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Best Coffee Shops in Rome
Read our guide to the best coffee shops in Rome, to have the best espresso in the Eternal City.
Published March 8, 2022
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Yker Valerio
Coffee experts@The Coffee Lab
Welcome to our guide to the best coffee shops in Rome!
In this blog post, I'll be sharing our top picks for the best places to get your coffee fix in Rome, based on our research on visitors' and experts' reviews and comments.
Whether you're looking for a cozy spot to curl up with a book or seeking out the perfect place to chill after a long walk, these cafes will not
disappoint you.
Ernest Hemingway once said, "If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life it stays with you, for Paris is a moveable feast." We can say the same about Rome and its coffee culture.
There is something special about waking up in the Eternal City and enjoying a cappuccino at one of its many cafes.
In this blog post, we will explore some of the best coffee shops in Rome, from old-school cafes that have been around for centuries to hip new spots where locals love to gather.
Just a top tip before we begin: if you're on a budget, sit at the bar because it's common practice to charge a considerable extra for table service.
Now, whether you're looking for an espresso or an Americano, read on for our guide to the best coffee shops in Rome.
Sant’ Eustachio Il Caffè
Sant' Eustachio is one of the most famous coffee shops in Rome. The café opened in 1938 and has been serving the locals since then.
The classic coffee shop is around the corner from the Pantheon. Sant' Eustachio uses beans from coffee cooperatives in the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Ethiopia, and Brazil to prepare its coffees, which are both classic and unpretentious.
For decades, the historical café has been building a solid reputation for serving the best coffee in Rome. Yet, the style and approach are closer to Italian traditions than to specialty coffee standards.
In addition to its wide variety of coffee drinks, Sant' Eustachio Il Caffè also offers an assortment of pastries and sandwiches. If you're looking for a unique yet classic coffee experience in Rome, be sure to stop by this iconic café.
Pergamino Caffè
Pergamino is a great spot to drink coffee before or after visiting the Vatican because it is very close to Saint Peter's Square.
This trendy spot became famous for its nitro cold brew coffee a few years ago, which you can get in cans and on tap. As you may know, nitro cold brew coffee is highly different from traditional Italian espresso drinks, making Pergamino a breakthrough in Rome.
They offer a wide selection of coffee drinks and pancakes in the morning and sandwiches during the day. But if you're looking for something special, be sure to try their nitro coffee - it's cold, potent, and perfect for energizing you before a night out.
Antigua Tazza d'Oro
Tazza d'Oro is another historic cafe serving up some of the best espresso and cappuccino in the city for over 70 years. They're also known for their granita al caffè, a delicious cold coffee drink.
The granita al caffè consists of espresso, sugar, and water that is poured over a bed of ice. The drink is then stirred until it gets a slushy consistency. This refreshing coffee drink is perfect for enjoying on a hot day.
If you're looking for great coffee in Rome, Tazza d'Oro is worth a visit. They also sell roasted coffee beans, tea blends, and other gift items. Curiously enough, they have a vending machine with coffee packs available every day, all day.
Tram Depot
This fun coffee shop serves a range of coffee drinks and methods, including siphon and dripper brews. It also offers cocktails, fresh juices, smoothies, and a small selection of pastries and sandwiches.
Unlike other fancy cafés, Tram Depot doesn't have any space for roasting coffee. There's nowhere to roast in this tiny shop, so it serves coffee beans from Torrefazione Lady Cafe.
Bear in mind that the Tram Depot is closed during winter due to its location and open design.
Sciascia Caffè 1919
When looking for a delicious cup of coffee while in Rome, be sure to check out Sciascia in the Prati neighborhood. This iconic coffee house has been serving up caffeine goodness for over a century. And it's easy to see why it's been such a popular spot with locals and tourists alike.
Espresso drinks here are especially legendary. The Sciascia signature drink is made of espresso served with a decadent layer of dark chocolate.
Delicious!
Antico Caffè Greco
You can't fully taste traditional Roman coffee shops without visiting the Antico Caffè Greco.
Antico Caffè Greco is the oldest coffee shop in Rome. This place is a legend among coffee geeks, as it's been attracting writers, artists, and intellectuals since 1860.
The vibe in this classic coffee shop is formal, and prices can be high, but it's worth a visit. At Antico, you'll find some of the best coffee in Rome, so make sure you try a cup!
Faro – Luminari del Caffè
According to Faro itself, it's the first specialty coffee shop in Rome.
Faro offers light roasts only, which is different from traditional Roman espresso bars.
Low bitterness and vibrant acidity are common in Faro's coffees. You won't find here creamy and intense espresso blends.
At Faro, you can choose from various brewing methods besides espresso. They offer AeroPress, siphon, and dripper coffee brews. Additionally, they have a great selection of coffee beans to choose from, including house blends and single-origins.
So if you're looking for an unconventional cup of coffee in Rome, Faro is worth checking out.
Roscioli Caffè
Roscioli is a small coffee shop with a lot of character. This tiny café is famous for its top-quality coffee, made with Arabica beans from Torrefazione Giamaica Caffè, an artisanal roaster based in Verona.
In addition to its great coffee, Roscioli Caffè is also known for another Roman specialty, the maritozzo. This cream-filled bun is the perfect pair to a great cup of coffee.
The terrace is cozy and beautiful, although the price difference can deter you from trying it. Still, if you aren't on a tight budget, it's a nice spot to sit and sip an espresso accompanied with a maritozzo.
Fax Factory
There are some great coffee shops in Rome, but if you're looking for the best coffee, you should check out Fax Factory. They know their coffee here, and they take their time to make sure each cup is perfect.
Thanks to its location and coffee approach, this hip cafe is a favorite among locals, and it's worth taking a tram ride to get there. You'll find plenty of street art as you walk from the tram to the cafe.
Fax Factory is cozy and sleek, with some of the best coffee in town, as well as a wide range of breakfast and lunch options. Whether you're in the mood for pancakes or an omelet, you're sure to find something to your taste here. And if you're a coffee-lover, you'll be blown away by the cafe's delicious roasts.
So next time you're in Rome, be sure to stop by Fax Factory for a cup of truly exceptional coffee.
Giolitti
Giolitti is a must for any coffee lover visiting Rome. They're well-known for their high-quality gelato, but they also serve up some great coffee. However, its constant flow of tourists may keep some locals away.
The place has a magnet for the famous. They pride themselves on having clients like John Travolta, Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, or the Obama daughters Sasha and Malia.
Besides gelato and coffee, Giolitti has decadent pastries and desserts, which are a great option to take with espresso.
Asking for an affogato is an intelligent option here during the summer, for sure.
Mondi Caffe
Mondi's coffees are among the best in the city, and you'll find them at many of the top coffee shops there. That's because Mondi is a coffee roaster too. Additionally, Mondi runs training courses for baristas and organizes coffee tasting events.
In other words, having a cup of coffee at Mondi can please connoisseurs and enthusiasts alike. However, they aren't costly or pretentious.
A cup of coffee in Rome
Rome is a city of endless possibilities when it comes to coffee. You can find traditional cafes with delicious espresso and tasty desserts, or you can venture into the trendy neighborhoods for a more modern cafe experience.
If you're looking for a great cup of coffee, any of the cafes on this list will do the trick. But if you're looking for something extra special, be sure to try one of the trendiest spots. They might have a longer line, but it's well worth it.
And if your favorite cafe isn't on the list, leave us a comment and let us know what makes it so great. We love trying new places, especially when they serve up some of the best coffee in town.
About the author
Yker Valerio
Yker Valerio (he/him) is a freelance content creator. After more than 10 years of working as a management consultant, he started his blog Bon Vivant Caffè to share his passion for specialty coffee.
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