The interwar period was a golden age for Romanian urban culture, and cafés played a central role in shaping its vibrant identity. At the heart of this coffee-fueled renaissance was Bucharest, known as “Little Paris”.
🏛️ Cafés – The Cultural Living Rooms
Cafés during this era were far more than places to drink coffee – they were cultural salons, intellectual arenas, and creative hubs. Writers like Mircea Eliade, Camil Petrescu, Tudor Arghezi, and Eugen Lovinescu spent long hours debating, composing, and dreaming over small cups of strong coffee.
☕ Where the Elite Gathered
Some of the most iconic cafés included:
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Capșa Café – a meeting point for aristocrats and intellectuals
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Kübler – favored by avant-garde artists
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Café Corso – known for its vibrant literary crowd
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Oteteleșanu Terrace – famous for its views and refined atmosphere
🎩 Ritual and Refinement
Coffee was served with elegance: fine porcelain cups, crystallized sugar, and impeccable service. Some cafés had their own in-house publications, and would even print texts written by their distinguished clientele.
📚 A Legacy Remembered
Although many of the interwar cafés no longer exist, their legacy endures in the memory of Bucharest and the spirit of modern coffee culture. Some contemporary coffee shops pay homage to this era with their name, décor, or concept.
