{"id":69741,"date":"2017-11-22T22:41:18","date_gmt":"2017-11-23T03:41:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/learn\/how-to-order-coffee-in-italian\/"},"modified":"2025-06-11T05:11:51","modified_gmt":"2025-06-11T09:11:51","slug":"how-to-order-coffee-in-italian","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/italian\/how-to-order-coffee-in-italian\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Order Coffee in Italian"},"content":{"rendered":"

When in Italy, there’s no doubt you’ll want to stop by a caf\u00e9 and order a coffee, Italian-style.<\/p>\n

To do this, you’re going to need the right vocabulary and some useful phrases<\/a>, so you can correctly ask the barista for your preference in a caffeine fix.<\/p>\n

To help you achieve this, we’ve compiled this helpful post for you about how to order coffee in Italian. Plus we’ve got a section on Italian coffee culture, so you’re in the know while downing espressos in charming Italian caf\u00e9s.<\/p>\n

[fluentu-toc]<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Phrases for Ordering Coffee in Italy<\/h2>\n

\"Italian<\/p>\n

Un caff\u00e8 per favore.<\/strong><\/em> \u2014 A coffee, please.<\/p>\n

Vorrei un caff\u00e8 per favore<\/strong><\/em>. \u2014 I would like a coffee, please.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Note that the default coffee in Italy is espresso, so if you just ask for a coffee, you’ll get a single shot of espresso.<\/p>\n

Words for Coffee in Italian<\/h2>\n

\"Espresso<\/p>\n

You may recognize some of these words from the Starbucks menu.<\/p>\n

Be aware that in Italian, coffee drinks tend to be quite traditional. There is no small, medium or large sizes. Coffee doesn\u2019t come with mountains of whipped cream and caramel sauce.<\/p>\n

In general, Italian coffees are small\u2014very<\/em> small.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Also, since there are many choices, you should make up your mind before it’s your turn to order. If you don’t have your dictionary app<\/a> in hand, here’s a list of all the essential Italian bar vocabulary. What follows are the staples that every Italian bar will have:<\/p>\n

Espresso<\/strong><\/em> \u2014 A strong shot of black coffee served in a small cup.<\/p>\n

Doppio espresso<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>\u2014 Two shots of espresso (some claim that this is more for tourists)<\/p>\n

Caff\u00e8 corto<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0\u2014\u00a0Just a few drips of pure, concentrated caffeine<\/p>\n

Caff\u00e8 americano<\/strong><\/em> \u2014 An espresso shot diluted with hot water, similar to black coffee.<\/p>\n

Caff\u00e8 lungo<\/strong><\/em> \u2014 An espresso shot brewed with more water, resulting in a slightly milder taste than a regular espresso.<\/p>\n

Cappuccino<\/strong><\/em> \u2014 Equal parts of espresso, steamed milk and milk foam, usually sprinkled with cocoa or cinnamon on top.<\/p>\n

Caff\u00e8 latte<\/strong><\/em> \u2014 A milder coffee made with espresso and a larger amount of steamed milk, with a small amount of milk foam on top.<\/p>\n

Latte macchiato<\/strong><\/em> \u2014 Steamed milk “stained” with a shot of espresso, creating distinct layers of coffee and milk.<\/p>\n

Macchiato<\/strong><\/em> \u2014 An espresso “stained” with a small amount of steamed milk or milk foam.<\/p>\n

Caff\u00e8 corretto<\/strong><\/em> \u2014 An espresso “corrected” with a shot of liquor, often grappa, brandy or Sambuca.<\/p>\n

Marocchino<\/strong><\/em> \u2014 An espresso shot served in a glass with cocoa powder, milk foam and a sprinkle of chocolate.<\/p>\n

Caff\u00e8 ristretto<\/strong><\/em> \u2014 An extra-strong espresso made with the same amount of coffee but less water, resulting in a more concentrated flavor.<\/p>\n

Caff\u00e8 shakerato<\/strong><\/em> \u2014 Espresso, ice, and optional sugar, shaken together until frothy, then poured into a glass.<\/p>\n

Caff\u00e8 freddo<\/strong><\/em> \u2014 Cold coffee, often served with ice, and sometimes sweetened with sugar.<\/p>\n

Caff\u00e8 mocha<\/strong><\/em> \u2014 Similar to a hot chocolate but with added espresso, steamed milk and whipped cream.<\/p>\n

Bicerin<\/strong><\/em> \u2014 A traditional drink from Turin, made with layers of espresso, hot chocolate and whipped cream.<\/p>\n

Caff\u00e8 al ginseng<\/strong><\/em> \u2014 Coffee with ginseng flavoring, popular in some Italian caf\u00e9s.<\/p>\n

Other hot drinks<\/h3>\n

Il t\u00e8<\/strong><\/em>\u2014 Tea, which is now growing in popularity in Italy<\/p>\n

Cioccolata calda<\/strong><\/em> \u2014 This is hot chocolate, and not that powdered stuff from the package. Only served in winter, Italian hot chocolate is a true treat that\u2019s closer to hot chocolate pudding. Yum!<\/p>\n

Latte<\/strong><\/em> \u2014 Though many Americans think this means “caf\u00e9 latte,” in Italy, this will get you a cup of warm milk, because that’s what it means: milk.<\/p>\n

Typical Italian Bar Snacks<\/h2>\n

\"Bowl<\/p>\n

Un panino<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0\u2014 A sandwich, usually with cheese and prosciutto (Note: in Italian it doesn’t necessarily mean a toasted sandwich.)<\/p>\n

Un tramezzino<\/strong><\/em>\u2014 A thin sandwich on soft white bread<\/p>\n

Le patatine<\/strong><\/em>\u2014 Potato chips\/crisps<\/p>\n

Un cornetto<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0\u2014 Italian croissant, they come either plain or filled with chocolate or custard<\/p>\n

Le olive<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0\u2014 Olives<\/p>\n

Le nocciole<\/strong><\/em> \u2014 Hazelnuts<\/p>\n

Other Bar Vocabulary<\/h2>\n

\"Cup<\/p>\n

La tazza<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0\u2014 A cup, usually referring to the small, ceramic (or sometimes glass) espresso cups. Those used for cappuccinos are slightly larger.<\/p>\n

Il bicchiere<\/strong><\/em>\u2014 Glass<\/p>\n

When you order an espresso in Italy, you’ll usually be given a small glass of water as well.<\/p>\n

Il cucchiaino<\/strong><\/em>\u2014 Those tiny little spoons they give you to stir your coffee<\/p>\n

Il banco<\/strong><\/em> \u2014 The counter where you place your order<\/p>\n

Pro tip: coffee is usually cheaper if you drink it standing at the bar. Many cafes charge extra to bring it to your table.<\/p>\n

Una bottiglia d\u2019acqua liscia\/frizzante<\/strong><\/em>\u2014 A bottle of water without\/with bubbles<\/p>\n

Lo zucchero<\/strong><\/em>\u2014 Sugar<\/p>\n

Phrases You Might Hear From the Barista<\/h2>\n

\"Barista<\/p>\n

Come lo desidera?<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0\u2014 How would you like it?<\/p>\n

Basta cos\u00ec?<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0\u2014 Is that it?<\/p>\n

Meaning, is your order finished? You can reply “Si,”<\/em> or tell the barista what else you want.<\/p>\n

Ecco a Lei.<\/strong><\/em> \u2014\u00a0Here you go.<\/p>\n

This is said when the barista presents you with your order. This is the time to thank him or her.<\/p>\n

Phrases for Going Out for Coffee<\/h2>\n

\"Cafe<\/p>\n

Andiamo al bar\/al caff\u00e8.<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0\u2014 We\u2019re going to the bar\/caf\u00e9.<\/p>\n

Prendiamo un caff\u00e8<\/strong><\/em>.\u00a0\u2014 We’re getting some coffee (literally “We’re taking a coffee.”)<\/p>\n

Vuoi andare al bar\/al caff\u00e8?<\/strong><\/em>\u2014 Do you want to go to the bar\/caf\u00e9?<\/p>\n

Vuoi un caff\u00e8?<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0\u2014 Do you want a coffee?<\/p>\n

This is typically used between close friends.<\/p>\n

Ti piacerebbe un caff\u00e8?<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0\u2014 Would you like a coffee?<\/p>\n

This is more polite but still informal.<\/p>\n

Le andrebbe un caff\u00e8?<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0\u2014 Would you like a coffee?<\/p>\n

Use this to sound very formal<\/a>. It’s more appropriate for situations like business meetings.<\/p>\n

Volete un caff\u00e8?<\/strong><\/em> \u2014 Do you want a coffee?<\/p>\n

Vi andrebbe un caff\u00e8?<\/strong><\/em> \u2014 Would you like a coffee?<\/p>\n

If you’re asked if you would like to go for a coffee, you can reply:<\/p>\n

S\u00ec, con piacere.<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0\u2014 Yes, with pleasure.<\/p>\n

No, grazie<\/strong>.<\/em> \u2014 No thank you<\/p>\n

Note: If you go to a bar, you should order something, even if it’s just water.<\/p>\n

Ordering Coffee in Italy: Example Conversation<\/h2>\n

\"Barista<\/p>\n

Customer:<\/strong> Buongiorno! Vorrei una cioccolata calda, per favore.<\/em> \u2014 Good morning! I’d like a hot chocolate, please.<\/p>\n

Barista:<\/strong> Buongiorno! Certo, una cioccolata calda. La vuole con panna?<\/em> \u2014 Good morning! Certainly, a hot chocolate. Would you like it with whipped cream?<\/p>\n

Customer:<\/strong> S\u00ec, con panna, per favore<\/em>. \u2014 Yes, with whipped cream, please.<\/p>\n

Barista:<\/strong> Va bene. Qualcos’altro?<\/em> \u2014 Alright. Anything else?<\/p>\n

Customer:<\/strong> Vorrei anche un caff\u00e8.<\/em> \u2014 I’d also like an espresso.<\/p>\n

Barista:<\/strong> Perfetto. Cioccolata calda con panna e un cappuccino con zucchero. Le andrebbe un caff\u00e8?<\/em> \u2014 Perfect. Hot chocolate with whipped cream and an espresso.<\/p>\n

Customer:<\/strong> Si, per favore.<\/em> \u2014 Yes, please.<\/p>\n

Barista:<\/strong> Qual \u00e8 il suo nome per l’ordinazione?<\/em> \u2014 What’s your name for the order?<\/p>\n

Customer:<\/strong> Il mio nome \u00e8 Carla<\/em>. \u2014 My name is Carla.<\/p>\n

Barista:<\/strong> Grazie, Carla. Le sue bevande saranno pronte in un attimo<\/em>. \u2014 Thank you, Carla. Your drinks will be ready in a moment.<\/p>\n

The Barista prepares the drinks and calls out the order.<\/p>\n

Barista:<\/strong> Una cioccolata calda con panna e un caff\u00e8 per Carla!<\/em> \u2014 A hot chocolate with whipped cream and an espresso for Carla!<\/p>\n

Customer:<\/strong> Grazie mille!<\/em> \u2014 Thank you very much!<\/p>\n

Barista:<\/strong> Prego! Buona giornata, Carla!<\/em> \u2014 You’re welcome! Have a great day, Carla!<\/p>\n

Customer:<\/strong> Anche a Lei. Arrivederci!<\/em> \u2014 You too. Goodbye!<\/p>\n

Barista:<\/strong> Arrivederci!<\/em> \u2014 Goodbye!<\/p>\n

If you’d like to see more examples, you can find bite-sized videos of native speakers ordering drinks in a caf\u00e9 in Italian on FluentU<\/a>.

FluentU<\/strong> takes authentic videos\u2014like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talks\u2014and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.<\/p>\r\n

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