Il Caffé

The barista, orchestrating a series of requests in rapid succession; espresso, cappuccino, macchiato, doppio, lungo, ristretto, corretto... That hissing of the milk steamer, the thumping of filters being emptied, the clatter of the cups, and that heavy aroma in the air; a feast for all the senses. Il Caffé is the place to hear all sorts of conversations, but in no way are you meant to linger. Sitting down and getting comfortable is a rare sight in an authentic Italian caffé. Your espresso is meant to be consumed rather quickly, and it's a sure sign that you are a tourist if you order a cappuccino after 11 am or after a meal.

Ordering coffee in Italy can be somewhat intimidating for a first timer. Where are the Frappuccino options? Well, you won't find anything like that. Below I have listed some different options for ordering Italian coffee drinks.

Il Caffé - ordering un caffé implies that you want a shot of espresso. It will be served to you in a tazzina with a little stirring spoon.

Caffé Macchiato - Macchiare, in Italian, means to "stain" - when ordered, this espresso is literally 'stained' with a scoop of hot, frothed milk. (This is not a mini cappuccino).

Caffé Macchiato Freddo - You can probably guess that this Macchiato is served with cold milk. Most caffés will have a separate bar with milk that you can add yourself though.

Cappuccino - Easily the most well-known coffee drink. It is espresso with steamed and foamed milk.

Marocchino - Also referred to as a Mocacchino, this coffee drink consists of a shot of espresso, milk foam, and sprinkled with cacao (chocolate).

Latte Macchiato - This is precisely the opposite of a caffé macchiato. It is steamed milk, 'stained' with coffee.

Caffé Corretto - An espresso, with a shot of liquor. Ex. grappa, Sambuca, cognac, Baileys, etc


These are your most basic coffee drinks found in an Italian Caffé, but there are definitely other options available in different parts of Italy. Just know that if you walk into a caffé and order a 'latte', you will be receiving a glass of milk, and a glare from the barista.

Fili, Louise, and Lise Apatoff. Italianissimo: The Quintessential Guide to What Italians Do Best. New York: Little Bookroom, 2008. Print.