12 European Cities With the Best Coffee Culture
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If you cannot get through the day without a caffeine hit, you need to know the best European destinations for coffee aficionados. Coffee culture is huge in many cities across the continent, from classic Austrian coffee houses to contemporary Scandinavian-style venues.
There’s a few surprises in store, too. Accompany your coffee with a freshly baked sweet treat for an authentic and satisfying stop, or sample the locals’ favorite hot drink for a unique experience. Here are some of the best European cities for cafe-hopping.
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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There’s nothing quite like coffee with a canal view, watching locals and tourists weaving past by bike as you sip. Amsterdam does coffee very well, and its cafes tend to be cozy and welcoming. Add a stroopwafel for the full-on Dutch experience.
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Vienna, Austria
The refined Viennese coffee houses offer an experience unlike any other European city. Cafe culture is huge here, and you’ll find elegant venues all over the Austrian city. The best places are Café Central, Café Hawelka, and Café Weimar. A latte-like Wiener melange, accompanied by a slice of Sachertorte, is the must-try hot drink.
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Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Tenerife might not come to mind when considering coffee, but the island boasts its own local specialty. Barraquito is a layered, coffee-based drink with Licor 43, a Spanish liqueur. It also contains condensed and frothed glasses of milk and is topped with lemon peel or zest, plus a sprinkling of cinnamon. Santa Cruz de Tenerife has plenty of cafes serving this unique local brew.
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London, UK
Though the British are known as a nation of tea drinkers, London has truly embraced caffeine culture. (Decaf coffee is widely available, too, of course.) You can find it here whether you want an Antipodean-style flat white or an espresso made in a gleaming, hissing Italian machine. Bypass Costa and Starbucks to find your own go-to local cafe: sampling several is all part of the fun.
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Istanbul, Turkey
Strong Turkish coffee is unlike the average European brew, and according to some, all the better for that. Cafes here are where people come to slow down and socialize over a rich cup of coffee. Traditionally, beans are finely ground and then simmered in brass or copper pots before being served in small cups.
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Venice, Italy
Though it’s far from cheap, having coffee in Piazza San Marco in Venice is an unforgettable experience. Historic, opulent Caffè Florian is hands-down the best venue. Dating back several centuries, it’s a real institution and possibly the oldest coffee house in Europe. You’ll be in good company: past visitors include Byron, Proust, and Wagner.
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Paris, France
The romantic City of Light is one of the European capitals of coffee culture. Sip a cafe au lait while watching the world go by the Seine or in the surrounding 12 arrondissements of Paris. Some cafes are classic, and others contemporary, and some of the former are centuries old.
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Reykjavik, Iceland
There’s perhaps no place in Europe where you’ll need a steaming hot cup of coffee more than chilly Reykjavik! The Icelandic capital is packed with local businesses competing to serve the best brew rather than big brands, which means the cafes offer plenty of character and charm. Italian-style coffee is the way to go here, at spots like Café Babalú or Mokka Kaffi.
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Copenhagen, Denmark
The fact that Scandinavians love coffee so much isn’t any wonder, considering the chilly climate. For stylish cafes with a hygge feel, you cannot beat Copenhagen. Surely, nowhere do Instagrammable coffee house interiors look better.
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Prague, Czech Republic
For cut-price coffee served in a characterful setting, you really cannot go past Prague. Charming cafes are dotted all over the city. As you might expect, many Prague coffee houses have a timeless feel, so expect to be transported to another era while sipping your brew.
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Lisbon, Portugal
Cimbalino (espresso) and café pingado (espresso with milk) are integral to the relaxed Portuguese lifestyle, not least in coastal Lisbon. Coffee house culture is big all over the city, with cafes scattered across the hilly capital. To sample something new, galão is the local answer to latte, or try chilled mazagran, which combines espresso with lemon soda or juice!
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Budapest, Hungary
Though not as well known, some of Budapest’s elegant cafes are stylish enough to rival any found in Vienna, Paris, or Venice. Coffee culture has been big news here since the 1800s, and each coffee house tends to offer its unique blend. Sample the brews at New York Café or Szamos Gourmet Palace, served with a freshly-baked Hungarian pastry.
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