Our author loves cafes - not only because she is a coffee aficionado but also because they  reveal the social fabric of a place. In cafés, the working day is suspended long enough to allow the trading of gossip or an argument about politics over a cup of coffee. For travelers, these places are a respite from overly ambitious itineraries and portals into a place's culture, especially for those who dare to follow the caffeine trail down alleys and streets away from the usual tourist haunts.

This guide showcases places around Eastern Europe.

The Editors