Trips with the Aroma of Coffee
Travel is no longer just about natural beauty, castles, lookout towers or historic monuments. More and more people are also setting out in search of flavours, atmosphere and places with stories of their own. And a truly good cup of coffee is becoming reason enough to plan a trip. With the help of the prestigious Gault&Millau guide and tried-and-tested recommendations from Lukáš Hejlík’s Gastromapa, we have selected destinations that can easily be combined with a visit to cafés where caffeine is served with passion and first-class service.
Urbane Kaffeekultur unterhalb des Ještěd
Wenn es um Kaffee geht, denken viele zuerst an Liberec. Und das zu Recht. Unterhalb des Ještěd finden Sie gleich mehrere Betriebe, die die Kaffeekultur der Region entscheidend mitgeprägt haben. Besonders hervorzuheben ist das DOK, das einen ehemaligen, ungenutzten Bahndepotbereich auf beeindruckende Weise in einen lebendigen Ort verwandelt hat. Unter einem Dach befinden sich hier eine Kaffeerösterei, ein Bistro und eine Bäckerei. Dass das Konzept überzeugt, zeigt auch die Auszeichnung als POP des Jahres 2026 im renommierten Gastronomieführer Gault&Millau.
Liberec’s coffee trail continues at Mikyna and the top-class barista café Jedno kafe. For a peaceful retreat, visit its second branch, Jedno v Paláci, tucked away in the beautiful garden of Liebieg Palace. And should you be looking for something more substantial to enjoy with your coffee, Bistro Široká is another place not to be missed.
The aroma of speciality coffee extends from Liberec to Jablonec nad Nisou. While walking around the Mšeno Reservoir, make time for a stop at Kafe ve Mšeně or head a little further to the naKafi café.
Coffee in Bohemian Paradise? No problem!
After a walk along the Rieger Trail, with its unique walkways suspended directly above the river, you will have earned a proper rest. You will find it at Klid café, whose name – meaning “peace” – truly lives up to its promise. This oasis in the centre of Semily serves excellent coffee and homemade desserts. Another ideal stop is Kafe na Klepanci near Lomnice nad Popelkou. The former coaching inn has been transformed from a crumbling ruin into a place with a unique atmosphere and sensitively restored architecture. Just bear in mind that coffee is served here at weekends only.
Coffee Stops Surrounded by Mountains
On the border between the Jizera Mountains and the Krkonoše Mountains, the mountain village of Příchovice is certainly worth your attention – and not only because of the Štěpánka Lookout Tower. Visit Kafe Veranda, part of the popular U Čápa complex. Here, you can enjoy speciality coffee on a sunny veranda overlooking the Church of St Vitus and the Járy Cimrman Lighthouse.
Another tip in the Krkonoše Mountains is the village of Poniklá. The local café and shop Nad Věcí combines modern coffee culture with a carefully selected range of authentic local products. A visit can easily be paired with a tour of the family-run Rautis company, a globally unique producer of handmade glass bead decorations, a craft inscribed on the UNESCO list.
Food Stories with Lukáš Hejlík
On your way to the ridges of the Krkonoše Mountains, make sure to stop in Jilemnice. The local DOKOLA kafe is the perfect place for a slow morning, where you can enjoy a perfectly prepared espresso accompanied by freshly baked homemade pastries. Lukáš Hejlík – a Czech actor, food enthusiast and creator of the popular Gastromapa restaurant guide – will also show you why this café deserves a place on every food lover’s map in his YouTube video series.
We will continue following Lukáš Hejlík’s recommendations in the Lusatian Mountains. While in Nový Bor, admire the unique Glass House created by the Lasvit company, which can be visited every Friday as part of a guided tour, and then head to La Vita restaurant. It is another place that has caught Lukáš’s attention.
