Italy

Italy is the birthplace of espresso, and its coffee culture is deeply ingrained in daily life, tradition, and ritual. Forget large, customizable drinks; in Italy, coffee is about quality, simplicity, and efficiency (unless you're lingering in a grand café). Knowing how to order can save you from confusion and mark you as someone who respects local customs.

Here are the different ways to order a coffee in Italy and what's in them, along with crucial etiquette notes:

The Core: Espresso-Based Drinks (The Default)

When you ask for "coffee" in Italy, you'll get an espresso. There's no "espresso" on the menu board; it's simply "caffè."

• Caffè (Espresso / Caffè Normale):

• What it is: A single, concentrated shot of coffee, extracted quickly under high pressure. It has a rich crema (golden-brown foam) on top. This is the foundation of Italian coffee.

• How to order: "Un caffè, per favore." (One coffee, please.)

• Etiquette: Drunk quickly, often standing at the bar (al banco). It's acceptable at any time of day. Often served with a small glass of water to cleanse the palate before drinking the coffee.

• Caffè Ristretto (Ristretto / Caffè Corto / Caffè Stretto):

• What it is: An even shorter, more concentrated version of espresso, made with less water, resulting in a very intense, less bitter flavor.

• How to order: "Un ristretto, per favore." or "Un caffè corto, per favore."

• Caffè Lungo (Lungo):

• What it is: A "long" espresso shot made by passing more water through the same amount of coffee grounds. It's larger than a caffè but weaker in flavor, and not the same as an Americano (where water is added after brewing).

• How to order: "Un lungo, per favore."

• Caffè Doppio (Doppio / Double Espresso):

• What it is: A double shot of espresso. While available, it's not as commonly ordered by Italians, who prefer multiple single caffè throughout the day if they need more caffeine.

• How to order: "Un doppio, per favore."

• Caffè Macchiato (Macchiato):

• What it is: An espresso "stained" (macchiato) with a tiny dash of steamed milk or foam. It softens the espresso without diluting its flavor.

• How to order: "Un macchiato, per favore." You can specify "caldo" (hot milk) or "freddo" (cold milk), though hot is default.

• Etiquette: Considered acceptable throughout the day, even after meals, unlike the larger milky coffees.

• Macchiatone:

• What it is: A slightly larger macchiato, often served in a bigger cup, with a bit more milk than a standard macchiato but less than a cappuccino.

• Cappuccino (Cappuccino / Cappuccio):

• What it is: Equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and frothed milk foam. Traditionally, it has a balanced texture and is not overloaded with foam.

• How to order: "Un cappuccino, per favore."

• Etiquette: Strictly a breakfast drink. Ordering a cappuccino after 11 AM or after a meal is a major cultural faux pas and will immediately mark you as a tourist (though you'll still be served it). Italians believe the milk is too heavy for digestion later in the day.

• Caffè Latte (Latte):

• What it is: Espresso with a larger proportion of steamed milk and a thin layer of foam. It's essentially coffee with milk, often served in a larger cup.

• How to order: Crucially, say "Caffè Latte." If you just say "Latte," you'll get a glass of plain milk.

• Etiquette: Also considered a morning drink, generally consumed at home or for breakfast. Less common to order at a bar after the morning.

• Latte Macchiato:

• What it is: The opposite of a caffè macchiato. It's a glass of steamed milk "stained" with a small amount of espresso poured in, creating distinct layers. More milk-heavy than a caffè latte.

• How to order: "Un latte macchiato, per favore."

• Etiquette: Like caffè latte and cappuccino, generally a morning drink.

• Caffè Americano (Americano):

• What it is: An espresso served in a larger cup, with hot water served on the side for you to add yourself. It's meant to mimic drip coffee but is still espresso-based.

• How to order: "Un Americano, per favore."

• Etiquette: Not a traditional Italian choice, but available for tourists.

• Caffè Corretto (Corrected Coffee):

• What it is: An espresso "corrected" (corretto) with a shot of liquor, most commonly grappa, Sambuca, or brandy.

• How to order: "Un corretto, per favore." You might specify the liquor, e.g., "Un corretto grappa."

• Etiquette: Typically consumed after meals, especially lunch or dinner, as a digestivo.

• Caffè con Panna (Coffee with Cream):

• What it is: An espresso topped with a dollop of whipped cream (panna).

• How to order: "Un caffè con panna, per favore."

• Moka (Moka):

• What it is: Coffee brewed in a moka pot. This is how most Italians make coffee at home. It's stronger than drip coffee but less intense than espresso. While not ordered in a bar, it's the taste of Italy at home.

Cold Coffee Drinks:

Iced coffee as understood in other countries is generally not the norm in Italy.

• Caffè Freddo (Iced Coffee):

• What it is: Usually refers to a pre-made, sweetened cold coffee kept in a chilled carafe, or sometimes an espresso shaken with ice and sugar until frothy.

• How to order: "Un caffè freddo, per favore."

• Caffè Shakerato (Shakerato):

• What it is: A fresh espresso (often double) shaken vigorously with ice and sugar (or liquid sugar) in a cocktail shaker until a frothy, cold, and slightly diluted coffee is created.

• How to order: "Un shakerato, per favor." You can specify "con zucchero" (with sugar) or "senza zucchero" (without sugar).

• Crema Caffè (Coffee Cream):

• What it is: A cold, smooth, semi-frozen coffee cream or sorbet-like consistency, often made with coffee, sugar, and cream/milk. It's a dessert-like coffee.

• How to order: "Una crema caffè, per favore."

• Caffè Affogato (Affogato):

• What it is: A scoop of vanilla gelato (ice cream) "drowned" (affogato) by a hot shot of espresso.

• How to order: "Un affogato, per favore."

• Etiquette: A dessert, not a regular coffee.

Non-Coffee Options (Common Substitutes):

• Caffè d'Orzo (Barley Coffee):

• What it is: A caffeine-free drink made from roasted barley. It has a slightly bitter, malty flavor.

• How to order: "Un orzo, per favore." Can be ordered "macchiato" or "cappuccino" style as well. Popular for kids or those avoiding caffeine.

• Caffè al Ginseng (Ginseng Coffee):

• What it is: An espresso-based drink mixed with ginseng extract. It has a naturally sweet, slightly nutty, and earthy flavor.

• How to order: "Un ginseng, per favore."

• Etiquette: A relatively new addition to Italian bars, popular throughout the day, especially in the afternoon.

Specific Terms & Etiquette:

• Decaffeinato (Decaf / Deca): Decaffeinated coffee. You can ask for a decaf version of most espresso-based drinks, e.g., "Un deca, per favore."

• Al banco: "At the counter." This is the common and cheaper way to drink coffee. Order, drink quickly, and pay.

• Alla tavola: "At the table." You'll sit down, and there's often a service charge, especially in tourist areas.

• No "to-go" cups: Takeaway coffee is not traditional. Italians prefer to savor their coffee in a proper ceramic cup. While some tourist-heavy areas might offer paper cups, it's not the norm.

• Paying: In many Italian bars, you order your coffee first, drink it, and then pay at the cash register. In busier or more touristy places, you might pay first and then give the receipt to the barista. Observe what locals are doing.

• Spoon etiquette: Stir your sugar, but don't clink the spoon loudly or lick it afterwards. Place it back on the saucer.

*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.