The GR8 Coffee Festival is an international celebration, trade show, and cultural event held annually in Zagreb, Croatia.
Dedicated to advancing the specialty coffee industry and hospitality sector across Central and Southeast Europe, the festival serves as a major hub for baristas, roasters, equipment manufacturers, and passionate coffee enthusiasts.
The digital platform functions as the main touchpoint for ticketing, attendee registration, schedule mapping, and exhibitor partnerships.
It presents an inclusive space that deliberately welcomes everyone from casual coffee lovers to hardcore “coffee elitists,” while also expanding its offerings to include high-end teas, premium chocolates, artisanal spirits, and craft beers.
Core Program & Festival Zones
- Latte Art Live Show: A highly visual, technique-driven presentation space where top regional baristas demonstrate milk-steaming, texture control, and advanced design pouring.
- Workshops & Masterclasses: Specialized educational spaces focusing on sensory cupping, precision brewing mechanics, extraction science, and the critical role of water quality (such as sessions hosted by the BRITA Water Academy).
- The Cooking Show: An unconventional culinary zone where renowned chefs craft premium savory and sweet dishes using specialty coffee as a foundational, core ingredient.
- Lectures & Panel Discussions: Educational industry tracks addressing macro-shifts in the HoReCa (Hotel, Restaurant, Cafe) sector, covering everything from labor market shortages and hospitality education to how AI is transforming coffee quality analysis through tools like Specialty.AI.
- Barista Challenge: A fast-paced, high-stakes tournament evaluated by a panel of internationally certified SCA (Specialty Coffee Association) judges to test technical speed, consistency, and presentation under pressure.
- GR8 Coffee Week: An expansive, city-wide activation running in the days leading up to the main convention, connecting hand-picked local cafes and specialty spots across Zagreb into a cohesive cultural itinerary.
