Ordering Coffee
Ordering coffee in Italy can be a challenge if you don’t know what to ask for. Every cup carries a bit of culture with it. Where and when you drink it matters—there’s a whole country between a Bicerin in Torino and an Espressino in Bari. Time of day changes the experience too. Are you standing at the bar at 6 AM with commuters grabbing their morning fix? Or weaving past card-playing old men lingering over their macchiatos at 10:30?
I could go on and on (and I do in Chapter 6 of my book Eating Rome), but for now, here are a few well-known coffee drinks to try next time you’re in Italy.
Caffè
This is what most Italians order—what you might know as an espresso. Served in a heated ceramic cup, it’s typically sipped (not gulped!) while standing at the bar. Want to be extra Roman? Order it in vetro (in a glass).
Caffè Macchiato
Meaning “stained coffee,” this is a shot of espresso with a tiny drop of milk. If you want to be precise (and Italians are serious about their coffee), specify whether you want it macchiato caldo (with hot milk) or macchiato freddo (with cold milk). Some even order it tepid, though I can’t imagine why!
Caffè Doppio
A double shot of espresso, likely invented for those who need more caffeine than a single shot provides (a.k.a. crazy Americans). I order this all the time—much to my husband’s dismay, as he’s convinced I’ll keel over from caffeine overload.
Cappuccino
A shot of espresso topped with foamed hot milk. There are endless variations, like cappuccino senza schiuma (without foam). Not sure what the point of that is, but hey, it’s popular!
Latte Macchiato
A big glass of warm milk “stained” with just a dash of coffee, taking the edge off the milk’s flavor. It’s like comfort food disguised as a coffee drink. In Rome, it’s mostly considered a drink for children, the sick, or Americans—it’s the closest thing you’ll find to an American latte.
Marocchino
A shot of espresso topped with foamed milk and a generous sprinkle of cocoa, served in a small glass so you can admire the layers. Legend has it this drink originated near a hat factory in Torino, where its light brown color resembled Moroccan leather used in hats.
Espressino
Similar to a Marocchino, but regional variations abound. In Puglia, it’s served in an espresso cup with extra foamed milk. In Florence and northern Italy, ask for a macchiatone—a cappuccino cup with half the milk. In Rome, it’s called a Marocchino and is usually served in a glass with chocolate on top.
Caffè Shakerato
One of my favorite summer coffee drinks. A shot of room-temperature espresso is shaken with ice and sugar in a cocktail shaker, then poured into a stemmed glass, frothy and chilled.
Granita di Caffè
More like coffee-flavored ice cream than coffee itself, this sweetened black coffee is frozen and broken into coffee crystals. You’ll order it at a bar, where the barista will scoop it from a frozen container. Your only decision? Whether to top it with whipped cream on both top and bottom or just on top.
Affogato
A decadent treat: a shot of espresso poured over a spoonful of gelato. My favorite combination? Espresso with zabaione gelato.
Caffè Corretto
Literally “corrected coffee”—corrected with a splash of grappa (or another spirit of your choice). Traditionally enjoyed by farmers or market workers who need more than just caffeine to start their day. Why not?
Caffè Americano
Invented to accommodate tourists who can’t handle the intensity of espresso. A shot of espresso diluted with hot water, making it more like drip coffee. And if you really want to shock your Italian friends, order a caffè americano doppio (a double shot). They might just call an ambulance, fearing a caffeine overdose!
Want to join us for a coffee in Italy?
We make sure to stay caffeinated during our week-long food tours and always build in coffee stops along the way. Hope you can join us for a coffee! You can find our full schedule of tours here.
