For Zagreb citizens drinking coffee is a lifestyle. Even when they go for another drink, the expression they use is related to coffee: Idemo na kavu? (Lets go for a coffee?). It is therefore not odd that Zagreb has a large number of cafe/bars. They serve non alcoholic and alcoholic beverages. They generally do not serve food. In fact you can buy food elsewhere (e.g bakery,supermarket  etc) and eat it in the cafe. This is quite acceptable. Many have indoor and outdoor areas. Tipping is not expected though appreciated.Below you can find croatian expressions for different type of coffees. Instant coffee (Nescaffe) is quite popular and often costs more than the proper stuff! Caj is tea however Croatians drink a variety of teas and if you want what Westerners mean by tea you will have to ask for Crni Caj (if you want milk with it - s mlijekom). Generally you will see everyone at these cafe/bars from babies to grandparents. In indoor areas most establishments allow smoking and this can be a problem if you are not used to it. However Croatia will be introducing a law to ban indoor smoking in the near future.

SAY IT IN CROATIAN
Black coffee = cro. Kava
Macchiato = cro. Kava s mlijekom
Caffe late  = cro. Bijela kava

Since water in Croatia is very good quality, Zagreb citizens always order glass of tap water with coffe and this popular expression in this case is = cro. Kava s mlijekom i čaša vode (Macchiato and glass of water)

PLACES TO GO FOR A COFFEE (recommendations)
In city center most common areas for drinking coffee on outdoor terrace from March till November (whenever it is nice weather). On Saturdays, from 10am till 2pm many Zagreb citizens use opportunity to drink coffee with friends in city center and this social event of everbody going out to the city to see people and being seen by people has local name: Špica (eng. Peak (of the week).

Most popular caffes and bars in Zagreb:

1. Tkalčićeva street (is connected with Main Square)
This picturesque pedestrinized street is basically one big terrace of many caffes. It is the best in spring and summer time because of outdoor terraces. In winter time visit Mali Medo for a beer, or Oliver twist pub for special coffees or nice beer, or up the stairs next to Oliver Twist go and find Tolkiens bar where you can drink ciders. All other caffes in Tkalčičeva will not dissapoint you.
2. Bogovićeva street (1 minute from Main Square)
This street and few small streets around this one are most famous for showing off and is first choice for drinking coffee for local croatian celebrities. It is also based on outdoor terraces so you will enjoy it if you are visiting in summertime. If you want to have great piece of cake or ice-cream with your coffee visit Millenium gelatteria in this street.
3. Cvjetni trg (Floral square)
One minute and few steps from Bogovićeva, you will find Cvjetni trg (Floral square). After drinking coffee in one of caffes, you can buy some flowers and bring it home to decorate home or make someone happy as Zagreb citizens still are doing it in a lovely tradition. Cvjetni trg is heart of Zagreb nightlife scene - after 2am till 4am everybody go to clubs that are situated there: Pepermint, Maraschino or Lemon bar
4. Preradovićeva street (connected with Cvjetni trg)
Although it is practically on floral square and just one minute from fancy Bogovićeva street- Preradovićeva street is place to drink coffee in much more casual way. Preradovićeva is a street where alternatives start their day by drinking coffee and end days on weekends by drinking beer in same caffes till 2am. For coffee recommendation is to visit Kino Europa (this place is popular place for clubbing for "soft"  intelectual alternatives (dancing till 2am), Golf caffe (interior is great in winter days) or if you likereally  great coffee got down the street to First coffee where you can find fancy interior and great coffee. For drink in the evening there are places such as mentioned above Klub Europa (if it is Friday or Saturday), the PIF- where you can drink your beer either in the street or by finding standing place inside. If you go 20 meteres down the street you cane find very  popular (and very shabby but lively) place - Alcatraz bar where you can drink rakija (or other) drinks for very small price until 2am, and that is also what Zagreb citizens do, too.
5. Gundulićeva street


Few minutes from Cvjetni trg you can find Gundulićeva street, and although it is not pedestrinized zone it is still nice place to have coffee.

If you want to move a bit from city center recommendations are:

for cake - place called "Torte i to" in Kaptol center (15 minutes walking from main sqaure)
for beer - Zlatna zvona (ex Medvedgrad), corner of Savska street and Vukovarska street (15 minutes from main square)
for snack - Lari&Penati (Petrinjska street 49, near Main railway station)
for italian food - Canzona restaurant, Križanićeva street (20 minutes from main square

Enjoy Zagreb!