Espresso, Etiquette, and Connection: A Guide to Coffee Culture in Florence, Italy
Placing your coffee order at home is second nature, but Italians approach this daily ritual a little differently than most of us in the US. And they take their traditions seriously. While you may be used to customizing your drink of choice with a carefully crafted mix of syrups, milks, and toppings, in Florence, attempting to order a venti caramel macchiato with oat milk will likely earn you some strange looks. Especially if you ask for it to go.
In Italy, coffee culture is all about savoring simplicity, caffeine as fuel, and connection. If you want to master the unspoken rules of coffee culture in Florence, feel confident when you walk into a cafe (or bar, as they’re called here) for the first time, and avoid a typical tourist faux pas, read our quick guide below before you travel so you can caffeinate like a local from the start.
COFFEE CULTURE IN FLORENCE: THE BASICS
COFFEE IS QUICK, SIMPLE, AND LOCAL. Florentines care about quality and coffee origin. Many bars use locally roasted beans and artisanal methods. Italians enjoy their coffee while standing at the bar (al banco), usually quickly, before getting on with their day. They might pair a morning coffee with a pastry. A post-lunch espresso, however, is simply an energy boost. In most cases, lingering too long is a pretty sure sign you’re a tourist.
MORNING VS. AFTERNOON COFFEE RULES. A golden rule of Italian coffee culture? Cappuccino is for the morning only. Ordering one after 11am might earn you a raised eyebrow. Why? Italians believe that milk-heavy drinks should not follow meals because they are considered harder to digest. With that in mind, most Italians stick to espresso (un caffè), or perhaps a macchiato, after lunchtime.
NAVIGATING THE FLORENTINE CAFÉ SCENE
KNOW YOUR COFFEE ORDER. Get to know some of the common options on a cafe menu. These will likely include:
Un caffè: A single shot of espresso. This is what the majority of locals tend to order.
Cappuccino: Espresso with steamed milk and foam. This is a great choice for breakfast.
Macchiato: Espresso with a dash of foamed milk.
Latte: Be careful here! If you just ask for a “latte,” you’ll be served plain milk. Order “un caffè latte” instead.
Caffè Corretto: Be aware that this one has alcohol. It’s an espresso that is “corrected” with a splash of grappa or sambuca.
Caffè lungo: A slightly diluted espresso. This is closer to an American-style coffee.
ORDERING COFFEE LIKE A LOCAL.
Here’s a simple, step-by-step guide to follow if you want to order your coffee like a local:
OBSERVE. Step inside and take in your surroundings before you make a move. You probably won’t find people waiting in line to order, so take note of how locals approach the bar and follow along.
PAY FIRST (USUALLY). At most traditional bars, you’ll pay for your drink before you order, but again, watch the locals to see if that’s the case. Always keep your receipt (scontrino) in case the barista asks to see it.
ORDER. Place your order politely and with confidence. For example, “Un caffè, per favore.”
STAND AND SIP. Unless you’re ready to pay a premium for table service, take a cue from the locals and stand by the bar while you sip your drink.
LEAVE POLITELY. When you leave, a simple “grazie” will always be appreciated.
A FEW TIPS AND NOTES.
Tipping is optional: Italians rarely tip for coffee, although rounding up to the nearest euro doesn’t go unappreciated.
Don’t expect iced coffee: If you’re craving something cool, in the summer, say, try a caffè shakerato (espresso shaken with ice and sugar).
Slow down: Instead of rushing out the door, embrace a slower, more mindful coffee experience while you’re in Italy. Skip the go-cup and savor the moment.
TAKING YOUR LAPTOP TO A CAFE
While the coffee culture in Florence is deeply rooted in tradition—with quick espressos at the bar and not much lingering—times are changing…a bit. Most cafes and bars stick to a no-laptop rule as standard, but there are some spaces that have evolved to cater to a younger generation of locals, digital nomads, tourists, and remote workers. While it’s important that they strike a balance of respecting tradition while embracing the needs of digital natives, we’re seeing a few more laptop-friendly spaces these days where you can enjoy a coffee, linger a while, and get some work done. But—take note—this is almost always true only on weekdays!
Here are a few of the more laptop-welcoming cafes to try:
Ditta Artigianale: There are several branches of this American/Italian-co-owned cafe in Florence. For example, there’s one of the best right by the Arno River on Lingarno Soderini street, and another in the Old Town near Palazzo Vecchio. This is a fun and colorful cafe where you can order breakfast, pastries, and lunch. You’ll see customers here with laptops any time of day and there are plugs galore, so you can stay fully charged while you tap out your assignments. This is also a rare find for specialty coffee lovers seeking something beyond the traditional Italian espresso.
La Cité: This is a female-owned, cozy cafe with hipster vibes. There are pastries and sandwiches and their lunch menu changes daily. Again, laptops are allowed here, but on weekdays only.
Menchetti: You can bring a laptop here, but expect questions before they let you sit with it. If you’re “not working,” but maybe find it easier to book flights, look at photos, or plan your week from a laptop, there’s a good chance they’ll say yes. They do have tables with plugs, and the staff are lovely.
Sit ’N’ Breakfast: This is not a cafe as such, but an actual co-working space where you can pay for a desk and grab breakfast. They have meeting spaces, a coffee shop, and a bookstore.
You’ll find a local pride in the city’s coffee culture, a long history, and a more traditional approach than in bigger cities like Rome or Milan. Embrace the differences here and start taking the Florentine coffee culture on board. The espresso machines are humming away, awaiting your arrival. What will your go-to order be?
Be sure to tag us @edodyssey from your favorite coffee spot when you study abroad in Florence.
