The Origins of London’s First Coffeehouse: Roger’s Café

Ever wondered why modern coffeehouses feel like a mix of café, library, and stock exchange? That model dates back to London in the 1650s, when the city’s very first coffeehouse set the blueprint. But who started it—and why did people trust coffee enough to gather there in the first place? The story begins not in London, but with a Lebanese trader and a chance meeting in Turkey.

In 1652, Pasqua Roseé—working with English merchant Daniel Edwards, who had met a Lebanese man named Jacob (or possibly Yakub) and later a Turkish acquaintance named Roger—opened London’s first coffeehouse, called “Roger’s Coffee House.” It stood near the Royal Exchange in the heart of London’s business district. This was England’s first dedicated coffeehouse, built on the idea that coffee wasn’t just a drink, but a social and economic tool.

The First Coffeehouse in England

The story goes back further. In 1650, a Lebanese man named Jacob (or Yakub) opened Britain’s first coffeehouse in Oxford, near the university. Titled “Jacob’s Coffee House,” it quickly became popular with students. Two years later, in 1652, English businessman Daniel Edwards, who had met a man named Roger while in Turkey, brought him back to London as a business partner. Edwards was already importing coffee and had become a daily drinker. Observing this, Roger recognised the opportunity. After learning all he could about coffee, Roger proposed opening a coffeehouse. Edwards funded it, and the result was London’s first official coffeehouse: “Roger’s Coffee House,” established in 1652 near the Royal Exchange.

How Coffee Took Root in a Beer-Drinking Nation

At the time, England had no coffee culture—alehouses dominated. But Roseé and Edwards didn’t give up. They launched what is now recognised as the world’s first coffee advertisement, promoting the health benefits of coffee. The flyer claimed coffee could invigorate the mind, aid digestion, and relieve conditions like gout and poor sleep. Titled “The Virtue of the Coffee Drink,” it was distributed widely and is considered a pioneer of modern advertising.

More Than a Café: The First Penny University

Roger’s location—close to the Royal Exchange and the heart of London’s commercial activity—was strategic. Traders and merchants flocked there not just for coffee, but for news. Information not available in the stock exchange often circulated in the coffeehouse. Before long, it functioned as a de facto second exchange. More than a business hub, it became known as a “Penny University”: for the price of a penny, patrons could read newspapers, engage in debate, and exchange ideas on politics, science, and philosophy. It was a place of informal education and civic discourse.

Legacy: From Business Hub to Leisure Space

Though today’s British coffee shops are mainly places for relaxation, early coffeehouses like Roger’s were vibrant centres of commerce, debate, and connection. Over time, the role of coffeehouses shifted. The intense exchange of ideas and financial intelligence gave way to more casual, leisurely use. Yet the DNA of these early establishments still echoes in the way we use third spaces today—from cafés to co-working spots. The original function may have faded, but the cultural ripple effect remains profound.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was London’s first coffeehouse opened?

London’s first coffeehouse, known as Roger’s Coffee House, was opened in 1652 near the Royal Exchange. It was established by Pasqua Roseé, backed by English merchant Daniel Edwards, who had partnered with a man named Roger after meeting him in Turkey.

Who founded the first coffeehouse in England?

The first coffeehouse in England was Jacob’s Coffee House, opened in 1650 in Oxford by a Lebanese trader named Jacob. The first in London was Roger’s Coffee House, established in 1652 by Pasqua Roseé with support from Daniel Edwards and based on his connection with Roger.

What was special about Roger’s Coffee House?

Roger’s Coffee House was located near the Royal Exchange in London, making it a central hub for merchants and traders. It became an informal stock exchange and earned the nickname “Penny University” because people could pay a penny to access news, read papers, and join discussions on various topics.

Was coffee popular in England when the first coffeehouse opened?

No. When Roger’s Coffee House opened in 1652, most English people drank beer or ale. Coffee was unfamiliar, so the founders advertised its health benefits—including claims it aided digestion and improved energy—to promote the drink.

What was the first coffee advertisement?

The first known coffee advertisement was a flyer titled “The Virtue of the Coffee Drink,” promoting coffee’s health benefits such as mental alertness and relief from ailments like gout. It was distributed by the founders of Roger’s Coffee House around 1652 and is considered the world’s first coffee ad.

Why was Roger’s Coffee House called a Penny University?

Because for the price of one penny, customers could read newspapers, engage in discussions, and exchange knowledge on politics, science, and other subjects—functioning as an informal, low-cost educational space.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Coffee History Fans

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