Ciampini in Rome's Centro Storico is the 1947-founded piazza cafe with gelato counter, the lunchtime carte and the espresso ritual on Piazza San Lorenzo in Lucina.
Tip: Open daily 07:00 to 23:30. The piazza terrace fills at lunch; the gelato counter has 24 daily flavours.
Address: Piazza San Lorenzo in Lucina 29, 00186 Roma, Rome
Antico Caffe della Pace in Rome's Centro Storico is the 1891-founded literary cafe with marble counters, the famous wisteria-fronted terrace and a late-night cocktail carte.
Signature drink: Espresso, cocktails
Tip: Open 09:00 to 02:00. The wisteria terrace blooms in April and May; book a fortnight ahead for those weeks.
Sant'Eustachio Il Caffe in Rome's Centro Storico has roasted espresso over a wood fire since 1938. The Gran Caffe Speciale at the counter is the city's defining espresso ritual.
Signature drink: Gran Caffe Speciale
Tip: Order at the cassa first, then take the ticket to the bar. Two euros at the counter, four at the tables.
Tazza d'Oro in Rome by the Pantheon has roasted espresso since 1944. The granita di caffe con panna is the summer ritual; the standing-counter espresso runs about 1.20 euros.
Signature drink: Granita di caffe con panna
Tip: Order the granita di caffe con panna in summer; counter-stand espresso year-round. Closed Sunday.
Roscioli Caffe in Rome's Centro Storico is the espresso-and-pastry counter from the Roscioli family. The maritozzo con la panna is the morning ritual, the espresso is the city standard.
Signature drink: Espresso, maritozzo con panna
Tip: Open from 07:00; the maritozzo sells out by 11:00. Bar-stand espresso is the steal at 1.50 euros.
Antico Caffe Greco in Rome on Via dei Condotti has run as a literary cafe since 1760. The historic 18th-century rooms are protected national heritage; espresso is served at marble tables.
Signature drink: Espresso, cioccolata calda
Tip: Counter espresso is the price-saver; the historic back rooms charge five times more.
Antico Caffe della Pace in Rome's Centro Storico is the 1891-founded literary cafe with marble counters, the famous wisteria-fronted terrace and a late-night cocktail carte.
Signature drink: Espresso, cocktails
Tip: Open 09:00 to 02:00. The wisteria terrace blooms in April and May; book a fortnight ahead for those weeks.
Panella in Rome's Esquilino quarter is the bakery-cafe with marble counters, daily pizza bianca and pizza rossa by weight and the busiest cornetto-and-espresso bar east of Termini.
Signature drink: Espresso, cornetto, pizza bianca
Tip: Open 07:00 to 22:00 daily. The pizza bianca lunch counter is the working-quarter steal at three euros per slice.
Sant'Eustachio Il Caffe in Rome's Centro Storico has roasted espresso over a wood fire since 1938. The Gran Caffe Speciale at the counter is the city's defining espresso ritual.
Signature drink: Gran Caffe Speciale
Tip: Order at the cassa first, then take the ticket to the bar. Two euros at the counter, four at the tables.
Tazza d'Oro in Rome by the Pantheon has roasted espresso since 1944. The granita di caffe con panna is the summer ritual; the standing-counter espresso runs about 1.20 euros.
Signature drink: Granita di caffe con panna
Tip: Order the granita di caffe con panna in summer; counter-stand espresso year-round. Closed Sunday.
Roscioli Caffe in Rome's Centro Storico is the espresso-and-pastry counter from the Roscioli family. The maritozzo con la panna is the morning ritual, the espresso is the city standard.
Signature drink: Espresso, maritozzo con panna
Tip: Open from 07:00; the maritozzo sells out by 11:00. Bar-stand espresso is the steal at 1.50 euros.
Antico Caffe Greco in Rome on Via dei Condotti has run as a literary cafe since 1760. The historic 18th-century rooms are protected national heritage; espresso is served at marble tables.
Signature drink: Espresso, cioccolata calda
Tip: Counter espresso is the price-saver; the historic back rooms charge five times more.
