Masterpieces around every corner, cobbled alleys, beautiful fountains, Baroque churches and scenic piazzas are everywhere in Rome’s historic centre and beyond. Walking around Rome is wonderful but it can also be exhausting and a nice coffee, tea, cake or savoury snack is often what we need to keep going. Believe me, I know!
Here, I will tell you about some of my favorite coffee shops in Rome that I often suggest to my clients and include in my custom itineraries in Rome.
Lumiere Prati
Lumiere is also a bistrot that serves food all day, but it’s on my list of favorite coffee shops in Rome because I always went for just a quick bite out of eating hours and never for a proper meal.
In fact, at Lumiere’s, I haven’t just tried their coffee because when I enter somewhere just for coffee, I have it Italian style, standing at the counter. But since this place is nice and cozy, I like to take a sit and sip my drink slowly. Along with their coffee, I have also tried their tea selection and pastries.
Caffè Eustachio
Their coffee is by far one of my favourites in Rome: creamy and sweet, Naples-style. But grabbing a table here is quite a hard task. Located behind the Pantheon, this is probably one of the most crowded areas in Rome so Caffè Eustachio, be it its position or its products, is never quiet.
Inside, Caffè Eustachio is quite small and there is no place to sit. Its tables are right outside on the piazza but they are very limited so you really need to be lucky to find one empty. I never did but I wouldn’t sit either because it’s just too busy and it doesn’t give me the relaxing vibe that I need when I want to take a break.
Despite the crowds, however, any time I’m around the Pantheon, I make it a point to treat myself at Caffè Sant’Eustachio. My experience here is the typical Italian coffee experience: standing at the counter and quickly drinking the shot.
Sciascia Caffè 1919
Sciascia Caffè is another one of my favourite coffee shops in Rome, located in the Prati neighbourhood near the Vatican. It’s not as crowded as Caffè Eustachio, but there is a steady flow coming and going at any time of the day. Here, in fact, you can also stop for a light lunch and an evening aperitif.
They serve a fantastic coffee with chocolate, a real treat for coffee lovers. Of course, you can also order tea or any other soft or alcoholic drinks. If you have a sweet tooth, their pastries are lovely. We tried the cinnamon one and it was delicious.
Linari
This is a bar and pastry shop that is also one of my favourite breakfast places in Rome. It’s located in Testaccio, so not exactly in the historic centre but still a great neighbourhood to explore because of the many historic relics to see and the great traditional restaurants.
Linari is famous for its pastries and every time I’m in Testaccio, I like to treat myself to breakfast there. Sometimes even a second breakfast if I had my first at home!
Ercoli
Granted, Ercoli is not a coffee shop strictly speaking, but it’s open the whole day so you can also stop there for breakfast or a coffee any time. They serve a wide range of absolutely delicious pastries that they fill with what you prefer, whether it’s pistachio cream, chocolate, jam or anything else.
Another reason why I like to sit here it’s because Ercoli is actually large and comfortable and you won’t be elbow to elbow with your neighbour. It’s located in Trastevere, a quite busy area, so this peaceful corner is a nice place to relax and recharge before resuming your sightseeing.
Faro
Faro is located in the Trieste Nomentano neighbourhood and serves specialty coffee. If you don’t know what this is and you are adventurous when it comes to trying new foods, don’t miss Faro.
Specialty is a high-quality coffee for its blend but also because of the toasting time, not too much so that it doesn’t give a burnt flavour and also retains the organoleptic properties of the beans. Together with the coffee, you can try their pastries, delicious and of good quality.
Need help planning your Italy trip? Check out my tailor-made travel services!
