No matter where you are in the world, there’s one simple joy that brings people together—cafés. Every country has its own way of doing coffee, tea, and breakfast, and the café culture that comes with it is just as diverse. Some places are packed with tiny, charming cafés on every corner, while others are home to modern, stylish coffee shops that feel like an art gallery. Some cities embrace tradition with elegant, old-fashioned cafés, while others have a more laid-back, artsy vibe. Whether it’s coffee-heavy, tea-focused, pastry-filled, or brunch-centered, every café scene has something unique to offer.
One of the best parts of traveling is getting to explore this side of a place—sitting in a local café, people-watching, and getting a feel for the city’s rhythm over a good cup of coffee (or tea, if that’s your thing). I’ve traveled to over 30 countries across five continents, and in some places, café culture isn’t just part of daily life—it’s a whole experience and even a reason to visit.
So if you’re like me and love discovering cute cafés, finding the best coffee, or just soaking in the atmosphere of a new city, this list is for you. Here are ten of the best destinations around the world with a café culture you won’t want to miss.
1. Tirana, Albania
Albania is a country that takes its coffee seriously—especially a strong, no-nonsense cup of espresso. In the capital, Tirana, café culture isn’t just a part of daily life; it’s everywhere. Walk through the city center, and you’ll find cafés on nearly every corner—sometimes multiple on the same street. There are literally hundreds, if not thousands, of places to grab a coffee, whether you’re in the mood for a quick espresso at the bar or a more relaxed experience with a pastry and a cozy atmosphere.
Albanians have a deep-rooted love for their coffee rituals, and mornings are when you’ll see it in full effect. Groups of locals gather outside, sipping their coffee slowly, chatting, and taking in the day before heading off to work or wherever life takes them. There’s an effortless charm to it—the kind of laid-back energy that makes you want to pull up a chair, order a macchiato, and just soak in the vibe.
While Tirana has the highest concentration of cafés, this love for coffee isn’t limited to the capital. No matter where you go in Albania—whether it’s a bustling city, a small town, or a quiet coastal village—you’re never far from a café where you can experience this everyday ritual for yourself.
2. Tokyo, Japan
Japan has some of the most unique cafés I’ve ever been to—seriously, it’s on another level. Whether it’s a tiny, family-run matcha shop, a traditional tea house, or a futuristic café operated by robots, Tokyo has it all. Some places even print photos onto your lattes or create intricate 3D art with milk foam. The attention to detail and creativity in Japan’s café scene is unreal, making every stop feel like an experience, not just a coffee run.
One of the coolest things about Tokyo’s café culture is the mix of old and new. You’ll find centuries-old tea houses serving matcha the traditional way, right alongside sleek, modern coffee shops experimenting with flavors and techniques you’ve probably never seen before. If you love matcha or green tea, you’re in luck—Japan’s obsession with it means you’ll find some of the most interesting and delicious drinks, from creamy matcha lattes to rich, earthy green tea-infused pastries.
Because Tokyo is such a massive city, there are endless cafés to explore, each with its own unique twist. One of my personal favorites? The sakura latte. If you’re visiting during cherry blossom season, you’ll find sakura-flavored everything—from lattes to pastries—and it’s an absolute must-try.
3. Dubai, UAE
Dubai might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of café culture, but it’s actually home to one of the most diverse and exciting coffee scenes in the world. With its mix of cultures, traditions, and luxury, Dubai offers everything from ultra-elegant cafés to hidden, hole-in-the-wall spots serving up some of the best coffee and tea you’ll ever have.
One of the coolest things about Dubai’s café culture is the contrast. You can sip on a perfectly crafted cappuccino in a sleek, high-end café overlooking the Burj Khalifa, then turn the corner and grab a cup of traditional masala chai from a tiny street-side vendor. The city’s diversity means you’ll find all kinds of influences—Middle Eastern, European, and Asian cafés all woven into the mix.
Coffee has deep roots in the Arabian Peninsula, and Dubai carries on that tradition. Arabic coffee, often made with lightly roasted Arabica beans is a staple in many cafés. It’s usually served in a small cup alongside fresh dates, a combination that reflects the region’s history. If you want a taste of tradition, head to one of Dubai’s more local spots and try local coffee with dates—it’s a must.
4. Chiang Mai, Thailand
Chiang Mai is a café lover’s paradise, especially with its growing community of digital nomads and creatives. The city is packed with incredible coffee shops, breakfast spots, and pastry cafés that make it impossible to run out of new places to try. Whether you’re looking for a trendy brunch café tucked away in a lush garden or a simple street-side coffee stall serving strong Thai coffee, Chiang Mai has it all.
One of the highlights of Chiang Mai’s café scene is its variety. You’ll find places serving traditional Thai tea, creamy matcha lattes, and inventive coffee blends alongside specialty roasters focusing on high-quality local beans. Northern Thailand has a booming coffee industry, and many cafés proudly serve coffee made from beans grown in the surrounding mountains, offering a rich and locally sourced experience.
What makes Chiang Mai’s café culture so special is the fusion of flavors and influences. Many spots seamlessly blend Western-style brunch options with Asian flavors, creating unique dishes you won’t find anywhere else. From smoothie bowls topped with tropical fruit to croissants filled with Thai-inspired custards, the creativity is endless.
The best part? There’s a café for every vibe—whether you want a cozy spot to get some work done, a stylish café with aesthetic decor, or a peaceful garden café where you can sip coffee surrounded by greenery. No matter how long you stay in Chiang Mai, you’ll never run out of amazing cafés to explore.
5. Hanoi & Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have some of the most unique café cultures I’ve ever experienced, thanks to Vietnam’s love for coffee. The country has its own specialty coffees—like egg coffee, coconut coffee, and salt coffee—that you won’t find anywhere else. These aren’t just drinks; they’re a full experience, and trying them in a local café is a must.
In Ho Chi Minh City, there’s even an entire apartment building where each unit has been turned into a different café. It’s such a cool place to explore, and every spot has its own unique theme. Hanoi, on the other hand, has some iconic cafés tucked into historic buildings and hidden alleyways, giving you the perfect mix of old and new. Some cafés focus on keeping things simple with strong Vietnamese coffee, while others have embraced the growing tourism scene with aesthetic interiors and creative menus. No matter what kind of café vibe you’re looking for, both cities have an endless supply of amazing places to check out.
6. Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul is another incredible city for café culture, especially if you love rich, strong coffee paired with something sweet. Turkish coffee is a cultural experience in itself, often served in small cups with a piece of lokum (Turkish delight) on the side. It’s thick, strong, and brewed in a way that’s been passed down for years. But the café scene in Istanbul isn’t just about coffee—the Turks are also huge tea drinkers. You’ll see locals sipping on çay (black tea) all day long, whether in a traditional tea house or at a street-side café.
What makes Istanbul’s cafés special is the blend of old and new. Some spots are purely traditional, where you can watch Turkish coffee being brewed in hot sand, while others are modern, offering creative lattes and stunning rooftop views of the city. Each neighborhood has its own vibe, so whether you want an elegant café with pastries, a cozy hidden gem, or a simple cup of tea with locals, there’s always something to discover.
7. Budapest, Hungary
Budapest has such a unique café culture, where classic European elegance meets cozy local coffee spots. You’ll find everything from simple, family-run coffee shops to some of the most stunning pastry cafés in Europe. If you love old European charm, the historic coffee houses in Budapest are a dream. Some of them look like palaces inside, that feel straight out of a fairytale.
But Budapest isn’t just about fancy cafés—it also has a more laid-back side. There are plenty of local bakeries and small coffee shops serving fresh pastries that taste like something your grandma would make. The smell of warm, sweet treats fills the air, and it’s the perfect atmosphere to sit back, relax, and enjoy a quiet moment in this beautiful city.
8. Vienna, Austria
Vienna takes café culture to a whole new level. The city is famous for its elegant coffee houses, where you can sit for hours sipping a beautifully crafted coffee while enjoying the grand, historic atmosphere. These cafés reflect the timeless beauty of Vienna and its architecture—each one has its own unique charm, but they all carry a sense of old-world luxury.
The variety here is endless. Some cafés feel like stepping into a royal palace, while others are more modern, offering themed experiences, specialty teas, and perfectly made pastries. If you want to feel like you’ve stepped into a classic European movie, sipping coffee in Vienna is the way to do it. It’s an experience that’s not just about the drink—it’s about sitting down, soaking in the atmosphere, and appreciating the art of a well-made cup of coffee in a stunning city.
9. New York City, USA
New York City has everything, and its café culture is no exception. The variety of cafés here is insane. You can find hole-in-the-wall spots with strong, and simple coffee, trendy aesthetic cafés serving colorful lattes, and elegant European-style coffee houses where you can sit all day long. Whatever kind of café experience you’re looking for, NYC has it.
The city’s diversity makes its coffee scene extra special. You’ll find influences from all over the world—Italian espresso bars, Japanese matcha cafés, Middle Eastern coffee shops, and classic New York bagel spots where coffee is as essential as the food. Some cafés are tiny hidden gems, while others offer stunning rooftop views or peaceful garden patios. With thousands of coffee shops scattered across the NYC boroughs, you could spend weeks café-hopping and still barely scratch the surface.
10. Melaka, Malaysia
Melaka was a huge surprise for me when it came to café culture. I wasn’t expecting much, but I ended up finding some of the cutest and most unique cafés in Malaysia. The variety of drinks here is incredible—you can get everything from strong local coffee to matcha lattes, coconut-infused drinks, and masala chai. The mix of cultures in Malaysia makes the café scene so interesting, blending influences from Chinese, Indian, and Malay traditions.
One thing that really stood out to me in Melaka was the pastries. I kept finding cafés with the most beautiful and delicious baked goods, from fluffy croissants to cakes with local flavors like pandan and gula melaka. Some spots were simple and cozy, perfect for grabbing a quick cup of coffee, while others had stunning interiors and full breakfast menus that made you want to stay for hours. If you love discovering hidden gem cafés, Melaka is definitely worth checking out..
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