How to Order an Espresso in Italy

The first step is correct pronunciation. Many American restaurants, advertisements and common people refer to this deep dark shot of coffee as ‘Expresso’. The correct word is ‘Espresso’. Tip: there is no letter ‘X’ in the Italian language. Words that make use of that letter have been incorporated from foreign languages, usually English (‘Box’, for example refers to a personal car garage).

Next: where to find the coffee.
Strolling around any Italian city, you will notice numerous signs indicating the presence of a Bar. I get the impression that in the States, a bar refers mainly to a locale that offers alcoholic drinks. Saying ‘I’m going to a bar’ at 2:00 PM would probably elicit stares. Not so in Italy.

An Italian bar offers everything from coffee to freshly squeezed juice (spremuta), from Grappa to a shot of JD. Hence, Bars are populated at all hours of the day. It is safe to stumble in at 8 AM, wearingly begging for some caffé’.

We are now in the bar. In some cases, you will walk directly to the high counter and make a request, however, many bars require an additional step: approach the cash register, prepay for your purchase, then head to the counter (banco) with your receipt and state your business. If the bar is full of men in suits and chattering women, you’ll probably have to shout to be heard, as baristas in uniform scurry from machine to pot to counter.

Here comes my favorite part: Espresso being the father of all coffees as far as Italians are concerned, you would order it using one word only: CAFFÉ’.

That’s right, forget all the X’s and S’s discussed previously, and just ask for a caffé’. That will automatically
Produce an espresso. For a bigger shot, use the description ‘Lungo’ (long), and for a mini-espresso, ask for ‘Stretto’ (lit.: narrow).

To recap:
Espresso= Caffé’.
Large espresso= Caffé’ lungo.
Small espresso= Caffé’ Stretto.

Don’t be fooled, these sizes have nothing to do with the American Small, Medium and Large coffees dispensed in Starbucks or Dunkin’ Donuts. A regular espresso consists of about 1 ½ inches of brew, and the lungo and stretto are not that much larger or smaller.

In Rome, you will pay 70 Eurocents for your café’. Some bars will change between 80c-1 Euro, depending on the location.
Armed with your receipt, you will approach the counter, wave the slip of paper and announce ‘un caffé’. A barista will immediately slam a plate and teaspoon onto the counter in front of you. The matching miniature cup will follow after a few seconds, filled with aromatic and dark, strong espresso.

Most Italians dunk half or a whole packet of sugar into their caffé’, but you may obviously do as you wish. Following the local custom, you will take in the aroma, then gulp down your revitalizing café’ in a couple of large sips. Espresso is so small the most bar patrons consume it standing up at the bar, while chitchatting with friends and coworkers. Many bars charge extra if you take a table, so be aware.

Thus reenergized, you may now walk back to your workplace or resume touring the town. Repeat as wanted.