Croatia
Coffee in Croatia is more than just a drink; it's a deeply ingrained social ritual and a way of life. While you'll find modern espresso-based drinks, the emphasis is on taking your time and socializing.
Here are the different ways to order coffee in Croatia and what's in them:
Espresso-Based Drinks (Most Common in Cafes):
When you order "kava" (coffee) in a Croatian cafe, you'll almost always get an espresso. Croatians have adopted Italian coffee culture significantly, but with their own relaxed pace.
Espresso (Espresso / Kava): A small, strong, concentrated shot of coffee. This is the default if you just say "kava."
Doppio (Dupli Espresso): A double shot of espresso.
Produžena kava / Produženi espresso (Americano): "Extended coffee" or "extended espresso." This is an espresso diluted with hot water, similar to an Americano. If you want a larger, less intense black coffee, this is your choice.
Macchiato (Macchiato): Espresso "marked" with a small amount of steamed milk or foam. It's still strong in coffee flavor but with a touch of creaminess.
Veliki Macchiato: A "large macchiato" will have a bit more milk/foam than a standard macchiato, but still less than a cappuccino.
Mali Macchiato: A "small macchiato" is an espresso with just a tiny dash of foam.
Kava s mlijekom (Coffee with Milk): This is a general term for coffee with milk, but in a cafe context, it usually refers to an espresso with a generous amount of hot milk, similar to a Flat White or a smaller latte.
You can specify kava s hladnim mlijekom (coffee with cold milk) if you prefer.
You can also ask for kava sa šlagom (coffee with whipped cream).
Bijela kava (White Coffee / Caffè Latte): This is the Croatian equivalent of a latte, a large coffee with a generous amount of steamed milk. It's usually served in a bigger cup. If you just ask for "latte" in Croatia, you'll typically get a "caffè latte" or a "bijela kava."
Cappuccino (Cappuccino): Espresso with equal parts steamed milk and a significant layer of frothed milk foam. It's very popular in Croatia.
Kratka kava (Ristretto): A "short coffee," meaning an even more concentrated espresso shot, made with less water. It's very intense.
Traditional Bosnian/Turkish-Style Coffee (Domaća kava / Turska kava):
While cafes primarily serve espresso, the traditional "Turkish-style" coffee is hugely popular for home consumption and when visiting friends or family. Some traditional konobas (taverns) or specific coffee houses might offer it.
Domaća kava / Turska kava (Homemade coffee / Turkish coffee):
Ingredients: Very finely ground coffee (often a dark roast), water, and optional sugar.
Preparation: Made in a džezva (or ibrik), a small copper pot. Cold water is brought to a boil, then the coffee grounds are added and the mixture is briefly returned to heat until a foam forms.
Serving: Served in a small, handleless cup called a fildžan, often with a glass of cold water and a sugar cube or rahat lokum (Turkish delight).
Drinking: Meant to be sipped slowly, letting the fine sediment settle at the bottom.
Cold Coffee Drinks:
Ledena kava (Iced coffee): This is a general term for iced coffee. It can be black coffee over ice, or more commonly, an espresso with milk and ice, often sweetened.
Frappé (Frape): While perhaps more associated with Greece, instant coffee-based frappés are also common in Croatia, especially in tourist areas. Made by blending instant coffee, sugar, and a small amount of water to create foam, then topping with ice, water, and sometimes milk.
Other Options:
Filter kava (Filter coffee): Filter or drip coffee is less common in Croatia's espresso-dominated cafe scene, but you might find it in some larger hotels or newer specialty coffee shops aiming for a "third wave" approach.
Kava bez kofeina (Decaf coffee): "Coffee without caffeine." You can add "bez kofeina" to any of the above espresso-based drinks.
Important Cultural Notes & Ordering Tips:
"Kava" is a Social Event: Going for coffee in Croatia is rarely a quick grab-and-go affair. It's a social ritual meant for lingering, chatting with friends, catching up, or simply people-watching. Expect to sit for a while.
Pace: Don't expect speedy service. The unhurried pace is part of the charm.
"Molim jednu kavu" (Molim jednu kavu): "One coffee, please." This will get you an espresso.
Sugar and Milk: Sugar packets are typically on the table. For milk, specify "s mlijekom" (with milk) or "bijela kava" for a latte-style drink.
Water: It's very common to receive a glass of cold water with your coffee, especially in traditional cafes.
Smoking: Smoking is still prevalent in many Croatian cafes, especially on outdoor terraces.
*The content in this document was generated using artificial intelligence, drawing from various online sources, and subsequently refined for accuracy and conciseness in 2025. Users are advised to consult multiple sources to corroborate information and should not rely solely on this document for comprehensive research.