I think the key difference (from reading Wikipedia) is that people used to go to coffeehouses to socialise with whatever other regulars happen to be there, in t

I think the key difference (from reading Wikipedia) is that people used to go to coffeehouses to socialise with whatever other regulars happen to be there, in the same way that you'd go to the pub knowing that a bunch of mates are bound to be there on a Friday night (this is also becoming much less common). People don't go to a cafe expecting to socialise with whoever is there, you go to see a friend that you've planned ahead to see, rather than socialise with others. Cafes have become a vehicle for social interaction, rather than a destination or activity in themselves. As a culture (Anglo-Western), ad hoc gatherings and meetings have sort of died off. Everything is always planned ahead and booked in. It used to be common if you were passing through the neighbourhood to knock on your friend's door and pop in for a chat, but these days you'd probably be considered a bit odd if you did that, especially without ringing or texting ahead. Maybe it's smartphones and being always connected. Maybe it's because people are time-poor and are unable to do this kind of thing any more. Maybe people don't like socialising with strangers any more. Maybe people are less social and would rather sit at home watching Netflix. It's probably all of the above.