The World’s Top 10 Historic Coffee Shops You Should Know

Ever wondered which coffee shops have shaped the way we drink today? Whether you're hunting for heritage brews or just curious about where your favorite chain began, knowing the roots of global coffeehouses reveals more than just a latte—it shows how coffee became a social staple. These iconic spots didn’t just serve drinks; they built communities and set trends.

Here are 10 of the world’s most historically significant coffee shops, each founded between 1962 and 1993, spanning the U.S., Canada, Italy, the UK, Singapore, Bahrain, and beyond.

4. Diedrich Coffee (USA, Founded 1983)

Diedrich Coffee started in the United States in 1983, becoming one of the early players in the specialty coffee movement in America. Though it has since changed ownership and scaled back its retail presence, its early influence helped pave the way for the modern café experience.

5. Second Cup (Canada, Founded 1975)

Canada’s Second Cup opened its doors in 1975, making it one of the country’s oldest coffee shop chains. It played a key role in popularizing café culture in Canada and remains a familiar name for coffee drinkers across the nation.

6. Segafredo Zanetti (Italy, Founded 1962)

Segafredo Zanetti began in Italy in 1962, originally known for its premium roasted coffee and later expanding into the café space. The brand is deeply tied to Italy’s rich coffee heritage and helped shape modern espresso culture both in Europe and internationally.

7. Costa Coffee (UK, Founded 1978)

Founded in London in 1978, Costa Coffee is now one of the UK’s leading coffee chains. Starting as a family-run Italian-style coffee bar, it expanded rapidly and became a household name, known for its espresso-based drinks and cozy café settings.

8. McDonald’s McCafé (USA, Founded 1993)

McCafé launched in 1993 in the United States as McDonald’s answer to the growing demand for quality coffee. What began as a simple coffee add-on quickly evolved into a major coffee platform, bringing espresso drinks to fast-food customers worldwide.

9. Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (Singapore, Founded 1963)

Established in Singapore in 1963, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf is one of the oldest international coffee and tea chains. It introduced a wide selection of beans and teas to global markets and has maintained a strong presence across Asia, the Middle East, and beyond.

10. Caribou Coffee (Bahrain, Founded 1992)

Caribou Coffee was founded in Bahrain in 1992 before expanding globally, particularly in the U.S. market. Known for its cozy atmospheres and premium coffee offerings, it became a key player in the specialty café scene of the 1990s and 2000s.

What About the Rest?

The original list also referenced Diedrich (again, possibly duplicated), and included general advice about coffee taste preferences—like choosing heavier profiles akin to Arabian coffees, or brighter, lower-acid options from Sumatra or Guatemala. The article suggested experimenting with blends to match personal taste and emphasized proper brewing, storage, and enjoyment methods.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which coffee shop on the list is the oldest?

The oldest coffee shop on the list is Segafredo Zanetti, founded in Italy in 1962. It has long been associated with premium coffee and Italian espresso traditions.

When did Costa Coffee start?

Costa Coffee was founded in 1978 in London, UK. It began as a family-operated Italian-style coffee bar and grew into one of the UK’s largest coffee chains.

What year was McCafé established?

McCafé was launched in 1993 in the United States as part of McDonald’s strategy to offer higher-quality coffee and compete in the growing specialty coffee market.

Which is the oldest coffee chain in Asia on this list?

Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, founded in Singapore in 1963, is the oldest coffee and tea chain from Asia listed. It has since expanded across multiple continents.

Are any of these coffee shops still independent?

Many of these chains, like Diedrich and Caribou, have changed ownership over time, with some being acquired by larger companies, though they still operate under their original brand names.

Did any of these shops originate coffee trends?

Yes, several—like Costa and Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf—helped introduce espresso-based drinks and curated tea-coffee blends to their respective regions, influencing modern café culture.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Coffee Explorers

If you’re inspired by the global coffee shop legacy, try FrontStreet’s Brazil Queen Manor Yellow Bourbon for its rich sweetness and creamy body, or Colombia Huila for its bold chocolate and fruit notes. Both showcase the kind of distinct regional profiles that helped define specialty coffee in those historic cafés. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.