City Escapes Europe Food & Drink Ukraine

The Best Coffee in Lviv, Ukraine

Zdravstvuyte‘ and welcomeΒ toΒ a journey all things ‘coffee’ related in the flat-white-capital of the Ukraine – Lviv.

I’ve said it once before and I’ll say it again. I’m shocked. Who knew that such a bubbling coffee scene could exist in the Ukraine? I’ll be the first to admit that unlike other trips, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect from this city and it’s done nothing but impress me.

This will be the first of quite a few blog posts to come but the only one dedicated to the coffee scene. Below are my recommendations. TheseΒ were the only cafes I could visit during a 3 day weekend. However, I did hear about and do some research on other really good roasteries which were just outside of the city centre but I couldn’t make it happen as we had such a full schedule.

If you are keen on seeing some more from Lviv, keep an eye on Kaptain Kenny as more is yet to come. AndΒ tell me, have you been to the Ukraine? Or Lviv? And if so, what did you think of it? Were you equally as impressed as I was?

If you don’t believe me about the flourishing coffee scene, just click here to read what the Guardian said about Lviv below:

Β https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/nov/06/letter-from-lviv-ukraine-cafes

I’ll let my series of photos below tell the story of this incredible story. Do get in touch if you have some comments. Did I miss any fabulous places? Feel free to share information with the other fellow coffee lovers.

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Ciao for now fellow readers πŸ™‚

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First my lovely friend Nadja started her ‘personalised’ tour of Lviv – loving the sunshine!

  • Something Interesting – This is such a wacky and interesting place! Enjoy looking around the courtyard while you sip on your flat white. The interior of their cafe is equally as sweet and right next door, there’s a shop with handmade jewellery and handicrafts.Β Something Interesting – Facebook
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Something Interesting – What a place to sit and have coffee!

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Very charming decor – loved it.

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With a lot of fresh, natural light pouring in too.

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Nadja is happy because the first place we found has flat-whites!

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Such a cool location.

  • Alternative Coffee – This is a really cool spot and quite a gem. The guy who runs it is half Lithuanian and half Ukrainian and he was very friendly with plenty of coffee know-how. He gave me lots of tips for other locations in Lviv. His English was perfect too. You can find this spot about a 5-10 minute walk outside of the old town. It’s in an old hut next to a tram station.Β Alternative Coffee – Facebook
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Alternative Coffee – a MUST when in Lviv.

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Lovely decor here too.

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Nadja ordering a cold brew.

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Well I can’t lie – I’m always trying to network. Studying my business card quizzically πŸ™‚ Shortly after this photo he told me my card was cool.

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Alternative Coffee – a real gem.

  • Lviv Candles Manufactory – I believe these guys specialise mainly in candle production but we were taken here on a private coffee tour of Lviv and were told their brew is famous because they mix coffee with wine. We bought a glass and gave it a try – it was interesting and I’m glad we did!Β Lviv Candles Manufactory – Facebook
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Definitely come here to try their blend of coffee mixed with wine!

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It’s not something I’d drink all the time but it was an interesting taste nonetheless.

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I liked their interior here too.

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Ukrainians, you certainly do have a cool sense of style!

  • Black Honey – A brand new cafeΒ with incredible Scandinavian flair. (The most modern looking cafe I found on the trip.) The manager is lovely and said a local Ukrainian interior designer did the fit out. It’s overall a really beautiful space and wasn’t yet to be found on any coffee blogs I read so make sure you hurry up and visit before it becomes too busy!Β Black Honey – Lviv
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I adored this place – it was so stylish.

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Loved their simplistic design.

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Super chilled place to sit and have a flat-white.

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And just down the road from Alternative Coffee so you can go cafe-hopping!

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Mmmm yum – another one of those please!

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Lviv just has such gorgeous architecture and buildings.

  • Svit Kavy – Don’t worry aboutΒ their food, just stick to their smoothies and flat whites. To die for! Even though this place is relatively high on TripAdvisor (which is often not a good sign in terms of being overrun with tourists), I found their coffee to taste great. So good that I ordered two!Β Svit Kavy – Website
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The classic Viennese style cafe.

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Very sweet interior.

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And great coffees here too.

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I thought these lights were gorgeous and really suited the style of the place.

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Yummy – don’t miss this place for a nice strong cup of coffee and great smoothies!

Lviv Coffee Mining Manufacture –Β Well you can’t visit Lviv without stopping here for a private coffee tour. We met with Svetlana, a lovely local with astounding English skills who began our private coffee tour at this establishment. Above ground is a gift store and cafe which also sells beans. But below ground is where the action happens. Put on your miner’s hat and go down to experience a flaming coffee. It’s espresso with pepper, cinnamon and brandy. Then with a blowtorch, the barista will light your drink on fire. What a lovely smokey flavour! A must do, even if it’s a bit gimmicky.Β Lviv Coffee Manufacture – Website

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The front of the shop.

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Downstairs into the dark ‘mine’, you’ll be treated to a flaming coffee.

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This picture doesn’t do it justice! Your entire table will be on flames! #healthandsafety??

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Finish your tour by getting a gorgeous olive oil and leftover coffee grind hand massage. My hands felt soft for days. Glorious.

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11 Comments

  • Reply
    Dmytro
    July 6, 2016 at 10:36 pm

    Hi, there! Congratulation! It’s a beautiful post about the best Lviv’s coffee! I’m administrator of FB page about Lviv: http://www.facebook.com/lvivukr and http://www.prolviv.com Our web resources collecting information about our city. We want to publish Your article in our resources. Is there a way to do this?
    Sincerely

    • Reply
      kaptainkennytravel
      July 7, 2016 at 4:32 am

      Hi Dmytro – thank you so much for your comment and of course I’d be delighted for you to share it! What do you need from me? You could copy and paste the photos and text, or if you prefer, I can copy and paste into a word document and email to you? Let me know what works, Phoebe

  • Reply
    Serge
    July 7, 2016 at 1:18 pm

    hello Phoebe!
    nice review! thank you!

    btw, guys from Alternativna Kava on their Facebook page say that you have a present waiting – a bottle of a nice cold-brew coffee. πŸ™‚ so…. don’t forget to visit them next time you’re there!

    • Reply
      kaptainkennytravel
      July 7, 2016 at 1:27 pm

      Hey Serge!

      Thanks so much – yeah I know, lucky me πŸ™‚ I’m following them on Facebook and I did see that. Are you from a coffee shop in Lviv too? Or just a fellow coffee lover? πŸ™‚ Phoebe

      • Serge
        July 7, 2016 at 1:30 pm

        I’m learning this ‘kung-fu’ at home – I’m already good enough in making ‘pour-over’ coffee. πŸ™‚

        but I’m also a frequent visitor of several ‘good coffee’ places in Lviv. And over time I also became friends with guys from Alternative Coffee (how couldn’t you if they are so friendly :))

        ok, enjoy your trips! I’ve subscribed to your new materials on the website!

      • kaptainkennytravel
        July 7, 2016 at 1:34 pm

        Oh that’s epic!! Well keep an eye on my site – when I get some more time I’ll be writing two more Lviv posts – “Walking tour of Lviv” and something about where to eat and drink πŸ™‚ Appreciate your support, I really do. A lot of work goes into the blog so getting comments like yours really makes my day!

  • Reply
    Where to eat, shop and drink in Lviv, Ukraine – kaptain kenny travel
    July 8, 2016 at 11:14 am

    […] who have been following my Lviv journey, you’ll know that my previous post was all about the incredible cafes in Lviv. This time, I’d like to share some lovely moments I had in Lviv when shopping & eating […]

  • Reply
    Makayla
    July 9, 2016 at 12:17 pm

    Wow a Coffee tour, I never done that, sounds really great. Early this year, I visited Lviv in one of my colleague marriage, I visited with my family. Lviv architecture is something different and colorful, attracts allot. We saw Lviv opera house and high castle park, both were amazing. My daughter Mia loved the Lviv’s Chocolate factory, TBH I never saw such a great variety of chocolates, if you get some time in next visit, check that out, basically it’s a cafΓ© so you can also grab coffee. Thinking to buy an 4 cup machine, do you have any suggestion.

    Your friend Nadja has lovely smile πŸ™‚

    • Reply
      kaptainkennytravel
      July 12, 2016 at 5:26 pm

      Hey Makayla,

      Thanks for your lovely comment! I definitely thought Lviv was a really special city. Although I haven’t seen anything else of the Ukraine, I’m 100% sure that Lviv in unique in its architecture πŸ™‚ Keep an eye on my post because I’ve got a normal Lviv post coming with photos of the streets and buildings.

      I bought some Lviv chocolate and coffee beans back for my parents in law and they loved them! It was a lovely gift and not too expensive at all.

      In terms of coffee machines, I actually have a boring Nespresso (or ‘Fauxspresso’ as I like to call it) at home. I always buy my coffees at cafes during the day. I work from home so it’s a good excuse to get out and have some fresh air πŸ™‚

      Cheers,
      Phoebe

  • Reply
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    October 15, 2016 at 1:41 pm

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