The Café with No Name: Book Review

Today we will be reviewing The Café with No Name by Robert Seethaler, a German historical novel. Keep reading to find out what we thought of this novel and if you should add it to your reading list!

The Café with No Name Summary

Robert Simon has made his dream of opening his own café a reality but knows nothing about how to run a café. Soon after he opens the café, he realizes that he doesn’t know what to call it and leaves it nameless. 

The café gets a steady flow of customers and regulars that show up throughout the novel. Running a café alone becomes difficult and by chance, Mila ends up meeting Simon and working at the café. 

The novel dives into the stories of Simon, Mila, and some of the regulars and follows their stories and the importance of the café in all their lives. From a unlikely establishment of a café with no name to the journey that Simon and the regular customers will make you smile, cry and feel every other emotion for these beautiful cast of characters that represent all of us in our everyday lives.

Commentary

The Café with No Name was first released in 2023 and translated in 2025. And I am glad that is was translated because it is a beautiful gem of a novel. Seethaler’s novel dives into the lives of everyday residents who visit the café and what their story is.

I can’t remember how I ended up adding this novel to my to-read list. This is a novel I came across by chance I don’t think I would have added it to my reading list any other time. Sometimes books find you. 

I don’t come across many German novels and had very little insight before reading this novel. I am definitely missing out and can’t wait to read more German books and more books by Seethaler.

Conclusion

It is hard to compare this novel to any other book because of how Seethaler is able to tell the everyday tales of the characters in the book and you want to know more. I recommend this novel and encourage readers to take a chance on novels from other countries. You might find your next favorite novel by doing that. Happy reading!

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