Italian Coffee Rules Tourists Always Break
Order espresso wrong in Siena and the barista will give you a look. Here's the playbook.
# Italian Coffee Rules Tourists Always Break
Tourists make the same coffee mistakes everywhere in Italy. Avoid the eye-roll.
What visitors ask
Cappuccino after lunch?
Italians don't do it. Order an espresso or macchiato after noon.
'Latte'?
In Italian, latte means milk. You'll get a glass of cold milk. Say 'caffè latte' or 'latte macchiato'.
Drip coffee?
Doesn't exist. Closest: 'caffè americano' (espresso + hot water).
Where to drink?
At the counter, standing. Cheaper than sitting (€1.20 vs €3.50).
Pay first or after?
Pay at the cassa, hand the receipt to the barista. Different system from US.
Local tip
Best cheap thrill in Italy: pay €1.20 at the counter, drink your espresso in two sips, leave. That's the local move.
Related guides
Final word
Questions we didn't answer? Write us at redazione@visitsienaguide.it — your question probably helps the next traveler.
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