Locking down doesn’t mean locking out those little pleasures that make life better. Where some cafes have responded to the coronavirus pandemic by shutting shop, a smaller number have resisted, opting instead to explore new channels in a bid to salvage something from the crisis. In this respect, Cophi lead the line by not just offering a takeaway service but also vouchers for brighter times as well as deliveries of coffee equipment and beans. Featuring a range of so-called ‘Stay At Home’ sets, these kits come not just with bags of specialty coffee plus the requisite cups and filters, but also a 20-minute crash course with the head barista, Łukasz Gałęcki. Conducted face-to-face via Skype, it’s a unique chance to learn from the best without changing from a vest! Cophi Street Hoża 58/60, cophi.pl
Biała
street Francuska 2
A pristine dove-colored interwar villa plays home to Biała, a venue whose signature piece is an outdoor spiral staircase leading to an attractive back garden – off-limits for the duration of the shutdown, make do instead with coffee to go from their Nuova Simonelli machine.
Fabryczna
street Fabryczna 28/30
Seemingly vital to the everyday social dynamics of Powiśle, Fabryczna have faced up to the current events by opening a street side ‘hatch of life’ through which they’ll pass everything on their menu. Operating between 8 am and 5 pm, swing by for homemade banana bread, fruit smoothies and the best specialty coffee in the immediate locality.
Fat White
ul. Andersa 6
Upping Andersa’s cool factor to impossible heights, Fat White have chosen to take their show on the road. Zap them on Facebook, Insta or via coffeeandsons.pl and co-owner Piotr will set out on his wife’s bike to deliver coffee wherever you are in the city. “We might have to change our name to Fit White,” he jokes. Contactless delivery and pre-ground beans are an added plus.
Forum
ul. Elektoralna 11
As it stands Forum are open through the week from 10 am till 10.30 am and 5 pm to 5.30 pm as well as on weekends from 10 am till 2 pm Selling beans, contraptions and coffee to go, you’re in safe hands here – co-owner Sławek is Poland’s reigning Brewers Cup champion.
Hałas Vinyl + Coffee
ul. Jagiellońska 30
A legend on the left bank, Hałas have earned a stellar by combining twin duties as a vinyl record store and specialty coffee stop. Served through a barred window (hey, welcome to Praga!), Pay by card and receive in return coffee sourced from London-based roasters Dark Arts Coffee.
Jaskółka
Square Wilsona 4
Brilliant vegan lunch deals brought to your door aren’t the only attraction of Jaskółka. Each day from 12 onwards make a beeline here for coffee and the best bagel in the north of the city. Pl. Wilson wouldn’t be the same without the presence of Jaskółka.
Café Kawałek
ul. Łucka 18
Supporting local means getting behind guys like Armand at Kawałek. Prior to coronavirus (blimey, that feels a lifetime ago), the chief attraction was a handmade nitro machine, now, it’s a same-day, contactless service that sees beans delivered to your door from the likes of Coffee Pirates Vienna and Girls Who Grind coffee. Add in PLN 11 for the delivery cost.
Relaks
street Puławska 48
Operating from 9 am to 3 pm this café has attained a near mythical status in Warsaw for its retro style, vintage poster art and kick ass coffee. One of the oldest specialty coffee joints in Poland, you can also support them in their hour of need by buying vouchers for future use at: lunchnext.com/relaks.
Relax On Wilcza
ul. Wilcza 17
It didn’t take long for Relax Na Wilcza to earn a golden reputation, and now you can do them a favor in return by snapping up 250 gram packs of coffee from roasters such as Coffeelab, Shokunin and Rusty Nails Coffee Roasters. Delivered to your door and discounted by 10% (15% if buying three bags or more), they’ll even grind the beans prior according to your preference.
Stor
street Tamka 33
For many, Stor represents the very pinnacle of the city’s coffee scene. A flagbearer for everything right, they’re open for takeout coffee passed through the doorway. Facing liquidity issues, give them a boost by buying vouchers ranging from PLN. 50 is PLN. 500. If the city loses Stor, then we might as well all give up now.
