Ordering coffee in Italy is no simple task I've come to find in my two and a half months of staying here-- there is a specific set of rules and customs unlike anything we have in the US. Italians take their coffee seriously, and the whole process is filled with do's, don't, cans, and absolutely cannots of customs. I wanted to make a little guide to hopefully help any other people coming here to Italy make their coffee experience much smoother than the ones I've had. I'll get it eventually I suppose, but here's what I've learned so far!
☕ Italians don't have a variety of syrups, flavours, and specialty drinks. At traditional Italian coffee shops you pretty much have two options and two options only: espresso or a cappuccino.
☕ Majority of caffes, unless they cater towards Americans, don't do to go. If they do, it's called "Take Away."
☕ You will pay nearly double though to get your coffee to stay there and sit down; so if there's a take away option it saves you a lot of money!
☕ To order your coffee, usually there isn't a register where you wait in line and order; most times, you just go up to the bar and tell the Barista what you want.
☕ Majority of caffes, unless they cater towards Americans, don't do to go. If they do, it's called "Take Away."
☕ You will pay nearly double though to get your coffee to stay there and sit down; so if there's a take away option it saves you a lot of money!
☕ To order your coffee, usually there isn't a register where you wait in line and order; most times, you just go up to the bar and tell the Barista what you want.
☕ That being said...there will always be a crazy amount of people at the bar because Italians don't sit down and drink coffee at tables. They stand at the bar, chat, and drink their coffee.
☕ I've noticed Italians don't take their time and drink, either. In the US, it is customary to get a coffee, sit down at the shop for a few hours, and drink and relax. In Italy, it's usually downed all in one gulp and done in less than five minutes.
☕ Don't order a latte. You will get milk. Don't order a cioccolato latte. You will get chocolate milk. Don't order a caffe latte. You will get milk with a tad bit of coffee (which still tastes just like milk).
☕ There are no Starbucks in Italy. Not.a.single.one.
☕ If the caffe serves lunch, you most likely cannot sit at the shop. During lunch hour, you're expected to either drink it at the bar or sit in the tiny high top tables by the bar. You're absolutely not allowed to drink your coffee at lunch hour and sit--that is reserved for the people having lunch.
☕ Whipped cream is not a thing to put on coffee here, and they will look at you like you're crazy if you ask.
☕ All the coffees are tiny here if you do manage to find a shop that serves something other than espresso or cappuccino. Just be warned, your americano or moka will look like it is for a child.
☕ If you take cream with your coffee, I'm sorry it actually doesn't exist here :( They don't have fancy, flavored creamers or any at all actually. They will give you milk to put in your coffee.
☕ Hot chocolate (or cioccolato caldo) is more like a thick, hot pudding consistency and actually won't be a liquid. They'll give you a spoon and everything to scoop it out with!
☕ I haven't had this issue, but I know quite a few people who have-- it is not customary to order cappuccinos after lunch time or in the evening. The baristas will look at you like you're crazy. Cappuccinos are only for the morning.
☕ Iced drinks also don't exist here (unless again, you go to an American shop and even then they still don't really understand completely). There are no iced coffees, frozen cappuccinos, or the likes. A bummer if you're here in the warm months and want something cool to drink.
☕ If you're going to make your own coffee, Keruigs or drip coffee makers are not in existence here. You either buy an espresso maker, or buy coffee grounds at the grocery store to pour into hot water.
What are your experiences with ordering coffee while in Italy if you're visiting from a different country? It's always an interesting time to see what you might learn next. Who knew something as simple as coffee could be such a cultural difference? x
With much love, Lauren.
