Italian coffee is more than a drink. It's a daily ritual and an important part of Italian culture. This guide explains the most common coffee drinks in Italy, when locals drink them and how travelers can confidently order coffee like a local.
In Italy, coffee isn’t something you sip from a paper cup on your morning commute. It’s a daily ritual and a point of pride. All over the country, you’ll find small coffee bars (some beautiful, others strictly utilitarian) on nearly every corner. At each, you’ll find a bar counter, a few tables and an espresso machine at the heart of it all.
If you’re looking for a caffeine boost in Italy, a few simple tips on what to order (and when) will go a long way.
One Size Fits All
In Italy we don’t have size options. No grande, no tall, no enormous vat. All coffee beverages have standard sizes and huge volumes simply do not exist.
Always For Here, Never to Go
Coffee here isn’t a to-go thing. You won’t see people walking around with cups or bringing them onto the train. Instead, you step inside, order, sip your coffee standing at the counter, pay afterward, and head out. Prefer to sit at a table? No problem; just expect to pay a little more.
How to Order Coffee Like an Italian
Espresso: Forget about Frappuccinos, chai tea lattes or matchas. Italians drink espresso. If you want to order one, just say “un caffé per favore.” For us, espresso is coffee; the two terms are completely interchangeable. An espresso is bitter and intense and comes in a heated white ceramic cup—we call it a tazzina. No paper cups, no plastic lids, no wooden stir sticks. An Italian coffee always comes with a small ceramic plate and a silver spoon.
Caffé Americano: We don’t have standard American drip coffee in Italy. Instead there’s something called caffè Americano, hot water added to espresso and served in a cappuccino-sized cup.
Macchiato: If an espresso tastes too strong for you, ask for a macchiato: it’s a simple espresso with enough milk to fill the small tazzina. You can have a macchiato anytime you want during the day: in the morning, after dinner or even during the afternoon.
Cappuccino: The enlarged version of macchiato is called cappuccino, and it’s the most beloved coffee among visitors to Italy. It comes in a bigger cup with foamed milk. Now let's talk about something important: it’s practically against the law to have cappuccino if it’s not your entire breakfast! It’s advised to never order a cappuccino following lunch or dinner, or—even worse—during your meal.
Latte: Jonesing for a latte? Go ahead and order it anytime you wish! But you might be surprised when you're given a plain glass of milk. Latte means milk in Italian, and if you ask for one, be prepared to answer the barman's question: “Caldo o freddo?” (Warm or cold?). For a coffee drink that’s closer to an American-style latte, try ordering a latte macchiato.
