Cafés Around the World to Inspire Your Creativity

2 Comments
Cafés Around the World to Inspire Your Creativity

Comments  (2)

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

    Rosa Bonheur - Bar | Café | Tavern in Paris.
    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
    . . . read more
    Paris

    Parc Buttes-Chaumont
    2 Allée de la Cascade
    75019 Paris

    01 42 00 00 45

    Liked By:
  • 2

    Cantinone Già Schiavi

    Bar / Café

    Cantinone Già Schiavi - Bar | Café in Venice.
    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
    . . . read more
    Venice

    Dorsoduro 992, Fondamenta Nani
    30123 Venice

    041 5320034

    Liked By:
  • 3

    White Horse Tavern

    Historic Bar / Historic Restaurant / Café

    White Horse Tavern - Historic Bar | Historic Restaurant | Café in New York.
    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
    . . . read more
    New York

    567 Hudson Street
    New York, NY 10014

    212‑989‑3956

    Liked By:
  • 4

    El Ventorrillo

    Bar / Café / Spanish Restaurant

    El Ventorrillo - Bar | Café | Spanish Restaurant in Madrid.
    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
    . . . read more
    Madrid

    Calle de Bailén, 14
    28005 Madrid

    91 366 35 78

    Liked By:
  • 5

    Schilling

    Bar / Café

    Schilling - Bar | Café in Barcelona.
    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
    . . . read more
    Barcelona

    Carrer de Ferran 23
    08002 Barcelona

    93 317 67 87

    Liked By:
  • 6

    Cabiria

    Bar / Café

    People drinking and chatting the night away at Cabiria in Florence.
    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
    . . . read more
    Florence

    Piazza Santo Spirito, 4/r
    50125 Florence

    055 215 732

    Liked By:
  • 7

    Joan's on Third

    Café / Market / Restaurant

    Joan's on Third - Café | Market | Restaurant in Los Angeles.
    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
    . . . read more
    Los Angeles

    8350 West 3rd Street
    Los Angeles, CA 90048

    323‑655‑2285

    Liked By:
  • 8

    't Loosje

    Brown Bar / Café

    't Loosje - Brown Bar | Café in Amsterdam.
    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
    . . . read more
    Amsterdam

    Nieuwmarkt 32-34
    1012 Amsterdam

    020 6272635

    Liked By:
  • 9

    Bardens Boudoir

    Bar / Café / Restaurant

    Bardens Boudoir - Bar | Café | Restaurant in London.
    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
    . . . read more
    London

    36 Stoke Newington Road
    London N16 7XJ

    Liked By:
Links

Cafés in Paris   Cafés in New York   Cafés in Madrid

Tags
Café, Restaurant, Food & Drink, Travel, Lifestyle
2 User Comments

Related Articles

Drinks to Make Your Liver Shiver Drinks to Make Your Liver Shiver
Savory Chow to Soak Up Your Hofbräu: Best European Bars for Food Savory Chow to Soak Up Your Hofbräu: Best European Bars for Food
Valentine’s Day Events for Lovers (and Haters) Valentine’s Day Events for Lovers (and Haters)
City Snapshots: Must See Landmarks Around the World City Snapshots: Must See Landmarks Around the World
Santa Monica to Sol: The World’s Most Vivacious Hoods Santa Monica to Sol: The World’s Most Vivacious Hoods
10 Fantastic Film Festivals! 10 Fantastic Film Festivals!
Drinking with Dickens and Dalí: Historic Bars Around the World Drinking with Dickens and Dalí: Historic Bars Around the World
The World’s Most Single-Friendly Neighborhoods The World’s Most Single-Friendly Neighborhoods

More Articles →

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.

Book Now and Save at Hotels.com
Are we missing a venue or event?
Find your scene