Where to find the best coffee in Rome

Exhausted from visiting all of the iconic sites in the eternal city? Then stop for a coffee at one of these cafes or ‘bars’ as the locals call them. Getting a coffee in Rome can be slightly intimidating so we’ll talk you through the basics before we get to the recommendations. If you see ‘caffe’ on the menu, this means espresso. And this is how most Romans take their coffee. They won’t sit down to drink it, they’ll stand at the coffee bar and drink it quickly before getting on with their day. But most of the coffee bars will have a small selection of tables too so you can choose to sit and linger. Now for the ordering… often you need to pay first at the cash register and take your ticket to the barista, so perhaps watch some locals order theirs before you jump in. And remember to relax… it might seem confusing when you walk in, but Italians will be happy to help you so just be polite and remember to say ‘grazie’. 

 

It’s standing room only at this local institution which means you’ll be sharing your coffee shoulder to shoulder with a local crowd. The barista here has won awards internationally so the place is covered in his photos and certificates. Order a cappuccino and marvel at the foam art they serve ranging from a heart to a flower in your frothed milk. Go in the morning and also choose from the selection of mouth-watering pastries or try their famous pastrami sandwich. 

 

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If you need to stop for a coffee near to the centre and the Piazza del Popolo area is can be easy to end up paying more than you need to for a sub-standard espresso. So make a beeline for Re Cafe. This modern restaurant and bar serves pizzas and other simple Italian dishes and is often busy around lunchtime. That’s because the coffee’s good. 

 

Source: Re Cafe

You’ll pay a premium to sip coffee on the charming outside terrace here but we’d be inclined to say it’s worth it. There’s table service so you don’t need to worry about a complicated ordering system and the coffee is delicious. It’s the perfect place to stop for a caffeine hit if you’ve been to the Spanish steps. 

 

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Located in Piazza Navona, one of the nicest squares in the city, you’ll find Domiziano. We don’t recommend you eat here as it is overpriced and average, but it is nevertheless a good place to stop for a coffee in Rome. Take a seat at one of the outdoor tables and you will be made to pay a premium, so order at the bar if you’re happy to be quick. The cappuccinos are pleasingly creamy and will be a nice pick me up before some more sight seeing. 

 

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Founded in 1760, this is the oldest cafe in the city and Rome’s answer to a grand literary cafe. A perfect pit stop if you’ve been wondering around the high-end fashion stores in the area. If you’re on a budget, make sure you stand at the bar to drink your cappuccino. You’ll pay EUR 1.50 to stand and almost EUR 8 if you wish to sit at a table. 

 

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Another cafe in Piazza del Popolo is Rosati. This charming cafe dates all the way back to 1922 and for a time was a favourite hang out of left wing intellectuals in the city. The main draw is the view so expect to be surrounded by fellow tourists instead of locals but that can be the case at lots of places in Rome. Again, order at the bar for a reasonable price and expect to pay more if you’d like a chair. 

 

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If you like sugar in your coffee then you’ll love Sant Eustachio Il Caffe. Here they whip in a small spoon of sugar before serving making it sweeter than your average Italian coffee and slightly more foamy. It’s one of the most famous cafes in Rome and arguably all of Italy so you may need to queue to taste some of their magic. 

 

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While this isn’t technically a coffee bar, Giolitti serves some of the best cappuccinos and espressos in the city and you can also order gelato while you’re there. What’s not to love? Arguably the best gelato in town is found right next to the Pantheon with plenty of outdoor seating and space to take your time. This is one of the places with slightly confusing counter service so hang back and watch others before you then go ahead and get your receipt to make your order. 

 

Source: Giolitti

Mondi Caffe is a favourite with chic locals and the pastry shop of choice when you’re taking something to someones house. Choose from a huge selection of delicious sweet treats and wash them down with one of the best cappuccinos in Rome. You can stand at the bar and use your fingers or if you’d like to take your time, you’ll be seated with proper silverware and table service. A real treat. 

 

Source: TripAdvisor