Ah…caffè. The elixir of life. Whether you’re a social coffee drinker or not fully human until your morning cup of joe, drinking coffee is a tradition you’ll find around many countries. But coffee in Italy has a singular appeal—and a few cultural practices and expectations you might not be used to. Italian coffee is a social experience, a ritual to mark the time of day, and a reminder to slow down and digest.
If you’re in Italy, you’ll want to experience all that Italian cuisine has to offer and embracing a correctly timed caffè can round out your experience. Learning how to order coffee in Italy at a bar (coffee shop) can make this daily ritual a little smoother. Embrace the coffee culture of sipping espressos as you chat with locals in Italian that you learned with a Rosetta Stone tutor.
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Understanding Italy’s extensive coffee menu
The Italian coffee experience is a perfect example of why learning a language goes beyond the vocabulary and should go hand-in-hand with cultural context. Dynamic Immersion learning can help teach the language and the customs at the same time. It helps the traveler who could learn the words for “milk and sugar” or “small, medium, large” but may feel confusion looking at the bar’s menu. Knowing what to expect ahead of time will help you participate fully in Italian coffee culture.
All caffè is espresso
Even though you may not read or hear the word “espresso” when you order caffè in Italy, that’s exactly what you’ll be getting. It is uncommon to see regular filtered or drip coffee except in hotels or high-traffic locations that might cater to tourists. We don’t think you’ll miss it once you try coffee the Italian way!
A common mistake is to order an americano and expect a traditional filtered coffee. What you’ll receive is a shot of espresso watered down with hot water so it isn’t as strong. It is also the name of a cocktail, so best to say caffè americano if you’re wanting the watered down espresso.
Coffee drinks are one size
The size of your tazza (cup/mug) will depend on what kind of drink you order. You can politely request una tazza grande (a large cup) and see if it’s an option. Generally, you won’t see size choices like small, medium, grande (large) or venti (“twenty”). In Italian, venti refers to the number of ounces in a large beverage at some chain coffee shops, but it isn’t common in Italy. Chances are, if you’re looking for a different size, you’re actually looking for a different coffee drink. You could also order coffee al vetro in a small glass, but that doesn’t mean it will be an iced coffee!
The price depends on where you consume your drink
Standing at the bar or counter is by far the most common and the least expensive way to enjoy your caffè. However, you might need to get off your feet for a moment, so if you’re ok with paying a bit more for the experience, you can sit at a table. This is more common (and slightly more expensive) in tourist areas and is called servizio al tavolo (table service). Still, you won’t be paying Starbucks prices unless you’re at Caffè Florian. Coffee in Italy usually costs just a couple of euros.
Don’t plan on a to-go or takeaway coffee unless you’re in a major tourist area. While this convenience has grown more common in recent years, it is not considered a typical part of Italian culture to drink your coffee “on the go.” If you’re truly in a hurry and the coffee shop can accommodate you, simply ask for it “da asporto” or “da portare via.”
How to order your espresso (caffè)
- un caffè, un caffè normale: Your standard espresso. The barista may confirm that this is what you’re looking for, since many tourists are surprised at the difference between what might be normal coffee at home versus what is normal in Italy.
- normale (ordinary, normal)
- un caffè doppio: a double espresso for those looking for an extra boost of caffeine.
- doppio = double
- un caffè ristretto: half the amount of water but the same amount of espresso. The quantity will feel like a sip.
- ristretto = concentrated, short
- un caffè lungo: a “longer” espresso which means a greater amount of water was used to make the espresso.
- lungo = long
- un caffè americano: a single shot of espresso with hot water added to make the drink less strong. Contrary to the name, this isn’t an American-style drip coffee.
- un caffè decaffeinato: a decaffeinated coffee. While it might not be the norm, it is available. You can use deca for short.
All of the terms above assume no additions of milk, sugar, or alcohol. In some areas of northern Italy, it is common to get a bit of milk added in a regular espresso. If you’re traveling in an area like Verona or Bolzano, you could ask specifically for un caffè normale or un caffè senza latte.
Cappuccino
Un cappuccino is the preferred Italian morning coffee. An Italian cappuccino includes equal parts espresso, milk, and milk foam and is ordered only in the morning only, generally before 11 a/m or noon. This flavorful coffee is accompanied by a cornetto (croissant), pane con burro o marmellata (bread with butter or marmalade), sfogliatelle, bombolini, or other pastry with a filling of your choice.
You’ll want to head to the nearest pasticceria (pastry shop) early for the freshest and most delicious varieties. Coffee and a pastry is considered a full colazione (breakfast). For Italians, the heaviness of milk means a cappuccino typically won’t be ordered with or after lunch or dinner, as it would interfere with digestion.
A cappuccino is generally the same everywhere you go in Italy, but in very busy areas with many tourists (train stations or near attractions in major cities) or in American hotels, you might be able to order other kinds of cappuccinos.
- un cappuccino chiaro: more hot milk and less foam
- chiaro = clear/light
- un cappuccino secco: an unusual choice with only frothed milk
- secco = dry
- un cappuccino scuro: less milk and a bit extra water or more coffee
- scuro = dark
- un cappuccino freddo: an iced cappuccino that may be available in summer
- freddo = cold
Other coffees with milk
- un caffè macchiato caldo / un macchiato freddo: an espresso with a splash of milk. This can be ordered any time of day if you’re in need of something like a cappuccino in the afternoon.
- macchiato = stained
- caldo = hot
- freddo = cold
- un latte macchiato: the reverse of a caffè macchiato. This is warmed milk with just a splash of espresso, so more of a milk coffee than a coffee with milk.
- latte = milk
- un caffè latte: coffee-based with more steamed milk added than a macchiato. It’s very common for breakfast at home. Don’t ask for a “latte,” as this would just refer to a cup of milk alone.
- un caffè con panna: espresso with whipped cream. A perfect treat if you need something sweet!
- panna = cream
Coffee with alcohol and other requests
- un caffè corretto: a splash of alcohol—such as grappa, sambuca, or brandy—added to a shot of espresso after a delicious dinner in Italy. Ask a waiter about regional favorites.
- corretto = corrected
- un caffè anisette: espresso with anisette (anise-flavored liqueur)
- un caffè shakerato: espresso shaken with ice and served with or without a splash of liqueur and some sugar
- shakerato = shaken
- un marocchino: espresso, cocoa powder, and a layer of foam. This may be called an espressino in Southern Italy but not in Northern Italy.
- un caffè ginseng: espresso mixed with extract of ginseng root
- un caffè d’orzo: not exactly coffee, as it is made with barley instead of coffee beans. This is a good caffeine-free option.
- una cioccolata calda: still not convinced to join the coffee movement? Sip a hot chocolate instead!
Phrases to use when ordering Italian coffee
You won’t need to know a lot of Italian words and phrases to order a coffee in Italy. A simple “Salve, un caffè, per favore” (Hello, an espresso, please) will suffice, but here are some helpful phrases to help as you’re ordering coffee in Italian. You might notice many of them are similar to how to order food in Italian.
| Italian | English |
| vorrei | I would like… |
| prendo | I’ll take / I’ll have… |
| scusi… | Excuse me… |
| Potrei ordinare? | Could I order? |
| Posso avere un caffè per favore? | Can I have a coffee, please? |
| Potrei avere un bicchiere d’acqua, per favore? | Could I have a glass of water, please? |
| Bisogna pagare prima alla cassa. | You need to pay first at the cash register. |
| Dov’è lo zucchero, per favore? | Where is the sugar, please? |
| Posso avere dello zucchero, per favore? | Can I have some sugar, please? |
| Cercavo… | I was looking for… |
| un tovagliolino | a paper napkin |
| lo zucchero bianco | white sugar |
| lo zucchero di canna / integrale | natural sugar |
| il dolcificante | sweetener (sugar substitute) |
| caldo | warm |
| freddo | cold |
| una tazzina | an espresso cup |
| una tazza | a cup |
| con | with |
| senza | without |
| un cucchiaino | a spoon |
| il conto | the check / bill |
| lo scontrino | the receipt |
| al banco | at the bar / counter |
| al tavolo | at the table |
| grazie | thank you |
| Posso usare il bagno? | Can I use the restroom? |
| Posso prendere la chiave per il bagno? | Can I take the key for the bathroom? |
Live like the locals: Italian coffee rituals
Unlike other parts of the world, you won’t see a lot of grab-and-go coffee, travel mugs, or people sitting in a café with laptops for hours on end. While Italians love to take their time over aperitivo (evening drink), cena (dinner), and the passeggiata (evening stroll), they don’t spend extra time in bars (coffee shops) or lingering over breakfast unless they’re meeting friends. There are a few other cultural rituals to explore as you prepare to order and drink coffee in Italy
Pay first, then savor
Most coffee bars have counter service. Depending on the establishment, you may need to pay for your coffee first at the cash register, then take your scontrino (receipt) to order from the barista. Observe carefully to see what others are doing wherever you are.
If you’re going to sit at a table, plan to pay an extra euro or two more to use the space. The cashier will likely ask al banco (at the counter) or al tavolo (at the table) to clarify. Be aware that in very busy areas, if you do not say you’ll sit at the table when you order, the cashier will probably add the extra fee to your bill.
The neighborhood coffee spot, or bar, is likely to be a hang out spot for the locals. If you’re able to stay in one city for a while, visiting the nearest bar each morning could be a fun way to make some local friends. Even if you’re only there for a day, it’s a great place to practice Italian sayings and Italian phrases with a native speaker.
Learn to linger
Table service for a leisurely breakfast will cost a little more, which may end up being what you’d expect to pay in North America. Weekends are more conducive to the slow pace of lingering over a coffee and pastry for locals, so you may find your favorite coffee shop is busier on Sunday.
Right after a meal is the perfect time to order your next coffee for the day. Italians place a lot of importance on good digestion, so being able to sit and linger over the table while enjoying a few more sips of espresso (without added milk) is thought to aid the system. The addition of a splash of alcohol is optional and possibly helpful as well as it is thought to help you relax and relieve stress.
Practicing la pausa
Though it may be a fading tradition with the increased pace of life, a few small businesses still close their doors for a long lunch break in the afternoons. This is less common in cities like Rome or Florence but possible in smaller villages. The break gives employees and business owners the opportunity to sit at a bar or table, enjoy some conversation, rest for a bit, and drink another coffee.
Though you surely have a long list of places to see and visit, take a cue from Italian culture to slow down, even in areas where businesses stay open. Consider that you’d rather be fully present and enjoy the Italian way of living. A coffee is a perfect excuse to sit and be in the moment of your unforgettable trip.
Participate in Caffè Sospeso
Considered a simple act of kindness, this pay-it-forward gesture means “suspended coffee.” It comes from a tradition dating back to Naples during World War II. Neopolitans would buy more coffees than they planned to drink, intentionally leaving one for someone who couldn’t afford to pay. This small kindness caught on in the rest of the country, with a recent resurgence in popularity as an act of community solidarity.
The many coffees across regions of Italy
Italians deeply love their coffee addiction and heritage, and rightfully so, since coffee’s origins date back to the 1500s. And though the espresso is the coffee of choice, there are regional variations of coffee in Italy. We’ve included a few to give you an idea of what to expect.
Neapolitan coffee
Naples has a reputation for the best Italian coffee. One of the secrets, as told by a local Neapolitan, is the high mineral content in the water that makes the caffè taste so much better than anywhere else. The other secret is the robusta coffee beans that are intensely strong when served with the always-hot espresso.
Calabria coffee
If you’re visiting the toe of the boot of Italy, you’ll be in the Calabria region. Here, coffee has taken a new twist, though you can still find a caffè normale. When you stop in a bar in Calabria, order an acqua Calabria (coffee soda) to experience a coffee mixed with tonic for a fizzy flavor. There’s a bit of sugar and mineral water, but the espresso is diluted enough that it’s not a major buzz when you drink it.
Livorno coffee
Located 2 hours south of Cinque Terre and 90 minutes west of Florence, the province of Livorno is home to a spice-filled coffee not to be missed. A dash of alcohol, common spices, and coffee make for an unforgettable espresso called ponce livornese. There’s also a Tuscan version made with rum and sugar and sometimes lemon zest that’s also worth trying.
Where to get an Italian coffee in Italy
We think the best place to grab a caffè might be the first bar and pasticceria (pastry shop) you pass by. Contrary to what you’re used to in North America, some of the best Italian coffee might be found in a nondescript building that has a single sign hanging over it saying: BAR. It’s likely an unnamed family run establishment that is sure to have a delicious Italian coffee to try. Just remember to avoid the shops closest to major tourist attractions as the quality isn’t as good.
If you’re filling your list of things to do in Rome or things to do in Florence, you can add any of these coffee shops to make sure you get your morning pick-me-up.
Rome
- Sant’ Eustachio Il Caffè near Piazza Navona
- Cappuccino Bar near Tiber Island
- Mr. Caffè near Vatican City
Florence
- Caffè Brunelleschi near the Duomo
- Caffè San Firenze near Uffizi Gallery
- Caffè degli Artigiani near Pitti Palace
Naples
- Caffè De Rosa near Umberto Gallery
- Sasa’ del caffè near Toledo Station
- Caffè 33 near the National Archaeological Museum
Perfect your Italian with Rosetta Stone
This is just the start to your love affair with Italian coffee and the rich cultural gifts that come with it. Each sip is a moment to savor, to spend time with a friend, and to appreciate your surroundings like a local Italian.
As you plan your trip, sip a bit of caffè, and start your subscription to Rosetta Stone to learn Italian. You’ll love being able to communicate more confidently with locals as you travel through one of Europe’s most popular destinations.
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