Košice, Slovakia’s second-largest city, has a thriving food and drink scene, with hundreds of charming cafes, bars and restaurants vying for your attention. Whether strolling along the cobbles of Hlavná or exploring the endless network of alleyways and side streets, you can’t help but notice the plethora of options, with the aroma of coffee or the clinking of cutlery grabbing your attention every few steps.
The summer months are particularly brilliant as the streets transform into al-fresco dining rooms. Tables sprawl out onto the pavements, helping thousands of diners make the most of the warm weather. We loved our short time exploring Košice and can’t wait to return and eat our way around the city again. From tucking into gourmet soups to indulging in a decadent slice of cheesecake, here are eight brilliant places to eat and drink in Košice.
1. Soupculture
Best for: Quirky lunch on the go.
Perfect for a takeaway lunch, Soupculture serves up generous portions of freshly-made soup in delightful edible cups. The cups are made of suitably sturdy bread – there’s no danger of the soup escaping.
Soupculture’s vegan-friendly menu is ever-changing, with a steady stream of specials offering splendid variety.
You can find Soupculture at the northern edge of Hlavná, Košice’s main street. Simply walk to the end of Hlavná, turn left, and you will spot a handful of tables on the pavement in front of the entrance.
Inside, a slim bar provides enough room for a handful of people to stand and sip their soup. The real treat here, however, is taking your soup and sipping it whilst strolling the streets. Once you’ve finished the soup, the bread will have soaked up the flavours – a perfect way to finish your lunch.
We recommend: The lentil soup was our favourite – creamy, fresh and perfect for a lunchtime snack.
Price: When we visited, a portion of soup cost around €4.50.
2. Bandy Food
Best for: An indulgent snack with an American twist.
Perfect for those heading to the train station, Bandy Food is a firm favourite on the street food trail in Košice. Some of the best hot dogs in Eastern Europe are served from this small premises on Mlynská Street.
From New York to Chicago, the menu features a variety of twists on the American classic, with vegan options available alongside the traditional frankfurter-style sausages. There are a handful of tables outside if you want to ‘eat in’, but this is food that lends itself to enjoying whilst wandering the streets of Košice.
Price: From €2.80 for a basic hotdog.
3. Café Racine
Best for: A relaxed coffee with friends in Košice.
Hidden away in a charming courtyard, just a stone’s throw from the main street, Café Racine is an ideal spot for a leisurely coffee break.
Inside, a small, simple room offers seating for up to 20 guests. Meanwhile, a classic Fiat 500 car stands at the entrance to the courtyard, setting a continental tone from the moment you walk under the entrance arch.
Once you’ve bagged your table, a generous menu of coffees, teas and fresh juices awaits. A small snack menu is available for those looking to graze, whilst their sweet treats are a perfect accompaniment to a morning caffeine stop.
We recommend: Come for the coffee, stay for the cakes. The cheesecake is superb.
Price: Coffee from €1.90. Cakes are around €3.00.
4. Waffle Kaveja
Best for: A sweet treat in the heart of Košice.
In the shadow of the striking Elizabeth Cathedral, Waffle Kaveja is one of Košice’s most popular dessert spots. There are two varieties of waffles to choose from – traditional and bubble – each with a heap of decadent toppings.
Wash your waffle down with a thick, eye-catchingly bright milkshake or a coffee. There is limited seating, so be prepared to wander with your food. Thankfully, Waffle Kaveja is just across the road from a small park with dozens of benches.
Top tip: On a hot day, their lemonade is an ideal drink to refresh and rehydrate.
Price: Basic waffles start at €2.00
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5. Pub u Kohúta
Best for: Al-fresco dining in Košice.
For those looking to indulge in some classic, hearty Slovak dishes, the sprawling beer garden at Pub u Kohúta is one of the best in Košice.
Tucked away at the top of historic Hrnčiarska Street, a small flight of stairs leads to a large, private courtyard. With dozens of tables, the air is filled with the hum of conversation and the clinking of cutlery.
Highlights from the food menu include Smažený sýr (classic fried cheese) and Bryndzové Halušky – Slovak potato dumplings with soft sheep cheese. To wash it down, a small selection of local beers are available on tap, along with a reasonably-sized wine menu.
We recommend: The Pilsner goulash is a hearty choice – perfect for those who have built up an appetite.
Price: Bryndzové Halušky costs €9.50. Pilsner goulash will set you back €15.90.
6. Mogu-Mogu café & food
Best for: Excellent Japanese food in central Košice
The term ‘hidden gem’ is often thrown around with far too much generosity. However, this is precisely how Mogu-Mogu, a small café serving Japanese favourites, should be described.
Tucked away among the narrow streets on the western side of the city centre, this cosy café has taken the food scene in Košice by storm. Japenese-owned and run, the menu features a reassuringly small selection of classics.
It’s worth noting that Mogo-Mogu is usually only open from late morning until 4pm – head there for lunch and make other plans for dinner.
Top tip: Locals rave about the ramen.
Prices: Expect to pay somewhere in the region of €10 to €12 for most dishes.
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7. Barrique
Best for: A glass of wine on a summer’s evening
Standing proud on a busy street corner on the southern fringes of Hlavná, Barrique is a café and wine bar that oozes continental class. Home to a vast range of wines, including Slovak classics, Barrique’s handful of outdoor tables are a favourite when the sun is shining.
Inside is cosy and subtly lit, with a show-stopping wall of wines providing a tempting background to your evening drink. If wine isn’t your thing, Barrique also serves up a small range of cocktails, craft beers, and bar snacks to keep the hunger pangs at bay.
During the week, Barrique opens at 8am, serving fresh Italian coffee and a selection of cakes.
Prices: Small glasses of wine from around €2.50.
8. Melody Roastery
Best for: An excellent espresso from a local roaster
Bringing premium coffee to the streets of Košice, Melody Roastery is probably the best place in the city to get your caffeine fix.
The expert team at Melody roast their own coffee and nuts, and pride themselves in serving fresh products packed with flavour. As well as indulging in a barista-made espresso, cappuccino or latte, the roastery sells its coffee in bags for you to enjoy at home.
Top Tip: Besides the coffee, Melody’s selection of nut spreads is irresistible. With three varieties to choose from – hazelnut, almond and pistachio – you may find yourself carrying home a treasure trove of goodies.
Prices: Bags of coffee from €6.
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