If you’ve ever wondered how to order coffee in Italy, you’re not alone. Italian coffee culture follows its own simple, unwritten rules—and once you know them, everything makes sense.
Ordering coffee in Italy is refreshingly simple—and that’s exactly where visitors get confused.
This is not a place for half-caf, oat-milk, extra-hot, vanilla-caramel creations. In Italy, coffee is fast, precise, and woven into daily life. You order, you drink, you move on.
Walk into a bar and ask for “un caffè”, and you’ll get an espresso. That’s the default way Italians order coffee. No explanations needed.
If you want a variation, Italians keep it straightforward:
Caffè ristretto – shorter and stronger, less water
Caffè lungo – espresso with more water
Caffè americano – similar to a lungo, but with hot water added (the closest thing to a “regular” coffee in Italy)
Caffè macchiato – espresso “stained” with a touch of milk
Caffè corretto – espresso with a splash of grappa (very Italian)
Affogato – espresso poured over gelato (coffee meets dessert)
Now, about cappuccino ☝️
In traditional Italian coffee culture, cappuccino is a morning-only drink, usually enjoyed until about 11:00 am (some stretch it to noon). Order one in the afternoon and no one will stop you—but everyone will instantly know you’re a tourist. Milk-heavy coffees are considered breakfast, not something you follow lunch or dinner with.
You’ll also notice most Italians stand at the bar. Coffee in Italy isn’t meant to linger over—it’s a pause. A quick greeting, a few sips, and back to life. Many Italians drink four or five espressos a day, small, strong, and efficient.
And yes, it’s social. Italians meet friends “for a coffee,” even if it lasts five minutes. Coffee bars are part of daily life, a place for connection rather than customization.
So skip the syrups, embrace simplicity, and enjoy coffee the Italian way:
One word. One cup. One perfect moment.