistic? You can paint while you chill at Acuarela.

Acuarela is located at Strada Polonă, București 030167, Romania.

8. T-Zero Coffee Shop

T-Zero in Bucharest Romania
There’s nothing fancy about T-Zero. Nothing except for the coffee. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Sometimes we just want a quick cappuccino while we’re on our way from point A to point B. When we’re in Bucharest, T-Zero is our go-to spot for to-go specialty coffee. Owner Ciprian Cosma serves classic coffee drinks handcrafted with Origo beans.

Pro Tip
Not in a rush? Take a few minutes and drink your coffee on a table built on top of a bicycle.

T-Zero Coffee Shop is located at Strada Dianei 1, București 030167, Romania.

9. Dianei 4

Dianei 4 in Bucharest Romania
Sure, the garden at Dianei 4 is nice. But the beautifully decaying interior is really special. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Literally across the street from T-Zero, Dianei 4 is a unique spot for enjoying Origo coffee. Sure the outside terrace is cool, but the repurposed interior is the cafe’s hidden gem with its beautifully decaying walls and funky light fixtures.

Though the decor is far from modern, baristas use the latest extraction techniques and a state of the art La Marzocco Strada EP espresso machine to prepare the coffee drinks.

Pro Tip
Skip the food here. Though we loved our cappuccinos, we weren’t so entranced with our meals. Instead, go to other restaurants in Bucharest for great food. Better yet, take a side trip to Transylvania to eat traditional Romanian food.

Dianei 4 is located a Strada Dianei 4, București 030167, Romania.

10. Cărturești Carusel

Cărturești Carusel in Bucharest Romania
We had to photograph this most photographed bookstore before heading upstairs to the cafe. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Not only is Cărturești Carusel the most photographed bookstore in Bucharest, but it also has a delightful cafe hidden in plain sight on its top floor. We enjoyed cappuccinos and cookies here after we browsed through the shop’s books and gift items.

Did we take any photos? Do you really have to ask?

Pro Tip
Need to escape the Old Town craziness? Cărturești Carusel is open until midnight on the weekends and 10 pm on weeknights.

Cărturești Carusel is located at Strada Lipscani 55, București 030033, Romania.

11. The Coffee Factory

The Coffee Factory in Bucharest Romania
The Coffee Factory isn’t fancy, which is part of its charm. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

If you like to drink your cappuccino in a chill space with jazz tunes wafting in the air, then you will like The Coffee Factory. Even better, the cafe roasts its own beans and has a spacious outdoor garden.

Pro Tip
Be sure to check out the unique bathroom when you visit The Coffee Factory. If we share anything further, we’ll ruin the surprise.

The Coffee Factory is located at Bulevardul Regina Elisabeta 54, București 030167, Romania.

12. Meron

Meron in Bucharest Romania
Art abounds at Meron. Art and coffee. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

The more we travel, the more we feel at home once we find a good spot for coffee. So we had to check out Meron once we saw it’s tagline – Home of Coffee.

Ironically, the coffee shop felt more like a trendy Bucharest bar than a home with its loud music and contemporary design. We enjoyed our cappuccinos at Meron, and, at the end of the day, that’s what really matters.

Pro Tip
Check out the art at Meron. It’s really cool.

Meron is located at Bloc D1, Calea Victoriei 155, București 010073, Romania.

13. Beans & Dots

Beans and Dots in Bucharest Romania
Beans and Dots was our unofficial co-working space in Bucharest before they changed their internet policy. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

We liked Beans & Dots enough that we forgive them for using beans from Berlin’s The Barn instead of locally roasted beans. Though we prefer to support local products, we’ve enjoyed these beans across Europe in cities like Lyon and Dublin.

Beans & Dots is a good spot to sip on a coffee or beer while working alone or with a friend – however – be warned that this cafe enforces a one-hour limit per drink purchased. Since internet time is unlimited at other Bucharest cafes, this could deter digital nomads.

Pro Tip
More in the mood for a Negroni than a flat white? One of the best bars in Bucharest, FIX – Botanical Bar, is located in the same complex.

Beans & Dots is located at Strada Actor Ion Brezoianu 23-25, București 010131, Romania.

14. Ceainăria Infinitea

Ceainăria Infinitea in Bucharest Romania
The garden at Ceainăria Infinitea is the coolest place to drink tea in Bucharest. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Though we usually like to consume our daily caffeine doses via coffee, sometimes we like to mix it up and drink tea. That’s why ventured to Ceainăria Infinitea, a classic Bucharest tea house with a fabulous two-level garden.

Due to the warm weather, we opted to drink our herbal teas over ice. We also opted to share a luscious slice of cherry cheesecake, but that choice was unrelated to the weather.

Pro Tip
Stop by Ceainăria Infinitea after you visit the nearby Palace of the Parliament. You’ll want to take some time to reflect on the experience, and this tea oasis is the ideal spot for this type of reflection.

Ceainaria Infinitea is located at Strada Doctor Grigore Romniceanu 7, București, Romania.

Additional Bucharest Coffee Shops

Kissing Couple at Acuarela in Bucharest Romania
Coffee is universal. That’s what we get from this photo and we’re sticking to it. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Despite our best intentions, we didn’t make it to every coffee shop in town. Instead, we visited several of the above coffee shops more than once and we also brewed some coffee at our apartments.

In retrospect, we wish we had visited the following coffee shops:

Frequently Asked Questions

Is coffee popular in Bucharest?

Yes. Coffee is popular all over Romania and Bucharest is no exception.

How much does coffee cost in Bucharest?

Bucharest coffee prices are comparable to other European cities. Accordingly, plan to spend a few euros for a quality cappuccino or flat white.

Does Bucharest have specialty coffee shops?

Yes. Bucharest has more than a dozen specialty coffee shops.

What are the best specialty coffee shops in Bucharest?

Top Bucharest specialty coffee shops include Origo, BOB Coffee Lab, Frudisiac and Coftale. Try them all plus more to find your favorite.

Is Starbucks in Bucharest?

Yes. Bucharest’s first Starbucks location opened in 2007. There are now more than a dozen Starbucks coffee shops in Bucharest.

Third Wave Coffee In Bucharest Video

Watch our YouTube video for even more Bucharest coffee love.

Where to Stay In Bucharest

Bucharest Romanian Athenaeum
Bucharest is more fun when you plan your trip in advance. | Image: ©2foodtrippers
  • We stayed at Hotel Novotel Bucharest City City Centre for five days, and we highly recommend this centrally located hotel.
  • We also stayed at three apartments in different Bucharest neighborhoods. This type of accommodation is a great option if you are staying for an extended time and want to cook some of your meals. Find an apartment now.

Bucharest Planning Checklist

Thirsty For More Coffee In Europe?

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About The Authors

About The Authors

Daryl & Mindi Hirsch

Saveur Magazine’s BEST TRAVEL BLOG award winners Daryl and Mindi Hirsch share their culinary travel experiences and recipes on the 2foodtrippers website. Since launching the site in 2012, they’ve traveled to over 40 countries in their quest to bring readers their unique taste of the world.

Disclosures

Article Updates
We update our articles regularly. Some updates are major while others are minor link changes and spelling corrections. Let us know if you see anything that needs to be updated in this article.

Funding
We self-funded our multiple trips to Bucharest.

Original Publication Date: October 16, 2017

M

Saturday 27th of August 2022

If you get the chance, try out the coffee at God's Coffee close to the Bucharest Mega Mall. It's a very small and chill coffee shop, don't expect much funkiness out of it, but the brew is excelent (I'm talking superior to most fancy pants coffee shops and I've visited a lot of them since I'm an absolute coffee snob), and the owner/barista is always chipper and has a good word to make everyone's day better. It's been my go to for good coffee and beans for home brewing for quite a while.

Chris

Saturday 20th of August 2022

Try Saints Roastery ;). You're welcome

Alex

Friday 8th of November 2019

You should definetly visit LVEV (La Vita e Velo) in the center, next time.

Daryl and Mindi Hirsch

Monday 25th of November 2019

Thanks for the tip.

jeni

Monday 23rd of September 2019

Awesome...Such a great information.Thanks and keep on sharing good information.

Shahid

Tuesday 31st of October 2017

Hello Daryl & Mindi, yeah...the coffee in this blog is definitely tempting...also it appears that its finely crafted....I will not miss it when I am there in Bucharest.

Thanks...

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