Five of the oldest cafes in the world I have been to
by
Anjaly Thomas
Posted on
I live on coffee and tell me of one person who hasn’t found life’s meaning in a steaming hot cup! Coffee helps in making connections: to ourselves, to each other, to the world, and even to the past. Coffee is a life-affirming ritual. In fact, it is said that much of the world would be strangers to each other if there was no coffee.
Whenever I travel, I make it a point to visit the oldest coffee shop i that town or city because I know for a fact that history has been made within those walls or at least, it has been visited by notable people in that city.
Here are five of the oldest, most prominent coffee houses across the globe, where my favorite beverage has been served and enjoyed in much the same way for hundreds of years.
Café Le Procope is the oldest operating cafe in Paris, and arguably one of the oldest in the world. It’s known for hosting revolutionaries and intellectuals such as Marie Antoinette, Victor Hugo, Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin.
2. Caffe Florian, Venice (1720)
Caffè Florian is the only coffee house that welcomed women when it opened in 1720, which is why it may have attracted such famous patrons as Lord Byron, Marcel Proust, and Charles Dickens. Today, it’s a landmark in Saint Mark Square and is especially popular with tourists. Sit indoors (an extra charge applies) or out to enjoy coffee drinks.
3. Caffe Greco, Rome (1760)
This is the oldest—and some say, most elegant—cafe in Rome. Caffè Greco has hosted everyone from Orson Welles and John Keats to Elizabeth Taylor and Princess Diana. The cappuccino and cakes make Antico Caffe Greco a must-visit when in Rome.
4. Cafe Central, Vienna (1876)
Many say Cafè Central is the centerpiece of Vienna. While it serves traditional Viennese food, its coffee culture is what sets it apart from other cafes in town. Cafè Central has welcomed some greats, including Sigmund Freud, Adolf Hitler and Vladimir Lenin.
5. Caffe Reggio, New York (1927)
Located in Greenwich Village, this small coffee house has a big claim to fame: the the cappuccino. It’s also home to the first espresso machine in the U.S. Order a traditional cappuccino, or an almond or hazelnut cappuccino (hot or iced).
Can’t help but grin from ear to ear
BONUS CAFE WITH A ‘FIRST’
CAFE Vittorio, Boston has been a popular destination for locals and a pleasant stop for tourists, attracting household names like actor Al Pacino. This cafe has a spooky history and many report paranormal activities here. Investigations found that 292 Hanover Street (where the cafe is located) may have once housed a baby farm. A syringe was found in Caffè Vittoria’s foundation and upon its removal, the alleged paranormal activity stopped.
