Globetrotting in Search of Eye-Catching Café Signs

Discover the café signs around the world that will open your eyes to a whole new level of creativity.

What’s left of an early twentieth-century coffee shop in Paris? Photo by Matthew Bamberg

Many people love cafes— their signage is like street flypaper—impossible to ignore. Every trip, I visit at least a dozen cafés, each with unique signs that draw me in.

While American cafés are typical, many feel alike. European cafés, however, offer a rich history, with distinctive style and flair that’s been around far longer than in the U.S.

My journey in search of café signs begins in Europe, where these cafés are living history. They rarely disappear, and new ones are a rare treat. There’s nothing like sitting at a European café (not a Starbucks!), people-watching from the streets, and soaking in the authentic atmosphere.

Cafés are my home away from home when traveling because of the unique design each one has. I’ve visited hundreds around the world, from men-only affairs scattered throughout the Arab countries to cafe-restaurants that serve food and drinks worldwide.

While cafés in the Arab countr…