Andorra
Andorra's coffee culture is a delightful blend of its geographical neighbors, Spain and France, with a strong influence from Italian coffee traditions. You'll find a wide range of options, from classic espresso-based drinks to some local twists.
Here's a breakdown of the different ways to order coffee in Andorra and what's in them:
Black Coffee Options:
Cafè Solo / Espresso: This is the standard order for a small, strong espresso shot, served in a small demitasse cup. "Cafè solo" is the Spanish term, while "espresso" is universally understood.
Cafè Doble / Double Espresso: A double shot of espresso.
Cafè Americano / Americano: An espresso shot diluted with hot water, resulting in a milder, larger black coffee.
Ristretto: A very short and concentrated espresso, using less water, for an even stronger taste.
Lungo: A "long" espresso, less concentrated than a standard espresso, but often more bitter than an Americano.
Cafè Filtre / Filter Coffee: While not as common as espresso-based drinks in traditional cafes, some modern or specialty coffee shops may offer "filter coffee" or "batch brew," similar to American drip coffee.
Coffee with Milk Options (Most Popular):
Cafè amb Llet / Café con Leche: This is a very common order, directly from the Catalan/Spanish influence. It's typically equal parts espresso and steamed milk, served in a larger cup, similar to a flat white or a smaller latte. You can often specify "clar" (light/more milk) or "fosc" (dark/more coffee).
Tallat / Cortado: This comes from the Catalan/Spanish "cortado" (cut). It's an espresso "cut" with a small amount of warm milk, often with a thin layer of foam. It's stronger than a cafè amb llet but less intense than a cafè solo.
Cappuccino: A classic Italian-style coffee with espresso, steamed milk, and a significant layer of foamed milk. Often dusted with cocoa powder.
Latte / Caffè Latte: An espresso with a large amount of steamed milk and a thin layer of foam, usually served in a taller glass or mug.
Flat White: Increasingly popular in specialty coffee shops. It's made with a double shot of espresso and velvety steamed milk with a very thin layer of microfoam. It provides a stronger coffee taste than a latte due to the higher coffee-to-milk ratio and less foam.
Macchiato (Caffè Macchiato): An espresso "marked" or "stained" with a small dollop of foamed milk on top.
Latte Macchiato: Typically, mostly steamed milk with an espresso shot poured through it, creating distinct layers. Often served in a tall glass.
Sweet, Iced & Specialty Options:
Cafè Bombón: Directly from Spain, this is a sweet treat! It's an espresso layered with sweetened condensed milk, often in a 1:1 ratio. The layers are distinct until stirred. Usually served in a small glass.
Cafè amb Gel / Café con Hielo: "Coffee with ice." You'll be served a hot cafè solo (espresso) and a separate glass filled with ice cubes. You then add sugar (if desired) to your hot coffee, stir, and pour it over the ice.
Granizado: A refreshing local drink, especially in warmer weather. While it's primarily a fruit juice and crushed ice blend, you can sometimes find it with a dash of coffee for an extra kick. This is a very localized option.
Carajillo: An espresso shot with a splash of alcohol, commonly brandy, rum, or whisky. This is a popular after-meal digestif.
Cafè amb licor: A general term for coffee with a liqueur. You might specify the type of liqueur you prefer (e.g., "Cafè amb Baileys").
Frappe: Though more Greek in origin, you might find some cafes offering a frothy iced coffee made with instant coffee, water, and sugar, blended until foamy, sometimes with milk.
Key things to remember when ordering in Andorra:
Language: While Catalan is the official language, Spanish is widely spoken, and many café terms are similar. French is also understood, especially in areas closer to the French border.
Table Service: Like Spain and France, it's common to sit down at a table in a cafe, and a waiter will take your order. The price might be slightly higher if you sit compared to drinking at the bar (if available).
Sugar: Sugar packets are typically provided on the side for you to add.
"Per emportar" / "Para llevar": "To take away" (Catalan/Spanish respectively) if you want your coffee to go.
Coffee is Social: Cafes are central to Andorran social life, so take your time and enjoy the atmosphere.
*The content in this document was generated using artificial intelligence, drawing from various online sources, and subsequently refined for accuracy and conciseness in 2025. Users are advised to consult multiple sources to corroborate information and should not rely solely on this document for comprehensive research.