Catching a quick cup of coffee or finding a place to sit and watch the world go by is a pastime that seems to unite people around the world.
Coffee shops are a necessity for that fix of caffeine and for the social experience of just hanging out. We thought it would be a good idea to take a look at some of the stranger or more unusual places around the world that have taken the coffee shop to a whole new level.
Romeow Cat Bistrot – Rome, Italy
What do you get when you combine coffee, cats, eclectic design and a great student vibe? It can only be Romeow, the vegan cat café in the university neighborhood of Ostiense.
The café is home to around a dozen cats who laze about on the counters and cozy up to the customers on the couches all day. Regular customers love to pop in to say hi to their four-legged friends and get an excellent cup of coffee every day. The vegan menu and extensive list of raw cakes and other delights are also all worth trying out.
The Sweatshop – Paris, France
If lingering in a coffee shop all day is your idea of a good time, then you definitely want to check out this spot. The owners have set up crafting activities for all guests to try out.
The highlight is the sewing machine tables that you can rent out by the hour. They offer a range of fabrics and threads as well, making it a welcoming space to sit and have a cup of coffee and do something creative.
Café Du Soleil – Sapa, Vietnam
At the top of Mount Fansipan, right by the border between Vietnam and China, you’ll find a coffee shop with views that cannot be beaten. Café Du Soleil sits at the top of the mountain in between ancient Buddhist temples and statues that have been built around the sacred site.
The café has floor to ceiling windows so you can get uninterrupted views from your lofty perch in amongst the clouds.
Lhong Tou Café – Bangkok, Thailand
This Chinese coffee shop in the capital of Thailand has a lot of quirkiness to go about. The tiny café has double-decker tables to maximize the space, also creating an incredible vibe of unusual and fun.
The menu is full of Chinese food and drinks, as well as some local Thai options. The Signature Thai Milk Tea is apparently the best.
Brigit’s Bakery Afternoon Tea Bus Tour – London, England
So, this one isn’t 100% a coffee shop and the focus is a bit more on tea, but it is still worth a visit and is ideal as a place to play real money pokies online too.
Travel around London in a beautiful double decker Vintage Route bus, enjoying tea, coffee, cakes and other snacks – there’s even champagne for the more adventurous.
You’ll also learn a lot about the city as the tour guide tells you about all the sites that you’re passing by, from Big Ben to Marble Arch.