Split isn’t just a city with a rich history – it’s also a place where drinking coffee is a daily ritual, done slowly and with purpose. In a city full of cafés, KAVA 2 has managed to stand out. It didn’t happen by accident, and it doesn’t follow trends. Behind the brand is Marko Marinković – someone with a clear vision, a deep respect for coffee, and a thoughtful approach to business. In this interview, Marko shares how KAVA 2 started, why they never settle for less, what quality means to them, and how even a small café can build a strong identity that connects with both locals and visitors from around the world.

1. Split has a strong coffee culture. Coffee isn’t just a drink – it’s a social ritual. Where does KAVA 2 fit into that culture, and how do you contribute to the local and specialty coffee scene?

KAVA 2 – and the whole KAVA family – was built around local people who understood and appreciated our approach. At its core, it’s about offering great coffee, along with carefully selected extras. We don’t serve commercial drinks, we don’t use branded soda umbrellas, and we don’t want to be like everyone else.
From day one, we’ve followed three simple but non-negotiable values: customer care, quality, and hygiene.
Of course, nobody’s perfect all the time – but we’re very careful about who joins our team. Everyone working with us needs to share our values and see coffee the way we do. It’s been eight years now, and we’ve managed to grow slowly and organically, even through challenges.

2. Roasting is at the heart of your brand. Can you walk us through how you do it and what makes your approach different?

Every new coffee we consider starts as a 100g green sample. We roast it using a small sample roaster, then let it rest for 24 hours to release gases – because, despite the common belief, freshly roasted coffee isn’t ready right away.
Then we cup it using a standardized method. We evaluate the aroma, flavor, aftertaste, body, texture, and look for any defects. That tells us whether it’s better for espresso, filter, or something else.
If we decide to use the coffee, we bring it to our roastery in Poljud and start production. Every roast is tested again until we perfect the recipe. Once we have that, we can be consistent every time.
Roasting is very precise – if you have the right tools.
We taste over 1,000 samples a year, but only choose about 20–30 for our shelves.

3. Split gets very busy with tourists in summer. How do you stay authentic and keep a balance between locals and tourists?

We’re lucky to have regulars who adjust well. They come in earlier or take their coffee to go.
KAVA 2 gets busy in both summer and winter, especially at certain hours when lines form.
We just try to stay consistent and as fast as we can.

4. Is there a drink that’s become a kind of “signature” at KAVA 2? Something people come back for?

No, there’s not one specific drink.
People come back because of the coffee itself. We serve it in many styles, and everyone has their favorite.
With regulars, we learn their orders quickly – many don’t even need to say anything anymore. They walk in, and their usual coffee just shows up at the table.
For everyone else, we always offer something fresh.
We usually stock around ten coffees, and there are always at least four available for tasting: two on espresso grinders, one as a filter, and one special barista’s choice – often something rare or unique.

5. Your Instagram has a distinct visual style. It’s clear that your branding isn’t random. How important is your online presence, and how do you connect with your audience?

We don’t focus heavily on social media – and that’s probably clear from how rarely we post. Still, it’s important to be present.
Our branding is the result of a long-term collaboration with our designer, and it has a clear identity.
For example, the colors on our packaging aren’t random: the pale yellow reflects the average building color in Split (based on online photos), the green represents local plants, the blue stands for the sea, and so on.
Hvar has its own color palette. The roastery has another.
The little boy on our boxes is my dad, who moved from Vis to Split in the 1960s.
Everything has a story behind it – but we don’t feel the need to explain it all. Good branding should be felt, not just seen.

6. Sustainability is a big topic lately. But it seems like it’s more than just a trend for you. What are you doing to make KAVA 2 more responsible?

We’ve focused on sustainability from the very beginning, and we’re proud of that.
We don’t talk about it much, because there’s always more we could do – and in business, it’s easier to get criticized than supported.
Still, here are a few things:

• All our takeaway cups are biodegradable in both land and sea

• Our coffee bags are made from rice paper

• Our roastery now runs on an electric roaster – no fossil fuels

• We only use paper bags for beans

• Guests who bring their own cup get a discount

• Our tape is made from cardboard and rubber glue so it’s fully recyclable

   

   

  At every step, we do our best to make good choices.
  We hope the world will still be here when there’s no more coffee – and we want to leave something better for the next generations. We didn’t get that kind of example when we were growing up.

7. KAVA 2 is already well known in Split. What’s next – new locations, new products, collaborations?

All of that!
We’re planning a new location, but it’s a long-term project – most spaces we like are in bad condition and need serious work.
We’re always introducing new products, drinks, and ideas.
We’ve already started with some collaborations.
Honestly, it would all go faster if we had more space – but with just 29 m² in Split and 25 m² in Hvar, we’re making it work.
Exciting things are coming: new coffees, new cocktails, two collaborations, a wine tasting at the roastery, and more.
We’ll keep everyone updated on social media – and, of course, in person at KAVA.

Final Thought

KAVA 2 isn’t just another specialty coffee bar.
It’s a place built on clear values, attention to detail, and a strong focus on people.
In a world where everyone is trying to stand out, KAVA 2 stays true to itself – and maybe that’s exactly why people keep coming back.