Good coffee can mean a ten-minute stop or a meeting that takes up half the morning. These five names have helped shape speciality coffee in Bucharest, each with its own approach. Choose according to the coffee you want to try and how much time you would like to spend there.
1. Origo
At Origo, at 9 Lipscani, a conversation at the counter can begin with a question about the day’s coffee. The roastery and its selection of origins make it interesting for anyone curious about why two espressos can taste so different. Say whether you prefer chocolate notes, fruitier flavours or less acidity, and ask for a recommendation.
For an initial comparison, try the same coffee black and with milk. You will notice more easily which flavours remain and which become softer. If you enjoy it, take beans from the same selection home and ask how best to prepare them with your equipment. Origo is a good choice when curiosity about coffee is part of the visit.
2. BOB Coffee Lab
BOB Coffee Lab began in a former garage in an interwar building at Piața Charles de Gaulle, making speciality coffee easy to combine with a walk in Herăstrău. The brand also has its own roastery, and its range of origins and brewing methods rewards comparison. You do not need a taster’s vocabulary: simply explain what you usually enjoy.
Try filter coffee when you have time to drink slowly. Flavours develop as the cup cools, making differences between origins easier to follow. There are several branches, so you can choose a stop near the park or a visit to the roasting space. Check the opening hours and format of your chosen location before setting off.
3. Steam Coffee Shop
Steam works well as a coffee stop within a day around town. Its locations near Charles de Gaulle and Parcul Circului can be the starting point for a walk, while Tudor Arghezi offers a central address. The spaces differ, so choose a branch according to how long you want to stay.
An espresso or a milk-based coffee is enough for a first visit. Ask which beans are being used and what alternatives are available if you want to compare flavours, rather than ordering exactly the same drink everywhere. Steam suits a straightforward coffee stop that fits a route you already have planned through the neighbourhood.
4. Beans & Dots
Beans & Dots works with coffee from Berlin’s The Barn, also offering beans to take home. That provides a particular reason to visit if you want to try another roaster and compare espresso and filter selections. Discuss origins and preparation at the counter in as much detail as interests you.
The location associated with the Museum of Recent Art lets you combine coffee with an exhibition, while other branches have their own atmosphere. Check the current address and opening hours when planning your route. If you enjoy your choice, a bag of beans extends the experience at home; ask for the right grind for your equipment if you do not have a grinder.
5. M60
M60, at 2 Strada Mendeleev near Piața Romană, brings together coffee, Scandinavian design and a space where you can sit at a table. It suits a daytime meeting, with room for conversation and something to eat depending on the selection. Its light and central position make it easy to include on a walk between Romană and Calea Victoriei.
Current hours are daytime only, until 6pm, so plan for morning or afternoon. Begin with a coffee and decide whether to stay longer. If you bring a laptop, take account of how busy the café is and its house rules, particularly when tables are in demand. M60 is for people who want their café stop to include time to sit and enjoy it.
