Imagine for a moment the perfect clash of tastes: the flakiest of buttery croissants with the right bitterness of scalding American coffee. Served with a fresh glass of water, and a recycled paper napkin bearing the logo of one of my favorite hangout spots in Prishtina for over a year now: La Tarté. I discovered the place when I changed my daily routine, and was immediately hooked on its vibe, great service, and tasty dishes.

The location is perfect. It is in one of the most central areas of Prishtina, which during the day bustles with the vibrant energy of young professionals working in the offices that occupy plenty of spaces there, whereas in the evening, it transforms into a serene residential dimension for people living in that newly built urban block in Kosovo’s capital. La Tarté is on the ground floor of a residential building, one of the several cool bars on each side of it. In the summertime, a charming terrace under the shade of trees provides a cozy place to sit and breathe; in winter, the stylish and warm interior lures customers in with its mélange of coffee and pastry smells.

La Tarté is also the perfect spot for a quick lunch break with friends and colleagues – I love their Pasta di Roma, cooked to perfect al dente; the superfood salad; spinach omelet, and homemade soup. I usually leave the place with a loaf of sourdough bread to take home. Making life joyful.