Booksa Zagreb
Book club/cafe with a homey vibe
For a long time Booksa was one of the very few places I really enjoyed going to for coffee, because it used to be one of the few cosy and smoke-free places in town. Times are changing, and in recent years lot of new cafes with a "living room“ feeling opened, and even the rights of non-smokers started to become recognized by an increasing number of cafes, but Booksa is really "an institution“, a very relaxed and unpretentious place with a diverse cultural program.
Officially, it's a book club led by the cultural association called Kulturtreger, organizing literary evenings, conversations with authors, promotions of books etc., but you can also stumble upon an acoustic concert (one of Booksa's programs is promoting young singer-songwriters, usually on Thursdays) or a travelogue lecture – anyone can propose to hold a presentation about their trip, and these presentations are usually very popular -- every corner of Booksa gets crammed with curious listeners.
The name of the place is a pun – the "book" part is obvious, while "buksa“ means prison in Croatian slang.
The bar serves both warm and cold drinks and usually they also offer some interesting homemade drink – in summer it could be a natural juice, and in winter a tea. It's a place where you can come alone and enjoy a diverse selection of books, literary magazines and various cultural newspapers (some are in foreign languages). Here you can also find useful brochures about Zagreb and its cultural events.
About this spot
Explore cities like a local with Spotted by Locals - discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our Zagreb guide.
Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:
Discover all other hidden gems in Zagreb
Vrapčak Promenade – Nature cuts into concrete
The "Vrapčak Promenade" is one of my favorite places in Zagerb to take a break from work, escape from the noise and the ever-spreading city landscape...
By
Nina
Lalić
Kino Tuškanac – A celebration of the art of cinema
"Kino Tuškanac" is a cinephile's cinema in Zagreb. It's got unpretentious looks, but don't let that fool you -- the program is great. No popcorn allowed!
By
Tamara
Lipnjak
Galerija Link – A paradise for design fans
"Galerija Link" in Zagreb is a design-oriented souvenir shop that has such great decorative and useful items, I often come here to shop for myself, too!
By
Mirna
Marić
Maksimir Stairs – A stairway to heaven
"The Maksimir stairs" in Zagreb are located in the biggest park of Southeast Europe - a great place to go on an extensive jog or for a breath of fresh air...
By
Hrvoje
Brigljević
Botanical Garden – Meet the diverse Croatian flora
"Botanical Garden" in Zagreb may not sound like the most exciting proposition, but I love coming here for the events and the quiet from the city noise...
By
Mirna
Marić
Ribice i Tri Točkice – Tasty fish, joyful ambience
Ribice i Tri Točkice Zagreb makes some of the best value-for-money seafood in the city. It's my first choice to eat fish, and I love the joyous ambience.
By
Mirna
Marić
Museum of Contemporary Art – Long-awaited showpiece
Zagreb's Museum of Contemporary Art took many years to be completed, but it's well worth it. I come here to rediscover classics or catch cultural events.
By
Mirna
Marić
Petras Atelier – Offbeat jewelry and other goodies
Petras Atelier in central Zagreb is based on the artworks by a creative mother-daughter duo. I come here for original gifts though, I like just browsing!
By
Mirna
Marić
Kavana Lav – Soak in the charm of Upper town
Kavana Lav Zagreb is situated in a former palace and still has a gallery. Almost never crowded, together with its balcony it's peaceful & quiet...
By
Mirna
Marić
Wirtshaus – Hearty Meals at the Foothill of Sljeme
The food is delicious - from hearty seasonal soups and crispy fried potatoes to their staple Wiener Tafelspitz, everything is fresh and very tasty.
By
Nina
Lalić
Breadclub – Cruffins from heaven
Breadclub is an artisanal bakery in Zagreb. It sounds like an exaggeration, but believe me, everything is delicious here - it's always hard to choose...
By
Mirna
Marić
Program Bar – For coffee and design lovers
Program Bar in Zagreb has superb coffee and some offbeat decoration. This cafe has become one of my favorites for long, relaxing sessions with friends...
By