Ruke Coffee

Matcha and Rakija – In Good Hands at Ruke

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Trešnjevka, with its distinct rhythm and neighborhood warmth, has recently gained a place that’s quickly becoming a regular stop for both local and visiting flâneurs. RUKE Coffee (ruke – hands), the project of young owner Chiara, feels as though it has always been there – just designed with more taste than is usual for modest neighborhood spots. At first glance, it appears simple, yet the space hides layers: every piece of furniture and every detail seems placed with an unspoken intention. Cacti, woven rugs, shelves lined with wine bottles, legendary comic books and indie magazines. Above the bar hangs Guy Buffet’s iconic painting The Making of a Perfect Martini. This small café, which doesn’t aim to be a “big story” but rather a “good story”, is often packed, especially during the special events Chiara organizes – like the visit from a local animal welfare group, where guests mingled with dogs ready for adoption while well-known artists created portraits for charity.

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In the morning, RUKE Coffee operates almost meditatively. A curated matcha selection, plenty of herbs, carefully chosen music, intriguing artwork on the walls, quirky mirrors, beautiful oversized paper lanterns, the aroma of coffee… As the day moves toward the afternoon, the place shifts its pulse, and that same martini painting almost signals the transition from a café vibe into after-work mode and an exploration of an interesting, extensive selection of excellent rakijas and craft beers.

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Chiara also teases upcoming news – in the near future, they’ll be introducing brunch and a few pasta dishes with a focus on seasonality, and we can’t wait to tell you more soon!