The cafés of Uzhhorod: the phenomenon of Transcarpathian coffee
The history of the city’s acquaintance with coffee
It was the Turks who introduced ancient Ungvar to coffee, when Transcarpathia was still part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. In those days coffee was an expensive and luxurious pleasure that only the wealthy nobility could afford. Ordinary peasants usually brewed coffee from barley. And yet, it was from this very “point” and precisely from Uzhhorod that the all-Ukrainian history of coffee drinking begins. Researchers have recorded that as early as the 19th century there were already real cafés here, and the Transcarpathians themselves already knew how to brew coffee.
The coffee story of Uzhhorod today
Coffee drinking in Uzhhorod - is a special ritual, and the coffee - is phenomenally tasty. Experts explain: it is all about the roasting of the coffee beans, which gives the drink a rich, velvety, caramel flavour. Today a whole cult of coffee has developed in Uzhhorod, and many interesting cafés have appeared. The cafés of Uzhhorod offer a huge range of both classic types from various varieties and alternative coffee. It differs in the method of brewing and the subtleties of flavour. The special atmosphere and charm of ancient Uzhhorod, the distinctive local cuisine and coffee traditions, the pleasant and hospitable residents and the unique attractions, the most charming mini-sculptures scattered in various corners of the old city - all this will fill your trip to Uzhhorod with incredible, vivid, new impressions.
Stroll along the old streets of Uzhhorod and ‘have a coffee’ in the company of the little mini-monuments on our excursion.
The extraordinary cafés of Uzhhorod
Uzhhorod has the taste of old Europe; the city is characterised by that very Viennese style of coffee drinking without haste, in complete cosiness and comfort. Sometimes it seems that people here do nothing at all, work nowhere, and only drink coffee - so measured is the rhythm of life here. The people of Uzhhorod have always enjoyed their coffee. As early as the beginning of the 20th century there were such legendary cafés in Uzhhorod as 
And although in the first years of Ukraine’s independence Uzhhorod could hardly boast of cafés (people ground and brewed coffee at home), today there are plenty of unusual and cosy establishments to suit every taste. All the cafés of Uzhhorod work on their image, style, concept and atmosphere in order to stand out from the rest. Photographs on the walls, retro objects, beautiful crockery, original décor of walls and ceilings, a unique and varied menu … You can have your coffee so that the whole panorama of Uzhhorod opens up before you, on a cosy terrace, wrapped in a blanket, or choose an atmosphere of minimalism or a “granny’s cottage”, a colourful kolyba or a prestigious restaurant. The cafés are open from early morning until late evening, and there are even round-the-clock establishments where you can buy freshly brewed coffee at any time.
Every café in Uzhhorod has its own coffee highlights and culinary secrets. A classic espresso, cappuccino or latte can be tried anywhere, even simply on the street (at a bicycle café, a bicycle cart, ‘coffee-to-go’ establishments and so on). But there are cafés that love to experiment with coffee and serve it with gold (edible, of course), Bosnian-style with Turkish delight, or with exclusive home-made syrups - lavender, blueberry, walnut, mint … You can taste coffee brewed on sand, with hot cayenne pepper or Eastern spices, or with real chocolate in a genuine chocolate workshop.
What is more, latte art is actively developing in Uzhhorod. Not only will a true masterpiece be drawn on the foam of your coffee, but you can also take part in such a coffee master class yourself and try your hand as a barista!
The oldest café in the city
The oldest café in the city, “Pid Zamkom” (“Below the Castle”), stands out especially among the cafés of Uzhhorod, and you can visit it during an excursion around Uzhhorod. Today it is a whole museum. Here, to the sound of jazz and blues, you want to spend hours drinking delicious coffee with all sorts of treats and hours examining antique exhibits, old objects and, especially, crockery. The coffee heart of the city is rightly considered to be the wonderful Hirchychne Zerno (Mustard Seed) lane, where the greatest number of cafés in the city is concentrated. And the unique open-air mini-museum of coffee - is the pride of the city. It gathers more than two dozen exhibits, coffee varieties and coffee curios from all over the world.
Discover the cafés of Uzhhorod and delicious Transcarpathian coffee on the most atmospheric and coffee-themed excursion around Uzhhorod !
