Built in times when drinking a cup of coffee meant pausing to savor the ambiance along with your favorite brew, these cafés captivate with their architectural beauty and rich history.
Over the years, these unique cafés have drawn many remarkable figures, from kings and emperors to writers and philosophers -- and even a Founding Father -- who gathered to discuss ideas and enjoy a hot beverage.
Celebrating its 130th anniversary, this café is aptly known as the most beautiful cafe in the world. Named after the insurance company that commissioned its construction, the New York Cafe quickly became the heart of Budapest's literary and artistic life following its inauguration in 1894.
This café is situated within the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Austria's largest art museum, whose name translates to the "Museum of Art History." Visitors need a museum ticket to enjoy a coffee, but the stunning café interior and the museum's prestigious art collection make it well worth the entrance fee.
With a style inspired by the cafés of Europe, Confeiteria Colombo is a celebrated landmark in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Following its opening in 1894, it quickly became a gathering place for Brazilian writers, artists, and intellectuals.
Located in Venice's iconic Piazza San Marco, Café Florian is Italy's oldest coffee house. Since its opening in 1720, it has operated continuously for over 300 years, despite undergoing significant expansion and renovation in the mid-1800s. Today, it boasts six uniquely themed halls, each decorated by renowned Italian artists from as far back as the 18th century.
Located in the center of Vienna, hence its name, Café Central embodies the essence of Viennese coffee culture in a remarkable setting with a strong Italian influence. The mansion housing the café was built in 1860, showcasing an elegant blend of Venetian and Florentine architectural elements, inspired by the architect's travels in Italy.
In typical Art Nouveau fashion, Majestic Café features large Flemish mirrors, leather upholstery, and a refined blend of marble and metal.
Founded in 1686, Le Procope is renowned as the oldest café in Paris. Legend has it that in the 17th century, this was the first establishment in the city to serve coffee, then an exotic beverage recently introduced from the Ottoman Empire. Following a refurbishment in 1989, its interiors now reflect an 18th-century aesthetic.
Founded in 1858, Café Tortoni is the oldest café in Buenos Aires. Its marble tables have hosted celebrated figures like writer Jorge Luis Borges and tango legend Carlos Gardel, who even had his own private table, sheltered from the gaze of his fans.
The name "Les Deux Magots" refers to the two Oriental figures called "magots" displayed in the café, which evoke its origins as a silk and novelty business. Its transition into a café in 1884 marked the beginning of its legacy as a literary gathering place, frequented by famous regulars such as Simone de Beauvoir, Jean-Paul Sartre, and Ernest Hemingway.
Today, the café has expanded internationally, with branches in Tokyo, Prague, and London.