Kavana Lav Zagreb

Soak in the charm of Upper town

Mirna from Zagreb

About me I'm a freelance translator, journalist and photographer with a passion for travelling. I'm very much into arts and culture, and my very special passion is music. I've been living in Zagreb since 2000 when I came here to study Comparative Literature and English Studies, and I fell in love with this city. From my own travels, I know how precious it is to meet locals and g...
"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..."

Kavana Lav definitely looks too fancy for a list of ''hipster'' and ''alternative'' cafes, but if you are open to good old-school elegance, you shouldn't miss this beautiful cafe on Upper town, just a few steps away from the Stone Gate, a popular touristic sight.

Kavana Lav, until recently called Galerija Lav and among locals still known under that name, is situated in a former palace, and its highlight is a remarkable balcony with a lion sculpture (hence the name, because Lav means lion in Croatian). It's not only a cafe, but also a gallery showcasing artworks of eminent contemporary Croatian artists, with a good measure and taste so that the space never feels too cluttered. It’s an interesting mix of classical, elegant furniture and modern, often intriguing art pieces.

It is almost never crowded, so I always recommend it to people who need a peaceful ambience for working or for an intimate conversation. The coffee, tea and wines are all top quality here, but the best treat is the cakes – always fresh, tasty and made of healthy ingredients. The balcony is small compared to the entire space, but for me, it’s always worth trying to catch one of the few tables there and sip coffee by the lion while enjoying a scenic view to the oldest pharmacy in Zagreb, The Black Eagle Pharmacy, or K Crnom Orlu (where Dante’s great-grandson Nicolo Alighieri worked), and to the cobbled street with arcades leading up toward St. Mark Square.

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Zagreb Spotter Mirna

About me I'm a freelance translator, journalist and photographer with a passion for travelling. I'm very much into arts and culture, and my very special passion is music. I've been living in Zagreb since 2000 when I came here to study Comparative Literature and English Studies, and I fell in love with this city. From my own travels, I know how precious it is to meet locals and get insider tips from them; it's one of the most wonderful aspects of travelling. And so I equally enjoy being on the ''other side'', i.e. sharing the special places in my own city with other traveller...

About this spot

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Oct 25, 2025

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