{"id":2572,"date":"2019-03-27T11:40:22","date_gmt":"2019-03-27T11:40:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/devourromefoodtours.com\/?p=2572"},"modified":"2022-11-15T22:25:24","modified_gmt":"2022-11-15T22:25:24","slug":"how-to-order-coffee-in-italian","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/dev.devourtours.com\/blog\/how-to-order-coffee-in-italian\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Order Coffee in Italy: The Complete Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

This post was originally published on March 27, 2019, and was updated on November 15, 2022 with new photos and text.<\/em><\/p>\r\n

Coffee is of crucial importance in Rome (coming in just behind the Colosseo <\/em>in thematic importance). Some of the world\u2019s best coffee can be found in Italy, and Italians take this truth very seriously. Read on for everything you need to know to feel confident walking into any bar or caf\u00e9 to order coffee in Italy.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n

\"close<\/p>\r\n\r\nItalians take their coffee seriously – and their caff\u00e8<\/em> is seriously delicious. Photo credit: N i c o l a<\/a>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Essential vocabulary for ordering coffee in Italian<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Okay, you\u2019re ready to walk into the bar and order your coffee the Italian way. But first thing\u2019s first, you need to know what to order! Below, find the most popular coffee orders in Italy so you\u2019ll know exactly what you want when you walk in the door.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Espresso<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

This is the holy grail of Italian caff\u00e8<\/em>. Just like in the English-speaking world, an espresso is a shot of coffee. Italians have a tendency to order this at any and all times of day, and it\u2019s a great way to finish an exquisite pasta lunch<\/a>. If you want a double hit of caffeine, order an espresso doppio,<\/em> a double espresso, but be ready for quite the kick!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\r\n
\"First\r\n
There’s never a bad time to drink espresso.<\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Macchiato<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

A macchiato<\/em> in Italian is not the coffee of the same name you might order at Starbucks elsewhere in the world. The word literally means \u201cstained,\u201d and it stems from the dash of milk added to your espresso<\/em>. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

If you\u2019re lactose intolerant, try asking for latte di soia<\/em> (soy milk), latte di mandorla <\/em>(almond milk), or latte di cocco<\/em> (coconut milk). Although you might get a strange look (Italians are still die-hard cow milk aficionados when it comes to coffee), most places will have at least one non-dairy option.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\r\n
\"When\r\n
An authentic Italian macchiato tastes much better than what you’ll get at Starbucks. Photo credit: Kostas Fines<\/a><\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Caff\u00e8 latte\/latte macchiato<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Caff\u00e8 latte<\/em> translates to coffee and milk. It will usually come in a tall glass filled with espresso and steamed milk. The difference to note is that while a caff\u00e8 latte<\/em> has milk added to the espresso, and is therefore coffee-based, a latte macchiato<\/em>, has espresso added to the milk, making it milk-based. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

A latte macchiato<\/em> will be foamier and have much less espresso in it than a caff\u00e8 latte<\/em>, which may be why this tends to be the drink of choice for Italian teenagers just starting their espresso journey.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\r\n
\"Ordering\r\n
Nothing beats a perfectly made Italian latte<\/em>.<\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Cappuccino<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Famous worldwide, we know we don\u2019t need to tell you what a cappuccino is. But we added it to the list because this coffee drink does come with its own unique set of rules.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

A cappuccino (or anything that heavily involves milk, such as a caff\u00e8 latte <\/em>or latte macchiato<\/em>), is very much considered a breakfast beverage. That\u2019s why Italians tend to enjoy it with a cornetto<\/em> in the morning rather than after meals later in the day. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

If you order this with or after your lunch or dinner, expect a snicker or two. That being said, at Devour we\u2019re big believers in you doing you, so if that\u2019s what you\u2019re craving, we say go for it, as long as you know it\u2019s not the most traditional order.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\r\n
\r\n
\"Latte
That cappuccino may be gorgeous, but keep in mind that Italians save this drink for breakfast. Photo credit: Ben Garratt<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Decaffeinato<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

This is the word for a decaf coffee. Order this if you\u2019re looking for that coffee taste without the caffeine. You may also hear this referred to as a “deca<\/em>.” Another popular option throughout Italy is ordering an orzo, <\/em>a caffeine-free coffee substitute made from ground barley.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Caff\u00e8 corretto<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

This is a shot of espresso with a bit of liquor thrown in for good luck, usually grappa <\/em>or sambuca<\/em>.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Caff\u00e8 shakerato<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

An amazing summer option, this is usually a simple mix of coffee and ice shaken up together, though some places will add cream or milk.<\/p>\r\n

\"When
A refreshing caff\u00e8 shakerato<\/em> is just what the doctor ordered on one of Rome’s characteristic hot summer days. Photo credit: marco monetti<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Now that you\u2019ve learned the different coffee options in Italy, it\u2019s time to learn how to order!<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

In most Italian bars (remember, in Italian, a bar is like a caf\u00e9), people go in, order, drink at the counter, have a chat and then head back out. This is certainly the most traditional way of having coffee in Italy, as Italians don\u2019t subscribe to the coffee-to-go lifestyle. However, you can definitely find places where you can sit down as you linger over your newspaper, or in the summertime enjoy a table outside and people-watch while you enjoy your shakerato. <\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Now, let’s discuss how to order a coffee in Italy. A simple way to order is just to open with, \u201cVorrei un<\/em>\u2026\u201d, which means \u201cI would like a,\u201d and then follow it up with your order. Remember to finish it with a please, and you\u2019re good to go! <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Here are two examples: \u201cVorrei un espresso, per favore<\/em>,\u201d which means I would like an espresso, please\u201d and \u201cvorrei due cappuccini, per favore,<\/em>\u201d which is how you\u2019d say \u201cI\u2019d like two cappuccinos, please.\u201d \u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Coffee Traditions: Caff\u00e8 Sospeso<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

One last thing we wanted to share with you is an old tradition, no longer often used, that we\u2019d love to see brought back. When you order a coffee, you can also order a caff\u00e8 sospeso<\/em><\/a>, a suspended coffee, meaning you pay for an extra coffee, and then if someone comes in who can\u2019t afford one, they can ask if there are any suspended\u2014and if there are, they get a coffee, too! We love this idea. It embodies Italian warmth and kindness, and it\u2019s the kind of thing we all could use a bit more of in this world.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Alright, international coffee drinkers\u2014we hope this has been useful for you, and that you venture out armed with your order ready, confident in your caff\u00e8 <\/em>knowledge. Go forth and sip!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This post was originally published on March 27, 2019, and was updated on November 15, 2022 with new photos and text. Coffee is of crucial importance in Rome (coming in just behind the Colosseo in thematic importance). Some of the world\u2019s best coffee can be found in Italy, and Italians take this truth very seriously. 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