A tour of the world’s most iconic literary cafés
There are places where time seems to dissolve between sips of coffee and scribbled pages
Cafés that were more than meeting points: they became true cradles of literary creation. From Paris to Buenos Aires, via Vienna and Trieste, Lifestyle Mag invites you to explore the historic cafés that inspired legendary writers — and, of course, to sample their most emblematic flavors.
Café de Flore, Paris
If there’s one place where ideas gained density and charm, it’s Café de Flore in Paris. Favored by Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir, it was the scene of philosophical discussions that shaped 20th-century thought. Today, it still retains the bohemian and elegant aura that made it famous.
Lifestyle Mag’s recommendation: go without hurry, and order the traditional French omelette accompanied by the house’s thick hot chocolate — the best in the city.
The address is 172 Boulevard Saint-Germain, and it does not take reservations. Our tip? Arrive early and take the opportunity to watch Parisian life like a true flâneur.
Les Deux Magots, Paris
There, just a few steps from Flore, is the equally legendary Les Deux Magots. Hemingway, Picasso, and James Joyce left their marks in this space where every table seems to hold an artistic secret.
Lifestyle Mag’s favorite dish and drink: the beef tartare and a glass of French wine — a classic, irresistible combination.
The address is 6 Place Saint-Germain-des-Prés and, unlike its neighbor, it accepts online reservations. Cheers to good taste.
Antico Caffè Greco, Rome
Founded in 1760, Antico Caffè Greco was frequented by Lord Byron, Keats, and Goethe. Its old mirrors and velvet armchairs seem to whisper romantic verses to anyone who enters.
Lifestyle Mag’s recommendation: indulge in the house’s traditional cappuccino and finish with a handmade tiramisu — simple, intense, unforgettable.
It’s located at Via dei Condotti, 86, and does not take reservations. Go with time to spare and enjoy every second.
Café Central, Vienna
At Café Central, Freud debated psychoanalysis and Trotsky politics, among neo-Gothic columns and steaming coffees. A place where ideas always had a seat at the table.
Lifestyle Mag’s pick: try the traditional Apfelstrudel with a cup of the famous Wiener Melange — a kind of lightly sweetened Viennese cappuccino.
Located at Herrengasse 14, the café accepts online reservations for up to 6 people. Elegance, history, and flavor in one address.
Els Quatre Gats, Barcelona
Picasso, still young, exhibited his first works here. Els Quatre Gats was an epicenter of Catalan modernism — a refuge where art, music, and literature intertwined.
Lifestyle Mag’s recommendation: choose the seafood paella and pair it with a local Catalan wine. The match is perfect.
The café is at Carrer de Montsió, 3, and accepts reservations through its website. Ideal for a night of Spanish-style inspiration.
Antico Caffè San Marco, Trieste
Trieste was a fundamental city for James Joyce, and Antico Caffè San Marco was his creative harbor. More than a café, it’s a living bookstore — where silence is filled with stories.
Lifestyle Mag’s favorite dish and drink: fresh brioches with an authentic Italian spritz. Lightness and flavor to accompany pages and thoughts.
It’s located at Via Cesare Battisti, 18, and accepts online reservations. A café for those who love literature — and the sea.
Café Tortoni, Buenos Aires
Founded in 1858, Café Tortoni is Argentina’s oldest café and breathes culture. Borges and Cortázar were regular patrons, and the live tango performances still echo its artistic soul.
Lifestyle Mag’s recommendation: start your day with medialunas (the local croissants) and a typical Argentine café con leche.
It’s located at Avenida de Mayo 825, in the heart of Buenos Aires. It does not take reservations for the main room, but you can reserve for the shows — every applause is worth it.
The Round Table – Algonquin Hotel, New York
In Manhattan, the Algonquin Hotel was the stage for the famous “Algonquin Round Table,” a group of writers, playwrights, and journalists who redefined humor and critique in the 1920s.
Lifestyle Mag’s dish and drink: egg white omelette with caviar and a classic dry martini — a subtle luxury, befitting the sharp conversations that echoed there.
The address is 59 W 44th St., and reservations can be made via OpenTable. Go for the inspiration, stay for the irony.
So, which of these have you already visited or dream of visiting?
Share with us in the comments. Because sometimes, all we need is a good story, a corner table… and a cup of coffee.
