Discover the 21 Oldest Cafes in the World

Cafes and coffee houses are more than just places to go and grab a drink. They’ve become places to socialize, do work, and relax away from home or work. Whether you’re looking at cafes now or the oldest cafes in the world, the purpose of these businesses is the same.

Take a look at the history of cafes by checking out some of the oldest coffee shops in the world. Some of them are even still in use today, and worth a visit if you’re a fan of history or just really good coffee and snacks.

21. Café A Brasileira

It is still open to this day and is known for its amazing coffee and building design.

20. Caffee Reggio

It still retains much of its charm and features stunning paintings from the Italian Renaissance.

20. Confeiteria Colombo

It was founded by two Portuguese immigrants. The beautiful coffee shop is still thriving to this day.

19. New York Cafe

It’s a beautiful building in an Italian Renaissance style. It’s common for there to be long lines for anyone wanting to enter the coffee shop.

18. Cafe Comercial

It’s the oldest cafe in the city still open to this day. It was also one of the first cafes in the area to hire women.

17. Cafe Landtmann

The owner, Franz Landtmann came from a family that had a history of owning coffee shops and making delicious gingerbreads.

16. Leopold Cafe

1871 was when Leopold Cafe first opened. It was given its name in honor of King Leopold of the Belgians.

15. Cafe De La Pix

It was built in 1862 and hasn’t changed much in its appearance since then.

14. Cafe du Monde

Cafe du Monde was found in the historic French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana.

13. Caffe Gambrinus

The year 1860 is when Naples, Italy got Caffe Gambrinus. It is a private cafe for intellectuals and artists alike.

12. Cafe Gerbeaud

It was made to mimic the Grunderzeit style. A man who grew up in a confectionery dynasty, Henrik Kugler, opened the cafe.

11. Cafe Tortoni

It has a very Parisian feel since it was based on French cafes. Albert Einstein visited this cafe.

10. Cafe Central

This cafe, designed by Heinrich von Ferstel, first opened in 1876.

9. Cafe Frauenhuber

Its name didn’t become Frauenhuber until 1891. The cafe is still in operation to this day, though it has moved locations.

8. El-Fishawy Cafe

Their first one opened in 1797. It opened just one year before Napoleon invaded Egypt. Despite its long history, the cafe has been owned by the same family for its entire operation, spanning over six generations.

7. Antico Caffe Greco

This cafe opened up in 1760 and hosted many famous people throughout history like Princess Diana and Audrey Hepburn.

6. Caffe Florian

It’s the oldest cafe in Italy, first opened in 1720.

5. Cafe Procope

Many people tried to claim that this cafe, opened in 1686, was the first coffeehouse in the world, but it’s not true, though it may be the oldest in France.

4. The Queens Lane Coffee House

It was first opened in 1654. A version of this coffee house is still running to this day, though they’ve moved locations.

3. The Grand Cafe

It first opened in 1651. Though it serves some coffee, it is more known for its high tea service and delicious snacks.

2. Tahmis Kahvesi

They serve Turkish coffee and delicious treats.

1. Kiva Han

Kiva Han is supposedly the oldest coffee house on record. Coffee became not only a delicious drink but also a way for people to socialize.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Catarina Belova/Shutterstock.com