Golden halls, Art Nouveau mosaics and more than a century of history: Many of the oldest coffee houses in the world still exist today. A look at legendary cafés from Europe to South America.
Founded in 1686, the "Café Procope" is considered to be the oldest still-operating coffee house in Paris. It attracted intellectuals, writers and revolutionaries early on. Important figures such as Voltaire, Diderot and Napoleon Bonaparte are said to have stayed here regularly. The café was a centre of the Enlightenment and a meeting place for discussions on philosophy and politics.
The "Caffè Florian" opened in 1720 on St. Mark's Square in Venice. Known for its opulent Venetian-style interior, it is one of the oldest coffee houses still in operation worldwide. Writers, musicians and aristocrats gathered here early on. Today, it attracts both tourists and coffee lovers seeking to experience the historic atmosphere. However, drinking a coffee here also comes at a price.
The "Café Tortoni" opened in 1858 and is the oldest coffee house in Buenos Aires. Famous for its furniture, high ceilings and historical paintings, it quickly became a meeting place for poets, musicians and intellectuals such as Jorge Luis Borges. Today it attracts visitors from all over the world.
The "Caffè Gambrinus" in Naples opened in 1860 and is considered one of Italy's most important coffee houses. Its magnificent Art Nouveau interior, with frescoes, stucco and paintings by contemporary artists reflects the splendor of the Belle Époque. Writers, artists and musicians gathered here early on. Today, both tourists and locals come to enjoy the atmosphere.
Vienna's "Café Central", opened in 1876, is one of the most famous coffee houses in Europe. Renowned writers and thinkers such as Stefan Zweig and Hugo von Hofmannsthal met here. The café is currently closed for renovation, with reopening planned for fall 2026.
Opened in 1894 on the first floor of the "New York Palace", the "Café New York" is a magnificent Wilhelminian-style coffee house. Famous for its twisted columns, opulent stucco ceilings and baroque-style interiors, it was for decades a meeting place for writers and artists such as Ferenc Molnár and Dezső Kosztolányi, surviving wars and regime changes. After a renovation in 2006, it now shines again as a historic coffee house and luxury hotel café.
The "Confeitaria Colombo" in Rio de Janeiro was founded in 1894 by Portuguese immigrants and is one of the city's most traditional cafés. Its interior with large crystal mirrors, carved rosewood furniture and a glass dome, recalls the Belle Époque. Over the decades, the café developed into an important meeting place in Rio's cultural life. To this day, thousands of snacks and desserts are served here every month, including classics such as pastéis de nata, mil folhas (Brazilian mille-feuille) and quindim (baked coconut pudding).
"Café Imperial" opened in 1914 in the hotel of the same name. Guests are welcomed by colorful mosaics, carved wooden decorations and a blend of Art Nouveau and Art Deco. Writers and artists gathered here early on. During the Second World War, a different kind of clientele appeared: German officers. Today, guests can sit among historic columns and still sense a touch of Belle Époque flair.
