The roasters writing the coffee scene in Rome: who they are, where they source from and where to drink it.
The roasters writing the coffee scene in Rome. who they are, where they source from, and where to drink the result.
Sant'Eustachio in Rome has roasted espresso blends over a wood fire since 1938. The roastery sells whole bean retail and runs the Gran Caffe Speciale at the front counter daily.
Tip: The whole-bean Gran Caffe Speciale retails at 18 euros per 250g bag; wood-fire flavour is the city classic.
Sources from: Brazil, Colombia, Ethiopia
How they serve: Espresso, Whole bean retail
Faro in Rome's Prati district is the third-wave roaster pouring single-origin filter and espresso, the bean rotation changes weekly with the cupping flight Friday at 18:00.
Tip: The Friday cupping session at 18:00 is free; subscription packs run 18 euros per fortnight for 250g.
Sources from: Ethiopia, Colombia, Brazil, Kenya
How they serve: Espresso, Filter, V60, Whole bean retail, Subscription
Pergamino Caffe in Rome by the Vatican is the third-wave roaster with single-origin Ethiopian and Kenyan lots, Aeropress and V60 brew bar and whole-bean retail by the kilo.
Tip: Open from 07:30; bring your own keep-cup for a half-euro discount. Closed Sunday.
Sources from: Ethiopia, Kenya, Colombia, Costa Rica
How they serve: Espresso, Filter, Aeropress, Whole bean retail
Tazza d'Oro in Rome's Centro Storico has roasted classic Italian espresso blends since 1944, with the wholesale bean operation supplying half the Centro Storico bar trade.
Tip: The whole-bean Regina dei Caffe blend retails at 12 euros per 250g; granita di caffe is the summer order.
Sources from: Brazil, Colombia, Guatemala
How they serve: Espresso, Whole bean retail
Cofficina in Rome's Salario quarter is the resident roaster Tommaso Bisciaio's small-batch operation, with monthly cupping nights and a brew bar pouring V60 and Aeropress.
Tip: First Friday of the month cupping is free; weekly subscription packs run 14 euros for 250g.
Sources from: Ethiopia, Brazil, Colombia
How they serve: Espresso, Filter, V60, Whole bean retail
Caffe Vitti in Rome's Centro Storico is the 1898-founded espresso bar with a small in-house roaster, the working-quarter espresso ritual and a gelato counter at the front.
Tip: Open daily 07:00 to 22:00. The whole-bean blend retails at 14 euros for 250g; espresso is 1.20 at counter.
Sources from: Brazil, Colombia
How they serve: Espresso, Whole bean retail
Ditta Artigianale in Rome (the Florentine roaster's Roma outpost) is the third-wave coffee bar with single-origin filter, the city's strongest cold-brew programme and a brunch carte.
Tip: Open daily 08:00 to 23:00. The cold-brew flight tasting at 16:00 is the slow-coffee ritual.
Sources from: Ethiopia, Brazil, Colombia, Burundi
How they serve: Espresso, Filter, V60, Cold brew, Whole bean retail
Peak food season in Rome is year-round.
Local dining hours: lunch around 12:30, dinner from 19:30.
service is typically included; small extra is welcome but not expected.
Ask the next local you meet what they would order. Rome rewards trust.