The 6 Oldest Coffeehouses in the World and Their Stories

Ever wondered where some of the greatest thinkers, writers, and revolutionaries sipped their coffee while shaping modern culture? The world’s oldest coffeehouses aren’t just places to get a cup—they’re living museums where history was brewed alongside espresso. These iconic cafes have hosted everyone from Voltaire to Hemingway, and their walls still echo with the debates and creations of the past.

From Paris’s 329-year-old Le Procope to Florence’s 143-year-old Caffe Rivoire, here are the six oldest continuously operating coffeehouses in the world, each with its own unique legacy, famous patrons, and architectural charm.

1. Le Procope – Paris’s First Café (Est. 1686)

Founded in 1686, Le Procope in Paris is the oldest café in France—and possibly the world still in operation. Tucked away on a quiet street in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, this unassuming café has been a hub of intellectual life for over 300 years. It served as a meeting place for Enlightenment thinkers like Voltaire, Rousseau, and Denis Diderot, who reportedly wrote parts of their revolutionary works here. Napoleon Bonaparte, then a penniless young officer, once left his military hat as collateral for an unpaid bill—a relic that remains on display. Other notable patrons included Robespierre, Danton, and Marat, who debated the French Revolution within these walls.

2. Antico Caffè Greco – Rome’s Historic Artistic Haven (Est. 1760)

Established in 1760 by a Greek immigrant, Antico Caffè Greco on Rome’s Via Condotti is Italy’s oldest café. For centuries, it has attracted artists, musicians, and poets, including Goethe, Byron, Liszt, and Wagner. The café retains its opulent 18th-century décor, featuring marble-topped tables, gilded mirrors, and classical frescoes. Staff still wear traditional tailcoats, adding to its timeless elegance. Kings and popes were among its distinguished guests, making it a crossroads of European high culture.

3. Les Deux Magots – Paris’s Literary Landmark (Est. 1873)

Les Deux Magots, founded in 1873, is one of Paris’s most celebrated literary cafés. Originally a silk shop (its name refers to two Chinese figurines displayed in the window), it became a gathering spot for existentialists, surrealists, and literary giants. Regulars included Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, Pablo Picasso, Ernest Hemingway, and Albert Camus. The café’s British-style second floor, quiet and refined, is reserved for a year for the winner of the annual Prix de Flore literary award. A ceramic cup engraved with the laureate’s name is also permanently displayed in the café.

4. Café de Flore’s Rival: Café de la Paix & Other Parisian Giants

While not the oldest, nearby rivals like Café de Flore (founded 1887) and Les Deux Magots defined Parisian intellectual life in the 20th century. But older still is the 1847-opened **Café de la Closerie des Lilas**, where Ernest Hemingway wrote parts of *The Sun Also Rises* in just two weeks. A chair there is preserved in his honor. These cafés, along with **Le Procope** and **Les Deux Magots**, formed the backbone of Paris’s café society, where politics, philosophy, and art were debated over espresso.

5. Caffè Gilli – Florence’s Early Café (Est. 1733, Nearby Contender)

Though not the focus of the original list, Florence’s **Caffè Gilli** (opened 1733) is another key historic café, predating even Caffe Rivoire. Located near the Piazza della Repubblica, it was a favorite of 19th-century aristocrats and artists. However, the article specifically highlights **Caffe Rivoire** as Florence’s most prominent historic coffeehouse.

6. Caffe Rivoire – Florence’s Renaissance-Era Café (Est. 1872)

Opened in 1872 in Florence’s Piazza della Signoria, Caffe Rivoire gained fame for perfecting its coffee roast, winning the favor of King Victor Emmanuel II and later European nobility. The café’s outdoor seating offers a front-row view of Renaissance masterpieces, including Michelangelo’s *David* replica and Cellini’s *Perseus*. Its founders’ breakthrough in roasting techniques helped define Italian coffee culture during the late 19th century.

7. Café de Flore (1887) & Les Deux Magots (1873) – Paris’s Literary Duo

Though slightly younger than Le Procope, **Café de Flore** (est. 1887) and **Les Deux Magots** (est. 1873) became central to 20th-century Parisian intellectual life. **Les Deux Magots** was frequented by Sartre, Picasso, and Hemingway, while **Café de Flore** attracted similar crowds. Both remain iconic, with **Les Deux Magots** adding the **Prix de Flore** literary award and reserving a seat for the winner each year.

8. Closerie des Lilas (1847) – Hemingway’s Writing Spot

Opened in 1847, the **Closerie des Lilas** in Paris’s Montparnasse district was a key haunt for literary figures like Émile Zola and Paul Cézanne. Most famously, a young Ernest Hemingway wrote *The Sun Also Rises* here in just two weeks. The café still displays the chair he used. Its garden and fountain create a serene atmosphere, much like it did for the writers of the past.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the oldest coffeehouse in the world still open today?

The oldest continuously operating coffeehouse is Le Procope in Paris, founded in 1686. It has served as a meeting place for Enlightenment thinkers, including Voltaire and Rousseau, and even hosted Napoleon Bonaparte, who left his military hat as collateral for an unpaid bill.

Which Parisian café was a hub for Enlightenment philosophers?

Le Procope, established in 1686, was the preferred meeting spot for Enlightenment thinkers like Voltaire, Rousseau, and Diderot. It played a key role in the intellectual movement that shaped modern democracy and philosophy.

Where did Hemingway write part of The Sun Also Rises?

Hemingway wrote parts of *The Sun Also Rises* in just two weeks at the Closerie des Lilas in Paris, which opened in 1847. A chair there is preserved in his honor, and the café remains a literary landmark.

What makes Caffe Rivoire in Florence historically significant?

Caffe Rivoire, founded in 1872 in Florence’s Piazza della Signoria, is known for perfecting its coffee roast, which gained the approval of King Victor Emmanuel II. Its outdoor seating overlooks Renaissance artworks, including a replica of Michelangelo’s David.

Which café is associated with the Prix de Flore literary award?

Les Deux Magots, founded in 1873, awards the annual Prix de Flore literary prize. The winner receives a reserved seat for a year and has a personalized coffee cup displayed in the café.

What historic figures visited Antico Caffè Greco in Rome?

Antico Caffè Greco, opened in 1760, hosted Lord Byron, Goethe, Wagner, and other European artists and intellectuals. Its lavish interior and historic clientele make it a cornerstone of European cultural history.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Historic Cafés

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