Italian Coffee Culture: What Americans Think vs. What Italians Actually Order
- maxtravelabroad
- Feb 24
- 5 min read
Updated: Mar 3
by Cindi H. Fries, Max Travel Abroad LLC
You think you know coffee? And then you travel to Italy - so think again!
In this post, I'll break down the real Italian coffee culture.
As much as Americans love to think they’ve got the coffee game figured out, there’s a whole different world of espresso-based drinks in Italy.
Come with me as I debunk the Italian coffee myths and give you a crash course in how Italians order their beloved caffeinated brews.
Coffee, the Italian Way – It’s Not What You Think
When in Italy, you quickly learn that there are no frappes, no matcha lattes, and certainly no syrupy sweet coffee based drinks. And while the world’s largest coffee chain, cough Starbucks, has become a "global ambassador for coffee," in Italy, in Italy they will look at you like you’ve lost your mind if you tried to order a Pumpkin Spice Latte (although I've been known to indulge at my local 'Bucks!).
So, what’s the deal? How do Italians truly order their coffee?
If you’re going to sip coffee like an Italian, you need to know what you’re really getting, instead of assuming you know what you are ordering -- because Starbies has done a real number on many of us!
Americans vs. Italians:
The Myths & The Truths
Here are a few myths Americans have when ordering coffee in Italy:
Myth 1: “Can I get a Caramel Macchiato?”
Nope. Italians don’t do caramel syrup in their coffee, or any types of syrups. They’re not running a dessert café. Get over it. Just go for the (stronger) macchiato.
Myth 2: “I’ll have a Mocha”
In Italy, the closest you’ll get to a chocolate-flavored coffee is a caffè con cioccolato or a caffè marocchino (an espresso with chocolate). But no whipped cream, no drizzle of syrup. Just coffee and a little chocolate (no milk unless you order con latte)
Myth 3: “I want an Iced Coffee”
You won’t find an iced latte with whipped cream and sprinkles in Italy. Italians don’t get the whole iced coffee obsession. Instead order caffè freddo—espresso chilled in a glass (no ice).
The Italian Coffee Menu: No Frills, Just Pure Espresso
Let's sink in deeper - In Italy, coffee is simple, pure, and direct. It is all based on espresso. If you want a drink with more than one ingredient (looking at you, caramel mocha), you’re going to be sorely disappointed. Let’s get into the coffee drinks Italians order every day.
1. Espresso (Caffè) "Un caffè, per favore."
You’ll get this little shot of liquid energy in nearly every Italian café. No syrups, no whipped cream, just black gold in a tiny cup. No drip coffee, only espresso. It’s bold, hot, bitter, and intense—and that’s the way they like it. It’s the epitome of Italian coffee culture: nothing fancy, just pure, unadulterated espresso. Usually the amount served is less than one oz. To order all you need to say is caffè "kaf-AY" and hold up your thumb (to indicate you want one).
You’ll rarely see Italians order this to-go, though—sipping a shot at the bar while standing is the proper Italian way. So, if you’re going to try it like a local, ditch the paper cup and grab a place to stand at the barista bar!
2. Cappuccino "Un cappuccino, per favore."
This is probably the most famous Italian coffee outside of Italy. It’s a double espresso with steamed milk and foam. That’s it. No sugar, no chocolate sprinkles, no whipped cream , unless you’re either at Starbucks, or a tourist trap.
Forget about ordering an Italian cappuccino after noon. Italians typically drink it in the morning—preferably before 11 am.
Max Travel Abroad Pro Tip: If it is after 11am and you want a cappuccino, just go ahead and order a cappuccino anyway, knowing Italians will judge you quietly for your faux pas. And honestly - its your vacation after all!? Its not like they don't already know you aren't an Italian - right?!!
3. Caffè Macchiato "Un macchiato, per favore."
Think of this as a double espresso “stained” with a touch of steamed milk. Italians love it because it’s not as intense as a straight-up espresso with just a kiss of milk, but it still keeps that strong coffee kick. So my Starbies friends, just accept that in Italy here's no such thing as "caramel macchiato."
Italians love caffè macchiato, often taking it in the afternoons and evenings instead of cappuccino. It's the one exception to the no-milk-in coffee-after-11AM rule.
4. Caffè Latte "Vorrei un caffè latte, per favore"
If you ask for a “latte” in Italy, you’ll just get a glass of warm milk. Not what you’re expecting, right? A “caffè Latte” is an espresso with steamed milk, but unlike the caffè macchiato, or cappuccino, it’s all milk, not much foam. If you want a more delicate, milder flavoring of espresso, order "latte macchiato" which has the proportion of milk to coffee greater than in a "caffe latte ." You’ll see Italians sipping these, but not as often as you’d think, because it’s more of a breakfast drink.
5. Caffe Americano "Un caffè americano, per favore."
This is Italy’s concession to American tourists who think espresso is too strong. It’s just an espresso shot with added hot water to dilute it (no milk). If you’re craving the giant drip coffee from back home, this is as close as you’ll get—but don’t expect a massive cup. It’s still served in a small cup, because Italians don’t believe in drinking coffee that takes an entire morning to finish.
Max Travel Abroad Tip: If you really need a large coffee, and don't want to order an Americano, un caffè lungo instead. It’s still espresso, but with slightly more water, making it a bit closer to what Americans expect.
6. Affogato – "Un affogato, per favore."
This is where Italians let their love of coffee and dessert collide. An affogato is a scoop of vanilla gelato drowned (affogato means “drowned” in Italian) in a shot of hot espresso. It’s not a drink—it’s a dessert, and one of the best ways to enjoy Italian coffee culture.
Max Travel Abroad Tip: Perfect as an afternoon pick-me-up when you want caffeine and something sweet. Just don’t try to order this for breakfast—Italians save their sweets for later in the day.
Drink Like an Italian (and Travel Like One Too!)
There you have it: Italian coffee culture in a nutshell, or an espresso shot.
So, next time you visit Italy, ditch the syrups, forget the frappuccinos, and order an espresso the way the locals do. Who knows? You might even feel more connected to the country—and the culture—just by sipping it the right way. Learn to enjoy the pure joy of espresso.
And while you're planning your Italy getaway, why not let us at Max Travel Abroad show you how to experience Italy like a local? We plan immersive, authentic guided tours that let you dive into the real culture—coffee and all!
P.S.: Looking for a way to get to Italy? Check out our upcoming tours, where you’ll have plenty of time to sip espresso like a pro and explore the heart of Italy. Spots are limited, so don’t wait!
Kommentare