Before heading to Katowice, I had heard mixed reviews of the city. Many people had told me that there was not a great deal to do there and that it was a dull, ugly city filled with dated, brutalist architecture and a skyline marred by hastily erected skyscrapers. This is only amplified by the city’s proximity to the picture-perfect tourist hub of nearby Krakow, which, while close in distance, seems to be miles away in terms of cafe culture.
What I found is that this is not entirely true. Katowice is a vibrant and lively city and the variety of options for specialty coffee have come a long way in recent years as Katowice has modernised.
In many of the cafes, inspiration has been taken directly from Krakow’s scene, in the sense that venues are mid-way between a bar and a coffee shop, serving drinks late into the night under the glow of candlelight, or classic cafes that serve their coffees alongside a selection of cakes and baked goods.
That isn’t to say that Katowice doesn’t have its own original and interesting places to sit with friends and enjoy a good coffee, an evening glass of wine, or a spot for an indulgent lunch. Whether you are looking for somewhere to read a book over a good brew, have breakfast with friends, or settle down to get some work done, the cafes of Katowice have something to offer.
The Best Cafes in Katowice
While this is a list of my favourite cafes in Katowice, my main concern was finding places that serve fantastic specialty coffee. However, on my mission to find a well-brewed cup, I found that so many of these spots had a lot more to offer, whether that is a delicious selection of baked goods, a great breakfast selection, or even a cultural connection. Here are the best coffee spots in Katowice:
Black Woolf Coffee & Books
Black Woolf is the first coffee spot I came across in Katowice, situated as it is on the main drag, only a short walk from the central bus station. I needed a quick caffeine fix and was instantly drawn in by the sparse and minimalist interior accented with verdant foliage, neon signs, and colourful art hung on the walls.
It isn’t just the bright pink espresso machine and energetic splashes of colour that provide a stimulating effect, the coffee here is great too.
The best thing about Black Woolf is that alongside providing a caffeine hit, it’s also a cultural hotspot. There are bookshelves packed with books and magazines, many of which are in English, allowing you to peruse some literature while you sip your drink. The cafe also hosts events, exhibitions, and Q&A sessions with authors, making this a great social hub rather than just a spot to pick up your morning beverage.
Where: 3 Maja 25
When: Monday to Friday 8am – 8pm; Sat & Sun 9am – 8pm
Synergia
The third-wave coffee movement may have been around for decades now, despite being a little slow to reach some parts of central Europe, but if anywhere in Katowice epitomises this sharp focus coffee shop culture and speciality coffee, it’s Synergia. They have two stores in the city: one on Andrzeja and a newer venue on ul. Opolska 18.
Both have all the hallmarks of a typical speciality coffee spot; a rustic industrial interior, an array of brewing gadgets, and shelves displaying beans from different local roasteries. Relax and take your pick from espresso, Chemex, Drip, Aeropress, or batch coffee while browsing their menu of sweet treats and savoury lunch options.
I stopped into the Synergia on Andrzeja the older of the two branches, and found it back with people enjoying a hearty brunch alongside their coffee on a bright Sunday morning. There’s a relaxed atmosphere here and their tempting breakfast dishes – with vegan and gluten-free options available – are some of the best in town.
I sampled both a fairly traditional plate of beef sausages, eggs, mushrooms and greens along with another dish of doughnut-like ‘crumpets’ with mounds of fresh fruit, all covered in a sweet berry sauce. Both were sublime.
Where: Andrzeja 29/2
When: Mon to Fri 8am – 6pm; Sat & Sun 9am – 6pm
Proper Coffee
Like the same suggests, and similar to the Synergia, the guys at Proper Coffee take their beans seriously. This small cafe on Staromiejska offers a choice of origins, roasted themselves at their own roastery, brewed any which you would like it. They also have stores in Bielsko-Biała, Czechowice, and Tychy.
Where: Staromiejska 14
When: Mon to Thurs 9am – 6pm; Fri 9am – 7pm; Sat & Sun 10am – 8pm
3 Sisters Bagel and Coffee
The fact that 3 Siostry gives both bagels and coffee equal billing in the name of their cafe shows that they are serious about both, which makes sense as this duo is the perfect pair for breakfast or lunch.
This trendy cafe serves up a vast selection of different Montreal-style bagels, which are a little thicker and sweeter than the typical New York variety. I opted for the cafe’s staple, ‘Sister with an egg’, the classic egg and bacon with tartare sauce but could easily have been tempted by anything else on the menu; panko covered mushrooms with blue cheese and leek sauce, salmon and cream cheese, chicken caesar, or the ‘sister on vacation’ which contains an alluring mix of basil pesto, parma ham, tomato, rocket, mozzarella, olives, and baked pear.
Alongside the bagels, you will also find breakfast staples such as oatmeal, omelettes, a Polish breakfast and a croque madame. All of this is served with fantastic coffee, brewed in pretty much any way you can imagine.
Where: Świętego Stanisława 8
When: Mon to Thurs 8.30am – 6pm; Fri 8.30am – 8pm; Sat & Sun 9am – 8pm
Serwis Cafe & Pub
While a few of the cafes on this list serve a smattering of craft beers amongst their menu of caffeinated drinks, Serwis Cafe & Pub is the only one that appears to give both types of drink equal billing.
Although the idea of offering both coffee and beer on the same premises is certainly not a unique one, the theme of Serwis definitely is. You will find cycling photos and bike parts littering the walls, with an entire road bike hanging above the bar. Owners Marek and Maciej are ardent cycling enthusiasts and this is not only a space to drink and sample their menu of Neapolitan-style pizza, but you can also repair your bike at the same time.
As well as repairing damaged equipment or checking its condition prior to the start of the cycling season, the cafe also has its own cycling team which meets every Thursday thanks to an initiative from the specialist magazine ETHN.
However, even if cycling isn’t your thing, it’s worth stopping by. Alongside pizzas, Serwis serves breakfast, sandwiches and panzerotti, a miniature version of the classic calzone. They take their coffee seriously too; Twice a month, on a Sunday morning, they organise a coffee-tasting session where guests can also meet local roasters and get insider information about the production of their beans.
Where: Tadeusza Kościuszki 5
When: Tues to Sun 10am – 11pm; Mon 10am – 9pm
Kafej
Located on the busy junction of Chorzowska and Korfantego, Kafej feels like a calm, pastel-hued oasis, providing a relaxing and casual atmosphere away from the hustle and bustle of Katowice’s town centre.
It’s one of the city’s best brunch spots with a menu of freshly baked bagels, omelets, muesli, pancakes, and burritos which can all be enjoyed on their patio during the warmer months.
Where: Chorzowska 5
When: Daily 8.30am – 7.30pm
Where to Stay in Katowice
Both Katowice and the wider Silesia region are a prime destination for business and industry as well as festivals and events, meaning that there is an abundance of business-class hotels littering the city centre. Beyond that, there are still a good amount of hostels and cheaper rental apartments available just a short distance from the main sights.
Budget
Ibis Budget Katowice Central
You always seem to know what you are getting with the Ibis Budget brand and their outpost in the centre of Katowice is no different. With each room boasting a flatscreen satellite TV, air-conditioning and a decent bathroom, their presence in Katowice is a boon for travellers looking for something on the cheaper end of the price scale without wanting to compromise on comfort.
Mid-Range
Courtyard by Marriott
The Courtyard by Marriott Katowice City Center is difficult to miss. Occupying the top 9 floors of a modern tower block that dominates the skyline, it offers sweeping views of the region from any of its 150 rooms. The contemporary interiors are smart and elegant and all guests are free to use the fantastic cocktail bar that sits on the 27th floor of the building.
Luxury
Hotel Monopol
With almost 120 years of history, Hotel Monopol is Katowice’s most elegant and sophisticated hotel. It reopened in 2003 following a complete refurbishment but managed to retain much of its original features, such as its exquisite mosaic floor and walnut furnishes while adding a modern, industrial chic look. This iconic building features 108 guestrooms spread over 5 floors, with 2 on-site restaurants, a wine cellar and a wellness and spa area, all within walking distance to Katowice’s imposing “spaceship” arena.
How to Get to Katowice
There are regular flights from the UK to Katowice Airport, which is located 34km northeast of the city of Pyrzowice.
Buses run frequently between the airport and the city centre, departing from just outside the terminal building with a schedule and departure times that are coordinated with flight arrivals. Tickets can be bought from the driver or booked in advance here.
Taxis wait outside of arrivals and a ride to the city centre will cost you around 95-160zł. An Uber will be in the region of £20.
Pre-booking a private transfer from Katowice Airport is also a good option. The service often costs around the same price as an Uber, with the bonus that you will not need to wait for your pick-up or potentially have to traipse to a meeting point. This is particularly useful if arriving late at night, meaning you won’t have to worry about the stress of finding a taxi when tired. I usually use Get Transfer, who will arrange for a driver to meet you on arrival. They will always arrive at a specified time or check the latest flight arrival times in case of delays. Pick-up at the airport with a nameplate is also included in the service price.
From Krakow
Krakow is reasonably close to Katowice and travel between the two cities by public transport is easy. There are plenty of direct trains that depart from Krakow’s central station and the journey takes an hour.
Tickets can be purchased at the train station or in advance from the easy-to-use PKP train portal. Choose Kraków Główny for the departure station and Katowice for the arrival.
Book train tickets between Krakow and Katowice here.
If you would prefer to travel from Krakow by coach, INFOBUS runs direct services from Kraków’s Dworzec Autobusowy, to the Sądowa Dworzec in Katowice, close to the main train station. The journey takes around the same amount of time as the train trip.
Direct From Krakow Airport
For my trip to Katowice, I flew into Krakow airport and took the bus directly from there to Katowice bus station. FlixBus have a service that runs every few hours (it is more regular towards the middle of the day) and takes just one hour. Prices start at £5.99 each way.
