How Coffee Spread Through Europe and the Americas (1573–1686)

Ever wondered how coffee made its way from the Middle East to your local café? The 17th century saw coffee leap across continents through trade, diplomacy, and cultural exchange—landing first in Venice, then London, Paris, and eventually New York. But when exactly did each city get its first cup, and who brought it there? This timeline pieces together the forgotten early spread of coffee in the West.

In short: The first recorded European mention of coffee came in 1573 via a German doctor in Syria. By 1615, coffee reached Venice from Turkey. The Netherlands imported coffee from Yemen in 1640, and by 1650 England, France, and Germany had their first coffeehouses. Coffee arrived in North America by 1668, following Dutch trade routes.

Early European Encounters with Coffee (1573–1615)

The earliest known European description of coffee came in 1573, brought back by a German doctor residing in Syria. By the latter half of the 16th century, travelers along the eastern Mediterranean coast began sharing stories of coffee, sparking curiosity across Europe.

Coffee Arrives in Venice and Beyond (1615–1650)

European coffee first entered Venice in 1615, likely brought by a French traveler from Turkey—though some accounts suggest Venetian merchants had it by the late 1500s. By 1625, Cairo alone had over 300 coffeehouses serving sweetened coffee. In 1640, the Netherlands made the first documented European coffee import, with Dutch merchants transporting beans from Yemen’s Al-Mukha (Mocha) port to Amsterdam. Four years later, in 1644, the first Venetian coffeehouse opened, making coffee an everyday Italian drink.

Coffeehouses and Early Imports Across Western Europe (1650–1670)

In 1650, Britain’s first coffeehouse was established in Oxford by Jewish proprietors. Just two years later, in 1652, London got its first coffeehouse, opened by a Greek. By 1660, France received its first coffee shipment, arriving from Egypt into the port of Marseille. That same year, the Dutch East India Company—founded in 1602—was actively involved in regional trade networks. In 1664, the first coffeehouse in The Hague, Netherlands opened. Also in 1664, the British took control of New Amsterdam (later renamed New York), and by 1668, coffee had reached North America.

Germany, France, and Vienna Adopt Coffee (1670–1686)

Coffee made its way into Germany by 1670. The next year, in 1672, Paris saw its first coffeehouse, opened by an Armenian—prior to this, street vendors sold coffee from mobile urns. This was also the year Louis XIV began his second war against the Dutch. In 1683, Vienna’s first coffeehouse was launched by a Pole, using beans left behind by the retreating Ottoman army after their failed siege. By 1685, French doctors began prescribing milk coffee for medicinal purposes, popularizing the practice. Finally, in 1686, Paris welcomed the world’s first literary-style coffee salon, Café Procope, opened by a Sicilian. This intellectual hub paved the way for similar establishments across the continent.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was coffee first mentioned in Europe?

The first known European description of coffee dates to 1573, brought back by a German doctor living in Syria. This account marked the earliest recorded reference in European sources.

What was the first European city to get coffee?

Venice received coffee in 1615, likely brought by a French traveler from Turkey. Some evidence suggests Venetian merchants may have had access to coffee even earlier, by the late 1500s.

When did coffee arrive in England and France?

England’s first coffeehouse opened in Oxford in 1650, while London followed in 1652. France imported its first coffee in 1660, with the shipment arriving from Egypt into Marseille.

How did coffee reach North America?

Coffee reached North America by 1668. This followed the British takeover of New Amsterdam (later New York) in 1664, with the beverage spreading along established Dutch trade routes.

Where was the first coffeehouse in continental Europe?

The first coffeehouse in continental Europe opened in Venice in 1645, establishing coffee as an everyday beverage in Italy.

When and where was the first literary-style coffee salon created?

Paris’s Café Procope, the world’s first literary-style coffee salon, opened in 1686. Run by a Sicilian, it became a gathering place for thinkers and writers and inspired similar venues.

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