Caffe latte og iskaffe (Photo credit: Wikipedia) How to Be Part of the Coffee Bar Culture in ItalyBy M. Cowan
Want to fit into & feel part of the lively coffee bar culture in Italy?
Busy local bars (cafes) in Italy attract a steady stream of regulars who drop by daily for a quick coffee (espresso) and later on a quick drink, to get caught up on local news with each other, glance at the newspapers, and chat back and forth with the barista. Cafes are a type of gathering place for the community.
Later they usually offer a variety of freshly made sandwiches so you may return there for a quick bite. At any time of day you can choose from a wide choice of drinks from fruit juice to wines to hard liquor like scotch to liqueurs.
Breakfast in bars in Italy is typically an espresso, caffe latte or cappuccino with a croissant or similar pastry. At home most people have a caffe latte and biscuits or bread with jam and that's it, the continental breakfast. Many better hotels offer a wider choice for tourists like ham, cheese, cereals, fruit and yoghurt. But why not have breakfast Italian style at a bar with local people and mix and mingle? It will also cost less than your hotel breakfast.
