“You don’t need a billion euros to make great coffee”: Long Talk Coffee, Athens

At the heart of Athens' bustling streets, nestled between ancient ruins and the Aegean's salty breeze, lies a hidden gem: Long Talk Coffee. This specialty coffee shop, founded by Nikolay Koskossidi and his wife, isn’t just a café—it’s a labor of love, where passion for coffee and community blend seamlessly together.

New blends in a traditional market

Nikolay’s path to opening Long Talk Coffee was anything but ordinary. Greek by heritage but born and raised in Kazakhstan, Nikolay spent years climbing the corporate ladder in marketing. When the pandemic hit, he and his wife decided it was time for a change. 

They moved to Athens, swapping business suits for aprons, and opened their cozy café in Kallithea. “Running a coffee shop is so social—you spend all day chatting, and time just flies by,” says Nikolay.

Long Talk Coffee isn’t your typical Greek café. “People here love their Freddo Espresso and Freddo Cappuccino,” Nikolay notes. But he saw an opportunity to introduce something different. With a focus on IG-friendly #aesthetics, ethically sourced beans, and unique drinks like their Salted Caramel Oat latte and locally-famous Creamy Lavender Latte, Long Talk Coffee offers Athenians and visitors a taste of something new. Their slogan, “Not Boring Coffee,” perfectly captures their mission to shake up the local scene.

Despite challenges like labor shortages, which make it tough to find skilled workers, Long Talk Coffee has carved out a niche. “You don’t need a billion euros to make great coffee,” Nikolay says. It’s all about passion and creativity.

Wolt delivers a shot of growth in an unfamiliar market 

Partnering with Wolt was a game-changer for Long Talk Coffee, especially as a newcomer with no brand recognition and little understanding of a new, foreign market.

“Only Wolt was speaking English in this market when I got here. They were my startup partners and helped me build a business in a market I didn’t understand at all,” Nikolay shares. 

“Wolt is my biggest business partner.” 

With half of their sales now coming through Wolt, this platform has opened doors to a wider audience. Tourists recognize Wolt from home, and locals are drawn in by special offers, like discounts on bulk coffee orders. “We offer a special price if you order four or more coffees on Wolt, and it’s boosted our delivery sales a lot,” says Nikolay.

More than just coffee: A community hub

Long Talk Coffee is more than just a place to get your caffeine fix—it’s a community spot. Nikolay has worked hard to integrate into the neighborhood, getting to know the locals like the doctors, policemen, and firefighters who drop by regularly, and curating a space where locals and tourists alike can mingle. 

The café’s colorful shades-of-blue facade and international vibe attract both locals and tourists, making it a melting pot of stories and cultures—a place where you’re as likely to chat with a local as you are with a visitor from halfway around the world. In Nikolay’s words: “We’re a blue spot in a gray neighborhood”.

Looking ahead, Nikolay is optimistic about Long Talk Coffee’s future. He sees potential for growth, both in-store and through Wolt’s delivery service. Staffing may be a challenge, but he believes in the power of a good idea. 

“With Wolt, even a small business can reach a huge audience”. 

And who’s Nikolay’s dream customer? “Neymar, the Brazilian footballer—my son would be thrilled!”