My Favorite Cafés in Montepulciano

Last updated on June 22nd, 2024

One of the best ways to relax in Italy is at a café with either a coffee, spritz or small snack. There is nothing quite as iconic!

If you are visiting Montepulciano, I have a few favorite cafés for you. I have been living just outside of Montepulciano for over ten years now and I am on top of the town’s café scene – from the classics to the newcomers.

Whether you are just looking to order a quick coffee, sit down for an Italian breakfast, have a glass of wine or indulge in an aperitivo – there’s a café in Montepulciano for you!

Note: In Italian, a café is called a bar. I will be using the words interchangeably in this article. When you see a sign for bar in Italy, it’s referring to a café.

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Bar Name	Location	Best For
Caffè Poliziano	Midtown	Elegant and memorable experience
Bar Enoteca Piazza Delle Erbe	Midtown	Classic Italian breakfast and outdoor seating
Bar Gelateria Duomo	Top of Montepulciano	Aperitivo / families
Da Pulcinella Bistro	Midtown	Quick refuel snack or coffee
Palazzo Avignonesi Caffetteria	Base of Montepulciano	Italian pastries and desserts

Caffè Poliziano

Address: Via di Voltaia Nel Corso, 27/29

Best For: American style breakfast and upscale experience

Caffè Poliziano is Montepulciano’s most important and historic bar. It’s certainly the most upscale and beautiful Montepulciano café with curated seating areas, a small outdoor terrace and beautiful sweeping views of the valley.

top view of small green tray with a cappuccino and brioche and various decorated pottery on a wooden table with a small dish of sugar packets on the left hand corner.

Come here and sit down anytime of the day for breakfast, coffee, drinks, lunch or even a gelato.

I recommend this caffè for travelers who want to indulge in a beautiful experience, one that is to be remembered. Because the interior is so beautiful, it’s best for rainy days or when you want to get out of the sun.

Good To Know: Caffè Poliziano has a wide selection of cookies and cakes to bring home as souvenirs and gifts as well.

Bar Enoteca Piazza Delle Erbe

People talking, eating, and drinking outside a wine shop in Italy.

Address: Via dell’Erbe, 1, Montepulciano

Best For: Casual coffee + quick lunches in Montepulciano

Bar Enoteca has a great location, situated just after the first large hill walking up to the top of Montepulciano from the base.

This is a spot where you will find many locals having a classic Italian breakfast and coffee beverage in the morning, chatting among themselves.

As the day moves on, this cafè plays host to more tourists, offering quick bites, great crostini, sandwiches and other nibbles.

I like to come here for a quick snack but they welcome you to take your time over a longer coffee break or cocktail before dinner.

Tip: Enoteche are great places to drink wine and buy wine in Italy.

Bar Gelateria Duomo

Red awning covers entrance and terrace of a bar in Montepulciano, Italy. People sit at tables drinking coffee and eating.

Address: Piazza Grande, 4/5

Best For: Aperitivo and simple coffee drinks such as espresso and cappuccino

Despite its name, this is more of a cafè than a gelateria. This is the central bar in Montepulciano’s largest square, Piazza Grande, catering to the hordes of tourists who are looking to rest their tired legs after the hike up.

side view of a beer in a glass with a bottle next to it and then in foreground a small tray with nuts, olives and taralli. — The aperitivo my husband and I ordered overlooking Piazza Grande in Montepulciano

Despite how ‘touristy’ this bar may be, it’s actually one of our favorites for an aperitivo or a quick coffee, mainly because of the location overlooking the piazza.

I’m not a huge fan of the food or the gelato. Come here just to admire Piazza Grande and let your kids run around.

Da Pulcinella Bistrot

Clock tower in Italian village of Montepulciano with statue ringing the large bell on the top. A couple of people stand near the base of the tower and you can see a few cars on the small roads.

Address: Piazza Michelozzo, Montepulciano

Best For: Classic Italian Breakfast & families

Come to Da Pulcinella Bistrot if you are with kids on your visit to Montepulciano. Pulcinella is right at the top, which your kids will have a fun time searching for while you sip on your coffee.

top view of two cappuccini in white cups with spoons and sugar on side of saucer.

It’s located not far from the base of Montepulciano just across from the Sant’Agostino Church.

Order your coffee and pastry inside and either eat it standing at the bar or sitting at one of the small tables outside.

Good To Know: Here is also a stop on the “hop-on hop-off” Montepulciano trolley, upon request. Get off here for your coffee fix and hop back on to the next passing trolly in about 20 minutes to continue your tour of Montepulciano!

Palazzo Avignonesi Caffetteria

Entrance to Caffe Avignonesi in Montepulciano, Italy. You can see someone ordering at the counter inside.

Address: Via di Gracciano nel Corso, 91

Best For: Pastries & desserts

Palazzo Avignonesi Caffetteria is one of the bars where all the locals go in Montepulciano. This bar is relatively new to the scene and has quickly become popular because of their great pastries, desserts and kind staff.

frontal view of child looking at a donut and glass of milk on a table with streets in background outdoors. — My son, Corso, eyeing his enormous donut and milk before he chows down at Caffè Avignonesi.

I come here if I need some extra time to work while my kids are in school (and eating a delicious lunch!). I never get the feeling that I am overstaying my welcome (which does happen at many Italian bars). The wifi is reliable and there are several plugs next to the tables.

Sit outdoors for great people watching when it’s nice outside and then head to one of the underground cellars at the historic cantine Ercolani or Pulcino closeby.

Looking for restaurant recommendations for your time in Montepulciano? Read My Top Picks – Montepulciano Restaurants.

Florence Travelers: If you are also planning a trip to Florence, consider my recommendations for the Best Coffee In Florence – A Florentine Local’s Guide To The Best Cafés In Florence.