How to Order Coffee in Italian with FREE PDF 📚

Ti offro un caffè! (I’ll buy you coffee). You might say that knowing how to order coffee in Italian is an essential skill! In this guide, I’ll take you through all the key steps for ordering coffee in Italian, the different types of coffee you can and can’t get, plus some top tips only the locals know!

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Table to Contents

Here’s what we’ll cover in this guide. Click on any title to jump to each section.

Bar vs. Café
How to order coffee in Italy like a local
Popular types of coffee in Italy
Regional coffee nicknames
How to order food at the bar
Italian coffee culture: north vs south
Tips for ordering coffee in Italy
How to order coffee in Italy: Example Dialogue

Bar vs. Café

How to order coffee in Italian - Bar in Italy In Italian, the English word “café” translates to both il bar and il caffè. While these two terms are interchangeable, bar is far more common in everyday conversation. It’s rare to hear an Italian say Andiamo al caffè (Let’s go to the café). Instead, they will likely invite you to the bar with Andiamo al bar (Let’s go to the bar).

It’s important to note that in Italy, a bar is not primarily a place for drinking alcohol, as it often is in English-speaking countries (that would be a “pub” in Italian). Instead, it’s a coffee shop where you can enjoy a wide range of offerings, from coffee and drinks to small bites, and sometimes even cigarettes or bus tickets. So, if an Italian friend invites you to a bar, don’t worry – they’re not suggesting a night of heavy drinking! Instead, you’re in for a delightful cultural experience.

A bar in Italy is a microcosm of social life. It’s where locals go to catch up on the latest gossip, discuss politics over a steaming espresso, read the newspaper, or play a friendly game of cards.

Historically, the word “caffè” was the first to appear, with the first establishment opening in Venice in 1720 (Caffè Florian), following the coffeehouse trend spreading from Austria. Around the late 1800s, “caffè” began to fade in favour of “bar,” which has Latin roots and likely refers to the counter that separates the bartender from the customers. Specifically, it was in 1898 when the entrepreneur Alessandro Manaresi opened a cafè in Florence and called it “BAR” for the first time, as an acronym for “Banco a Ristoro” (refreshment counter).

How to order coffee in Italy like a local

Ordering coffee in Italy is easy if you know the basics. Here’s the typical routine:

Step 1 – Greetings

When you step into an Italian café, always begin with a friendly Italian greeting such as buongiorno (good morning) or buonasera (good evening). This simple gesture sets the tone for a pleasant interaction and shows respect for local customs.

Step 2 – At the counter or at a table?

Next, decide how you want to enjoy your coffee: al banco (at the counter) like a true local, or sitting at a table? The choice is yours. Just be aware that in some Italian cafés, the price of coffee can double or even triple if you choose to sit at a table.

Step 3 – Ordering

Now comes the exciting part – placing your order! If you sit down, everything is much more relaxed, but if you stay at the counter, the atmosphere might be hectic, especially at peak hours. You’ll have to meet the eye of the barista, who will nod and say Prego! (which roughly means “How can I help you?”). That’s when you say one of the following phrases:

Un caffè, per favore – A coffee, please
Vorrei un caffè, per favore – I would like a coffee, please, (this is a bit more formal)

These phrases will get you an espresso, the default coffee in Italy. If you want something different, just swap the word caffè (coffee) with the type of coffee you prefer (more on this in the next section). And if you’re ordering for friends and family, simply change un (a) to the number you want, for instance:

Tre caffè, per favore – Three coffees, please
Vorrei due cappuccini e un latte macchiato, per favore – I would like two cappuccinos and one latte macchiato, please

If you like your coffee sweet, you don’t need to mention it when placing your order. Coffee is usually served with a small packet of sugar, or you’ll find packets of sugar in communal jars at the counter.

Step 4 – Paying

When it comes to paying, there may be different scenarios:

At the counter: enjoy your coffee, then head to the till to pay.
At a table:
- The waiter brings your order, and you can ask for the bill when you’re done by saying: Il conto, per favore (The bill, please).
- The waiter brings your order and asks you to pay right away.
- The waiter leaves a handwritten note with your order on the table. Take this note to la cassa (till/cash register) when you’re ready to pay.

Attenzione! In some places, you might need to pay first and then place your order. If you’re ever in doubt, just observe what the locals do or ask the barista: Devo pagare prima? (Shall I pay first?).

Get ready for your trip to Italy and learnhow to order food and drink in Italian.

Popular types of coffee in Italy

How to order coffee in Italy Here’s a quick guide to help you choose your coffee fix in Italy:

Espresso: Quick and strong, the classic Italian pick-me-up. Fun fact: espresso was invented in the 19th century by Luigi Bezzera, a Turin entrepreneur who created a machine that sped up coffee preparation from a lengthy five minutes to mere seconds without sacrificing quality.
Doppio espresso: Two espressos in one cup for an extra jolt.
Caffè ristretto (or un ristretto): A smaller, intense espresso made with less water.
Caffè lungo: An espresso with more water for a milder taste.
Caffè macchiato (or un macchiato): An espresso “stained” (“macchiato” in Italian means “stained”) with a drop of milk. If you prefer hot milk, ask for Un macchiato caldo and if you want cold milk, go for Un macchiato freddo.
Caffè schiumato (or uno schiumato): An espresso with a dollop of frothy milk, like a mini cappuccino.
Cappuccino: Also called cappuccio, this is a mix of espresso and frothy milk foam, usually with a sprinkle of cocoa or cinnamon on top. Italians consider it a strictly breakfast affair, so it’s best not to order it after 11 AM unless you don’t mind getting a few curious looks – just one of those don’t of etiquette for tourists in Italy!
Mocaccino: A cappuccino with whipped cream and chocolate syrup, topped with chocolate shavings.
Latte macchiato: A glass of hot milk “stained” with an espresso.
Caffè americano (or un americano): An espresso diluted with hot water, similar to American filtered coffee.
Marocchino: Layered with cocoa, espresso, and milk foam and served in small, transparent glasses. Despite the name, it has nothing to do with Morocco. It’s named after the colour of a type of leather called “moroccan.”
Caffè freddo: An espresso served over ice for hot days.
Caffè shakerato: An espresso shaken with ice and sugar. Many Italians add a splash of Baileys for an extra kick.
Caffè con panna: An espresso topped with whipped cream.
Caffè corretto: An espresso “corrected” with a splash of alcohol, usually grappa, Baileys, or Sambuca. Traditionally enjoyed after meals, but some older folks enjoy it as a morning pick-me-up too. If you hear someone ordering Sambuca con la mosca (Sambuca with a fly), it’s just Sambuca served with a coffee bean or two floating in it, resembling tiny flies in the glass.
Caffè al ginseng (or un ginseng): Coffee infused with ginseng extract, known for its energizing benefits. Order it in tazza piccola (in a small cup) for a stronger flavor or in tazza grande (in a large cup) for a lighter taste.
Caffè decaffeinato (or un decaffeinato, un deka): Coffee without caffeine; you can order all your favorite coffee styles in a decaffeinated version.
Caffè d’orzo: Caffeine-free option made from roasted barley. It became popular during WWII when coffee was scarce and expensive due to embargoes. You can have it in tazza grande (in a large cup) or in tazza piccola (in a small cup).
Caffè affogato: A scoop of ice cream (usually cream or fior di latte) drowned in hot espresso.
Crema di caffè: Cold treat made with espresso, cream, and powdered sugar, typically available only in the warmer months

Attenzione! If you’re lactose intolerant and you’d like to order a milk-based coffee, just say: Con latte di soia/mandorla/ecc., per favore (With soya/almond/etc. milk, please). In smaller establishments, these options may not always be available so you may want to ask first, Avete il latte di soia/mandorla/ecc.? (Do you have soy/almond/etc. milk?)

Regional coffee nicknames

Italy is a country known for its expressive language, and this extends even to the way coffee is called across different towns and regions! In Trieste, for instance, ordering an espresso requires asking for a nero (lit. “black”), while a caffè macchiato is known as a capo (lit. “boss”). And if you prefer your coffee served in a glass instead of the usual cup, you’ll need to add “in B” to your order, so for example a “Vorrei un capo in B” (I would like a caffè macchiato in a glass.)

In Venice, you can order a pizzicato (lit “pinched”), which is a coffee with a splash of cream. Meanwhile, in Genoa, if you’re in the mood for a caffè macchiato, you can order a cappuccino genovese.

Down south in Puglia, caffè leccese is an iced coffee made with almond milk, whose sweetness replaces sugar. And for those who like their coffee corretto, Fano, a seaside town in Le Marche, presents la moretta (lit “the dark-haired one”), a coffee “corrected” with rum, anise, cognac, lemon zest, and sugar—a true caffeinated adventure!

For students, the caffè dello studente (lit. student’s coffee) is an intriguing homebrew method: brew coffee in a moka pot once, then use that coffee instead of water for the next brew – a caffeine bomb perfect for late-night study sessions!

How to order food at the bar

How to order coffee in Italian - Food at the bar - Croissants To start your day like a true Italian, you simply must try the iconic duo: cappuccino e cornetto (called brioche in northern Italy). Cornetto is the Italian version of a croissant, and it comes in many delicious variations. You can enjoy it vuoto (plain) or filled with delectable options like jam, cream, or chocolate. Here are a few useful phrases to place your order:

Un cappuccino e un cornetto vuoto, per favore – A cappuccino and a plain croissant, please
Prendo un caffè macchiato e una brioche alla marmellata / alla crema / al cioccolato, per favore – I’ll have a macchiato and a jam/cream/chocolate croissant, please
Vorrei un cornetto, che gusti avete? – I’d like a croissant, what flavors do you have?

And if you’re vegan, the good news is that Italian cafés are becoming more inclusive with their offerings. You can ask:

Avete brioche vegane? – Do you have vegan croissants?

Then, each region has its culinary treasures so depending on the region you are, alongside the classic cornetto you’ll find delights like maritozzo (a sweet bun filled with whipped cream typical in Rome), pasticciotto (an Apulian cake with a custard cream filling), cannoli (crisp pastry tubes filled with sweet ricotta cheese typical of Sicily), or brioche col tuppo (a super soft Sicilian brioche to pair with gelato or dip in granita with whipped cream) and much more.

Brioche col tuppo

For those who prefer salty over sweet, Italian cafés also offer a variety of savory options, such as:

Tramezzini (tramezzino sandwich): triangular sandwiches of soft white bread without crust, filled with a variety of ingredients
Panini (sandwiches): bread rolls filled with cold cuts
Toasts(toasts): toasted ham and cheese sandwiches
Pizzette (little pizzas): Small oval or square-shaped pizzas, often topped with tomato and mozzarella or other simple toppings

To ask about these options, you can use phrases like:

Fate panini? – Do you have sandwiches?
Avete dei tramezzini? – Do you have tramezzini?

And if you find yourself in a more upscale café and decide to sit at a table, you can ask for a menu to see the full range of what they offer:

Avete un menù per favore? – Do you have a menu, please?

Italian coffee culture: north vs south

The way Italians enjoy their coffee varies significantly from north to south. Here are some key differences:

Flavour preferences

In northern Italy, coffee lovers prefer delicate blends with a medium roast. In contrast, southern Italians favour strong, intensely aromatic coffee, usually enjoyed without sugar to let the bold flavour stand out.

The ritual of water and coffee

In southern Italy, coffee is typically served with a complimentary glass of water to cleanse your palate before enjoying your dose of caffeine. This tradition isn’t as common in the north, where you might need to request – and sometimes pay for – a glass of water (Posso avere un bicchiere d’acqua, per favore? – Can I have a glass of water, please?). Interestingly, in Trentino, you rinse your mouth with a splash of grappa after coffee, a practice called resentin (from the local dialect resentare, meaning “to clean”).

Standing vs. Sitting

In cities like Milan, people often drink their coffee quickly at the counter. This is the northern way – coffee is a brief pause in a busy routine. Down south, the pace is more relaxed and, unless you are in a hurry, coffee is to be enjoyed sitting down, often accompanied by a leisurely chat. There’s even a saying for this: Il caffè bevuto in piedi fa arricchire i vicini (Coffee drunk standing makes neighbors rich). The idea comes from the old popular belief that, if you mistakenly drink your coffee standing, bad luck will come your way and to top it off, your neighbors will somehow get richer!

The caffè sospeso

One of the most heartwarming traditions in Italy’s coffee culture comes from Naples: the caffè sospeso (lit. suspended coffee). You pay for two coffees but only drink one, leaving the second for someone in need. This practice, which started during World War II, continues today.

Neapolitan writer Luciano De Crescenzo captured it beautifully:

“Quando un napoletano è felice per qualche ragione, invece di pagare un solo caffè, quello che berrebbe lui, ne paga due, uno per sé e uno per il cliente che viene dopo. È come offrire un caffè al resto del mondo“

Translation: When a Neapolitan is happy for some reason, instead of paying for just one coffee, the one he would drink, he pays for two, one for himself and one for the customer who comes after. It’s like offering a coffee to the rest of the world.

Tips for ordering coffee in Italy

Tips for ordering coffee in Italy Here are some practical tips to make your experience of ordering coffee in Italian both fun and authentic:

Al banco vs. al tavolo

The price of coffee can change based on where you drink it. Having your coffee al banco (at the counter) is often cheaper than sitting al tavolo (at a table), especially in big cities like Rome or Milan. This is because many establishments charge a costo servizio al tavolo (table service charge). If you want to save a few euros and blend in with the locals, stand tall and enjoy your coffee at the counter like a true Italian!

Attenzione! Never order at the counter and then sit at a table – this is considered a major breach of etiquette. If you prefer to sit at a table or on the terrace, simply take a seat and place your order with the waiter.

Sometimes you’ll have to pay first

In busy cafés, you often need to pay at the cash register before placing your order at the counter. Keep your receipt; the barista will need it to serve you.

Forget about the size

In Italy, you won’t find different coffee sizes like in Starbucks or Pret A Manger. The size purely depends on the type of coffee you order, for example espresso is small, cappuccino is larger.

Avoid the “latte” confusion

If you ask for a latte in Italy, don’t be surprised if you get a glass of milk! A latte in Italian literally means milk. If you want what you call a latte back home, ask for a caffè latte. But remember – ordering milk-based drinks in the afternoon might raise a few eyebrows, but hey, you do you!

No coffee “to go”

Coffee in Italy is meant to be savored on the spot. The concept of take-away coffee is rare, with just a few exceptions in tourist-heavy areas.

Tipping isn’t necessary

Tipping for coffee in Italy isn’t expected. If you receive exceptional service, you can round up your bill or leave some coins on the saucer, but rest assured, no one will be offended if you don’t.

Cash is king

Many cafés don’t accept credit cards for small amounts, so make sure to have small bills and coins on hand.

How to order coffee in Italy: Example Dialogue

How to order coffee in Italy - Example Dialogue

Now, let’s see a typical dialogue that would occur at a café covering all the typical phrases you may hear when ordering coffee in Italy. No more panic-ordering!

A: Buongiorno! – Good morning!
B: Buongiorno! Prego – Good morning! How may I help you?
A: Devo prima fare lo scontrino? – Do I have to get the receipt first?
B: No, può pagare dopo. Mi dica, cosa desidera? – No, you can pay later. Tell me, what would you like?
A: Vorrei un caffè macchiato caldo – I would like a hot macchiato.
B: Certo. Lo prende qui al banco o preferisce sedersi? – Of course. Will you have it at the counter or would you prefer to sit?
A: Mi siedo – I’ll sit.
B: Vada pure, glielo porto io – Please go ahead, I’ll bring it to you.
A: Prendo anche un cornetto – I’ll also have a croissant.
B: Certo, come lo vuole? – Sure, how would you like it?
A: Che gusti avete? – What flavours do you have?
B: Sono rimaste quelle alla crema, due al cioccolato e questa con la marmellata – We have those with cream, two chocolate ones, and one with jam left.
A: Mi dia quello alla marmellata – I’ll have the one with jam.

Later, at the till…

A: Pago un caffè macchiato e una brioche – I’m paying for a macchiato and a croissant.
B: Sono tre euro e ottanta – That’s three euros and eighty cents.
A: Ecco a lei – Here you go.
B: Ecco il resto. Arrivederci e buona giornata! – Here’s your change. Goodbye and have a nice day!
A: Arrivederci! – Goodbye

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How to order coffee in Italian + FREE PDF

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