Cafe traditions
Southern Europe drinks espresso quickly at the bar, standing, often before work. Vienna turns coffee into an afternoon ritual with cake and newspapers. Paris and the Nordic cities favor slow filter and cappuccino-like brews in minimalist rooms. Each city has a named style worth trying once, from the flat white to the einspanner. The cafe is less about caffeine than about owning a table for a while.
What to order
Start with the local default: espresso in Italy, melange in Vienna, cortado in Spain, filter in the north. Ask for a table if you plan to sit; counter service is faster and cheaper. Learn the difference between milky morning drinks and after-meal espresso. Specialty shops rotate single-origin beans; the barista will guide you. A pastry alongside is normal, not indulgent, in most coffee cultures.
Where to sit & tips
Marble coffee houses reward lingering; no one rushes a guest with a book. Busy espresso bars want you in and out, so drink at the counter. Carry small coins for the tip jar where used. Wifi is common but not guaranteed in older rooms. Avoid ordering a cappuccino after a heavy lunch in Italy; it reads as a breakfast drink. Watch locals to match the pace and you will fit right in.
