to sell cold brew nitro coffee, both in cans and on tap. Last but not least, Barnum, right in the heart of Rome. The coffee is crafted with Arabica beans from Le Piantagioni del Caffè in Livorno, Tuscany, and here you’ll be able to enjoy a delicious filtered coffee. Barnum is also knows for its fabulous cocktails – and if you’re hungry they also offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus. Other notable mentions include: Tram Depot, in Testaccio, a peculiar one: it serves coffee from a vintage green tram car, and only has outdoor seating – which means it’s open only from March to October. Also Tram Depot uses Le Piantagioni del Caffè coffee roasts. Ristorante Atelier Canova Tadolini is the place you want to go if you love art and sculpture. This was one of the studio of Italian sculptor Antonio Canova, whose incredible marble sculptures are displayed in Borghese Gallery in Rome. The café honors the artist by filling the whole building with a sculpture collection, so you will sip your coffee while sitting next to some great work of art. In conclusion, Roman cuisine is the result of millennia of converging influences, but it’s fair to say that it mostly comes from traditions that were based on poverty. So it’s no surprise that Roman dishes are humble and inexpensive but also popular for their aggressive flavors. But even historic Rome isn’t immune to new trends so the Capital food scene is constantly evolving and welcoming influences from other regions of Italy but also from North Africa and Southeast Asia. At the end, it doesn’t really matter your food philosophy when in Rome, since you’ll be able to taste the most stellar food anyway – if you are open to be selective and choose well during your tour. EC EC
COFFEE. Welcome to the home of espresso. Italy has a very developed coffee culture but, just like any other food, Italian coffee is not always good. Sometimes coffee will be served too hot or even burnt, sometimes the bean quality is just low. Ideally, you should be served something fruity, complex, and delicious. That’s why it’s important to include a little guide for coffee in Rome as well. Remember that the coffee experience in Italy is pretty quick, and most people will drink their espresso standing up at the bar (al banco). If you want to sit at the table, expect to pay some extra, especially in the city center. Now, before diving into the best coffee places in the Capital, a small vademecum of the typical Italian coffee drinks: espresso, a shot of espresso; doppio, double shot of espresso; caffè americano, espresso shot with hot water added afterwards, the most similar to brewed coffee; decaffeinato, a shot of expresso without caffeine; caffè macchiato, an expresso shot with a splash of milk; cappuccino, one shot espresso, steamed milk, and foamed milk on the top; latte macchiato, steamed milk with a splash of espresso. The list is not extensive but it covers pretty much most of the possible coffee orders. Opened in 1760, Antico Caffè Greco is the oldest coffee shop in Rome, and the second-oldest in all Italy. Writers, artists, and intellectuals have frequented this historic bar over the years including Hans Christian Andersen, Casanova, Keats, Goethe, Shelley, Mark Twain and Orson Welles. The vibe is formal and the prices high, but in return you will get an Old World atmosphere with red velvet, gold decorations, marble tables and waiters wearing tuxedos. Unfortunately, the Antico Caffè Greco is currently under threat of closure but the café owner is fighting to keep it open and gain more
cultural and heritage protection for the historic property. Just around the corner from the Patheon, you will find Caffè Sant’Eustachio, still historic but rather unpretentious. The bar selects coffee beans from cooperatives in Dominician Republic, Guatemala, Ethiopia, and Brazil. Some of their specialties include Il Gran Caffè, Caffè d’Elite, and Il Gran Cappuccino. Again, close to the Pantheon you will also find Antigua Tazza d’Oro, established in 1946 and well-known for its granita al caffè: an icy, slushy coffee drink served with whipped cream. Arm yourself with patience since places like this can get crowded but the reward is guaranteed. Close to the Termini station there’s Faro, the first specialty coffee shop in Rome, which is unlike a typical Italian bar: it’s a contemporary space with a very international vibe, where customers can sit, relax, and sip their coffee at leisure. There’s plenty of choice and their espresso menu is vast and varied. It’s recommended to have their coffee without sugar, since the roasting process is deliberately light and delicate to avoid bitter notes. It’s a great place to purchase coffee as well. Roscioli Caffè is tucked in Trastevere, and is part of the Roscioli family that owns also a restaurant and a bakery in Rome. The shop is tiny but their true espresso is worth the queue. Here you will also find one of the best maritozzo (cream-filled bun) of the Capital. Have it together with your coffee for a close-to- heaven experience. If you are near the Vatican, don’t miss Pergamino, another small place but rich in taste. They’re highly selective with their ingredients, both milk and coffee beans, so expect some excellent drinks. Plus, it’s probably the only place in Rome
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EC Magazines | London-Tucson Edition 2022
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