Bars In Rome, Italy Are A Delicious Experience
Bars in Rome, Italy are an experience and very different from what you have probably experienced in the US. An Italian bar is a good place to get a coffee, a snack, a breakfast pastry and yes even a cocktail. They aren’t a place to hangout for hours, watch the golf match and drink from wide range of beers on tap.
Bars In Rome, Italy Have A Culture
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 match last night and taking a little more time getting going in the morning.
The opposite of that experience is at the counter. 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 or need to sit down and relax.
One other part that is important to keep in mind 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 and then present your receipt at the bar for your food and drink. If you are sitting at a table, you will get served by the wait staff, so this isn’t as important.
Understanding Italian Coffee Culture
The history of coffee in Rome has led to a well defined coffee culture. Understanding some of the simpler elements of this tradition will help you enjoy that morning espresso even more. Among the things to be aware of are:
- The Standing Coffee: Most Romans drink their coffee at the bar rather than sitting down at a table. While there is an addition service fee to sit, the reasons are more focused on speed and efficiency. A tourist might want to pay to sit, but an Italian on their way to work needs the espresso in a hurry.
- The Coffee Ritual: Coffee in Italy is typically consumed quickly and isn’t a “linger over your cup” experience. In addition to the cups being smaller than in the US, it is done multiple times per day, instead of the typical American ritual of a huge coffee mug on the way to work.
- Cappuccino Rule: You have probably heard that you shouldn’t order a cappuccino after 11:00AM. The simple explanation it that cappuccino is viewed as a breakfast drink and 11:00AM actually starts the lunch aperitivo. There is more to it, but I chose simplicity to help remember why.
Italian Espresso Drinks In Rome
Bars in Rome, Italy usually align with a single coffee roaster and you will notice this on their coffee cups, signs and umbrellas outside. There is no reason to avoid a bar if you don’t recognize their brand of coffee, but if you have a favorite, you can keep an eye out for one. Our favorite 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 warm milk, so be sure to ask for a caffè latte.
If you want to skip 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.
Shakerato – Ordering a Shakerato was my goal for the summer of 2023. You can probably guess from the Italianized English word that it involves shaking. It’s basically an iced coffee and it was delicious!
There are many other types of espresso drinks that you can order at Bars 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 more fascinating drinks. Ease into it.
Italian Bar Food
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 coffee bar has a Sicilian selection so we can get Arancine reheated in a microwave. There are also Pasticceria’s that can offer a wide selection of pastries that also shouldn’t be missed.
Bars In Italy Also Serve Cocktails
It is the end of the workday, you’re hungry and you can’t imagine waiting until 8:00pm for dinner. What do you do? Perhaps you can decide to meet up with friends for a drink and a light snack (Aperitivo) at your local bar. These are great places to open your palate for dinner and also do a bit of people-watching. Much like the coffee options available, there are new cocktails created all the time, both in Italy and imported from abroad, so consider starting with the most popular. My favorites are:
Prosecco – A simple glass of this Italian sparkling wine is very refreshing
Spritz – Have this mix of Prosecco and either Aperol or Campari, depending on your tastes
Negroni – This classic cocktail is gin, Campari and red vermouth. Don’t be too concerned about the gin because you typically have only one.
Americano – If the gin in a Negroni is unappealing to you, try this less boozy version. It’s a mix of Campari, red vermouth and club soda.
Etiquette And Customs In Italian Bars
A couple of the things to be aware of when you try dining in your first Italian coffee bar are:
- Pay First, Then Order: This is not universal, and might not be the case in tourist-heavy locations, but many coffee bars require you to pay at the cashier (Cassa) first and present your receipt at the bar to receive your espresso. When you enter, check to see if anyone is sitting there and if so, head there first. If there only appears to be a barista at the bar, head there instead.
- Is Tipping Expected: Tipping is not obligatory, but rounding up the bill or leaving small change, like an extra Euro, is appreciated. This would be done at the bar and not with the cashier.
Where to Find Amazing And Unique Bars In Rome, Italy
There are bars on every corner in Rome and beyond, so where to start? Here is a map of some of my favorite bars that you definitely need to check out if you are in the neighborhood:
A Coffee Bar Near The Vatican
Sciascia Caffè 1919
Sciascia Caffè 1919 (pronounced: Sha-Sha) is one of the oldest and most famous coffee bars in Rome and you don’t survive that long without offering something special to your customers. It has been in the Prati neighborhood, which borders Vatican City, for more than 100 years and they have been at their current location since 1937.
Coffee Bars Near Termini Station
Caffè Trombetta
Imagine that you just flew over the Atlantic ocean and are exhausted. You need a boost of energy, but you aren’t sure how to handle it. One classic caffè you should check out is just outside Termini Station in Rome and it is called Caffè Trombetta.
Faro Caffè
For the longest time my favorite Italian coffees have been the larger roasters, like Kimbo, illy or Lavazza. From time to time, however, I like to try a specialty coffee to see if there are any new flavors I should be aware of. Learning about an artisan coffee shop like Faro is just the type of specialty roaster I like to check out, so I did.
Coffee Bars Near Piazza del Popolo
Canova Tadolini
The delightful coffee bar can be found in the center of Rome near the most popular sites. It offers delicious coffee and fresh pastries in one of the most unique settings you will find. This former studio of the artist Antonio Canova is jammed full of statues overlooking the bar from every direction. While most museums contain a bar, this museum takes it to a new level and makes the museum itself the restaurant.
Canova Restaurant
Certainly young by Roman standards, Canova opened in the fifties and was named after Neoclassical sculptor, Antonio Canova, whose studio was just down the road. Italian director Federico Fellini lived nearby and frequented the establishment.
Bar Rosati
When you are walking around Piazza del Popolo, you might find yourself in search of some liquid energy in the form of a delicious espresso. The caffè at Bar Rosati might not be an obvious choice but with a bit of bravery I can assure you that you won’t find a better espresso or a more welcoming staff anywhere else in Rome.
Antico Caffè Greco
In a city like Rome, one that is so steeped in history, it is still surprising to find something as ubiquitous as a coffee shop that has an almost equal amount of history itself. Walking through the doors of Antico Caffè Greco is like stepping back through time when writers, composers and even philosophers called it home. If you are coming to Rome, seeing this coffee shop is a definite must if only for the history, but what about the coffee?
Coffee Bars Near The Colosseum
Bar Monti
Even though it is a short walk from Bar Monti to the Colosseum, this coffee spot is somewhat tucked away from the tourist hordes and offers a place to stop and collect yourself all day long. They offer delicious coffee and pastries for breakfast, light lunches, afternoon snacks and Happy Hour cocktails. Bar Monti is more than just a coffee bar, which is why it is a great place at which to stop.
Ciuri Ciuri
If you are in the neighborhood of the Colosseum in Rome, there is a strong possibility you want to grab some coffee or a snack. My strong recommendation is to walk down via Labicana and find Ciuri Ciuri.
Terrazza Caffarelli
There is a wide variety of cafés in Rome that people might consider iconic. For me, it is the Coffee Capitol, which is on the Terrazza Caffarelli and is connected to the Capitoline Museums. The views from this terrazza are amazing and it is a perfect place to stop for an espresso during a long day of enjoying the beautiful art in the museums.
Coffee Bars In The Historical Center Of Rome
Il Caffè Sant’Eustachio
The popularity of Il Caffè Sant’Eustachio can’t be denied. When you are in Rome and making a visit inside the Pantheon you will most certainly see the crowds around this bar that lives in the piazza of the same name. When you are nearby and if you are also feeling like you need a boost of energy, you definitely should grab a quick espresso coffee, and a seat if one is available, at the popular coffee bar in Rome.
Giolitti
The antique Gelateria and Pasticceria known as Giolitti is a popular stop for tourists and locals alike and they are well known for their gelato and pastries, but definitely don’t miss an opportunity to try some of their espresso to see if it is the best in Rome.
Tazza D’Oro
The bar is more formally known as: La Casa del Caffè al Pantheon, which was founded in 1946 as a place for tasting their different blends and is known for having what they believe is the best coffee in the world.
More Coffee Bar Experiences In Rome
Bars in Rome, Italy are likely not 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!
If you are interested in learning more about the Italian coffee bars and delicious opportunities to experience them, check out some of our other posts:
- Canova Tadolini Is A Breathtaking Place For Espresso.
- Coffee At Canova Restaurant In Piazza Del Popolo Is A Must.
- The Best Specialty Coffee In Rome Is Found At Faro?
- Terrazza Caffarelli At The Capitoline Museum Coffee Savior.
- Caffè Trombetta in Rome Is The Best Coffee Near Termini.
- Ciuri Ciuri Is A Friendly Coffee Shop Near The Colosseum.
- Bar Rosati Offers Great Coffee Near Piazza Del Popolo.
- Bar Monti Brews Amazing Coffee Steps From The Colosseum.
- Antico Caffè Greco: An Amazing Bar Near The Spanish Steps.
- Sciascia Caffè: History And Great Coffee Near The Vatican.
- Tazza D’Oro Is A Popular And Delicious Coffee Shop In Rome.
- Caffè Giolitti In Rome Is A Great Italian Coffee Bar.
- Caffè Sant’Eustachio Defines The Coffee Taste Of Rome.
