The recently opened MON NOM  is way too cool to pass up. Against all odds, the café was opened in the rather calm Traktarahorad neighbourhood in Minsk.

You might feel like you’ve entered an antique shop and it’s quite likely that you’ll leave inspired. I’m sure I looked like a tourist the first time I stepped inside MON NOM. The new owners kept and restored the plaster molding (Neptune and the melusines) they inherited from “Water world” store and it complements the historic charm of the building dating back to 1948.

Opening at 8am (even on weekends) seriously sets MON NOM apart from most cafes in town with a breakfast menu (which generally open their doors around 10am) and makes it a perfect place to embark on a day filled with exploring. If you are in Traktarahorad for a walk, you’ll notice that there are no decent options in the district.

MON NOM hosts art workshops, cinema screenings, concerts and poetry evenings on a regular basis – stay tuned for the upcoming events if you like to spend time with a purpose. The café-bar shares the open space with the wedding salon Bonjour, so don’t be surprised by the announcements while relaxing with a cup of coffee.