What Coffee Do Italians Drink When Nobody Is Looking?

ByBeppe Castro

Understanding what coffee Italians drink will help you to better appreciate the coffee culture that pervades daily life in Italy from morning to night.

Breakfast Cappuccino

Ok, so the title is a bit of a joke. I was trying to imply that some people in Italy would choose a coffee drink depending on who was watching them. This really isn’t a thing in a country as fashion and appearance conscious as Italy.

Italian coffee culture is both legendary and steeped in tradition, reflecting a deep appreciation for quality, simplicity, and ritual. Understanding the types of coffee Italians drink, and when, provides insight into their daily rhythms and culinary values.

Iced Coffee

The Morning Cappuccino And Beyond

In Italy, mornings often begin with a cappuccino, a balanced blend of espresso, steamed milk, and foam. This milky coffee is almost exclusively consumed before 11:00AM, often paired with a sweet pastry like a cornetto (croissant) as part of a quick breakfast either at home or at a bar. 

Another popular morning choice is a caffè latte, similar to the cappuccino but with more milk and less foam, making it lighter and milder​.

If you have been following Italian culture on social media, you have probably noticed people discussing the idea that you can’t drink cappuccino after 11:00AM. Why is this? This is actually a surprisingly complex question that involves Italy’s attention to food and digestion.

Another Breakfast Cappuccino and Cornetto

The short version is that a Cappuccino is a breakfast drink, and breakfast time lasts, more or less, until 11:00AM. This is when lunch aperitivo begins. Yes, there is a less well known aperitivo before lunch when you order cocktails, wine or beer to prepare your palate for the meal to come.

The longer explanation involves the importance of digestion after every meal. The highest compliment someone can pay to an Italian meal is that it is “highly digestible”. Milk is not considered highly digestible, and as such, it is not consumed later in the day.

That means you can get an espresso at any time, and you should, but a cappuccino, macchiato or caffè latte should be limited to the mornings.

espresso at a bar

All-Day Espresso And Its Friends

The base of Italian coffee culture is the espresso. This includes both the delicious espresso that you order in a Bar, as well as the stovetop espresso you can make at home. Known simply as un caffè, this small, intense shot of coffee is savored throughout the day. 

It is typically enjoyed at the counter in a bar, where locals engage in brief, social moments with baristas and neighbors. Espresso is also the base for numerous variations, including:

  • Caffè macchiato: Espresso “stained” with a small amount of steamed milk, often chosen in the late morning or afternoon.
  • Caffè lungo: A “long” espresso with more water, resulting in a milder yet slightly bitter flavor.
  • Caffè americano: Espresso diluted with hot water, resembling drip coffee but with a more robust taste​.
Breakfast In Rome

In my experiences here in Rome, the caffè macchiato can be surprisingly tricky to find. Of course it will be available in a bar, but at restaurants that are not open for breakfast, they might not have milk available for a macchiato since they aren’t open in the morning to serve a cappuccino. 

I speak from experience on this one, but it only happened once. I now only order a caffè in a restaurant after a delicious meal. 

Afternoon Pick-Me Ups And Refreshers

It may be surprising, but coffee is consumed differently in Italy than it is in the US. While this might be more of a personal decision, when I was in the US I would plan for a large coffee in the morning, and that would be it for the day.

In Italy, you could be drinking an espresso at multiple intervals during the day. Sometimes these can be social events (i.e.: “Let’s take a break!”) or simply the need for a boost of energy. Afternoons in Italy often call for lighter or sweeter coffee beverages. Popular options include:

  • Caffè Shakerato: A chilled, shaken espresso sweetened (optionally) and served in a martini glass, this is the Italian equivalent of an iced coffee, and it is a perfect pick-me-up on warm days.
  • Marocchino: A layered espresso drink with cocoa powder and foamed milk, offering a dessert-like experience.
  • Affogato: This really is more of a dessert since you will probably enjoy this in a gelato bowl. It is a delightful combination of hot espresso poured over vanilla gelato, blurring the line between coffee and dessert​.
Dog Wants Espresso

After Work And After Dinner Coffee

After work or dinner, Italians typically enjoy coffee without milk. A classic espresso or its bolder counterpart, ristretto (a concentrated shot), are popular choices. Caffè ristretto is a coffee whose flow is stopped earlier than that of a normal espresso, the result is a very full-bodied, strong coffee, which tends to overwhelm the taste. Sounds Great!

For those seeking a digestif, caffè corretto, espresso “corrected” with a splash of grappa, sambuca, or brandy, is a popular option. This pairing of coffee and alcohol aids digestion and adds a convivial touch to the meal​. My recommendation is that unless you have tasted grappa before (which, in my opinion, is nasty) you should skip it.

Evening Coffee - Maybe A Corretto

Italian Coffee Culture Etiquette And Rituals

Describing what coffee Italians drink showcases a unique blend of tradition, flavor, and social connection. Whether it’s the creamy start to a morning with a cappuccino, a mid-afternoon shakerato, or a post-dinner caffè corretto, the types of coffee Italians drink and when reflect a deep respect for culinary heritage.

For visitors, embracing these rituals is not just about enjoying coffee but also stepping into a cherished aspect of Italian life. For more information about the best Italian coffee, check out some of these other articles:

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