Rome’s Coffee Heritage
Like all of Italy, the capital city of Rome has long been famed for its coffee and coffee bars. Italians take pride in their coffee, or caffé in Italian, and many cultures around the world have adopted Italian favourites like cappuccino, latte and macchiato.
As one might expect in a country that takes coffee so seriously, Rome has a vast number of excellent coffee bars to choose from. Romans often have their own favourite barista (bartender) who they loyally patronize. A great barista not only makes good coffee, but also provides fast and excellent service, and a bit of entertainment as an added touch. Talented baristas will help their customers quickly find out what they like best about Italian coffee.
Walking through the streets of Rome, one will spot many establishments with the word “café” in their names signifying a coffee bar. Some of these may not be well-known but still serve great coffee. However, others have managed to gain reputations that lift them above Rome’s huge crowd of cafés.
At coffee bars, your bill will be a few times larger if you sit down at a table rather than at the bar. At most establishments, they will have prices for both table and bar service. When Romans come to the bar, they are generally looking to have their coffee and then leave…quickly. If you are interested in idly chatting like you would at a Paris cafè or at a Starbuck’s, then it is best to get a table. A Roman will usually down their coffee in a minute or so at the bar. The locals also will leave tips at the table about five times higher than they do standing at the bar.
Some of the terminology useful while bar-hopping in Rome include:
• Expresso – A single shot of coffee, usually ordered with “un caffé, per favore.”
• Caffè Americano – American-strength coffee, weaker than expresso.
• Cappucino – Coffee with lots of steamed milk, especially popular in the morning.
• Macchiato – Coffee that with “spots” of steamed milk.
• Caffè Corretto – Expresso with a shot of liquor.
• Caffè Latte – Hot milk mixed with coffee.
• Crema – Cream, also known as schiuma.
• Pasticcini – A pastry served with coffee at cafès.
• Lo Zucchero – sugar
• Il Cucchiaio – spoon
Great coffee can be found at a Rome hotel, at a trattoria, and at many other establishments. Visitors staying at hotels in Rome may not need to venture any further than their hotel’s café for an outstanding coffee experience. Of course, part of the fun is not limiting oneself at first but sampling all that the Eternal City has to offer.
