Skip to main content
ARTICLE

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.com

Sant' 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.com

La 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.com

Forno 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.com

200 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.com

Giolitti

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.com

Ciampini

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.com

Sora 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.com

Gelateria 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.com

Sciascia 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.com

Faro

Just a few minutes from Villa Borghese, Faro serves guests artisanal coffee with sustainable origins along with sandwiches, wraps, and pastries.

ImYanis/Shutterstock.com

Antico 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.com

Mizzica

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.com

Barnum

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.com

Caffetteria 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

More Articles

THE VALUE OF TRIP CANVAS

Travel Like an Expert with AAA and Trip Canvas

Get Ideas from the Pros

As one of the largest travel agencies in North America, we have a wealth of recommendations to share! Browse our articles and videos for inspiration, or dive right in with preplanned AAA Road Trips, cruises and vacation tours.

Build and Research Your Options

Save and organize every aspect of your trip including cruises, hotels, activities, transportation and more. Book hotels confidently using our AAA Diamond Designations and verified reviews.

Book Everything in One Place

From cruises to day tours, buy all parts of your vacation in one transaction, or work with our nationwide network of AAA Travel Agents to secure the trip of your dreams!

BACK TO TOP