A local’s guide to Bratislava, Slovakia: ‘From nice parks & places, great coffee shops & restaurants, to cultural events’ 🇸🇰

About 70km downstream from Vienna, the Danube River snakes through the center of Bratislava, Slovakia. A few blocks in on the north shore stands black., a coffee roastery and cafe co-owned by Jakub Ševčík. Originally from southwest Slovakia, Jakub moved to Bratislava to pursue a career in specialty coffee and began at black. as a barista before taking on more responsibilities. Jakub’s Filter travel guide to Bratislava is packed with hidden gems, local restaurants, and, at the end, a bucket list of burgers.

*black.* *is a coffee roastery & cafe located on the north shore of the Danube River as it flows through Bratislava, Slovakia. Photos courtesy of black.*

Filter: What do you like to do for fun around Bratislava?

As almost in every city in the world, my kind of fun is grabbing a cup of coffee, exploring local green spots, and getting lost in the vibe of the place. Since I have a family, we have a tradition of going to the city center on weekends for brunch, mostly to bistro Otto! or one of my favorite bakeries, Oli's Bistro, or Kruh. Then we usually go to visit our espresso bar black. for coffee and meet there with our friends, and before lunch we take a short walk near Blue Church where you can find cozy streets (and playgrounds for kids).

Filter: If a good friend came to visit, where would you be sure to take them?

Visiting friends would be a great excuse to have a free evening and go out so I would definitely show them my favourite pub 100 pív and we will taste their daily mixtape, in other words all six (0,2l) beers on tap. I think Bratislava has many great bars and successful bartenders, that's why we would not miss an opportunity to try a cocktail in Mirror Bar, Antique American Bar, or Old Fashioned. And of course, the night can not end without a NY-style pizza slice from I Love Pizza.

Filter: What do you like to do to escape the city?

As I already mentioned, I love going to nature and there are a few places either in Bratislava or just a few minutes away by car. Inside the city we would most likely go to Železná Studnička which is a peaceful forest park popular for walking, biking, running but also barbecue. Another option is go to Horský Park which offers a serene escape from downtown. In it, you’ll find plenty of winding walking paths and greenery that have been preserved for centuries.

However, together with my wife, we found our refuge in the castle park in Stupava, a town 15 minutes away from Bratislava. In front of the entrance there is a cozy specialty coffee spot Tma v Hrnku where we order batch brews to go and enjoy the stunning calm in the area.

Filter: What touristy things in Bratislava are worth the hype?

I think most of the tourists are always in the main streets in the center but I do not find it very interesting there. Personally I recommend visiting the President's Palace and its garden, Blue Church, and Bratislava Castle of course for the view from there. And the route on the top from Židovská Street is also very enjoyable.

Filter: Where are your favorite hidden gems there?

Bratislava has a few small lakes in urban areas which offer easy escape from a busy everyday life. I don't go there very often because it's the opposite side from where I live but I am always captivated how lovely it is take a walk around the Štrkovec Lake or Draždiak, relax, and enjoy the quiet green spot surrounded by buildings.

But as a true gem I recommend Prüger-Wallner Garden, a hidden garden near Horský Park. It consists of a natural garden with a wetland, an area for relaxation, restored community house, a playground, information boards about local plants and animals, and well-maintained walking paths.

Filter: What's another coffee shop around there that you really admire, and what about them stands out to you?

I wish I could find more time to visit other cafés! But I really admire two small shops, Mercek and Mono café for the simple reason:in both cases it is a one-man show—barista and owner is the same person and I think that's part of the reason you got the most consistent great dialed-in espresso and warm hospitality all the time.

Filter: How did you end up in the Bratislava coffee scene?

Easily put, number of options you have here and open-minded mentality. I grew up in a small town in the southwest and when I decided I wanted to work in specialty coffee there weren't many possibilities to work outside of Bratislava back then. It was very natural to move here and now I am enjoying the number of opportunities from nice parks and places, great coffee shops and restaurants, to cultural events.

Filter: Can you share about your role at black.?

I can proudly say I worked on every position at black. I started as a barista but came with an idea to open up a roastery and supply our shop so I became the roaster, then tried sales and let's say move to middle management and after 7 years also became a co-owner of the company and now I am a bit of everything.

The most rewarding thing was probably the whole process to get there, enjoying every moment of this journey. In general, I love coffee but even more love to work with people. Now I am in a position from which I can influence my colleagues and develop their full potential. When I look back, I was lucky I had a mentor who allowed me to mature to this point in my career by his example and now it is time for me to do the same for others in our company. It's fun and rewarding to see our young team growing together—both career-wise and personally.

Filter: If you could move to any place in the world just for the coffee scene, where would you move, and what shop would be the biggest reason?

That is a tough one! I have to say I am very impressed by the coffee scene in the Czech Republic and Prague is probably my favorite coffee city. However, if I should name a shop which blew my mind early in my career, I would say Bonanza Roastery in Berlin. I still remember how impressed I was from the space, their menu, and coffee. I ordered cappuccino and filter tasting and can't get enough of it. Can't wait to go there again.

Filter: Anything you’d like to add?

Just mention people should try burgers in Bratislava and let me know if they can find better somewhere else :D Roxor Burger, Mäso od Romana, Quinsboro, and many other places are just amazing and must be on anyone's bucket list!

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black. is a coffee roastery and cafe located in central Bratislava, Slovakia.

Food & Beverage