Close to Zagreb’s pretty Zrinjevac park, Marelica Art Latte is a new venture providing something a little different from what you might expect from the average cafe in the capital. Croatia’s coffee culture is a core part of the day-to-day experience – locals sit for hours chatting while a serious business meeting might be taking place at the next table. But in most cases, these locales aren’t the place to go for a midday meal, and if you’re after quality tea, you’d best look elsewhere.
Marelica Art Latte bridges the gap. It’s a cafe with a head chef, with books and potted plants on each table, and a black-and-white chequerboard floor tiling that brings to mind somewhere casual and inviting.
As well as the careful decor – note the charming wall-mounted lamps, light pastel-coloured kitchenware and nature scene tastefully adorning the walls – it’s the menu that impresses most. In order to stand out in the city renowned for its coffee, their artisanal blends come from Guatemala, Ethiopia, Colombia, Indonesia, Brazil and Mexico, while their organic tea list has an equally impressive global reach, hailing from key Asian points of provenance such as China, South Korea, India and Japan. There is care for the preparation, too, not just the origin, with attention paid to precise timekeeping for each cup.
Those looking for a bite can enjoy high-quality eggs Benedict or an avocado toast breakfast. For the sweeter tooth, an offering of tiramisu or an apricot tart are particularly enticing.
A full menu, alongside an option to reserve for a romantic midday date, are available on the website.
Marelica Art Latte, Petrinjska 47. Open Tue-Thur 9am-9pm; Fri-Sat 9am-10pm; Sun 9am-6pm.