Moldova is one of the least visited countries in Europe and that makes Chisinau one of the least visited European capitals. There’s plenty of things to do in Chisinau though if you like to explore. But as a coffee lover, it’s even better with a great cup of coffee. Enter my Chisinau coffee guide, with all of the best specialty coffee bars in the city.
Moldova is still a very affordable country, but best of all it still feels authentic. Granted, you won’t find world class sights in Chisinau or Moldova, such as a Colosseum or a Taj Mahal. But because of this Moldova is also not overrun by tourists. To me Chisinau would make a great place to stay a bit longer and use as a remote working location. Especially considering the great coffee scene.
But if you’re not working remotely, Chisinau is an excellent city to base yourself for a couple of days. Check out my Moldova Travel Guide & 4 day Itinerary so you can find out what else there is to do in Moldova besides drinking coffee in Chisinau.
Alright, so without further ado let’s get started with the best specialty coffee shops in Chisinau.
1. Pasio Coffee
Pasio Coffee is a small coffee bar where the baristas know what they’re doing. Whether it’s a V60 or a Chemex, or an espresso based coffee from the La Marzocco, at Pasio Coffee they cater to all your needs.
My absolute favourite drink at Pasio is their flat white. The silky smooth texture of the milk, together with the roasted beans by Kyiv based Mad Heads is a killer combination.
Don’t miss out on a coffee at Pasio Coffee on your visit to Chisinau and find out why Pasio is in this Chisinau Coffee Guide.
Pasio Coffee | Strada Vasile Alecsandri 115 | Chișinău | Moldova
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2. Feeling Coffee
One of the newest kids on the block is Feeling Coffee, which is a lovely little coffee place. Their roast has an excellent balance of acidity and sweetness, which turned out perfect for the americano I had.
I also loved the eye for detail with fresh seasonal flowers. Together with the jazzy tunes make the atmosphere at Feeling Coffee one of a kind.
Feeling Coffee | 31 August 1989 St 58 | Chișinău | Moldava
3. Coffee Monkey
Coffee Monkey is really one of my favourites in this Chisinau Coffee Guide and seemed to be the coffee hotspot in the city. The outside terrace was always full, and inside it was bustling. But with the hard working friendly staff here you won’t have to wait too long for your coffee.
The interior design of Coffee Monkey is fresh and cool, making their bright blue and white brand stand out. I had a delicious milky coffee here with beans from Romanian roasters Origo. And if my chia seeds with mango dessert is anything to go by, then their other cakes and desserts should be divine as well!
If you want you can also get some work done here, but keep in mind that some tables are laptop free.
Coffee Monkey | Alexander Pushkin St 22 | Chișinău | Moldova
4. Raccoon Coffee Shop and Roastery
Next in this Chisinau Coffee Guide is Raccoon Coffee. Raccoon, ‘carefully roasted coffee’. That is how this Chisinau gem describes their coffee roasting process. Raccoon Coffee sources their beans from all over the world and then they roast them in house.
Head to their shop in the centre of Chisinau, so you can taste all their roasts. Needless, to say this is the place to go in Chisinau for coffee aficionados.
Raccoon Coffee Shop and Roastery | Armeneasca St 35 | Chișinău | Moldava
5. Tucano Coffee Chisinau
Tucano Coffee can be considered as the Moldovan version of Starbucks. So why include it on this list? Because Tucano has much better coffee! And excellent iced teas and cakes to boast.
In the city centre of Chisinau Tucano Coffee has two branches, Tucano Coffee Brazil and Tucano Coffee Costa Rica. Both are excellent places to get some work done on your laptop or to meet up with friends.
Tucano Coffee Costa Rica | Alexander Pushkin St 15 | Chișinău | Moldava
Tucano Coffee Brazil | Strada Alexandru cel Bun 91/a | Chișinău | Moldava
6. DABBLS
The coffee beans they use here are by Julian Meinl, a large corporate Austrian roaster. I probably would not have visited DABBLS if I knew those are the beans used here. But I have to say the coffee was quite tasty and I would happily revisit.
It was the cakes that drew me in to this place. I had a crispy caramel eclair, that rivals those made in France. The barista working here knew her cakes and also how to prepare a decent cup of cappuccino and that’s why DABBLS is included in this Chisinau Coffee Guide.
DABBLS | Strada Mitropolit Gavriil Bănulescu-Bodoni 31 | Chișinău | Moldava
7. YOCO Coffee & Drinks
Last, but certainly not least in this Chisinau Coffee Guide is YOCO Coffee & Drinks. This coffee bar sits on the edge of the city, but is a destination in itself. Or a perfect stop before you hit the road to Gagauzia for example.
I had the best V60 in a long time here at YOCO. The barista brewed the cup to perfection from Burundi beans roasted by Berlin based Bonanza Coffee Roasters. So, if you’re a coffee aficionado like me, then certainly include a coffee stop at YOCO on your Chisinau itinerary.
For remote workers it’s good to know that YOCO is laptop friendly and has excellent wi-fi.
YOCO Coffee & Drinks | Grenoble St 257 | Chișinău | Moldava
Chisinau Coffee Guide | Map
Now that you know where to go, find all of Chisinau’s coffee hot spots on this handy map.
Final Thoughts on Chisinau Specialty Coffee Shops
I had a great time discovering all that Chisinau had to offer, one coffee at a time. I think these are really all the best coffee hotspots you need while staying in Chisinau.
Have you been to Chisinau, or have any questions? Then let me know in the comments, or send me a message on Instagram. And for regular updates with new coffee guides and travel itineraries sign up to my newsletter.
Planning your trip to Chisinau and Moldova? Save this Chisinau coffee guide for sure! And to help you plan the best trip possible check out my Moldova Travel Guide. Or continue reading with the latest Moldova articles:
