15 Best Cafes in Rome: Top Spots for Coffee in 2024
If you’re looking to enjoy a really authentic Italian coffee experience in Rome, you’re in the right place!
From the hifstoric cafes to the popular and famous, if you're seeking a shot of espresso, a creamy caffè latte, or the perfect macchiato, we've got you covered!
What makes these the best cafes in Rome? Each of these coffee shops has something that makes it uniquely special and worthy of a visit.
You may think it’s easy to find a great cafe in Rome, but that’s not always the case—even for a foodie chef like me.
On my last trip to Rome, I stayed near the Piazza del Popolo. Although the square was lined with cafes, there wasn’t a decent one among them. Even the 100-year-old Rosati is only rated 1.8 on Google—no thanks!
So, I began my search for some good coffee and wound up with this guide to the best cafes in Rome, Italy!
Cappuccino at one of the best cafes in Rome
Best Cafes in Rome
1. Antico Caffè Greco
No list of best coffee shops in Rome would be complete without Antico Caffè Greco.
Founded in 1760, Antico Caffè Greco holds the esteemed title of the oldest cafe in Rome. It’s naturally a bucket list stop for foodies visiting Rome.
Like many of the oldest Parisian cafes, this historic cafe has been a favorite of famous artists, writers, and intellectuals over the years.
Many legendary figures such as Casanova, Shelley, Goethe, Keats, Byron, Hans Christian Andersen, Mark Twain, and Orson Welles have all sipped and lingered at the oldest coffee shop in Rome.
Today, it is a great place to order a classic Italian breakfast of pastries and espresso, and to admire the antique artwork—more evidence of this iconic cafe’s place in history.
With its location just a stone’s throw from the Spanish Steps, you may find yourself returning to this cafe again and again.
Address: Via dei Condotti, 86, 00187 Roma RM, Italy
The oldest cafe in Rome, Antico Caffè Greco, is a must when visiting the Spanish Steps.
2. Sant’ Eustachio Il Caffè
If you're a true coffee connoisseur, then this landmark cafe in Piazza Sant’ Eustachio (between Piazza Navona and the Pantheon) is a must-visit. This is the coffee Rome locals love.
Sant’ Eustachio Il Caffe is known as one of the most famous cafes strictly based on the quality of its coffee. In fact, the signature coffee blend at this coffee house has been kept a secret for over 70 years but is known to be the best in Rome.
If you agree that Caffè Sant’ Eustachio makes the best coffee in Rome, you can purchase a bag of their gourmet coffee beans to take home. If you have a sweet tooth, try their chocolate truffles or chocolate-dipped coffee beans.
Address: Piazza di Sant’ Eustachio, 82, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
When you’re drinking the best coffee in Rome, you may want to order a double shot, or “doppio.”
3. La Casa del Caffè Tazza D’Oro
Famous for its amazing granita di caffè, Tazza D’Oro is one of the most popular cafes in Rome on hot summer days.
Although Romans do drink their ritual espressos even on the hottest days, there is nothing like an ice cold coffee granita to cool off with. Especially when topped with a mound of whipped cream, this coffee doubles as a decadent Rome dessert. It may even be better than ice cream!
The granita is so good, the cafe is a favorite stop for many food tour guides. It’s also wildly photogenic and one of the most instagrammable foodie stops in Rome. And the location couldn’t be any more convenient for anyone visiting the Pantheon; it’s just steps away.
Address: Via degli Orfani, 84, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
La Casa del Caffè Tazza D’Oro is a famous cafe in Rome for granita di caffè.
4. Roscioli Caffè Pasticceria
I realize that many of my “Best of Rome” articles seem to include one of the Roscioli family eateries. I feel it’s time to say I am not related to the family in any way, nor do I receive any compensation for my recommendations. I just can’t travel to Rome and not visit a few of the Roscioli establishments.
They really provide excellent quality in everything they do, and that includes coffee and pastries. So, it’s no surprise that the Roscioli Caffè Pasticceria near the Campo de’ Fiori is one of the best cafes in Rome.
Since the caffè is related to one of the best bakeries in the Eternal City, you can expect delicious Italian pastries here. You’ll also find some non-traditional breakfast items for Rome like eggs and croque monsieur.
This is one of my favorite cafes at which to sit at one of the outdoor tables and enjoy a sweet or salty (savory) breakfast.
Address: Piazza Benedetto Cairoli, 16, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
One of the best cafes Rome has for both sweet and savory breakfasts is Roscioli Caffè Pasticceria.
5. Bar del Cappuccino
If you’re looking for the best cappuccino in Rome (hot or cold), put Bar del Cappuccino on your list! Especially if you’re near the Jewish Ghetto or Tiber Island.
This popular cafe in Rome is known for its expertise in crafting the perfect cappuccino using premium ingredients and a unique blend of coffee beans.
The baristas at this coffee shop are highly skilled and add an artistic touch to your coffee experience.
This charming cafe not only offers a delightful array of coffee drinks but also provides a selection of delectable pastries and sandwiches.
Address: Via Arenula, 50, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
At many of the best cafes in Rome, Italy, cappuccino is a work of art.
6. Caffetteria Chiostro del Bramante
Located within a stunning Renaissance cloister, the Chiostro del Bramante coffee shop is one of the true hidden gems in the heart of Rome near the Piazza Navona. The unique setting alone is worth a visit!
The historical architecture, Renaissance art, and serene surroundings provide an ideal escape from the bustling city.
The specialty coffee here is the macchiatone, a large cup of coffee with frothed milk—a cross between what the Italians call a long coffee and a cappuccino. If you’re a frothed milk fan like me, you’ll agree that this is a great cup of coffee.
Address: Arco della Pace, 5, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
For fans of steamed milk, a macchiatone is one of the best coffee drinks in Rome.
7. Mondicaffè Roma
Mondicaffè may appear to be a modern café, but it is steeped in family traditions.
This spot has gained recognition for its incredibly high standards. A founding member of the CSC (Caffè Speciali Certificati), this small roaster undergoes rigorous testing to guarantee its high quality.
Mondicaffè Roma embraces sustainability and is committed to ethical sourcing of ingredients.
It’s a little outside Rome’s centro storico, but if you find yourself near the Villa Gordiani, it’s worth a try.
Address: Viale della Serenissima, 10, 00177 Roma RM, Italy
Espresso is the drink of choice at the best coffee shops in Rome, Italy.
8. Torrefazione Ciamei (Ciamei Caffè)
Torrefazione Ciamei, also known as Ciamei Caffè, is a cherished family-owned coffee roaster with a coffee bar and store inside the company’s headquarters. In the center of Rome, it’s the best coffee shop Rome has near the Piazza Vitorrio Emanuele II.
These folks take pride in producing artisanal coffee. They’ve been selecting the best coffee beans possible and using traditional methods for over 100 years!
Ciamei is a great place for a coffee break and a few cheap eats in Rome. This coffee shop may be the best value on this list.
If you can’t get enough Ciamei coffee while in Rome, you can buy a bunch of different packaged roasts to bring home with you. They also produce a delicious coffee liqueur available for sale by the bottle.
Address: Via Emanuele Filiberto, 57, 00185 Roma RM, Italy
Torrefazione Ciamei is one of the best coffee bars Rome has near the Piazza Vitorrio Emanuele II.
9. Forno Roscioli Pietro
The owners of this Roscioli eatery are related to the other Roscioli Cafe on this list, but the cafes are completely separate. The good news: This place also has great pastries and great coffee.
They have tables, but not table service. Just order what you’d like from the friendly staff in the pastry shop and they will bring it to your table.
I think this is one of the best cafes in Rome, but more for its food than its specialty coffees. Don’t get me wrong, they do a mean espresso and cappuccino. But you can also order pizza al taglio and all sorts of savories if you don’t want the usual sweets Italians adore.
Address: Via Buonarroti, 46/48, 00185 Roma RM, Italy
Forno Roscioli Pietro has one of the best selections of sweets and savories to pair with your coffee.
10. D’Angelo Caffè & Gastronomia
Near the Piazza Repubblica, you’ll find another cafe that does extraordinary food, D’Angelo Caffè & Gastronomia.
It’s the best cafe Rome has for Napoletana pizza and one of the best places to get a fancy-looking coffee. I swear the baristas are all Italian artists!
I’m always on the hunt for good food and innovative coffee creations at affordable prices, and D’Angelo Caffè & Gastronomia fills the bill.
I was lucky that this cafe was just a few blocks from the last hotel I stayed at in Rome
Address: Via Venti Settembre, 25, 00185 Roma RM, Italy
D’Angelo Caffè & Gastronomia, the best Rome cafe for Napoletana pizza
11. Barnum Cafè
Barnum Cafè is another one of my favorite coffee places in the city center for a savory breakfast or brunch.
I’m not just taking about savory pastries or pizza. I mean what Italians may call lunch dishes, like salmon gravlax with egg, herb butter, and rye bread or a ham and cheese omelet.
The specialty coffees are both divine and gorgeous. I love ordering the cappuccino just to see how mine will be decorated. I’ve seen hearts, leaves, and even swans.
Try to get there early as this is a popular spot just a 5-minute walk from Campo de’ Fiori, and it closes at 3:30pm. ☹️
Address: Via del Pellegrino, 87, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
Some of the prettiest coffees in Rome are at Barnum Cafè.
12. Trecaffè - Via dei due Macelli
If you’re looking for excellent coffee between the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain, Trecaffè is the perfect place.
Ignore the lists of best coffee shops that pick Canova Tadolini for this area. There are way better places, and they’re on this list!
The espresso machine at Trecaffè never gets a rest, yet it continues to crank out delicious cup after delicious cup.
Trecaffè proudly searches for the best beans from all over the world. They are true experts in the art of traditional roasting, and their customers are always top of mind.
Address: Via dei Due Macelli, 107, 00187 Roma RM, Italy
When exploring the best Rome coffee shops, consider trying a macchiato.
13. Er Baretto
The area in the Rome historic center that has the most tourist traps is by the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. Do not fret! I have an excellent spot for coffee and light munchies that’s just a 10-minute-walk away: Er Baretto.
The friendly vibe and atmosphere make Er Baretto one of the best cafes in Rome. The owners are often working and they’re just as friendly as their staff.
There are lots of locals from the surrounding neighborhood who come here, and it just has a good feel. This is the kind of place at which you can find yourself hanging out at an outside table for hours and then wondering where the time went—and not worrying about it.
They serve lots of flavored coffees like caffè nocciola (hazelnut) and caffè caramel. If you haven’t tried Italian barley coffee, caffè orzo, you may want to give it a shot. I can’t say it’s my favorite (caramel please), but it’s traditional.
Address: Via del Boschetto, 132, 00184 Roma RM, Italy
It’s worth walking 10 minutes from the Colosseum to Er Baretto to enjoy some of Rome’s best coffee.
14. Pergamino Caffè
My favorite coffee shop near the Vatican Museums is hands down Pergamino Caffè.
One of the best things this cafe is known for is its cold brew drip coffee. Disclaimer—that is my husband’s favorite coffee. The demand for it is so high, this cold brew is even sold in cans here.
The flat whites (espresso with steamed milk and microfoam) are pretty tasty too, as are all of the specialty coffees.
Address: Piazza del Risorgimento, 7, 00192 Roma RM, Italy
A flat white is one of the best drinks at the Rome cafe, Pergamino.
15. Faro – Luminari Del Caffè
One of the most recently opened locations on our Best Coffee Bars in Rome List, Faro is a real coffee lovers kind of cafe. Faro claims its coffee is so good it does not need sugar.
The beans are painstakingly picked by hand, and all unripe fruit is avoided in the process, yielding a sweeter cup of coffee. Don’t worry, if you want sugar, just ask for it.
This is also a great spot for fresh baked cornetti (croissants), sandwiches, and marritozzi.
If you’re wondering about the lighthouse logo, photos, and figures, “faro” means lighthouse in Italian.
Address: Via Piave, 55, 00187 Roma RM, Italy
Fresh cornetti are always a good choice with coffee in Rome.
Best Cafes in Rome FAQs
1. How do you say coffee in Italian?
The Italian word “caffè” (pronounced caf-FEH) is quite versatile; It means “coffee,” “cafe,” and “coffee bar.”
2. How do you order a coffee in Italian?
If you order a caffè, you will receive an Italian coffee, aka espresso. In recent years, some servers who hear an American accent will ask you whether you really want a caffè or if you truly want an Americano, which is larger and has more water.
3. What is Italian coffee culture?
Coffee is an important part of Italian everyday life. Italians begin their day with an espresso or cappuccino either at home or at a coffee bar. Then they typically have another espresso shot to keep going during the day. They may stop for yet another at some point so they can enjoy it while sitting at a table with friends. The best way to learn about Italian coffee culture is to experience it like a local.
4. Is it better to stand at the counter or sit at a table in Rome coffee shops?
Some cafes in Rome will have an additional service charge of 1 or 2 euros to sit at a table. So, if you’re there for a quick coffee, it’s better to stand at the coffee bar. If you’re hanging with friends or enjoying some snacks, spring for a table.
5. Why are some Rome cafes called bars?
Bars serve all sorts of drinks in Italy, and that includes coffees. Many bars will focus on coffee drinks in the morning and transition to alcoholic beverages in the late afternoon. Learn more about the different types of Italian eateries and drinkeries here: What’s the Difference?
6. What is the most popular coffee in Rome?
Espresso is the most popular coffee in Rome, followed by cappuccino.
7. What is the cappuccino rule in Italy?
Italians have a rule that you do not drink cappuccino after 12:00 noon.
You definitely do not want to order one after dinner like my husband did during his first time in Rome.
8. What happens if you ask for a latte in Italy?
If you order a latte in Italy, you will receive a glass of milk. If you’d like what we Americans call a latte, order a caffè latte.
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