One of the oldest coffeehouses in Karlovy Vary, dating to the 19th century, Café Elefant operates in the Central European tradition: good coffee, excellent cakes in the Viennese style, and an interior that prioritises comfort over modernity. The apple strudel and the linzer torte are the things to order.
It is a good midmorning or afternoon stop after a circuit of the colonnades, when you need something sweet to balance the mineral water. The terrace has a view of the spa district; the indoor tables are warm and a little grand. Service is efficient without being rushed.