A Guide To Ordering Coffee in Italy

I fell in love with Florence at the age of 10 and have travelled widely since, but somehow I always return to this most magical of cities.

It Began In The Tuscan Town of Vinci….

It may seem the simplest of things, but in Italy ordering coffee is beyond an art form. I realised this one morning in Vinci, a small town perched high above the Tuscan countryside.

Everyone, it seemed, was out enjoying the sunshine. The café was crowded and people thronged through the main square. Having just finished our brew, we left our spot at the bar and strolled outside. In 1452 Leonardo da Vinci was born in a small farmhouse a short walk from where we stood, and the town retains its medieval air. As we looked over a classic vista of stonewalls and olive groves, farmhouses and cypress trees, we noticed a couple heading towards the café. They hesitated amongst the milling throng – an obvious sign of a tourist – as if searching for the end of the queue. This is no way to survive in Italy: we had to show them. After all, we’d been the same only a few weeks ago.

Italian Coffee Culture

Our first taste of Italian coffee came at Rome airport. Flying to anywhere from Australia takes forever; we’d spent a lifetime crammed in that plane. Dawn had yet to touch the sky as we landed. Customs seemed asleep; Immigration waved us through after a lazy stamp somewhere near our passports. The carousel took awhile to wake-up and, after a few fitful starts, finally brought us our luggage.

Searching for the exit, we passed a café: a long dark bench decorated with the prerequisite mirror and a myriad of bottles of colored liqueurs. The barista sported a pristine waistcoat and a perfect three-day growth. Our coffees were dark and strong; suddenly finding the right bus was easy. We drove through a city just rising from slumber, as the light of dawn fell on the ancient monuments and made the stone buildings glisten.

Coffee Arrives in Venice

Coffee arrived in Venice via Egypt in the late 16^th century, brought by Arab traders. Initially deemed sinful, this ‘wine of Arabia’ was all too readily adopted by the city’s merchants. Concerned about the clandestine nature by which the wealthy met to drink the bitter brew, the Doge appealed to the Pope; after tasting one cup Pope Clement VII deemed coffee ‘Christian’. The first cafés open in Venice around 1645. They quickly became popular, and, now touched with an air of wealth and sophistication, the taste for this new drink rapidly spread. The famous Café Florian in the Piazza San Marco opened in 1720, and remains open today.

Ordering A Coffee In Italy

Essential Of Drinking Coffee When In Italy

Morning coffee in Italy is a serious affair. In Venice, as the sun is rising, stand in any alley and watch as both overall-clad workers and impeccably dressed businessmen stride through the door and, with little more than a nod to the barista, wait for their brew to be set before them. This is usually a simple caffè, an espresso complete with the characteristic crema to add flavor and a touch of sweetness. Most stand at the bar and down their shot in two gulps at the most, then are gone. Even in the depths of winter, the ritual continues.

Some had the time to stay longer, paying extra for the luxury of sitting at a table and reading Il Figaro while washing down a panini of tomato, salami and cheese with a milky coffee. Few talked. (A word of caution on ordering a latté – you may be served a glass of steamed milk, even if you ask for a caffè latté.)

The Gourmet Treveller

How to Survive An Italian Cafe

To the uninitiated, ordering may seem little more than a jostling of elbows and waving of arms while pushing your way to the front of the bar (for queues are more a thought than reality.) Yet it is not so. After a ciao or buon giorno, place an order with the cashier and pay; then, with another greeting, elbow your way to the other end of the bar and hand your receipt to the barista. In a few places, however, you order first and pay as you leave. Simply watch what the other patrons do. Once served, down the scalding brew as quickly as possible. No sips; most locals down an espresso in two or three gulps.

The Etiquette of Ordering Coffee in Italy

Only tourists drink milky coffees such as a cappuccino or a latté after midday, for milk is considered a breakfast food. A café filled with people drinking such travesties of an afternoon is obviously one for tourists. Instead, opt to drink where the locals go. Aside from an espresso, try a caffè ristretto, usually half the size of an espresso, intense in flavor but never bitter. Others to try include a caffè con zucchero – an espresso with sugar – or a caffè macchiato, where the espresso is literally ‘corrupted’ with a spoonful of milky foam. For a caffè lungo, or Caffè Americano, the water runs through the machine to make a long coffee in which the brew is both weak and bitter. Italians call such servings acqua sporca, or dirty water.

Where To Drink Your Coffee

Unlike the seriousness of the morning brew, I think of the afternoon beverage as the one to sip while recuperating my strength for more sight-seeing. This is the time of day where it can be well worth the while of paying extra for the luxury of simply sitting, and so watching the world go by: whether in an art gallery, or atop the Uffizi under the shadow of the giant clock of the Palace Vecchio; a piazza in a small town, watching the locals and the occasional priest hurry by; on a portico in Assisi, overlooking the hills.

Many places offer a café della casa, or house coffee. In the small Piazza di Sant’ Eustachio, (lying between the Pantheon and Piazza Navona), is a café not to be missed. Perfect for coffee at any time of day, as midnight approaches crowds spill from the Bar Sant’ Eustachio and into the tiny piazza. All of Rome , it seems, has come for the famed aniseed laced brew; many claim this is the best coffee in Rome. Its making remains a secret, but everyone scoops the last specks from their cup.

Besides, there is always tomorrow to discover somewhere even more delightful for a cup of magical brew.

© 2013 Anne Harrison

Comments

Anne Harrison (author) from Australia on May 18, 2018:

Thank you Hasnathan, I hope you get there to visit soon!

Hasnathan from indonesia on April 23, 2018:

i love coffee, someday i will go to italy and taste it.

Linda Sue Grimes from U.S.A. on May 09, 2016:

Naw, I just like a plain, old cup of black coffee! Have never liked espresso.

Anne Harrison (author) from Australia on May 09, 2016:

Hi Maya, if you like milky coffee, go for a cappuccino or a latte. why not be brave and try a true espresso when in Italy, or a a macchiato - just add sugar if you find it too strong. After a few days you won't go back.

Linda Sue Grimes from U.S.A. on May 09, 2016:

So, in Italy a simple cup of coffee is always espresso? I love coffee but I don't like espresso. What would I do in Italy to get a regular, plain old cup of joe?

Anne Harrison (author) from Australia on August 21, 2015:

Hi Stella, the world is divided into those who like coffee and those who do not! I'm continually amazed at how a world of culture, of history and lifestyle sleeps in a little cup - as you say, it's serious stuff.

Thanks for reading my hub, Anne

stella vadakin from 3460NW 50 St Bell, Fl32619 on August 19, 2015:

Hi Anne, I enjoyed the photos in your Hub. This was a very good article. My Aunt Jeana comes each year and I get plenty of those espresso coffees , which I confess I do not like them, but drink them anyway, as this is serious stuff. Thanks, Stella

Anne Harrison (author) from Australia on July 19, 2015:

Hi Ian,

The great thing about hub pages is the people you meet through their writing, people you would never otherwise come across. Thank you so much for your kind words, they mean much to me.

I have never heard of Pollone, I look forward to reading your hub,

Anne

Twilight Lawns from Norbury-sur-Mer, Surrey, England. U.K. on July 19, 2015:

Anne, I am so glad I found you; through the reference to Angie Jardine. I thought I would look to see who this compassionate person might be, and I have found one of the best and most interesting Hubs. You have captured the essence of Italy so well in this. I love Italy and if I could just "push" you slightly n my direction, you will find a Hub I wrote concerning Pollone, a village in Piedmont, near Biella.

Coffee? I love it.

Your hub? I love it also.

Thank you

Ian

Anne Harrison (author) from Australia on May 11, 2015:

Hi Peggy,

Thank you so much for your kind words, and for sharing my hub.

I hope you make it to Italy, and have a sup of coffee (and maybe a glass of prosecco!) for me,

Anne

Peggy Woods from Houston, Texas on May 11, 2015:

My hubby has been to Italy on business trips but alas, I have not been able to join him. Hopefully some day I will not only see parts of Italy but enjoy good cups of coffee while there. Up votes and pinning to my Italy board and happy to share on HP.

Anne Harrison (author) from Australia on April 14, 2015:

So true, peachpurple. The great thing about travel is how even the most everyday of things are seen in a different way.

peachy from Home Sweet Home on April 14, 2015:

wow, even drinking coffee is a state of art in Italy!

Anne Harrison (author) from Australia on March 13, 2015:

Life is too short for a bad cup of coffee - glad you enjoyed the hub, but should you head to Italy, you'll come back drinking more than 1 cup a day!

Thanks for stopping by, Anne

Mary Hyatt from Florida on March 12, 2015:

I am reading this Hub at a bad time, having just got up from a good sleep. This made me want to stop and have my one and only cup of coffee for the day. Mine is nothing like the coffee you described, though. I learned a lot from this great HOTD!

Congrats!

Anne Harrison (author) from Australia on October 28, 2014:

Thanks for stopping by Bill - but I'm not sure if my husband would approve if I took along an Italian on our next trip!

Bill Armstrong from Valencia, California on October 27, 2014:

How to order a coffee in Italy - Take an Italian with you ;) Great page, thanks for sharing

Randi Benlulu from Mesa, AZ on September 26, 2014:

Agreed!

Anne Harrison (author) from Australia on September 26, 2014:

Many thanks - and the coffee at the airport definitely counts! You'll have to go back and try some of the house or specialty coffees (any excuse to go back to Italy).

Randi Benlulu from Mesa, AZ on September 20, 2014:

Interesting article! The only coffee I have had in Italy was at the airport during a layover (does that count?!) Next time, I will hopefully stay longer and will appreciate your tips! Congratulations on HOTD!

Anne Harrison (author) from Australia on January 11, 2014:

Coffee in Paris is different to Italy (there's nothing like having pain au chocolate avec un café crême). One day I'll get around to writing a hub about my different coffee experiences around the world… Thanks for taking the time to stop by and read my hub.

europewalker on January 11, 2014:

Lovely hub and photos. I love coffee and had some very strong coffee while visiting Paris. I would love to visit Rome one day and taste the coffees there.

Anne Harrison (author) from Australia on January 03, 2014:

Thank you to everyone who took the time to comment - I have been without the internet for the last week, so my apologies for the delay on replying. Drinking coffee is an art form in Italy. Like so much with travel, I try to bring the essence of a place back with me, and share with others. Enjoy, and thanks for visiting!

Patricia Scott from North Central Florida on January 02, 2014:

It is kind of odd that I am reading this now. I just had dinner at an authentic Italian place . the coffee was different and the portion was much smaller than we normally have in America.

thanks for sharing the history and other info as well. I of course would love to have a coffee in Italy some day.

Angels are on the way to you ps

poetryman6969 on January 02, 2014:

I'll take my sin black with some cocoa and cinnamon sprinkled in!

Margaret Fiona from New York City, USA on January 02, 2014:

Different thinking and also a nice hub. Coffee is my favorite hot drink. Congrasulation to Hub of the day...... Regards

Susan W from The British Isles, Europe on January 02, 2014:

Nice hub, Anne! I have learned a lot from this hub especially about the various kinds of coffees in Italy, I would love to visit Italy some day. I like your photos too, they really capture the atmosphere of Italy. Congrats on Hub Of The Day, well done!

Chitrangada Sharan from New Delhi, India on January 02, 2014:

Having Coffee in the romantic and artistic Italy, is a beautiful experience! Have been there and your hub is like revisiting the amazing places.

Wonderfully done with nice pictures! Congratulations for HOTD!

Mazlan A from Malaysia on January 02, 2014:

It seems like in Italy, everything is art! Didn't realized how 'complicated' drinking coffee can be! Thanks for the useful tips and congrats on your HOTD. A good start to 2014, keep it up!

bluebird on January 02, 2014:

Voted useful and interesting! Italy with all the sights and history and learning how they do coffee over there, very interesting indeed. A few shots and it's down. No sipping and visiting. Very different from America - it's more of a social thing here.

Congrats and thanks for the pictures!

Gous Ahmed from Muslim Nation on January 02, 2014:

Great article about coffee in Italy. I enjoyed reading every bit of it! Thanks!

Anne Harrison (author) from Australia on December 02, 2013:

As I've always maintained, life is too short for instant coffee! It's also different in every country - shall write about that soon,. Cheers, and thanks for stopping by

Robin Kommer from Australia on December 01, 2013:

so so Anne Harrison, that is the most expressive and detailed account of coffee I have ever explored. Obviously a coffee is not just a coffee but an experience into a world of its own. Well written and I like the layout