Famous Cafés Around the World: Spain, Egypt, Italy

If you’ve ever wondered where coffee culture meets history, art, and local life, look no further than these iconic cafés in Spain, Egypt, and Italy. These aren’t just places to sip a drink—they’re living museums where writers, artists, and travelers have gathered for over a century. Here’s what makes each one unforgettable.

In short: Visit Barcelona’s Els 4 Gats where Picasso had his first show, Cairo’s Fishawi’s for 238 years of coffee and shisha, and Rome’s Antico Caffè Greco where literary giants sipped espresso standing at the bar.

Els 4 Gats: Barcelona’s Artistic Café Launchpad

Barcelona’s Els 4 Gats (Carrer de Montsió) is where 17-year-old Pablo Picasso held his first exhibition in 1899. His artwork even adorned the café menu. Though the original closed after six years, it reopened in 1978, restored to its former glory. Today, it’s a time capsule of Barcelona’s cultural golden age.

The café still displays reproductions of Picasso’s early works and retains the bohemian atmosphere that attracted figures like architect Antoni Gaudí and composer Isaac Albéniz. More than just a menu, the real treasure is the collection of sketches and doodles left behind by the artists who once gathered here.

Inside, the décor resembles an art gallery, with murals and period furnishings that transport visitors back to early 20th-century Catalonia. It’s a place where you can sip coffee surrounded by history—and maybe even leave your own mark.

Fishawi’s Coffee House: Cairo’s 238-Year-Old Social Hub

Cairo’s Fishawi’s Coffee House, located in the historic Khan el-Khalili district, has been serving coffee since 1773. A favorite of Nobel laureate Naguib Mahfouz, it’s a cornerstone of Egyptian social life. Locals and tourists alike come for the coffee—and the shisha.

This 24-hour café is filled with vintage charm: creaking ceiling fans, dusty mirrors, and black-and-white photos of Egyptian royalty, including King Farouk. The experience isn’t complete without trying sheesha (Arabic water pipe), offered in sweet flavors like Maasil. The tobacco is served with hot coal, and the smoke bubbles through water in a glass base, releasing a mild, sweet aroma.

Fishawi’s is more than a café—it’s a living archive of Cairo’s vibrant street culture, where stories are shared over coffee and smoke.

Antico Caffè Greco: Rome’s Standing Espresso Ritual

Rome’s Antico Caffè Greco (Via dei Condotti 86), established in 1760, is a marble-and-mirror masterpiece near the Spanish Steps. It hosted literary titans like Lord Byron, Goethe, and Shelley, as well as artists such as Canova and Liszt. Goethe even wrote part of his novel “The Sorrows of Young Werther” here.

Italian coffee culture thrives here: espresso is served all day, but cappuccino is strictly before 10:30 a.m. The café’s layout reflects traditional Italian customs. A standing bar serves commuters and locals in a hurry, while deeper inside, velvet-lined seating invites lingering over espresso and conversation.

The interior is opulent: red walls adorned with gilded-framed paintings, antique mirrors, and crystal chandeliers. Patrons watch passersby on the street, often blurring the line between observer and observed. It’s where Rome’s social pulse can still be felt, one espresso at a time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where did Picasso have his first art exhibition?

Picasso held his first art exhibition at Els 4 Gats in Barcelona in 1899, when he was just 17 years old. Some of his early works were even used on the café’s menu covers. The café has since been restored and reopened in 1978, preserving much of its original artistic ambiance.

How old is Fishawi’s Coffee House in Cairo?

Fishawi’s Coffee House in Cairo has been operating continuously since 1773, making it over 238 years old. It’s a historic gathering spot known for both coffee and Egyptian shisha, attracting both locals and tourists with its vintage decor and rich cultural legacy.

What is the coffee etiquette in Antico Caffè Greco?

In Antico Caffè Greco, Italians typically drink espresso all day, but cappuccino is only acceptable before 10:30 a.m. The café offers both standing service for quick drinks and seated areas for longer stays, reflecting traditional Italian coffee customs.

What is sheesha and how is it served in Egypt?

Sheesha is a traditional Arabic water pipe, often enjoyed with coffee in Egypt. It comes in sweet tobacco flavors like Maasil, and is served with hot coal that heats the tobacco, allowing smoke to bubble through water in a glass base, producing a mild, sweet vapor.

Which historic café is associated with Naguib Mahfouz?

Naguib Mahfouz, the 1988 Nobel Prize-winning Egyptian author, was a regular at Cairo’s Fishawi’s Coffee House. This historic café has been a central part of Cairo’s intellectual and social life for centuries.

Where can you stand and drink espresso in Rome?

At Rome’s Antico Caffè Greco, standing at the bar to drink espresso is common for locals in a hurry. The café’s design accommodates both quick service and leisurely seated dining, maintaining classic Italian coffee rituals.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Historic Cafés

Pair your visit to these iconic cafés with FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Humbera for bright floral notes, Yirgacheffe for juicy citrus and stone fruit, or Classic Blend for a balanced espresso with chocolate and caramel. These single origins and blends reflect the craftsmanship and tradition found in historic coffeehouses. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.