Caffè Greco: Threat to 260 years of coffee house culture in Rome!

Caffè Greco: Threat to 260 years of coffee house culture in Rome!

In a turbulent legal dispute, Caffè Greco in Rome, the oldest coffee house in the Eternal City, is facing forced eviction. For over 260 years, the traditional café has been a real attraction, not only because of its location on the Spanish Steps, but also because of its cultural heritage. However, the operators are faced with a dramatic rent increase: from 22,000 to 120,000 euros. An amount that they simply cannot and do not want to pay. According to freizeit.at, the operators were rejected in court in all instances, and the eviction date originally scheduled for September 1st, 2025 was postponed to September 22nd.

Caffè Greco was originally a popular meeting place for artists and writers, but now the café is facing accusations of illegally removing listed buildings. This even led to a report from the homeowner. The operators, on the other hand, attribute the removal of valuable furnishings to technical problems, including overheating of the electrical systems. The dispute ultimately resulted in a Carabinieri case that is still ongoing. The Caffè Greco is protected by two monument protection regulations from 1953 and 2024, but the pressure on the operators remains high.

Coffee culture and traditions

Coffee has a special cultural significance in Italy. The Italian coffee houses, such as the Caffè Florian in Venice - after all, the oldest coffee house in Italy, which opened in 1720 - are real places of conviviality. The price for a large coffee at St. Mark's Square here can be up to 16 euros, while a large cup at Café Frauenhuber in Vienna costs just 6.90 euros. As T-Online reports, the Caffè Florian is mainly aimed at tourists - a trend that is also happening in the Café Frauenhuber can be observed, where the clientele is made up of equal parts locals and tourists. According to geo.de, the first coffee beans were only brought to Venice in the 17th century, which led to the establishment of a very unique coffee culture in Italy.

The tradition is also strongly anchored in Vienna. Café Frauenhuber, in operation since 1824, has adapted its offerings over the years. Not only black coffees are very popular, but also trendy drinks such as Caffè Latte, especially among the younger generation. However, coffee to go is only a niche product at Café Frauenhuber; the focus is clearly on “spending time” with a cup of coffee.

A look at the future

The example of Caffè Greco also shows how coffee houses develop over time. Despite the intense legal dispute, the café remains an important piece of Italian culture. In Vienna we notice that the quality of the coffee, the preparation and the choice of beans are becoming more and more important. The operators are strategically implementing the adaptation of the offers to social changes with a good hand. It remains to be seen how the situation at Caffè Greco and other traditional establishments will continue and whether they will be able to hold their own against the pressure of commercial interests.