I think part of the problem is how real estate costs and huge franchise a la Starbucks are configured. When you travel in Mediterranean countries independent co

I think part of the problem is how real estate costs and huge franchise a la Starbucks are configured. When you travel in Mediterranean countries independent coffee shops 'bars' are the norm, and a good Italian espresso costs 0.80 euros. Part of it comes from the fact that bars sell a big assortment of alcoholics(and yes Europeans don't seem to have mental association between selling alcohol and getting wasted, so most bars are family friendly), sodas and indigenous sandwiches. That makes selling coffe not a central part of the business hence the reasonable cost, which won't dent your retirement plan nor make you feel miserable. What happened in the Anglosphere (and not only) is fundamentally a habit appropriation without the surrounding conditions to support it and this drives the prices to stupid levels.