Cafes
Cafes
Rome's coffee culture is steeped in tradition and passion. The city's charming cafés exude an inviting atmosphere, where locals and tourists alike gather to savor the rich aroma and intense flavor of espresso, the quintessential Italian coffee. From bustling streets to historic piazzas, coffee serves as a delightful companion to daily life. Moreover, no Roman experience is complete without a creamy indulgence of artisanal gelato, crafted in a myriad of luscious flavors.
Catarina Belova/Shutterstock.comSant' Eustachio Il Caffè
Bags of coffee beans rest on the floor and images of plantations adorn the walls. Sant' Eustachio Il Caffè has looked the same for as long as anyone can remember. Steps away from Piazza Navona, this Roman institution is, arguably, Rome's most famous coffee shop, famed for its home-roast beans, which are blended with water from an ancient aqueduct. In addition to the different types of coffee, they also serve the "gran caffè", a cappuccino without milk, where the coffee is foamed instead.
Corrado Baratta/Shutterstock.comLa Casa del Caffè Tazza d'Oro
Tazza d'Oro is another classic Roman coffee shop known for its exceptionally strong coffee and the famous "granita al caffè", flavored ice with coffee and with whipped cream layers.
rarrarorro/Shutterstock.comForno Campo de' Fiori
Since 1880, this bakery, in the heart of Rome, has provided customers with traditional sweet and savory baked goods and pizzas. Pop in for lunch, but be prepared that it might be crowded since Forno Campo de' Fiori is very popular among locals.
Natalia Macheda/Shutterstock.com200 Gradi
Close to the Vatican, you'll find this hip sandwich shop with over 60 different sandwiches to choose from, including vegetarian options. They bake their bread at 200 degrees, hence its name 200 Gradi. Besides sandwiches, they also serve salads, pastries, and a wide range of drinks, including bottled beers and customized soft drinks. And one of the best thing about 200 Gradi is that they stay open until late hours.
stockcreations/Shutterstock.comGiolitti
Founded in 1890, Giolitti is, reportedly, the oldest ice cream shop in Rome and where you'll find the creamiest gelato in the city. Nestled between the Pantheon and the Italian Parliament, Giolitti offers a large selection of flavours that will please even the pickiest of ice cream eaters. Soak up the atmosphere of Giolitti, watch the world go by, and enjoy your seasonal flavour cone or the evergreen chocolate one.
frantic00/Shutterstock.comCiampini
Set in close proximity to the picturesque Spanish Steps and the imposing Villa Borghese, Ciampini has been a local gathering point since 1941. Whether it's a sandwich, a morning espresso, or the famous Italian gelato, Ciampini will please every palate.
ColorMaker/Shutterstock.comSora Mirella
This little green kiosk may not seem like much at first glance, but rumor has it this is where some of Rome's best "grattachecca" (a shaved ice-based dessert, enhanced with many flavours) is served. Nothing beats grabbing one on a hot summer's day, and then finding the perfect spot on the banks of Tiber to indulge.
etorres/Shutterstock.comGelateria Della Palma
This ice cream parlor is not for the indecisive ones: around 150 gelato flavours await you at Gelateria Della Palma, one of Rome's most renowned ice cream shops. Flavours like champagne, pear & cheese, or Irish coffee are served in its exquisite interior with marble and columns. Gelateria Della Palma is located in the heart of Rome, close to the Pantheon and Piazza Navona.
Beautiful landscape/Shutterstock.comSciascia Caffè 1919
Coffees, granitas, aperitifs, and chocolate are served in the cozy, timeless setting of Sciascia Caffè 1919, complete with narrow wooden seats, on-the-counter delights, and vintage pictures adorning the walls. Thursday live music from 6 pm to 9 pm creates the perfect atmosphere for a romantic date night.
Olena Yakobchuk/Shutterstock.comFaro
Just a few minutes from Villa Borghese, Faro serves guests artisanal coffee with sustainable origins along with sandwiches, wraps, and pastries.
ImYanis/Shutterstock.comAntico Caffè Greco
Antico Caffè Greco is not only the oldest cafeteria in Rome (and looks practically unchanged from its original state), but is also known for having had patrons like Goethe, Schopenhauer, Gogol, and even Casanova. Today, it continues to be the gathering point for many artists who come here to exchange their ideas. The place is worth a visit for its historical significance.
Peter Cho/Shutterstock.comMizzica
Mizzica is a pastry shop and café, in the district of Bologna, serving cakes, sweet and savoury pastries, as well as desserts and coffees. If you don't have a sweet tooth, try out their arancini, rice balls stuffed with cheese or other fillings.
nelea33/Shutterstock.comBarnum
Digging into Barnum's healthy offerings will delight the eye and stir the heart. It offers quality strong coffee, freshly baked pastries, aperitifs, and light lunches.
mavo/Shutterstock.comCaffetteria del Chiostro
Despite being located inside an old cloister (now an art museum), and only steps away from the immeasurably beautiful Piazza Navona, this charming café is a genuine spot perfectly fit for a light lunch (try the salads) or coffee and cake. Café guests are welcome to walk through the museum upon notifying the staff.
Shebeko/Shutterstock.com