The Coffee Trick in Italy: You'll Save a Lot of Money

What could be more Italian than grabbing a quick coffee, hopping on your scooter, and zipping through the historic center of Rome to reach your workplace? It's hard to beat that... Coffee in Italy is a deeply rooted tradition. Now, to avoid breaking the bank on your upcoming trip to the country, we'll reveal the coffee trick that can save you a few dollars.

This beverage is essential for many Italians, commonly consumed several times a day. However, as with everything, there isn't just one way to prepare or present coffee. And beware, because there are so many types that you could almost earn a Master's degree just to remember them all: espresso (which Italians are already calling to be declared Intangible Cultural Heritage), espresso doppio, lungo, with panna, ristretto, macchiato, café latte, cappuccino, mocaccino, café freddo, americano, corretto, and even with parmesan... a long list that has one common denominator: its intense flavor and unmistakable taste.

Before revealing the coffee trick to save you a few dollars on your next visit to Italy, let us give you some tips so that you don't look like a clueless tourist in cities like Florence, Milan, or Rome.

You don't need to wear a flamenco dress or traditional outfit for them to know (without you saying a word) that you are as Spanish as a jamón de pata negra if you order a cappuccino after breakfast time. And do you know why? Because this drink, which drives us crazy with its frothiness and creaminess, is only consumed by Italians in the early morning. For the rest of the day, they still drink a lot of coffee, but they usually opt for other specialties like espresso or ristretto.

For Italians, it's almost a law to have a cappuccino with a delicious cornetto (which is basically a croissant) in the morning. Therefore, if you go to a café after noon and order your cappuccino with a pastry, don't be surprised if you catch some locals giving you the side-eye. For them, you are breaking one of their unspoken rules.

In Italy, we find establishments similar to our cafes and bars. Italian law mandates that prices be displayed in a visible location for the public; however, many travelers end up reporting some irregularities and inflated prices in the more touristy areas.

When it comes to having a coffee, you have several options... you can go to a café and wait to be served at your table or terrace (which will definitely hit your wallet, just a heads-up) or you can order it yourself at the bar. In the first case, you might be surprised when you pay the bill because they charged you for the coffee (which is still one of the cheapest in Europe), but with an additional charge for table service that can multiply the bill by 5.

The most economical option (which many travelers have already dubbed the coffee trick) involves self-service. In most Italian bars (which tend to be smaller), you need to get a ticket from the cashier with the drink you want and then, with the receipt, head to the barista to request your coffee. Once it's prepared, you are free to enjoy it either at the bar or at any small table they have in the establishment. And, oh surprise!, your coffee won't cost you more than 2 euros at worst.

With this little trick, you'll avoid the table service fee, which is the extra charge that has travelers scratching their heads, and you'll be able to enjoy your coffee both on the terrace and inside the establishment. And if you want to drink your coffee like a true Italian, note this: when they have a ristretto or espresso, they are usually quicker than lightning. They enter, pay, drink it in one sip... and continue on their way.