Monaco
Monaco's coffee scene is a sophisticated blend of French and Italian influences, given its location on the French Riviera and its historical ties. You'll find everything from traditional European coffee preparations to modern specialty coffee options in its glamorous cafes and hotels.
Here are the different ways to order coffee in Monaco and what's in them:
French-Influenced Coffee Styles:
These are common in traditional cafes and brasseries, often enjoyed leisurely.
Café (Espresso):
What's in it: A single shot of espresso. This is the default if you simply ask for "un café" in French. It's strong and concentrated, usually served in a small demitasse cup.
How to order: "Un café, s'il vous plaît." (One coffee, please.)
Café Allongé:
What's in it: An espresso "lengthened" with a bit more hot water than a standard espresso, but still stronger than an Americano. It's similar to an Italian caffè lungo.
How to order: "Un café allongé."
Café Serré / Ristretto:
What's in it: A very short, highly concentrated espresso, using less water than a standard espresso. It's intensely flavorful and meant to be consumed in a single sip.
How to order: "Un café serré" or "Un ristretto."
Café Double:
What's in it: A double shot of espresso.
How to order: "Un café double."
Café Crème:
What's in it: Strong coffee (often espresso-based) with a generous amount of steamed milk, topped with a lighter layer of foam than a cappuccino. It's quite milky and creamy.
How to order: "Un café crème."
Café au Lait:
What's in it: Strong coffee (often drip or French press, but can be espresso-based) mixed with an equal or greater amount of hot milk. Typically served in a large bowl or a large mug, usually for breakfast.
How to order: "Un café au lait."
Café Renversé:
What's in it: Similar to a latte macchiato. It's primarily hot milk with just a splash of coffee, reversing the usual ratio of coffee to milk.
How to order: "Un café renversé."
Café Gourmand:
What's in it: This is not just a coffee, but a coffee served with a selection of miniature desserts (e.g., macaron, mini créme brûlée, chocolate truffle). It's a popular choice for an after-meal treat.
How to order: "Un café gourmand."
Italian-Influenced Coffee Styles:
Due to its proximity and cultural ties, many Italian coffee traditions are also prevalent.
Cappuccino:
What's in it: Espresso with steamed milk and a significant cap of frothed milk foam. Proportions are roughly equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and foam.
How to order: "Un cappuccino."
Caffè Latte:
What's in it: Espresso with a large amount of steamed milk and very little foam. (Be careful not to just say "latte" or you might get a glass of milk!)
How to order: "Un caffè latte."
Caffè Macchiato: (Espresso Macchiato)
What's in it: An espresso "marked" or "stained" with a tiny dollop of frothed milk.
How to order: "Un macchiato."
Americano:
What's in it: Espresso diluted with hot water.
How to order: "Un Americano."
Modern & Specialty Coffee Shop Offerings:
Monaco also has a thriving modern coffee scene, with cafes offering high-quality beans and diverse brewing methods.
Flat White:
What's in it: Espresso with velvety microfoamed milk, less foam than a latte or cappuccino, providing a stronger coffee taste and a smooth texture.
How to order: "Un Flat White."
Mocha / Mochaccino:
What's in it: Espresso, chocolate (syrup or powder), steamed milk, often topped with whipped cream.
How to order: "Une Mocha" or "Un Mochaccino."
Filter Coffee / Drip Coffee:
What's in it: Coffee made by pouring hot water over ground coffee in a filter. Specialty cafes may offer various beans and brewing methods (e.g., V60, Chemex, Aeropress, French Press).
How to order: "Café filtre" or inquire about "pour-over" or "drip coffee" options.
Cold Brew:
What's in it: Coffee steeped in cold water for an extended period, resulting in a less acidic, smoother concentrate. Served over ice, often diluted with water or milk.
How to order: "Un cold brew."
Iced Coffee Drinks:
What's in them: Chilled versions of the hot drinks, served over ice. This can include "Café glacé" (often sweetened cold coffee with or without milk/cream), "Iced Latte," "Iced Americano," etc.
How to order: Add "iced" before or "glacé" after the name of the drink (e.g., "Latte glacé," "Café Américain glacé").
Other Considerations:
Decaf (Décaféiné): If you prefer decaffeinated coffee, specify "décaféiné" before your order (e.g., "Un café décaféiné").
Sweeteners/Milk: Sugar (sucre) is typically provided on the side. For milk, if not part of the drink, you can ask for "du lait" (milk) or "de la crème" (cream). Plant-based milks like "lait d'avoine" (oat milk) or "lait d'amande" (almond milk) are becoming more common in modern cafes.
In Monaco, you'll find places ranging from grand establishments like the Café de Paris (which offers a classic French experience) to smaller, modern cafes focusing on specialty beans, so the specific options available will vary.
*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.