Pikawa Kawiarnia in Gdańsk is the cafe half of the Pikawa group on Piwna, beside St Mary's. Pastry case worth a coffee detour, light breakfasts until noon, the bistro side serves lunch next door.
Tip: Order the cake first, then ask for the matching coffee at the counter.
Address: ul. Piwna 14, 80-831 Gdańsk
Cafe Kamienica in Gdańsk runs two floors of a Mariacka tenement, the bohemian terrace room locals will tell you is the only proper cafe on the street. Cakes, coffee, late-evening drinks.
Signature drink: Latte and homemade cakes
Tip: First-floor balcony tables look directly at the amber-shop terraces; book ahead summer.
Józef K. in Gdańsk is the cult Piwna Street cafe-bar named for Kafka, lit by mismatched lamps, walled with old books and impossible objects. Coffee from Nieczapla, spirits all evening.
Signature drink: Coffee, herbal infusions and home-baked cake
Tip: Arrive after 18:00 if you want the candle-lit Kafka room rather than the daytime cafe.
Kawiarnia Czkawka in Gdańsk Wrzeszcz holds a Wajdeloty unit two doors from Nieczapla. Rotating European roasters, brew bar built on V60 and Chemex, the kind of cafe locals walk past Drukarnia to reach.
Signature drink: Speciality filter and seasonal espresso
Tip: Quietest on a weekday morning. Closed Sunday.
Kawana in Gdańsk Wrzeszcz is the cafe attached to one of the Tri-City's best specialty roasters. Single origin espresso, filter flights, retail beans by 250g bag to take home.
Signature drink: House-roasted single origin espresso
Tip: Closes 18:00 weekdays and 16:00 Sunday; not a late-night room.
Nieczapla in Gdańsk Wrzeszcz is the cafe in front of one of Poland's most respected micro-roasteries. Apple-cranberry-jasmine bright filters, espresso pulled tight, a four-table room and a roastery in back.
Signature drink: Filter on whatever roast came out last week
Tip: Ask what was roasted last week; the menu rotates faster than the printed list keeps up.
Kawana Łąkowa in Gdańsk Dolne Miasto is the roastery's downtown room, fifteen minutes' walk from the Old Town. Glass front, communal tables, a brew bar that opens at 09:00 and closes at 18:00.
Signature drink: Pour over with seasonal house roast
Tip: The cinnamon roll on the counter sells out by 12:00 weekends.
