Let a native Italian introduce you to the best Italian coffee. Learn how to drink coffee like an Italian, what to order in Italy, and how to enjoy Italian coffee at home.
This article goes to all the coffee lovers who want to get a few tips about the best ways to enjoy a good Italian coffee. What are the favorite coffee drinks in Italy? And what are the best coffee brands you can buy at home to drink coffee like an Italian? Let’s find it out!
Favorite Italian Coffee Drinks
Whether you want to relax after a day spent outside or you want to start the day with the proper motivation, coffee is the answer! Sipping a good coffee while watching life flowing around you is one of the best ways to spend leisure time in Italy.
But where to head to if you’re in Italy and you want a coffee? Starbucks and company aren’t very popular in Italy. There are some, especially in big cities, but Italian people prefer to drink coffee in tiny coffee shops called a bar or caffetteria. However, almost all the shops that sell sweets and bakery and have some seats have a coffee machine inside. So don’t fear stepping in!
Okay, you’ve found a place you like, you had your seat, what’s next?
How Italians Drink Cappuccino
The short answer is that you can order a cappuccino for breakfast and espresso for everything else. But, of course, there’s much more in Italy than those two drinks . In this article, I’m going to share a few more ways you can enjoy a good coffee in a typical Italian bar.
First of all, when you as for a coffee (caffè) without saying anything else, espresso is what you’ll get. This little cup of unsweetened coffee – probably the most famous Italian drink in the world – is the best energizing drink to have before going to work or to start the day. You can drink it in one shot, and you’ll get your fill of caffeine to go through the morning!
If you’re not in a hurry and you want to relax a bit more, you can ask for a cappuccino (that’s the way Italians call coffee with milk). People in Italy drink cappuccino in the morning, perhaps with some bakery. If you ask for a cappuccino after 2 p.m. and the waiter looks a bit surprised, don’t be offended. It’s just unusual to ask for a cappuccino in the afternoon.
Other Ways to Enjoy Italian Coffee
That’s not all, though, and there are several other ways you can enjoy coffee in Italy. Here are a few:
- Caffè macchiato. It consists of a shot of coffee with a pinch of milk, and it’s a good way to drink coffee with milk without asking for a big cup of cappuccino.
- Mocaccino. If you’re up for something sweet, you can ask for this hot drink made up of cappuccino, cream, and chocolate. Don’t you agree with me that it sounds delicious?
- Caffè corretto. This drink is for those who want to give a special sparkle to their coffee. That’s an espresso with some drops of spirit inside – traditionally, grappa or sambuca.
- Granita di caffè. That’s not properly coffee, but that’s something you definitely should try! Granita is a typical Italian sweet made of ice, sugar, and flavored syrup (coffee in this case). It’s one of the best drinks you can ask for when it’s summer. It’s definitely worth a try, especially in the South of Italy where it’s typical.
In bigger (or fancier) coffee shops, you can find different variations of sweetened coffee (with caramel, chocolate, hazelnuts). They’re not the best to enjoy coffee’s aroma, but they are a good way to have a coffee-like drink with some sweet topping.
What if it’s late at night, but you still have that coffee desire? Well, in those cases, you can ask for a decaffeinato. Almost all the coffee types I’ve mentioned have their free-caffeine version.
What are the Best Italian Coffees?
Italian people are coffee lovers. That’s why almost all of them have their own coffee machine at home – whether it is the typical Italian coffee machine (Moka) or a Nespresso machine (macchina per cialde).
If you want to drink typical Italian coffee at your own home, you should look forground coffee (caffè macinato) if you have a Moka and coffee pods (caffè in cialde) if you have a Nespresso machine.
As there are practically hundreds of different choices, I’ve listed some of the best Italian coffee brands, which are quite popular both in Italy and worldwide. It’s important to say that such brands offer different blends, which differ in intensity and aroma. Here, I’m listing only some of them – the ones I’ve tried and I can advise you.
The Best Italian Coffee for a Moka Pot
If you have a Moka pot, or another machine that uses ground coffee, here are some good options. If you’re looking for a coffee with a strong and intense aroma, you should try Caffè Lavazza Crema e Gusto Classico or Caffe Vergnano Macinato Gran Aroma. These are two of the best Italian coffee brands.
If you’re looking for lighter coffee, try Caffè Lavazza Qualita Rossa. And if you want a fruity-flavored aroma, try Illy Classico Ground Drip Coffee Medium Roast. Its flavor can remind you of chocolate and dried fruits.
The Best Italian Coffee for a Coffee Machine
Here are a few options for Nespresso users. If you want to drink an intense and strong coffee, try Illy Espresso Forte. Other good Nespresso options include or Caffè Borbone Respresso or Lavazza Espresso Armonico.
If you have a machine that uses ESE pods (such as a De’Longhi Pump Espresso maker) , try Kimbo Napoli Espresso.
Keurig users might enjoy Lavazza Classico.
That’s almost all you need to know if you want to drink a good Italian coffee. What are your favorite coffee drinks? Is there any brand I haven’t mentioned that you particularly like? Let me know in the comments!
Are you a fan of Italian food and drink? Be sure to check out our authentic recipes for Bruschetta al Pomodoro and Lemon Rosemary Olive Oil Cake.
Top Questions About Italian Coffee
There are a lot of famous coffee drinks in Italy, but cappuccino is one of the most popular. It’s essentially espresso with steamed milk and foam.
In Italy, cappuccino is a breakfast or morning drink. You’ll rarely see anyone order it in the afternoon or evening. Italians believe that it isn’t good for digestion to drink to much milk after eating.
Coffee was first introduced to Italy in 1570 in Venice. Doctor and botanist Prospero Alpini brought this delicious drink back to his home country after discovering it while living in Egypt.
Grappa is an Italian spirit made with grape skins and seeds. It’s common in a caffè corretto.
In Italian, the word latte means milk. So if you just ask for a latte, you will get a glass of milk! To get coffee with milk, ask for caffè latte or cappuccino (morning drinks, remember!).
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