Restaurant in Lublin
Chatka Zaka
A student cultural centre and cafe run by UMCS, serving coffee and cake alongside concerts and film nights. A window into Lublin's academic and creative life.
Reviewed and updated July 2026
Chatka Zaka is a student cultural centre and cafe run by UMCS, the Maria Curie-Sklodowska University. It sits in Lublin's academic district and doubles as a venue, serving coffee and cake while hosting concerts and film nights. That mix makes it a window into the city's student and creative life rather than a conventional restaurant. For the wider picture, see the Lublin guide.
The student cafe
The cafe side keeps things simple: coffee and cake in a relaxed, low-cost setting geared to students. It is a place to sit with a drink between events rather than a spot for a big meal. Prices reflect the student crowd, and the atmosphere leans informal. Programming shifts with the calendar, so what is on any given evening, from live music to screenings, changes week to week.
Who Chatka Zaka suits
This suits curious travellers who want to see a side of Lublin beyond the Old Town, along with anyone after cheap coffee and a cultural night out. If you are chasing a proper dinner instead, head to the centre for Kardamon or a value Polish plate at Hades Szeroka. Check the centre's programme before you go, since the appeal is often the event as much as the cafe.
Where to find it
Chatka Zaka is on Radziszewskiego, in the university quarter west of the centre. That sets it apart from the Old Town sights but close to the campus and the green space of the Saxon Garden, an easy pairing with a walk in the park.
The cafe itself is a relatively recent addition, opening inside Chatka Zaka in November 2021. The drinks list runs wider than coffee and cake alone, taking in teas, seasonal coffees, and beer and wine, with snacks and takeaway available if you are heading to an event.
As the University's Academic Centre for Culture and Media, Chatka Zaka programmes across music, theatre, film, visual arts and literature, so what is on when you visit can be anything from a concert to a gallery opening. Opening hours vary between weekdays and weekends, so check the venue's official channels before you go.
Good to know
This is a cultural venue as much as a cafe. Check the current programme and opening hours through its official channels, as events and hours shift with the university calendar.
Frequently asked questions
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