Cafés Around the World to Inspire Your Creativity

Sep 4, 2012 — What is it about sitting on a café patio, overlooking a lazy river, and watching the world pass by that’s so conducive to creativity? Maybe it’s the romanticism of a foreign country, or the energy of like-minded people trying to make the world laugh or cry through their art, or it’s just the insane amount of caffeinated beverages coursing through everyone’s veins. Whatever it is, there’s nothing like a good café to get those creative embers burning.

Throughout the world, cafés have served as home-base to some of the finest literary greats and artistic savants the planet has ever seen. And even though all 30 people banging away on their Mac Book Pros can’t be writing the next great masterpiece – there’s a chance that one of them could be next year’s Nabokov.

So if you’re looking for the best cafés to inspire you to paint like Picasso, write like Fitzgerald, or drink like Hemingway, here are some of our favorites around the world.

1
Rosa Bonheur

Bar / Café / Tavern
A rustic tavern in the middle of the woods in Buttes-Chaumont Park, Rosa Bonheur – named for a 19th-century painter famed for her massive animal paintings, as well as (gasp!) wearing trousers and smoking cigarettes – has kept the eccentric spirit of its namesake alive, catering to a casual crowd of local bohemians and hipsters. Reached by a leafy
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Paris

Parc Buttes-Chaumont
2 Allée de la Cascade
75019 Paris

01 42 00 00 45
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2
Cantinone Già Schiavi

Bar / Café
Although the name of this quaint cantina along Fondamenta Nani may be disputed – especially since it has one name on the sign and another on the awning – there is no doubt that Cantinone Già Schiavi is a simple slice of heaven. Situated on the wide and picturesque canal at Ponte San Trovaso, the bar draws a constant crowd of spirited wine drinkers
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Venice

Dorsoduro 992, Fondamenta Nani
30123 Venice

041 5320034
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3
White Horse Tavern

Historic Bar / Historic Restaurant / Café
Built in 1880 and frequented by 1950s literary greats like Mailer, Ginsburg, and Kerouac, the White Horse Tavern still attracts the artistically inclined denizens of the West Village. Both day and night, would-be writers and college students settle into faded red-cushioned booths to scribble away, perhaps inspired by the paintings of white horses
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New York

567 Hudson Street
New York, NY 10014

212‑989‑3956
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4
El Ventorrillo

Bar / Café / Spanish Restaurant
Most of the historical center of Madrid was built on a high plateau amid a network of lush green gardens and parks – and situated on a corner in the southern part of that plateau, far away from the city’s constant swarm of tourists, is a little café called El Ventorrillo. Although the small, indoor bar is rather nondescript and mostly devoid of
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Madrid

Calle de Bailén, 14
28005 Madrid

91 366 35 78
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5
Schilling

Bar / Café
A corner location on Carrer de Ferran, which connects Las Ramblas with the bustling Plaça Sant Jaume, certainly benefits gay-friendly Schilling, making it a great place to people-watch with a coffee during the day and to chill with something a little harder at night. The name’s a holdover from the Austrian who opened the joint in 1900, but anyone
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Barcelona

Carrer de Ferran 23
08002 Barcelona

93 317 67 87
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6
Cabiria

Bar / Café
A unique neighborhood café and bar, Cabiria is situated on the northeast corner of Piazza Santo Spirito and plays host to a diverse clientele. The bar’s colorful atmosphere – accentuated by sunflowers and Van Gogh-esque shades of purple and yellow set against funky beats – attracts residents and internationals of every stripe. From dreadlocks to
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Florence

Piazza Santo Spirito, 4/r
50125 Florence

055 215 732
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7
Joan's on Third

Café / Market / Restaurant
A boutique market, deli, catering company, and café, Joan’s on Third is an always-bustling LA staple where the only things prettier than the desserts are the regular celebrity patrons. Since Angelinos often consider 10am as “getting up early,” business starts slowly, but by late morning – especially on weekends – the sidewalk patio is brimming
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Los Angeles

8350 West 3rd Street
Los Angeles, CA 90048

323‑655‑2285
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8
't Loosje

Brown Bar / Café
Built in the early 1900s, ‘t Loosje’s building was originally the site of a waiting room for folks looking to snag a seat on the city’s early horse-drawn tram. Nowadays, however, it’s a great spot for people-watching and a popular haunt for mellow professionals and artsy types in the mood for one of the bar’s many tap beers. The outdoor seating
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Amsterdam

Nieuwmarkt 32-34
1012 Amsterdam

020 6272635
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9
Bardens Boudoir

Bar / Café / Restaurant
Formerly a grungy underground nightclub, the refurbished Bardens Boudoir has ditched its basement party, enticing patrons with a chill vibe perfect for escaping the usual rollicking Dalston hotspots. Open and airy, the space features a sleek wooden bar that runs down one side of the room and liberally spaced leather chairs and coffee tables, where
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London

36 Stoke Newington Road
London N16 7XJ
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Links: Cafés in Paris Cafés in New York Cafés in Madrid
Tags: Café, Restaurant, Food & Drink, Travel, Lifestyle

2 User Comments

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Which Cafés Inspire You?

Anonymous Sep 5, 2012

Joan's on third will certainly inspire you with the celebrity sightings there!

Anonymous Sep 4, 2012

I love the cafes along the canals in Venice. Also, Joan's on 3rd is one of my all time favorite spots. Get their early on a weekend (pre 10am) to snag a table outside.