The Most Memorable Coffee Scenes in Film: How a Simple Cup Shapes Iconic Movies

Coffee + Film

On my flight back from Panama, I caught a few films and started thinking about the role coffee plays….not just in our daily lives but in film and culture. Coffee is more than just a drink… it’s a ritual, a status symbol, and sometimes, a brutal wake-up call. In some of the most memorable movies, coffee isn’t just in the background, it’s a driving force in the story, a moment of power, or a tool to reveal character. Here are three moments where coffee plays a bigger role than you might think

Pulp Fiction (1994) – “Serious Gourmet SHIT”

One of my all-time favorite films, Pulp Fiction treats coffee like a character. In the middle of a crisis—disposing of a body in Jimmy’s (Quentin Tarantino) house—Jules (Samuel L. Jackson) takes a moment to admire Jimmy’s coffee, saying, “This is some serious gourmet shit. The juxtaposition is brilliant: Jules and Vincent (John Travolta) are standing in bloodied suits, handling an unthinkable situation, yet coffee still matters. 

Even in Tarantino’s absurd, hyper-violent world, appreciating a good cup of coffee is non-negotiable. It’s a perfect example of how coffee isn’t just about caffeine; it’s about presence, taste, and a moment of pause—even when things are falling apart.
This scene captures something deeply human….how coffee punctuates our lives, no matter the circumstances. It’s part of our routines, a small but significant pleasure. 

Glengarry Glen Ross (1992) – “Coffee’s for Closers”

Few lines about coffee are as famous as Alec Baldwin’s brutal takedown in Glengarry Glen Ross. In a cutthroat real estate office, Blake (Baldwin) storms in to humiliate and motivate a group of struggling salesmen. He spots Jack Lemmon’s character pouring himself a coffee and delivers the infamous line:

“Put that coffee down! Coffee’s for closers only.”

Here, coffee isn’t a comfort….it’s a privilege. It’s reserved for winners, for those who can deliver results. The scene turns coffee into a power symbol, reinforcing the film’s themes of toxic capitalism, pressure, and desperation. In real life, coffee is often associated with productivity. This scene takes that to the extreme, making it a brutal metaphor for success and failure.

Inception (2010) – The Paris Café Scene

Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Ariadne (Elliot Page) sit at a Parisian café, where Cobb explains how dreams work. As he reveals they are inside a dream, the world around them explodes in slow motion—but they remain calm, drinking coffee.

The café setting is intentional. It’s familiar, comfortable, a place where people gather, relax, and talk. The coffee makes the dream feel real, even though it’s not. It adds to the illusion of stability before the entire scene collapses. Just like in real life, coffee has this way of grounding us—until suddenly, we realize we’re in way deeper than we thought.

Coffee as a Character

Coffee isn’t just a prop in these movies—it’s a tool that shapes the story.

At first glance, breaking down coffee’s role in movies might seem random. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized how coffee plays a similar role in real life. It’s a ritual that gives structure to our day. A moment of calm in an otherwise busy routine. A connection point between friends, coworkers, or even strangers.

Sometimes, it’s just caffeine. Other times, it’s a sign of where we are, who we are, and what we value. That’s why it keeps showing up in films—not just as a drink, but as a statement. Because, in a way, coffee is never just coffee.

What’s your favorite coffee moment in a movie?

Reading: Just finished How to Know a Person by David Brooks. A thoughtful look at how to be fully present in conversations, listen deeply, and seek to understand before being understood. A great read on connection and empathy.

Watching: Watch one of the three movies from above… Pulp Fiction, Glengarry Glen Ross and Inception.

Listening: Flavour Trip on YouTube is a mix of groovy house music and scenic vibes, curated by DJs Amii Watson and Jimmi Harvey. Their sets pair perfectly with coffee, deep work, or just unwinding. Think sunrise sessions, funky brunch mixes, and smooth beats that flow effortlessly in the background.

Brewing: Taking a break from cupping lots of coffee in Panama. Jasmine Dragon Pearl Tea…hand-rolled green tea infused with jasmine blossoms, creating a delicate, floral brew. Steep it for a few minutes, and watch the pearls unfurl as the aroma fills the air.

respond with a photo of your brew bar or get creative with an AI generated scene and we’ll feature and share in an upcoming week of BTD

Distance: Buy the Drip run club. Clocking some kilometers. We’re casual, we’re fun, we’re just out for a run. For us, running has become an easy outlet when on the road, to ensure we’re getting exercise, to get out and explore the city and to simply breath some fresh air and headspace.

Let’s connect on Strava!