Skip to Main Content
History

The first establishments for food and lodging were inns, which were built in ancient times along popularly traveled highways. Innkeepers and their families prepared and served the food and beverages, and made sure travelers' lodgings were in good order. Wealthy families dined and entertained at home.

Restaurants and cafes grew in the 1800s, as roads and transportation methods improved. More people could afford to enjoy good food and socialize over coffee and other drinks outside of their homes. During this time, European hotels and restaurants elevated food and beverage preparation and service to a fine art.

Barista is an Italian word, which means a bartender who serves espresso or other hot drinks, as well as cold drinks, alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, and snacks. Espresso is a beverage that is made by pouring hot water and pressurized steam over tightly packed coffee grounds. The first espresso machine was patented in 1884 in Italy by Angelo Moriondo. In 1971, the first Starbucks store opened in the Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington. The store featured a long wall that displayed more than 30 varieties of whole-bean coffee. The coffee-drinking culture has grown in the past few decades in the United States, from small local coffee shops to franchises located around the world.