On the morning that we left Ljubljana we thought we’d tried every decent coffee in town. From the perfect v60 at Stow Café to the amazing flat white sampled at Kavarna Moderna, we were thoroughly saturated in decent java by this stage (read more about the best cafés in Ljubljana here). However, before we hit the road we decided to take one final trip into town to try one last café. We’d heard it was good. The best in town even. So, with anticipation running high we walked through the doors into the tiny Črno Zrno and had what was easily the best coffee we’d had in months.

The first thing that strikes you about Črno Zrno (translation: black bean) is the size. Just wide enough for a few patrons to comfortably stand by the bar, Črno Zrno exudes that ‘stand-up’ espresso-bar charm so many cafés attempt to emulate. However, espresso bar this is not. Immediately after arriving the owner, Alexander Niño Ruiz, a Colombian ex-pat living in Ljubljana, introduced himself and started to explain where the coffee he uses comes from. On the wall next to the counter hangs a map of Colombia, and Alex began pointing at various areas that he sources his beans from. We joked about my experience in the ‘coffee-triangle’ of Colombia several years ago, when I’d barely known the difference between good and bad when it came to coffee. However, Alex explained the process of coffee production in this small region, handing us two espressos using beans from the Salento region. The taste was extraordinary - a perfect extraction with fruity aromas and very, very well rounded.

As we sipped away at our twin cups, a stream of regulars cruised through the corridor sized space. Alex seamlessly transitioned from English to Spanish, right back to Slovene. This seems to be the charm that makes Črno Zrno unique, aside from the amazing coffee. As each new customer arrives, they quietly wait in line in the small space provided until it’s their turn to speak with Alex. He speaks with each one, pouring them coffees and making suggestions. As he worked, he spoke to us of the coffee grown in Colombia, telling us about the remote farms he chooses to source his beans from. He presented us two filters, made using a v60, one tasting like citrus and the other fuller-bodied, tasting more like berry. We loved both, and quietly sipped away as he told us stories, rather than just tasting notes about the coffee we were drinking. Alex told us about the terroir of the Colombian coffee region, speaking about the steep growing regions and amazing quality coffee that can be grown there. We listened with rapt attention, held sway by the sheer passion with which he spoke. It was comparable to the most knowledgeable sommelier waxing lyrical over wine, yet with more heart, soul and love. It’s clear how passionate he is about the coffee he uses and the farmers he works with. He knows each cup is a representation of Colombia and the amazing coffee grown there.

We finished our v60’s, now fully satisfied that Črno Zrno serves up the best specialty coffee in Ljubljana. Before we started to pay however, Alex poured us two cups of his something he noted as being ‘very proud of’. Eyes widening I exclaimed;

‘Is that cold brew?

Alex nodded and handed us two wine glasses, filled wit cold brew. Though already saturated with caffeine, we sipped away at the brew with relish, noting the gorgeous flavour, smooth mouth-feel and thoroughly beautiful aromas, now certainly heading towards caffeine overdose. Alex noted to us the process by which he had made the cold brew, telling of time spent labouring over the recipe and storing methods, speaking of the joy he had felt when he finally cracked the formula. I too, am glad that he cracked the code on this one, because that cold brew was utterly excellent and I’m seriously missing it now that I’m back in Italy and writing this, very far from such amazing coffee.

While many Slovenians may be choosing to drink that sludgy, Turkish style extraction, Alex at Črno Zrno is fighting the good fight for coffee lovers everywhere. Making us easily the best coffee we had in Ljublajana and being hugely generous with his time; explaining each cup, bean and extraction, Črno Zrno is your best bet for a decent coffee in Ljubljana. If you’re a coffee nerd, mere lover, or ex-pat in need of a decent filter, you definitely can’t go past Črno Zrno. Moreover, if you’re looking to buy beans or cold brew, you do so via his website here. Črno Zrno is located a 5 minute walk from Prešeren Square in the heart of the Old Town, Ljubljana.

Contact: info@crnozrno.com

Address: Gornji trg 17, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

Website: https://www.crnozrno.com/

Looking for food recommendations for Ljubljana? Check out our guide here!

Looking for some ideas on where to get decent wine in Ljublajana? Hit the link here for our guide to wine bars.

Read our guide on how to spend a day in Ljubljana here.

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