"Caffè" means espresso
On an Italian coffee board, espresso is simply called caffè, and that's the word to order with: "Un caffè, per favore." People will understand "espresso", but caffè is what Italians say.
It usually comes with a small glass of water.
Pay first, then order
In many busy bars, especially in cities and stations, you don't start at the counter. You go to the cassa (the till) first, say what you're having, pay, and keep the receipt, the scontrino. Then you put the scontrino on the bar and order.
It isn't universal: in plenty of small bars you just order and pay on the way out. If you're not sure, watch what the person in front of you does.
Stand at the bar
Standing at the bar, al banco, is the everyday way to have a coffee in Italy: a few sips and off you go. Sitting down, al tavolo, means table service, and the same caffè can cost double, or more on a famous square. The board often lists a bar price and a table price side by side, so check it before you sit.
Prices vary a lot by city, but a caffè at the bar is typically around €1.20 to €1.50.
Milk belongs to the morning
Cappuccino is a breakfast drink, often with a cornetto. Most Italians switch to a plain caffè by about 11, and skip milky coffee after a meal: milk is thought heavy on a full stomach.
It's a habit, not a rule. Order a cappuccino at 2:30 in the afternoon and you'll be served. It just marks you out as a visitor. If you'd like a little milk after lunch, ask for a caffè macchiato: a caffè "stained" with a dab of foam.
The words on the board
| On the board | What you get |
|---|---|
| Caffè | An espresso |
| Caffè macchiato | Espresso with a dab of foam |
| Cappuccino | Espresso, steamed milk and foam: the morning one |
| Caffè lungo | A longer pour: milder |
| Ristretto | A shorter pour, about 15 to 20 ml: intense |
| Caffè corretto | Coffee "corrected" with a splash of grappa or sambuca |
| Caffè shakerato | Shaken with ice: the summer one |
| Latte | Milk |
A morning and an afternoon, step by step
9:00, busy bar. Go to the cassa: "Un cappuccino e un cornetto." Pay, take the scontrino to the bar, put it down, repeat your order. Stand, eat, go.
14:30, after lunch. "Un caffè, per favore." Or, if you want a touch of milk, "Un macchiato, per favore." Drink it at the bar.
Common mistakes
- Ordering "a latte". In Italy, latte just means milk, and you might get a glass of it. For the milky coffee, say caffè latte.
- Sitting down for a quick coffee. You'll pay table prices for something you'd drink in a minute.
Questions people ask
How do you order an espresso in Italy?
Say "Un caffè, per favore." In Italy, caffè means espresso.
Can you drink cappuccino after 11 in Italy?
Yes, you'll be served. It's a habit, not a rule: most Italians drink cappuccino at breakfast and switch to a plain caffè by about 11, so later in the day it marks you out as a visitor.
Why do Italians drink coffee standing up?
It's quick, and it's cheaper. The same caffè can cost double at a table, where you pay for table service.
What should I order after lunch in Italy if I want milk?
A caffè macchiato: an espresso with a dab of foam.
