Once you’ve made sure to master the art of drinking coffee in Italy like a local, head over to these Roman cafés to taste some of the best brews in the capital. From gilded historic coffeehouses and neighborhood bakeries to hip bars, each cup guarantees a great atmosphere to accompany your caffeine kick.
Sant'Eustachio Il Caffè
This cheerful café, brightened with yellow packaging and plenty of branded accessories to recreate a perfect cup of coffee at home, is lauded as one of the best espressos in the city (hence the large tour groups that overtake this small space during morning rush hour). Founded in 1938, it continues to create its own secret blend of coffee and prides itself on continuing to use an antique wooden coffee roaster from 1948 to toast its quality Arabica beans.
Antigua La Casa Del Caffè Tazza d'Oro
Located around the corner from the Pantheon, this large café has been brewing coffee since 1944. It sources its beans from Central and South America and makes renowned blends, its most famous being regina dei caffé (queen of coffee) blend exported worldwide. Perhaps its most lauded concoction, however, is its potent granita di caffè, a highly caffeinated and extremely flavorful shaved iced coffee topped with luscious whipped cream. https://instagram.com/p/1z2VcULc0t/
This elegant café was the workshop and atelier of famed sculptor Antonio Canova (hence its name) who entrusted the establishment to his favorite student, Giulio Tadolini, in 1818 and kept it in the family for four generations. The atelier was converted into a museum/restaurant in 1967 and juxtaposes sculpture and art with dining tables and a gilded coffee bar. Caffè Canova-Tadolini brews excellent coffee in one of the city’s most intriguing venues.
Café Greco
Cafe, Coffee Shop, Italian
Camilla Colavolpe
If you’re looking to pair history with your caffeine, try ornate Caffè Greco, known for accommodating illustrious clients such as Goethe, Byron and Keats at its glistening marble tables back in the day. This 18th-century cafe, opened in 1760, is one of the oldest coffee establishments in the world and remains a historic landmark in the city, appealing to artists and notable people in Rome (and of course, plenty of tourists eager to soak in some culture with their coffee).
Sciascia Caffè, which has been around since 1919, is located in the commercial Prati district and serves up some of the best espresso in the city. With its intimate interior, suggestive turn-of-the-century train wagon and a handful of tiny rectangular tables, this café is a nice spot to enjoy your coffee while off the beaten path. Sciascia excels at its chocolate-infused drinks; the gran cappuccino is a heavenly creation with espresso, steamed milk, whipped cream, chocolate sauce and chocolate chips.
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Barnum Café
Cafe, Coffee Shop, Italian
Courtesy of My Ale
For something a little less traditional and a little more trendy, Barnum Café on Via del Pellegrino suits all of your Continental café needs. With its fresh aesthetics and shabby-chic furniture, it caters to a hip crowd of freelancers, young professionals, travelers and locals who live in the neighborhood. With free Wi-Fi and tasty treats all day long, it’s great at any hour — especially for cocktails in the evening!
L'Arte del Caffè 'Er Baretto'
This unassuming café situated beneath cascading ivy on one of Monti’s most charming streets makes one of the best espressos in the neighborhood. A homey little place, Er Baretto has several outdoor tables to enjoy its natural surroundings and is one of the few cafés in Rome that excels in coffee art. From stars and bears to hearts and leaves, your cup is sure to put a smile one your face. https://instagram.com/p/2dArFjPHRB/
8. Panella
Panella is a refined café, bakery and restaurant that serves incredible pastries, finger foods, cocktails and of course, coffee. Located just around the corner from gritty Piazza Vittorio, it feels like a chic oasis removed from the hustle and bustle found next door. Ask for your espresso con crema, topped with a dollop of eggy zabaione cream for a great flavor pairing and be sure to order one of their exquisite pastries, baked to perfection.
https://instagram.com/p/BFOJ57xTLZv/ By Livia Hengel
Livia Hengel is an Italian-American writer, photographer and traveler with a penchant for la dolce vita and a severe case of wanderlust. Originally born in Rome, she spent her life living around the world in Peru, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Turkey and the US before moving back to her city of birth. She is passionate about all things cultural, existential, stirring and beautiful and is happiest when she is contemplating human nature over a glass of wine or wandering off-the-beaten-path in a new city. When she's not traveling around Italy, you can find Livia eating her way through the best restaurants in Rome or keeping up with Instagram. Livia is the author of The HUNT Guide for Rome and also contributes to Spotted by Locals.
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