Member-only story
Here’s Why European Cafes are So Much Better than American Coffee Shops
It’s not rocket science
After living in Spain for the past year and a half, I can say one thing with absolute confidence.
European cafes are the best.
The coffee is great, the waiters and baristas are fast and efficient (if a little brisk), and no one cares if you want to sip your cappuccino and read a book for an hour.
It’s a caffeinated paradise.
But speedy service, chill vibes, and great coffee aren’t why I love European cafes so much more than American coffee shops.
To understand the true value of European cafes, I need to explain how cafes in Europe work, why they’re so dang good, and what makes a good cafe the undisputed center of life in any European city.
Because once you understand what you’re missing, you’ll never want to go to Starbucks again.
Cafes in Europe are Way More Relaxed…and Chaotic
If you ever get the pleasure of visiting Europe, you’ll probably notice a few differences from an American coffee shop.
First off, there’s no line. You don’t go to the counter, order, pay, and wait for your (misspelled) name to be called so you can get in your SUV and drive off with a $10 latte.
In a European cafe, the first thing you do is take a seat.
Then you wait.
If they’re busy, you might have to wait a minute or two, but eventually a waiter will walk by, ask what you want, and then promptly bring it to you.
And then they’ll never bother you again.
They won’t tell you about the specials. They won’t ask if you want a refill or if you want to try the peach-flavored iced tea. They’ll just bring you exactly what you asked for and leave you the heck alone.
Here in Spain, they won’t even ask you to pay your bill. You usually have to flag down your waiter to get the bill, or walk up to the bar and tell them what you had. They trust people that much.
And somehow it works.
