In bars in Italy, customers often buy coffee drinks, wine and spirits, soft drinks, as well as morning cakes and sandwiches called panini ( one panino is a sandwich, two sandwiches are panini ). In larger bars, many flavors of the famous Italian ice cream or gelato (really more frozen milk) can also be served.
Italian bars are the center of social life in Italy, but they are not a place to consume large amounts of alcohol. People of all ages can go to the bar; there are no age restrictions – children are welcome and a common sight when people take their families to their local watering hole. You can see groups of Italians playing cards, watching television, or just meeting to talk.
Italians can visit their local bar several times in the morning for coffee and again in the afternoon for an aperitif or pre-dinner cocktail. The typical Italian breakfast is a cappuccino or espresso and cornetto often in a bar. Stopping for coffee on the way to run an errand or when you go somewhere with your friends is common in Italy. Please note that the coffee drink you order at home may be different from the one you will get in Italy. A “coffee” is often just a shot of espresso, whereas what most Americans think of coffee is actually an Americano.
In bars in larger cities, and especially those close to tourist centers, it will cost more to sit at a table and often even more if the table is outside than to stand at the bar because you will also pay for the service. The prices are published: al banco means the price for consuming a drink at the bar or alla tavola means the price at the table. Smaller town bars often do not impose table charges.
If you want to sit outside in a plaza for coffee, plan to spend some time enjoying the atmosphere. Once you’ve ordered something, you can stay as long as you want without having to order anything else. Italian service is neither rushed nor rushed, so be prepared to ask when you need your bill. If all you want is a quick drink, you better go in where you will pay less.
Some bars or cafes in Italy are beautifully decorated and entering is a pleasure. For example, Caffe Delle Carrozze in Chiavari has a beautifully carved marble bar. They also have great house coffee. Also, the city of Turin was one of the first Italian cities to embrace the coffee life and there are several historic coffee shops that are nice to visit.
