The drinks to know
- Un caffè: the espresso, short and strong.
- Un caffè lungo: a longer espresso; ristretto: a shorter one.
- Un caffè macchiato: an espresso with a drop of foamed milk; latte macchiato: a tall glass of milk with a little coffee.
- Un cappuccino: coffee, hot milk and foam. It is a morning drink; ordering one after a meal raises eyebrows.
- Un caffè corretto: an espresso "corrected" with a little grappa or liqueur.
- Un caffè americano: an espresso lengthened with hot water, close to filter coffee.
- Un caffè shakerato: espresso shaken with ice, served in summer.
How it works
- In a neighbourhood bar you order at the counter, drink standing and pay on the way out; in very touristy bars you pay first at the till ("scontrino") and show the receipt to the barman.
- At a table, service costs more and a cover charge may be added: read the menu before sitting.
- A tip is not expected; leaving the change is enough.
Where to get a good coffee
For historic addresses, see Rome's historic cafés. To go with coffee, sweet treats are in maritozzi and Roman sweets. A guided food walk is the best way to link coffee, pastry and markets with a guide.
