6 of the Best Cafés in Europe

6of thebest cafés By Donna Rolando WHEN THE GOING GETS GOOD AGAIN AND YOU’RE ACROSS THE POND, WHY NOT VISIT THESE TEMPLES OF CAFFEINATED CULTURE? in Europe

Don’t let the word fool you: A café (with or without the accent mark, or the double f) is a coffeehouse, but that doesn’t mean it’s strictly about steaming cups of java brewed to perfection. In fact, walking into a café and ordering just a cuppa joe is like visiting a Michelin-star restaurant for the salad alone. It leaves a lot undiscovered.

Whether you’re on a quest to find romance in Paris or culture in Vienna, your travel itinerary is not complete without experiencing a café the way it was meant to be. A little history lesson: The first café was created in Constantinople in 1550, but by the 17th century cafés were all the rage in Italy, France, Germany and England. This was an idea born to grow, and today wherever there is a hub of activity, you’re likely to find a café.

Take time to experience what the elite have enjoyed over the years. Cafés aren’t just for foodies. They are the perfect starter or topper for your traveling day, whatever form that day may take after the recent travails of COVID.

What makes a café one of the best? Imagine decadent pastries handcrafted by skilled artists, the finest food and a cozy, candle-lit atmosphere like that of a second living room, often with a ’Gram-worthy view. Are these, then, the six absolutely top cafés in Europe? We’ll guarantee only this: Any other establishment that challenges one of them for a spot on this list will know it’s been in a fight.

CAFÉ A BRASILEIRA, PORTO, PORTUGAL:

They say “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” Well, apply that principle to Porto and you’ll be breaking all diet taboos. Here, sweet pastries are not only on the menu; they are the custom for breakfast. And there’s no better place than this in which to indulge.

Before taking a lazy cruise on the famed Douro River, start the day right at a café that’s serious about its coffee, be it a specialty traditional roast or a unique texture or flavor. With more than 115 years of history under its belt, Café a Brasileira inspires with ’Gram-worthy views both inside and out. The elegant dining area features ornate arches and bountiful chandeliers, but the eye is equally drawn to the wall of glass for an unbridled view of the tree-lined street bustling with activity.

The architecture of this coastal city served as inspiration for J. K. Rowling’s Hogwarts. So savor a light meal or fine pastry and get your creative juices going while sipping a favorite brew. Who knows what might come of your Porto café visit?

BRASILEIRA CAFÉ A

CAFÉ LANDTMANN, VIENNA, AUSTRIA:

In this cultural mecca along the Danube River, the coffeehouse is as much a cherished institution as the Vienna Opera Ball. Three centuries of tradition puts the Viennese café on the must-see list, right up there with the city’s museums and palaces.

Don’t take our word for it. Viennese Coffee House Culture is listed on the Austrian inventory of the National Agency for the Intangible Cultural Heritage. That’s a mouthful, and a significant nod to the impact that coffee teamed up with good food and good chat in a cozy setting can have.

Legend has it that the battle of Vienna in 1683 gave the first coffeehouse here its start. Turkish coffee beans were found among the booty captured by the victorious Viennese, and the rest, supposedly, is history.

One of the best cafés to sample for a sense of this tradition is Café Landtmann. Owned by the Querfeld family for more than 140 years, this café has mastered the fine art of sweet temptation in a setting that blends with fresh-baked delicacies from the patisserie. Here, shaping pastries by hand is a rigorous art. The Landtmann’s specialties are Apfelstrudel (apple strudel) and Maroni Blüte (a bloom of chestnuts). But with so many colorful desserts to choose from, you may be tempted to sample a few.

And why stop there? The chef de cuisine can prepare a classic Austrian entrée such as wiener schnitzel or goulash, or perhaps a seasonal dish for variety. From breakfast to midnight, you can have it all in the style of a grand café. Or stop by after the theater and sip your brew in the popular glass enclosure—it’s outdoor dining without the elements.

LES DEUX MAGOTS, PARIS, FRANCE:

Do you have the soul of a poet or artist? You’re in good company at Les Deux Magots, one of the oldest cafes in Paris. Writer Ernest Hemingway and painter Pablo Picasso are among the creative types who’ve been drawn over the years to this landmark ideally located in Saint-Germain-desPrés. Even J. J. Abrams, one of the directors of the Star Wars films, sought inspiration for the seventh “episode” within its storied walls. And the café has its own literary award to keep the muse flourishing.

But if you’re a tourist with a full agenda of sightseeing, you’d probably be happy with a great place to eat—Les Deux Magots is that too. Take the chill off with a double espresso or a hot chocolate served in a steaming pot, a perfect companion for your raspberries and cream, fresh pastries or chocolate lava cake à la mode. Or try some hearty fare such as crispy sea bass in candied fennel and citrus butter sauce after nibbling on a selection of matured cheeses. With outdoor dining among its features, the Les Deux Magots has been at its location since 1873.

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CAFÉ GERBEAUD, BUDAPEST, HUNGARY:

A traditional coffeehouse since 1858, Café Gerbeaud is an iconic feature of Vörösmarty Square in downtown Budapest.

While you’re in Hungary’s capital, take an evening cruise on the Danube or unwind in the famed thermal spas. But don’t forget to satisfy your craving for chocolate at what has been called one of Europe’s finest coffeehouses and pastry shops. You’ll be following the path of royalty.

Take your espresso on the terrace overlooking the square or Váci Utca, the city’s most celebrated street. Or relax in the grand dining area where marble tables and high ceilings reflect sheer elegance. This is no time to count calories, with one of the best-known Hungarian desserts—the Gerbeaud cake—close enough to make your mouth water. Gerbeaud cake is layered with walnuts and apricot jam filling—blanketed with chocolate, of course. The landmark café is also noted for its Dobos cake, cream cakes, handmade bonbons (also found boxed to go), and the list goes on.

The café’s namesake, Emil Gerbeaud, who came from a family of confectioners, founded a small chocolate factory on the premises—that’s how much he appreciated the sweet of lovers. Some other favorites are pancakes stuffed with walnuts, smoked salmon and Hungarian cuisine.

This iconic site has grown over the years to include a bistro and the Michelin-starred Onyx restaurant.

LA FABRICA, GIRONA, SPAIN:

You may not need directions to reach this famous coffeehouse. The aroma of fresh specialty coffee beans wafting down the cobblestone alleys of Girona has been known to tempt even those with strong willpower. Many of those who stop by for the hospitality and healthy fare are cyclists, and that’s fitting; in a rustic setting of brick and cobbled stone is a tribute to cycling history.

This light and airy space with high ceilings, concrete floors and greenery was a labor of love for restaurant owners Christian and Amber Meier. The couple found their way to Girona more than 12 years ago because Christian was pursuing a promising career as a professional cyclist. The restaurant was Amber’s passion, and the risk paid off.

The menu is based on their travels around the world, an example being hummingbird cake— think carrot cake but with pineapple. Even the coffee is the best the world has to offer, whether it’s the vibrant fruity notes of high-altitude African beans or Brazilian beans’ chocolatey sweetness. With a sumptuous meal and your favorite brew, you’ll have the energy to explore the Catalonia region with its medieval architecture and landscaped gardens. Aren’t we always better after coffee?

ANTICO CAFFÉ GRECO, ROME, ITALY:

To say Italians are serious about their coffee is like saying the Tiber is damp. Italia claims the title of the world’s coffee capital, and it’s as passionate about preserving its café heritage as it is its museums. Pressures over the years have threatened Rome’s oldest café, Antico Caffé Greco, started more than 250 years ago. But the Italian government infused survival in its bones. Even its furnishings and artwork are protected in a 1953 decree.

Good to know, because the Caffé, located on the Via Condotti close to the Spanish Steps, is a must-see after a day of sightseeing in the Eternal City. For ages it’s been the “in” spot for the rich and famous, everyone from Liz Taylor to Princess Diana, and with good reason.

Perfection—that’s been the goal for hundreds of years for the brew the Caffé serves in elegant cups or packs for the home connoisseur. Guests are invited to “take your Italian home,” choosing from a variety of perfect historic blends. And the in-house coffee menu is extensive, with varieties ranging from chocolate to ginseng. Bring your appetite because Italians are also known for delizioso food, and Caffé Greco doesn’t disappoint with its pasta mignon, tiramisu or cheesecake. So mangia!