7 Best Cafes in Rome That You Must Visit in 2026

The best cafes in Rome combine excellent coffee with historic charm and a true Italian experience. Santa’ Eustachio Il Caffè, near the Pantheon, has been highly recommended for its output of some of the best espressos in the city. The Tazza D’Oro has been renowned among both the local community and tourists for its invigorating granita coffee. The Roscioli Caffè Pasticceria has a strong reputation among the best morning pastries and baked goods in the area. Faro – Luminari del Caffè has been identified as an important part of the third wave coffee scene in Rome, catering to the more modern and specialty coffee drinker. These seven cafes represent the most remembered spots on offer in Rome in the year 2026.

Short Answer

The best cafes in Rome are Sant’Eustachio Il Caffè, Tazza d’Oro, Roscioli Caffè Pasticceria, Faro Luminari del Caffè, and Sciascia Caffè 1919. Most are located near the Pantheon, Campo de’ Fiori, and Prati neighborhoods.

Quick Comparison: Best Coffee Shops in Rome

Sant’Eustachio Il Caffè Best Traditional Espresso

Sant’Eustachio Il Caffè, located in Piazza Sant’Eustachio between Piazza Navona and the Pantheon, has been making coffee since 1938. This famous coffee shop in Rome  still roasts its beans in-house with a wood-burning roaster from 1948.

What makes it special:

• The secret recipe makes an espresso that tastes really smooth and creamy
• The inside decoration of the 1930s with a tiled floor showing a deer emblem
• Only 100% Arabica beans from fair-trade cooperatives
• The water comes from a 2,000-year-old Roman aqueduct

Helpful hint: Here the coffee is served sweetened as standard. When ordering, if you want an unsweetened coffee, you should say “senza zucchero” (without sugar).

Useful info:

• Address: Piazza di Sant’Eustachio, 82
• Hours: Sunday-Friday 7:30am-12am, Saturday 7:30am-1am
• The price for standing at the bar is less than sitting

This is one of the best cafes in Rome where you can find out firsthand how authentic Italian coffee is prepared and drunk in the very same way as locals.

La Casa del Caffè Tazza d’Oro Granita is the highlight

Tazza d’Oro has been around since 1946, and it’s super close to the Pantheon – like, less than a minute away on foot. It’s known as one of the best coffee shops in Rome Itlay because they always make a really good, dark-roasted cup of coffee.

What makes it special:

• It would be criminal not to have a Granita di caffè with whipped cream on those scorching days
• The interiors are larger compared to Sant’Eustachio, but the place still gets very busy
• If you are visiting the Pantheon, this is the best spot to get your coffee

Must-try items:

• Granita di caffè con panna (iced coffee slush with cream)
• A typical espresso ristretto
• Coffee-flavoured chocolate beans nice idea for gifts

Practical details:

• Address: Via degli Orfani, 84
• Opening hours: Monday-Saturday 7am-8pm, Sunday 10am-7pm
• Walk-in is possible, but there will be a queue especially if you come mid-morning

The granita alone makes this one of the best cafes in Rome for breakfast during summer months.

Roscioli Caffè Pasticceria Best Breakfast Pastries

The Roscioli family has been baking in Rome since 1972. Back in 2016, they opened a cafe near Campo de’ Fiori, and it quickly became the best cafes in Rome for breakfast.

What makes it special:

• Maritozzo con panna (cream-filled brioche) a Roman classic made to perfection
• Specialty coffee from Torrefazione Giamaica Caffè in Verona
• The use of espresso machine designed especially for them
• Small communal table in the back for longer visits

Best items to order:

• Maritozzo con panna
• Pistachio croissant
• Orange cake
• Caffè doppio macchiato

Address: Piazza Benedetto Cairoli, 16

Hours:

• Monday to Saturday 7 am – 11 pm
• Sunday 8 am – 6 pm

If you want the best pastries, be sure to get there early.

The standard of the pastries here is as high as in specialized pasticcerias, so this is the place to go if you want to treat yourself to more than a coffee.

Faro Luminari del Caffè Best Specialty Coffee

Faro opened its doors back in 2016 when it was the very first independent specialty coffee bar in Rome. It offers a new way of looking at coffee: lighter roasts, single-origin beans, and alternative brewing methods.

What makes it special:

• V60 pour-over and Aeropress options
• Rotating selection of beans from international roasters
• Modern Scandinavian-inspired interior
• Staff trained in specialty coffee techniques

Why coffee enthusiasts should be the guests:

• Single-origin selections with tasting notes
• Flat whites and cortados prepared perfectly
• Filter coffee for those who want something a bit different
• House-made pastries and top-notch brunch

Some details:

• Address: Via Piave, 55
• Hours: Monday-Friday 7am-5pm, Saturday 8am-5pm, Sunday 9am-5pm
• Good Wi-Fi and laptop-friendly

This is one of the best cafes to work in Rome, especially for digital nomads seeking third-wave coffee quality.

Bar del Fico Best All-Day Atmosphere

For over 100 years, the address of Bar del Fico has been Piazza del Fico, in the neighborhood close to Piazza Navona. It is a coffee bar in the daytime, but turns into a cocktail bar in the evening.

What makes it special:

• Despite being centrally located, it has a genuinely local crowd
• Besides the afternoon chess games of old men under the fig tree
• Beautiful shabby-chic interior with varied seating
• Free aperitivo buffet with evening drinks

Best time to drop by:

• Mornings: Quiet and appropriate for working
• Afternoon: Chess gaming and people-watching
• Evening: There is a buzz of aperitivo scene

Contacts:

• Address: Piazza del Fico, 26
• Hours: Daily from early morning until late
• Wi-Fi available (with intermittent service)

If you are a traveller who wants to see how Romans use their local bar all day, this one reflects it right.

Sciascia Caffè 1919 Best Near the Vatican

Sciascia Caffè has been a beloved spot in the Prati area since 1919. It’s really close to Vatican City, which makes it great if you want to check out the local vibe and skip the usual tourist traps.

How it stands out:

• Caffè Eccellente an espresso served in a cocoa flower-shaped cup
• The founder Adolfo Sciascia’s original blend that was refined for more than 50 years
• A decor that reflects the old times with glass cases of coffee beans and chocolates
• The genuine ambience is created by the coffee lovers who are regulars in the place

Items to delight the palate:

• Caffè con cioccolato (espresso with chocolate)
• Gran Cappuccino Eccellente
• Cornetti with various fillings
• Winter hot chocolate

Useful info:

• Address: Via Fabio Massimo, 80/A
• Hours: Open daily, 7 AM to 9 PM
• Metro: Take the subway to Ottaviano (Line A) and then enjoy a nice short walk.

This place is very convenient if you just want to grab a coffee while at the Vatican. Also, coffee at this place is ridiculously cheap, an espresso will only set you back about €1.

Antico Caffè Greco: The oldest coffee shop in Rome

Major 2026 update:

The unfortunate thing is that Antico Caffè Greco closed its doors in October 2025 due to a rent dispute. The owner plans to reopen it some time in 2026 with new management, but the details are still not clear. So, you are advised to check the opening hours before planning your visit.

Established in 1760, Antico Caffè Greco is the oldest bar in Rome and the second after Caffè Florian in Venice in Italy.

Historical Significance:

• The famous personalities that have been here include Goethe, Byron, Keats, Hans Christian Andersen, and Mark Twain. Later on, Orson Welles, Princess Diana, and Pablo Picasso were among the customers.

• The cafe’s interior was decorated with more than 300 artworks
• The coffee shop was frequently featured in paintings and literary works

What to expect (if reopened):

• Red velvet upholstery and gilded mirrors
• A museum-level experience
• High-end prices (especially much higher when seated)
• A mix of tourists and stylish locals

Location:

• Address: Via dei Condotti, 86 (near Spanish Steps)

No matter if the interior will be remodeled by the new management, the place is still worth a visit for its historic value.

How to Order Coffee in Rome

Knowing a bit of Italian coffee culture could really make your stay at Italian coffee bars more fun:

Standing vs. sitting: The coffee bar is always cheaper when you don’t sit down, sometimes even less than 50% or more. Most Romans prefer to stand, have their coffee fast, and then go.

What to order when:

• Morning: Cappuccino (never after 11am for Italians) with cornetto
• After lunch: Espresso or caffè macchiato
• Hot days: Caffè freddo or granita di caffè
• Afternoon pick-me-up: Doppio (double espresso)

Ordering process:

• First pay at the cassa (cash register)
• Bring the receipt to the bar
• Order from the bartender
• Small tip (coins) is appreciated but not required

Best Cafes in Rome by Particular Needs

Breakfast best cafes in Rome

• Roscioli Caffè Pasticceria incredible pastries
• Sciascia Caffè 1919 typical Italian breakfast
• Bar del Fico chill vibe in the morning

Cafes with good working environment in Rome:

• Faro Luminari del Caffè strong Internet connection, space for a laptop
• Bar del Fico quiet mornings, nice atmosphere
• Barnum Cafe great coworking place with all facilities available

Coffee quality

• Sciascia Caffè 1919 innovative chocolate-coffee mixes
• Sant’Eustachio Il Caffè classico espresso to perfection
• Faro specialty coffee of the highest quality

Atmosphere

• Antico Caffè Greco historic splendour (check if open)
• Bar del Fico cool and authentic local vibe
• Sant’Eustachio Il Caffè a traditional Italian bar experience

Practical Tips for Visiting Rome’s Cafes

When to pick a cafe:

• 7-9 am: Early birds and breakfast cravers, crowded but very authentic
• 10-11 am: Time for a quiet coffee or be comfortable if you linger
• After lunch: Short espresso culture session
• 6-8 pm: Bar del Fico and other places for a refreshing aperitivo

What to stay away from:

• Ordering a cappuccino after getting close to noon (locals will spot you as a tourist)
• Trying to find a seat at the tables during peak hours if you don’t want to stay
• Cafes right on main tourist squares (typically overpriced, lower quality)

Estimated budgets:

• Espresso at the bar: €1-1.50
• Cappuccino at the bar: €1.50-2
• Seated service: Add €2-5 depending on the area
• Specialty coffee (Faro): €3-5

Closing Remarks

Rome’s coffee spirit can cater to each individual’s liking. If you are a fan of classic espresso, you must not miss Sant’Eustachio and Tazza d’Oro. Those who are after a great breakfast experience have to visit Roscioli. Contemporary coffee lovers will enjoy Faro’s style. Tourists in the vicinity of the Vatican should stop by Sciascia.

What is the greatest way? Literally, several. Each coffee house serves up different slices of Italian coffee culture through their doors, from the century-old traditions to present-day trends. So pack your comfiest walking shoes and make cafe hopping part of your Roman itinerary.

For more cafe recommendations across the UK and Europe, explore our guides at Best Cafes.