It’s no secret that people in the Balkans love their coffee. People in Kosovo drink coffee socially almost daily. Or for many of them, multiple times a day. There is a coffee shop (or two or three) on every corner, and they are set up specifically for coming in with a friend or two, ordering drinks, and sitting for an hour or so people-watching and catching up on life. Most coffee shops offer only the basics, but there are some which offer specialty drinks, different vibes, and different types of seating or atmospheres. I will break down the best coffee shops that you cannot miss in Peja. P.s. – Click on any of the names for a link to the Google Maps listing and save them for your visit!
1. Zade Lounge Bar
Located in an old stone building just off of the main drag, this café was long my favorite escape in Peja. It has very chill vibes, comfy seating, and soft warm lighting that just makes you never want to leave. In the chilly winter, cozy up inside along the wall of books and order one of their specialty drinks. Zade has a few more options than other coffee shops in town, and the staff are friendly and willing to help you find something special to order. In the summer, soak in the sunshine on the patio with a friend and spend as much time as you wish relaxing over an iced coffee or other refreshing drink. I cannot even begin to count the hours I have spent in this coffee shop, each one a pleasant memory that I ache to return to. Come back in the evening to find a busy bar with good vibes!
2. Napoli Terraza
Okay, I’m going to be perfectly honest with you here – I don’t love Napoli’s coffee. However, there are other good options here beside basic coffee and this place is a rooftop with the most incredible views. In summer, I love to get their ice cream coffees. In winter, a hot chocolate hits the spot. They also serve alcohol, so grab a beer or anything else that strikes your fancy, but do not miss this place. The views are too good to pass up. To get to Napoli, you have to enter on the ground floor of the building and take the elevator to the top. Don’t stop there- take the stairs up one more level to reach the open-air terrace and settle in to soak in the view of the mountains and the city. The Rugova Mountains are set to the west of Peja, so arrive as the sun is going down behind the peaks and take in the sunset from Napoli’s terrace.
3. Radio
A favorite of locals and visitors alike, Radio Lounge is situated outdoors, right along the river that flows through Peja from Rugova. Radio is right across the main bridge from the very center of town, and is always busy yet peaceful during the day. At night, Radio becomes an energetic lounge bar and occasionally hosts live music. If you visit Radio, be sure to walk over and take a photograph by the “I ♥️ Peja” sign in the small park!
4. Prince Coffee Shop
Prince is the most well-known coffee shop chain in Kosovo. There are quite a few, and Peja alone hosts three that I know of. Prince is the best coffee shop for sitting on the korza (the main walking drag) and people watching in a good atmosphere. There are actually two Prince Coffee Shops on the korza, separated only by one coffee shop in between. The newer and bigger one has a ton of comfy outdoor seating for groups of any size. Prince is best for having good people-watching and for having some different options of drinks that change with the seasons.
5. Joy Coffee House
The newest establishment on the list, and my personal favorite, is Joy Coffee House. I must admit that I am partial to this coffee shop because it was opened by friends of mine! Joy Coffee House fuses American-style products with a Kosovar-style coffee shop. Their syrups are made made totally in-house, and they also serve homemade sweets such as donuts, brownies, cookies, and cinnamon rolls. Stop by for a game night, movie night, or just anytime for a super high-quality coffee and an amazing treat that you cannot find elsewhere in Peja! Be sure to tell them who sent you 😉 (They do not have a listing on Google Maps yet, so the link takes you to a pin I dropped at the location of the coffee shop).
There are so many more wonderful coffee shops, but I don’t have time to write about them all! Here are a few more that you should squeeze into your visit:
Te Sharra – a nice little retreat just out of the city tucked into the foot of the mountains by the river
Panama – great spot along the river for a hot drink on a summer night, right off the walking path that leads from the city along the river toward the mountains.
Green Lounge – this is the best spot for Turkish tea and being among the crowds to people-watch
There are a million good options for good and affordable coffee in Peja. I hope you get the chance to check out these options, and leave a comment on what you thought!
Traveling Truly 