My 9 Favorite Places For Coffee In Rome - The Best Coffee In Rome & What To Order

Last updated on February 26th, 2025

Rome is home to an extraordinary variety of coffee establishments, ranging from timeless landmarks that have been serving the Eternal City for generations to trendy cafés with more modern approaches to coffee.

No matter your preference or budget, there is a coffee for you in Rome!

Let’s take a look at some of the best places in Rome to get coffee. I’ve divided them into two main groups:

historic Roman coffee shops
innovative, modern cafes

All of my suggestions are based on first hand experience in Rome since moving to Italy in 2012.

For each coffee spot, I’ll include:

the location
notable nearby attractions
distinctive features that make each cafe unique

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Map of the Best Coffee in Rome

Quick Guide to the Best Coffee in Rome

Name	Address (Neighborhood)	Nearby Tourist Attraction	Best For/What To Order
Sciascia Caffè	Via Fabio Massimo 80/a (Prati) with two other locations just north of Prati (Via Sabotino 35) and in the Piazzale delle Provincie 10 (near Tiburtina/Bologna).	Castel Sant’Angelo and The Vatican	Decadent coffee drinks / elegant coffee experience
La Casa del Caffè Tazza D’Oro	Via degli Orfani 84 (Historic District)	The Pantheon	Granita di caffè con panna (coffee flavored granita served with whipped cream)
Roscioli Caffè	Piazza Benedetto Cairoli 16 (Historic District)	Campo de’ Fiori	Classic Italian breakfast with pastries and coffee in the morning
Faro	Via Piave 55 (Sallustiano)	Villa Borghese (15-minute walk)	House-roasted specialty coffee
LOVE Specialty Croissants	Via Tunisi, 51 (Prati)	Vatican City	Coffee with a hipster vibe
Barnum	Via del Pellegrino 87 (Historic District)	Campo de’ Fiori	Coffee with brunch
Tram Depot (Only in the Summer)	Via Marmorata 13, Testaccio	Aventine Hill	Coffee outdoors / off the beaten track coffee in Rome
Pergamino Caffè	Piazza del Risorgimento 7, (Prati)	St. Peter’s Basilica / Vatican City	AeroPress coffee /Syphon pot coffee
Fax Factory	Via Macerata 77, (Pigneto)	Outside city center	Unique international roasters

Coffee Lovers: Be sure to read up on
Coffee in Italy
47 Ways to Drink Coffee in Italy
How To Order Coffee in Italy
Italian Coffee Brands – To Enjoy in Italy and at Home
Italy’s Best Coffee – Florence – Venice – Rome

Best Coffee In Rome in Detail

Historic Roman Coffee Bars

Historic Roman bars are the first category in which I walk you through the city’s oldest and most charming cafes to date. These are notable established bars that have served some of the best coffee in Rome since day 1 when they opened decades ago (if not a century ago!).

These types of bars are classic Italian in terms of style, feel and service. They tend to be a bit nicer and are better for sitting down and lingering over your coffee in a nice atmosphere. Either drink your coffee standing at the bar for a reduced price or pay a much higher price tag sitting down.

Sciascia Caffè

People sit and stand at tables in front of Sciascia Caffe in Rome.

Via Fabio Massimo 80/a (Prati) with two other locations just north of Prati (Via Sabotino 35) and in the Piazzale delle Provincie 10 (near Tiburtina/Bologna).

Nearby Attraction: Castel Sant’Angelo and The Vatican

Best For: Decadent coffee drinks / elegant coffee experience

Sciascia Caffè has been a Roman institution since 1919. Known for its artisanal approach to coffee, Sciascia has become famous for turning even the simplest espresso into something decadent with a signature dark chocolate coating inside the cup.

For an extra special coffee, try their signature “Caffè 1919” made with espresso, chocolate, and almond cream, an affogato with zabaione gelato or a “French coffee” made with cognac (also known as a caffè corretto). And this is just the peak of the iceberg.

The café’s elegant old-school interior makes it the perfect stop for a special breakfast before visiting the Vatican. Alternatively, come here afterwards for an aperitivo.

Good To Know: Sciascia not only makes some of the best coffee in Rome but has delicious seasonal granita in the summer.

La Casa del Caffè Tazza d’Oro

Hand holds up coffee drink with whipped cream in front of Tazzo d'Oro coffee shop in Rome.

Via degli Orfani 84 (Historic District)

Nearby Attraction: The Pantheon

Best For: Granita di caffè con panna (coffee flavored granita served with whipped cream)

Opened in 1946 as an extension of its coffee roastery, Tazza d’Oro is a must-visit for coffee lovers in Rome but is not where to go for a nice atmosphere. Located around the corner from the Pantheon, it is famous for serving some of the best coffee in Rome, in particular, for its granita di caffè, a blended frozen coffee and ice drink topped with whipped cream (it only comes in plastic cups at bar and to-go, which is what most people do).

Tazza d’Oro has a typical old-school Italian bar vibe with a bustling energy and full of locals grabbing a caffè before going back to work. If you don’t have the budget, time or desire to sit down at one of the few tables outside, grab your coffee at the bar, have it standing and pay half the price (this is true for most bars in Italy).

Good To Know: Tazza d’Oro also sells their roasted coffee blends, which make for a great souvenir or food gift from Rome.

Sant’Eustachio il Caffè

Man stands in doorway of entrance to Sant'Eustachio coffee shop in Rome. Yellow signs with menus and prices decorate the doorway.

Cup of espresso on a metal surfase with a piece of art seen through an open space. This is at Sant'Eustachio coffee bar in Rome.

Piazza di Sant’Eustachio 82 (Historic District)

Nearby Attraction: Piazza Navona

Best For: Gran Caffè (espresso with a frothy twist)

Dating back to 1938, Sant’Eustachio is known for its closely guarded coffee-making secret which is used to create some of the best coffee in Rome. The Gran Caffè, a slightly sweetened and frothy espresso, is made behind a small wall (see second picture of my coffee with a man making more behind the silver wall) so it’s impossible to see how they get that golden froth on top of each coffee. If you don’t want it sweetened, you need to specify this or it will come sweet. Of course, you can order other coffee beverages but anyone will tell you that it’s almost sacrilegious to come here and not at least try the Gran Caffè.

This is the coffee shop my husband first brought me to when I was a student in Italy. The coffee tastes the same as it did in 2012 and surely, as it did back in 1938.

Sant’Eustachio has some outdoor seating but it’s limited and unlikely you will snag a table. Instead, have your coffee standing elbow to elbow with the locals. This historic Roman café also sells beans, ground coffee and other sweet treats to bring home with you..

Good To Know: Cul De Sac, a small, casual restaurant is just a 5 minute’s walk from here on the other side of Piazza Navona.

Roscioli Caffè

Napkin with maritozzo on a black dish next to a cup of espresso at Roscioli coffee shop in Rome.

Piazza Benedetto Cairoli 16 (Historic District)

Nearby Attraction: Campo de’ Fiori

Best For: Classic Italian breakfast with pastries and coffee in the morning

Just next door to the famed Salumeria Roscioli, this café offers a refined coffee experience with some of the best pastry in town.

Roscioli Caffè, part of the Roscioli conglomerate, makes not only some of the best classic Italian coffee in Rome but also has plenty of drinks for international tourists as well such as a pour-over. I always opt for classic Italian drinks like a cappuccino or caffè macchiato, which is what I think they do best.

Keep in mind this is one of the most popular spots in Rome for breakfast so be prepared for a bit of chaos. Don’t expect to find a table but rather, grab your pizza rossa or maritozzi and eat standing.

Eating in Italy Basics: If you are curious to know more about navigating dining in Italy, you may be interested in
How To Order Food In Italian
Tipping In Italy – When & How Much From A Local
What Is A Coperto? All About Italy’s Cover Charge
A Visitor’s Guide To Eating In Italy
How To Order Food In Italian
Italian Meal Structure

Modern or Specialty Coffee in Rome

The terms “modern” or “specialty” coffee are used to describe coffee that emphasizes the use of ethically sourced and frequently single-origin beans, with a focus on the country of origin. It often includes less traditional roasting styles and coffee flavor profiles. In Italian cities, these more modern coffee bars tend to be less traditional compared to the format of a regular Italian bar and more trendy or “cool”.

These coffee shops are more like cafes in which you are welcome to spend more time, perhaps even work and serve more wholesome food with an international menu. Below are my favorite newer additions to the coffee scene not only because they make some of the best coffee in Rome but because of their atmosphere and menu in general.

Faro

Barista pours coffee at a bar in Rome while two patrons stand at the bar. Foreground has a wooden table with a red espresso cup and saucer.

Via Piave 55 (Sallustiano)

Nearby Attraction: Villa Borghese (15-minute walk)

Best For: House-roasted specialty coffee

Faro, meaning “lighthouse,” was one of the first modern coffee shops in Rome to open. Here, they make a wide selection of coffee beverages including cold brews with their own bean line. I was pleasantly surprised how the staff was so eager to help pick the right coffee. Like some other specialty coffee houses, this one is a bit expensive but you can really taste the difference in what they are brewing.

Come here and enjoy your coffee and foods you might be craving while in Italy such as brunch specials with international favorites like eggs and sausages in a cool atmosphere, mostly filled with locals. They also serve classic Italian pastries.

LOVE Specialty Croissants

Cup of coffee with heart decoration in foam on top in a cafe in Rome, Italy.

Via Tunisi, 51 (Prati)

Nearby Attraction: Vatican City

Best For: Coffee with a hipster vibe

LOVE Specialty Croissants, as you can probably tell from its name, makes some of the best french-style croissants in the city but also, some of Rome’s best coffee to go alongside.

The hipster vibe is fun and modern, as well as the coffee it serves including the Spanish cortado (my favorite) and the Australian Flat White. This is my top pick for tourists around the Vatican who want not only good coffee but good pastry in a cool setting.

Barnum

Via del Pellegrino 87 (Historic District)

Nearby Attraction: Campo de’ Fiori

Best For: Coffee with brunch

Barnum blends specialty coffee with an ever changing lunch and dinner menu including very good croissants and brunch specials right in the heart of the Historic District.

They make a ton of traditional coffee beverages as well as more innovative drinks and pour-overs. You’ll be lucky to get a table here as it’s always busy no matter what time of day you come. Equally good are their cocktails, which you can get until they close at 3:30 pm after lunch.

Tram Depot (Only in the Summer)

Via Marmorata, 13 Testaccio

Nearby Attraction: Aventine Hill

Best For: Coffee outdoors / off the beaten track coffee in Rome

Nestled under the trees in Testaccio, Tram Depot is a retro-style coffee kiosk housed in a restored tram carriage in a green area of Testaccio. Known for its laid-back vibe, it serves coffee, cocktails, and light bites throughout the day to mostly students and locals. It’s a short walk from the Piramide metro station, making it easily accessible but it’s enough off the beaten track that you won’t find many tourists.

Pergamino Caffè

White coffee cup on saucer in front of wall with map of where the cafe's coffee beans come from and the menu at Pergamino coffee shop in Rome.

Piazza del Risorgimento 7, (Prati)

Nearby Attraction: St. Peter’s Basilica / Vatican City

Best For: AeroPress coffee /Syphon pot coffee

Pergamino Caffè is a specialty coffee spot located near the Vatican in Rome best for travelers looking for craft coffee with a taste from home. Their menu offers a wide selection of international favorites such as pancakes and muffins paired with classic Italian pastries and other snacks.

Just to be frank, I want to underline that this article is about the best coffee in Rome, not the food. I like to come here for the coffee. I don’t absolutely love the food BUT it’s so convenient and casual that I know many of you will appreciate it after a Vatican tour. Pergamino is probably my top pick for bringing coffee home as a souvenir or gift because of the chic packaging,

Good To Know: There is Starbucks in Rome, with five locations situated downtown. As a tourist visiting one of the coffee capitals of the world, I urge you to skip it!

Honorable Mention: Fax Factory

Via Macerata 77 (Pigneto)

Best For: Unique international roasters

Located in Pigneto, Fax Factory combines a specialty coffee shop with an art gallery. Unfortunately, it’s far out from the city center so I felt I couldn’t include it in one of my top choices for the best coffee in Rome. Fax Factory sets themselves apart featuring beans from niche European roasters in a cool, artsy setting.