Spring term is in full swing; classes, homework, and exams are starting to weigh on you, and it seems like we could all do with a little pick-me-up. And what could be better than a cup of delicious coffee? Surely one of these suggested cafés near the Faculty of Social Studies and the Faculty of Arts will do the trick!
Coffee machines
Let’s start with the closest option, the coffee machines in the building. The black one is easy to find just opposite the cafeteria, ready to serve you the caffeinated (or not, as hot chocolate is also on the menu) drink of your choice at a very reasonable price ranging from CZK 12 to CZK 30. To make it easier to compare prices, I will give you the price of a cappuccino in each of the places we visit – here it is CZK 18.
If you’re feeling a bit fancier, you might want to venture up to the 5th floor of the building, where a self-service café awaits you (just turn left when you get off the lift; you can’t miss it as there’s usually a queue). There you can get a coffee (and hot chocolate) for CZK 45-55 (cappuccino CZK 55). There is also an espresso machine. You can add cinnamon, sugar or one of the syrup flavours to enhance your coffee experience. You are your own barista, so the coffee can be just the way you like it best!
Café Dezert
Returning to the first floor, just a bit further into the cafeteria, is where Café Dezert is located. This café offers a variety of options for both drinks and meals, including vegan-friendly options. You can choose from salads, pasta, pastries, sandwiches and more, all without having to leave the building. Prices for standard coffees range from CZK 48 to CZK 78 (with a CZK 10 surcharge for plant-based milk); a cappuccino costs CZK 58/68. Whether you want to take your coffee with you to class, sit at one of the available tables, or choose to sit on the stairway benches, you’ll find this café a comfortable and convenient place to enjoy a quick snack or a meal.
Kofi Kofi
Now it's time to venture out of the building. But not to worry: the spots are close enough that you can get your drink even during a break, just a short spring walk away.
One thing you can’t miss in Brno are the Kofi Kofi stands. One is located right next to the tram station on Česká Street and is the perfect place to grab a coffee before school or between classes. A barista will freshly prepare your coffee. They have a wide range of drinks, syrups, plant-based milks and coffee blends for you to try. Prices range from CZK 57 to CZK 89 (a cappuccino costs CZK 69).
Café Podnebí
One of the most popular cafés – Podnebí – is conveniently located next to Špilberk Park, only a 4-minute walk from the faculty. It is an excellent place to enjoy a coffee during a lecture or perhaps on one of the park benches, or you can drink it while sitting inside or in the garden.
At Podnebí you can enjoy a variety of drinks, including classic espresso-based ones (a cappuccino costs CZK 69), and non-alcoholic options such as homemade lemonade and teas, as well as alcoholic drinks. In addition to its coffee selection, Podnebí offers a wide range of food and sweet options if you’re feeling a bit peckish on top of your caffeine fix.
Café Mezzanine
Just a stone’s throw from the Faculty is another of our options. It’s a bit more modern, but just as cosy as Podnebí’s rustic interior. Mezzanine serves mostly sweet treats, but also breakfast until 12 noon (again, with some vegan options!), which goes well with their 100% Arabica coffee blend, roasted locally. Here you can enjoy your cappuccino for the price of CZK 68.
What makes Mezzanine an even better place to visit are their events, which you can find out more about on their Facebook page.
Café Falk
If you happen to study at the Faculty of Arts, Café Falk is the perfect place to have a coffee on the way from the Faculty of Social Studies. It is located in a rather inconspicuous building on the corner of Jaselská and Gorkého streets, but it is what is inside that counts.
Upon entering, you will be greeted by the unique atmosphere of the place – an eclectic mix of vintage furniture, books, artwork and various other decorative elements that add to its charm. Here you can enjoy your cappuccino for CZK 55 or opt for other interesting drinks such as their matcha or rooibos with honey and milk. Of course, all these things go well with some sweet or savoury options from their menu.
Art Cafe Prostor
If you are in the mood for a longer walk or want to sit down and work, make Art Cafe Prostor your destination: modern, well-lit, full of greenery, with an excellent selection of drinks and food.
A cappuccino costs 64 CZK (with a 12 CZK surcharge for plant-based milk). They serve a wide range of drinks, including traditional coffee options, as well as more unique once such as Viennese or Irish coffee. They also offer a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks (teas, lemonades, smoothies).
When it comes to food, there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re in the mood for a dinner option like pasta, a snack like waffles (even vegan!) or you’ve got a sweet tooth, you'll find something to suit you.
Little Italy
This can also be on the way, but is perfect on foot from the Grohova bus stop. Little Italy – AM COFFEE, PM WINE: as the slogan suggests, this is exactly what you can get here, plus some extra Italian food treats. Not really a café to sit at, as there is only one table, but perfect for ordering to go. A cup of strong Italian cappuccino will set you back just CZK 50.
DOPOODPO
Small, charming, sunny and 3 minutes from the Faculty of Arts – that's DOPOODPO. This intimate café offers its cappuccino in a beautiful blue cup for CZK 70 (oat milk and syrup for an additional CZK 20), but their strong blend is sure to wake you up! As the days are getting warmer, you can also choose from the seasonal menu, which includes iced coffees, teas and lemonades. With your drink of choice, you can also enjoy a dessert that happens to be on offer that day, such as their warm, rich brownie.
KaFFe
Of course, the KaFFe could not be forgotten. This spacious place with a clever pun in its name is located in the reading room of the Faculty of Arts (FF MU – get it?).
Whether you need something to take with you to class, such as a cappuccino (for CZK 65), or a drink to sip on while you study, the café’s signature KaFFe latte is the perfect size to sit for a long time. There is no doubt that this is the most convenient place for Faculty of Art students (apart from the coffee machines placed all over the building).
Coffee is not the only thing you need to keep you going, however, and KaFFe knows this, as they also offer food – some healthy and some sweet.
Hopefully one of these places will become your new coffee spot, or at least you’ll know where to go when you need a pick-me-up!
