Suppose you’re considering opening a coffee shop and need inspiration for an idea, interior or experience you can offer. In that case, we’ve created a list of the top 20 coffee shop ideas with an interesting concept and examples with social media of already existing ones.
1.đBoard Game CafĂ©
A café that provides board games to play with while customers enjoy their food and drinks. This cafe would be a popular destination for board game enthusiasts.
Example: Interactivity Board Game Cafe. Why Board Game Café might be a good idea according to Cary Magazine and the article The Rise of Board Game Cafés:
âYou grab a board game, play with your family and get delicious food, a good atmosphere, and great bartenders. We like to get to know our regulars and what they order and things like that.â Allison Laidlaw, the bar manager at Gamerâs Geekery (an article from The Rise of Board Game CafĂ©s.)
2.đCat CafĂ©
A cafĂ© where customers can interact with cats while enjoying coffee and snacks. This cafĂ© would be a hit amongst cat lovers and those who can’t have pets at home. (P.S. Take care if you’re allergic to cats, though) 24 Pros & Cons Of Starting A Cat Cafe Business (2023) A great example is Cat CafĂ© Studio.
3.đBook/Library CafĂ©
A cafĂ© with a library-like atmosphere where customers can enjoy reading books while sipping coffee. This cafĂ© would attract bookworms and people who appreciate a quiet and cozy atmosphere. You can organize book workshops, poetry nights and create a book club (P.S. I’ve always wished to have joined a book club because of the community/like-minded people). Example: Steep Street
4.đA CafĂ© for Writers
A coffee shop that provides a quiet space for writers to work on their craft. The shop could offer workshops and writing classes, and patrons could enjoy a caffeine boost while working on their latest masterpieces. There’s one unique cafĂ© in Tokyo called Anti-Proscratination CafĂ©, specially made for writers The Manuscript Writing Cafe– you create a writing goal and the staff checks on you to see your progress.
5. đRobot or technology-inspired coffee shop
How can I make my coffee shop different? Add a touch of rising technology. An idea to have a robotic barista who can serve coffee and food to customers or have robotic companions at each table that interact with guests. Dawn Avatar Robot Cafe is a cool example of that. People often think robots can replace humans, but this café proves the opposite. The robot waiters are entirely operated by people with disabilities, remotely from their homes and hospitalities.
6. đArtsy CafĂ©
A café that showcases art and provides a space for artists to display their work. You can have art workshops or provide materials for painting at your café.
sketchartcafe has a similar concept. Check out our article about it HERE.
7. đYoga CafĂ©
A cafĂ© that offers yoga classes and healthy food options. This cafĂ© would attract health-conscious customers who enjoy yoga and meditation. I’d add yoga classes, meditation classes and similar classes, maybe adding animals as well? Yoga and dogs? or Wine and Yoga? Great ideas! Cocoa Yoga CafĂ© offers fresh drinks and yoga for anyone.
8. đMovie CafĂ©
A cafĂ© that shows movies and has snacks and drinks during the film. This cafĂ© would be a popular destination for movie enthusiasts. This is similar to theaters, so why not add different chairs, beds and offer various themed snacks? REEL Cinemas is a mix of cinema and a restaurant. But you get a comfortable seat with food and drink. According to them, this is ”Home to the world’s most luxurious cinema, the largest cineplexes in the UAE”
9. đTeddy Bear cafĂ©
The place where the main focus is on a furry animal mostly focused on parents with kids or a place for people who like to take cute pics! It would be good for kids’ parties, and celebrations and as a weekend attraction. The place below is more an event studio, but this Teddy Bear place can also serve you as idea for your potential coffee shop.
10. đ 80s CafĂ©
Experience an 80s-themed cafĂ© that immerses you in the eraâs charm. With upbeat 80s music, retro dĂ©cor, and classic dishes, itâs a vibrant throwback. The cafĂ© features roller skates, an American diner interior, and generous portions of pink desserts topped with cherries, making it a fun and nostalgic destination. A good example is Back to 80’s CafĂ©.
11. đFuturistic coffee shop
Create a space that feels like it’s from the future, with sleek modern furniture and high-tech touches. Serve food and drinks with a futuristic twist, such as a glowing “neon” latte or a drink that changes color as you drink it, something like Space 220 did. It is a restaurant, but you got the idea đ I always imagined something like while reading the book The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.
12.đ Flower coffee shop
A coffee shop that specializes in floral arrangements and serves food and drinks surrounded by fresh flowers. This cafĂ© would be a popular destination for flower enthusiasts. Flowers cafĂ©s are instagrammable, and it doesn’t matter if your interior has fake or real flowers. Check out these 9 Aesthetic Floral-Themed Cafes & Restaurants In KL & PJ 2021: Dine With Pretty Flowers & Delicious Food.
12.đ Coffee shop all about sports
A cafĂ© that plays sports games and highlights sports memorabilia while serving food and drinks. This cafe would attract sports fans. I’m unsure what could happen if we combine opposite club fans in one place though đ Wouldn’t that be contra-productive? But either way, having comfortable black and white chairs with a good bear is a bingo! And large TVs. London has a variety of sports bars, check out this list of 10 Of The Top Sports Bars in London To Get The Drinks In.
13. đ Coffee shop focused on hobbies
I’d definitely visit a community of people who share the same interests as me or try a new activity for a weekend. Coffee shops focused on hobbies are rising in their popularity and a good example is The Yarn Cake-Glasgow’s Knitting CafĂ©! How famous are knitting cafĂ©s exactly? The Rise of Knitting CafĂ©s article might give you the answer if you’re looking to open this type of third place. If you don’t want to limit yourself to only one activity, maybe an experience like The Offline Club Âź could serve you as an inspiration.
14. đ Harry Potter coffee shop, bar or a restaurant
A cafĂ© with a Harry Potter theme that serves food and drinks inspired by the famous book and movie series. This coffee shop place would be a hit among Harry Potter fans. Here’s a list of more than ten cafĂ©s with a famous HP theme Harry Potter themed cafes and bars to visit around the world. But, if you want to see the original Harry Potter world, cafĂ©s, alleys, and houses, this EXPERIENCE is a must if you ever visit London (P.S. this is on my and my brother’s bucket list forever!)
15. đ Retro Gaming CafĂ©
A coffee shop specializing in retro video games that serves food and drinks while customers play games. This cafe would be a popular destination for gamers seeking a nostalgic experience. This an excellent short Reddit discussion about retro gaming cafés. GameOver Gaming and Cafe is a good example.
16. đ CafĂ© inspired by colors
Many colorful cafes are Instagrammable destinations for people who enjoy something different and they offer interesting cafe interiors (black and white, pink, yellow…) If you’re visiting Liverpool and are into coffee shops, Cafe SASS could be a good spot for a pink dessert. 2D cafes have risen in popularity and you can visit them in different countries, we’ve covered this one in Seoul called Greem Cafe.
17. đEmoji CafĂ©
18. đSpeakeasy bar and a coffee shop
If youâre considering opening a coffee shop or thinking about coffee shop ideas for small spaces, or a bar with a unique, hidden entrance and interactive features, a speakeasy could be a great option, especially if there arenât any in your city. With some creative flair, it could become an instant attraction and offer a distinctive experience for your patrons. Coffee shop ideas for small spacesWhen it comes to speakeasies, I’m passionate about secret entrances and one of my faves is LâEpicier in Paris. Check out the list of 30 most popular speakeasies in Paris.
19. đCoffee shop at home
Turning a house into a coffee shop is a creative idea thatâs gaining popularity. I’ve seen many posts about people hosting events for friends in their own homes complete with branded cups, music, and a cozy atmosphere. One couple took this concept further by converting their ground floor into a cafĂ© called Sunbrew Coffee. To learn how they achieved this and how their cafĂ© operates, read our interview with them. If youâre interested in creating a coffee shop at home, this is a great example to inspire you.
20. đCoffee shop bus, train or a van
These coffee shops are always captivating. I love how theyâre designed to make the most of their space, often evoking a sense of travel. If you own a van or can purchase a bus to convert into a coffee shop, this could be an exciting journey.
