Inside Italian Coffee Bars: Culture, Drinks & Tips

Explore Italian coffee bars and how they work, what to order, cultural norms, and how to enjoy them like a local.

What Are Coffee Bars In Italy Like?

Italian bars are a gathering place, a center of social life for the neighborhood and they are open to people of all ages. While this might not be obvious if you are in a more touristy area, if you are in the neighborhoods of the residents, you can hang out and do a bit of people-watching. You would see the same group of people every morning having their espresso, chit-chatting with their friends about the game last night and taking a little more time getting going in the morning.

The opposite of that is at the counter (al banco). This is the place to grab a quick espresso, throw back a cornetto and be on your way. Typically the food and drinks are less expensive at the counter than when you are sitting at the table, so keep that in mind when you’re trying to decide if you need a quick pick-me-up (tiramisu) or need to sit down and relax.

One other part that is important to be aware of is when you need to pay. If you are planning to stand at the counter it is common, especially in less tourist-filled areas, to pay first at the cash register (la cassa) and then present your receipt at the bar for your food or drink. If you are sitting at a table, you will get served by the wait staff, so this isn’t as important.

What Is Served At An Italian Coffee Bar?

Italian bars are usually aligned with a single coffee roaster (torrefazione) and you will notice this on their cups (tazze), signs and umbrellas outside. There is no reason to avoid a bar if you don’t recognize their brand of coffee because there are so many of them, but if you have a favorite, you can keep an eye out for it. Ours is Kimbo and there is a bar right near our apartment that serves it!

When ordering a coffee there is a long list of possibilities. You are probably familiar with the common espresso, cappuccino, and latte, but there are many others. You should be aware of them so you can be confident enough to try something new, but be careful. Asking for a latte will get you a glass of milk (ask for a caffè latte).

Skipping espresso and cappuccino, here are some other drinks to consider:

• Doppio – If you are having a little trouble getting going in the morning, a more common situation for me every day, you can ask for a caffè doppio which is basically a double shot.
• Macchiato – I’ve had really bad versions of a caffè macchiato in the US because they overload it with milk. Macchiato means stained or marked. It has a small drop of milk foam on top of an espresso and that’s it.
• Americano – Did you ever wonder how you can get an American style coffee in Italy even though there are no drip coffee makers? Well, you make an espresso and add hot water. In this case though, be clear that you want a caffè americano because there is a cocktail of the same name, which is delicious, but possibly not the best choice at 9:00 in the morning.

• Corretto – A caffè corretto, which translates to corrected coffee is an espresso with a shot of alcohol, like grappa. A couple years back this came to my rescue when I was trying grappa for the first time and hating it. I didn’t want to waste it, so I had it added to an espresso and only then was I able to choke it down. 
• Shakerato – This is my goal for the summer of 2022. You can probably guess from the Italianized English word that it involves shaking. It’s basically an iced coffee.

There are many other types of espresso drinks that you can order in Italy, but I wanted to keep the list tight to help build your confidence to venture outside of your comfort zone. Also, not every bar in Italy knows how or wants to make some of the less well known drinks. Ease into it. One of my missions this summer is to have a Shakerato but you don’t see them available in every bar so if it happens, it happens (quel che sarà, sarà).

Food At An Italian Bar

An Italian bar isn’t trying to be a restaurant, so the food offerings can be limited. For breakfast you should be able to get the standards like a cornetto, pane al cioccolato or a saccottino al cioccolato. If you come by during lunch, don’t expect a full kitchen but rather some panini or a tramezzino that can be heated in a press. Our local has a Sicilian selection so we can get Arancine reheated in a microwave.

10 Frequently Asked Questions About Italian Coffee Bars

Here’s a list of FAQs that our readers have asked about:

• What Is The Difference Between An Italian Coffee Bar And A Café? – In Italy, the coffee bar is simply called a bar. It is basically the same as a café in another country, like France.
• What Drinks Are Commonly Served At Italian Coffee Bars? – You can have a range of espresso drinks, like: cappuccino, macchiato, lungo, etc. In addition, you can have non-espresso drinks like orzo and ginseng coffees as well as cocktails and beer.
• Should I Pay Before Or After Ordering At An Italian Coffee Bar? – Traditionally, you go to the cash register (cassa) first and pay, then you bring the receipt to the barista. In some touristy spot, or if they are short-staffed, you can order at the bar and pay when you are done. 
• Is It More Expensive To Sit At A Table Vs Standing At The Counter (Al Banco)? – It is more expensive to enjoy your coffee at a table, as opposed to standing at the bar. Be warned that in touristy spots with nice views, the difference can be substantial.

• Can I Order A Cappuccino After Midday In Italy? – Culturally, a cappuccino is a breakfast drink, but you can ignore all the warnings you see on social media and enjoy a cappuccino anytime you want.
• What Is A “Shakerato” And Where Can I Get It? – A Shakerato is an Italian styled iced coffee that you would typically enjoy in the summer. As you might guess from the name, it is coffee, sugar and cream shaken over ice and served in a martini glass. You can get these at most bars in Italy.
• What Foods Are Typically Available At Italian Coffee Bars? – For breakfast, you can enjoy a range of pastries, like a cornetto, a maritozzo or a pain au chocolat. For lunch, you can usually get pre-made dishes that are reheated.
• Do Italian Coffee Bars Serve Cocktails Or Just Coffee? – Both! Bars usually have a great selection of cocktails, with a limited supply of wines and beers.
• Are Italian Coffee Bars Open All Day (Morning To Evening)? – Yes, the Italian coffee bars cater to their customers from early in the morning to late in the evening.
• How Do Italians Usually Use Coffee Bars, As Social Meeting Spots Or Quick Stops? – Yes to both options. Some choose to come and catch up on the events of the previous evening and chat with friends, while others are grabbing a quick caffeine hit on their way to work.

If you like, please contact us with any additional questions you might have.

A Bar In Italy Is A Great Experience

Coffee bars in Italy might not be what you are expecting, but it is an important part of Italian culture and should be experienced during your visit. If you still want a bar in the more American tradition, there are a number of Irish bars around Rome that might be what you are looking for, but you know the saying: When In Rome, Do As The Romans Do!