Where History Meets Your Coffee Cup: 7 European Cafes You’ll Love
Last Updated on February 21, 2025 by Ingrid
I love coffee and discovering new cafes wherever I travel. That’s how I discovered not only the amazing coconut coffee in Vietnam but also some of the best cafes in Seoul or Hong Kong.
This being said, Europe has, by far, some of the most impressive cafes. These places have been around for hundreds of years, and you can feel like stepping back in time.
They not only offer great quality coffee and delicious food but everything is served with an impressive background.
Grab your camera, put on a fancy dress, and let’s explore the most stunning historical European Cafes.
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Table of Contents
Step Back in Time at These 7 Stunning European Cafés
A Brasileira, Lisbon, Portugal
This iconic spot, which has been serving up espressos since 1905, isn’t just about the caffeine buzz (though that’s reason enough to go).
It’s where artists, poets, and thinkers once gathered, including Portugal’s famous writer Fernando Pessoa. His bronze statue now sits outside, practically begging for a photo op.
Inside, the Art Deco interior, ornate mirrors, and dark wood details make you feel like you’re part of a classic European café scene.
New York Cafe, Budapest, Hungary
With its sparkling chandeliers, marble columns, and intricately painted ceilings, this café is pure opulence—like a scene from a period drama, but with better coffee.
Opened in 1894, it was once the go-to hangout for writers and artists, and you can totally see why.
The vibe is grand yet inviting, making it the perfect place to sip a cappuccino while pretending you’re European royalty. Sure, it’s a little touristy, but honestly, the jaw-dropping decor and indulgent desserts are worth every minute.
Plus, how often do you get to drink coffee under a ceiling that could rival a palace ballroom?
Cafe Florian, Venice, Italy
Open since 1720, this iconic spot on St. Mark’s Square has served everyone from Casanova to Lord Byron, and you can’t help but feel a little glamorous sipping your espresso where legends once lingered.
Inside, it’s all velvet seats, gilded mirrors, and frescoed ceilings that make you feel like you’ve stepped into a living museum.
Outside, you’ve got front-row seats to the buzz of Venice, often accompanied by live music.
Sure, the coffee might be pricier than your usual morning brew, but honestly, how often do you get to drink it surrounded by this kind of timeless charm?
Cafe Central Vienna, Austria
Walking into Café Central in Vienna feels like stepping into a fairy tale where coffee and culture collide.
With soaring vaulted ceilings, grand chandeliers, and marble columns, this place is more palace than café – and that’s before you even taste the pastries.
Since opening in 1876, it’s been a favorite haunt for some pretty big names (Freud and Trotsky, just to name-drop a bit), and you can totally picture deep philosophical debates unfolding over steaming cups of Viennese coffee.
The dessert display alone is reason enough to visit—it’s basically a museum of decadent cakes you can actually eat.
Majestic Cafe, Porto, Portugal
With its ornate Belle Époque architecture, glistening chandeliers, and plush leather seats, you half-expect someone to offer you a feathered headband with your espresso.
This place isn’t just a café – it’s an experience. Whether you’re sipping a velvety coffee or indulging in a flaky pastel de nata, everything tastes better in these opulent surroundings.
And even if you’re just there to soak up the atmosphere and snap a few photos (because, let’s be honest, how could you not?), Majestic lives up to its name.
It’s charming, historic, and one of those spots that makes you slow down and savor the moment – exactly what a good café should do.
Antico Cafe Greco, Rome, Italy
Open since 1760, this place has seen more famous faces than a Hollywood red carpet, with legends like Goethe, Byron, and Casanova sipping coffee under its gilded ceilings.
Walking in feels like entering a museum, except you get to enjoy a perfectly crafted espresso while surrounded by antique mirrors, velvet seats, and walls adorned with portraits and vintage charm.
It’s cozy, atmospheric, and quintessentially Roman – a must-visit for anyone who loves their caffeine with a side of culture.
Gran Caffe Gambrinus, Napoli, Italy
This cafe is the kind of place that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a painting. One where the walls are lined with frescoes, the chandeliers sparkle, and every table has a story to tell.
Open since 1860, it’s a local institution and the go-to spot for anyone wanting to experience true Neapolitan coffee culture with a dash of elegance.
People-watch from the outdoor terrace overlooking Piazza del Plebiscito or head inside to soak up the Belle Époque interiors that have welcomed royalty, artists, and writers over the years.
Pro tip: pair your espresso with a sfogliatella (trust me, it’s life-changing).
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