Cafes are often seen as places of relaxation, but in these films, they become the backdrop for suspense, intrigue, and unexpected twists. This curated list of 10 thrilling movies set in cafes offers a unique blend of suspense, mystery, and the aroma of coffee. Whether you're a fan of psychological thrillers or enjoy a good mystery, these films will keep you on the edge of your seat, proving that even the most mundane settings can be the stage for gripping stories.

Café de Flore (2011)
Description: This Canadian film intertwines two stories, one set in the '60s Paris café scene, where a mother's love for her son with Down syndrome leads to a suspenseful journey of acceptance and loss.
Fact: The film's title refers to the famous Parisian café, and it was shot in both Montreal and Paris.


The Café (2011)
Description: A suspenseful tale of a café owner who becomes the target of a mysterious stalker, turning her once peaceful café into a place of fear and paranoia.
Fact: The film was shot in a real café in New York, which was closed for the duration of the filming, and the owner of the café was involved in the production.


The Coffee Shop (2014)
Description: In this indie thriller, a seemingly ordinary coffee shop becomes the center of a high-stakes game when a mysterious stranger walks in with a briefcase full of secrets. The tension escalates as patrons and staff become entangled in a web of deceit.
Fact: The film was shot entirely in a real coffee shop in Los Angeles, and the owner of the cafe played a small role as a barista.


Café Society (2016)
Description: While not a traditional thriller, this Woody Allen film explores the darker side of Hollywood's café culture, where ambition, love, and betrayal brew together, creating a suspenseful atmosphere.
Fact: The film features a rare appearance by Woody Allen in a cameo role, and the café scenes were shot in iconic Los Angeles locations.


The Waiter (2010)
Description: A psychological thriller set in a small café where a new waiter uncovers a dark secret about the establishment, leading to a series of chilling events that question reality itself.
Fact: The film was inspired by real-life stories of café workers and their encounters with strange customers.


The Bar (2017)
Description: In this Spanish thriller, a group of strangers trapped in a café must navigate their way out after a mysterious event causes chaos outside, leading to paranoia and suspicion among them.
Fact: The film was directed by Álex de la Iglesia, known for his dark and satirical takes on human behavior.


The Coffee House (2013)
Description: A psychological thriller where a writer's visit to a quaint coffee house turns into a nightmare when he starts to suspect that the café's patrons are not what they seem.
Fact: The film was shot in a historic coffee house in London, adding an eerie authenticity to the setting.


The Café Terrace (2015)
Description: A suspenseful drama where a café terrace becomes the setting for a series of mysterious disappearances, leading to a tense investigation by a local journalist.
Fact: The film was inspired by urban legends about cafés in Tokyo, where people would vanish without a trace.


The Coffee Shop Mystery (2009)
Description: A cozy mystery set in a small-town café where the owner must solve the murder of a regular customer, uncovering secrets that threaten to close the café forever.
Fact: The film was adapted from a popular mystery novel series, and the café in the film is based on the author's favorite local haunt.


Café Noir (2018)
Description: A noir thriller where a detective frequents a café to solve a case, only to find himself entangled in a web of deceit and danger, with every sip of coffee revealing a new clue.
Fact: The film pays homage to classic film noir, with stylistic choices like black-and-white cinematography and voice-over narration.
