Act Italian: Fare la Scarpetta 🥖

Act Italian: Fare la Scarpetta

In Naples , I ordered ragu' ( pasta with sauce) .

It was tomato-y perfection and I quickly decided that no I would not share, and inhaled it all.

The sauce , with bright parmgiano and meat  in it , was my favorite bit.

“Fare la scarpetta” translates literally to “make a little shoe.”  It refers in practice to cleaning your plate with a bit of bread.

If you want to dine like an Italian, tear off a small piece of bread and sop up all your sauce. Your finger is the leg, propelling your “little shoe” of bread along the saucy dish.

It is the closest you can come to (politely) licking your plate, and a ritual that any lover of pasta sauce should adopt.

To be honest, the scarpetta  is usually reserved for tomato sauce pastas, but If you are a rule breaker you can  enjoy the  scarpetta with many dishes ( pasta with seafood , pasta with patatoes/mushrooms......)

Buon appetito!

🛎️  ONE DAY IN NAPOLI " STREET-FOOD TOUR ITINERARY " ( no museum - no visting)   🌶️🥘🥐🍸☕🍋 - follow the link below 👇 

https://visitnaplesandamalficoasttraveltips.blogspot.com/2024/10/one-day-in-napoli-street-food-tour.html

🛎️  What to eat unique in Naples: alternative itinerary - no pizza, no mozzarella 🥪🍝  - follow the link below 👇 

https://visitnaplesandamalficoasttraveltips.blogspot.com/2025/01/what-to-eat-unique-in-naples-no-pizza.html

🛎️  The best traditional restaurants serving pasta in Naples 🍝  -  follow the link below 👇

https://visitnaplesandamalficoasttraveltips.blogspot.com/2025/01/the-best-traditional-restaurants.html

🛎️  LOCAL RESTAURANT IN NAPLES - NOT TOURIST TRAPS 2024-2025  🥘🍲☕( Personally tasted )  - follow the link below 👇 

https://visitnaplesandamalficoasttraveltips.blogspot.com/2024/10/local-restaurant-in-naples-not-tourist_22.html

Using Credit Cards in Italy (by Janet )💰

Using Credit Cards in Italy

In the past ten years, it has become increasingly common to use credit cards in Italy. As of 2019, many brick and mortar businesses (including stores and restaurants) now accept most international cards.

Visa and MasterCard are the most commonly accepted credit cards in Italy, and while American Express is accepted in some places, there are retailers who cannot accept it due to the higher fees that they incur. 

Small Italian businesses like coffee bars and market stalls will probably not accept credit cards because they deal with relatively small sums per transaction and do not have the machines needed to accept cards.

Things to Know about Using a Credit Card in Italy

🔴 The Italian for “credit card” is pretty easy: carta di credito. Some businesses advertise that they accept cards with small logo stickers in the window – but if you see a “no carta di credito” sign, you should plan to pay with cash.

🔴Alert  your credit card company that you plan to travel to Italy to avoid having any attempted purchases instantly declined. Ask about foreign transaction fees to find the best deal and avoid unexpected charges on your next bill.

🔴 When you pay with a credit card in Italy, your credit card will be charged in front of you. This means that if you are paying at a restaurant, for example, the waiter will bring the small device to your table so you can see that you are being charged the correct amount and that you are only being charged once.

🔴 If you are paying with an American credit card in Italy, you may be asked to select if you want to pay in euros or dollars. I almost  always select euro because my card has a favorable exchange rate. The exchange rate offered automatically may not be the best deal but you should check with your credit card company about foreign transaction fees in order to make an informed decision yourself.

🔴  If you a renting a car in Italy, make sure you bring a credit card in the same name as the person whose name will be the main driver on the rental contract.

🔴 Naples  taxis are technically required to accept credit cards, but they may tell you that their machine is broken and ask for cash.

🔴 Chip and tap cards are both accepted in Italy. If this is not working for some reason, they can also swipe the card. 

Debit Cards and ATMs in Italy

Speak with your bank before you travel in order to be able to use your debit card in Italy. As long as there is no block on your account, you can use foreign debit cards in Italian ATMs and in any shop that accepts credits cards (because the handheld card reader accepts both). Your debit card must have a chip in it because debit cards will not work with only a magnetic strip to swipe.

Fees to use your debit card in Italy depend on your home bank, so check with them to be sure. However, using a debit card to take out cash from an official ATM is the best way to get euros. Exchanging dollars to euros at somewhere like a Western Union or airport exchange desk is a sure way to lose a lot of money in commission fees.

When I am taking money out using my American debit card in Italy, I always take out the maximum and I recommend you do the same. My bank charges a flat fee per withdrawal, plus a currency conversion fee, so I try to minimize the number of transactions of this kind that I need to make.

Having cash is always a good idea because while credit cards are widely accepted in Italy, you cannot use them everywhere. Mobile payments are also extremely rare, so bringing a debit card as a way to obtain cash is highly recommended.

It’s hard to find small merchants in Italy that accept credit cards.  Italian banks are starting to push for more credit card use, but it’s not catching on very quickly,  maybe cash-only is cultural policy.

I’ve got no problem with cash.

I DO have a problem with Italian ATMs.  Italian ATMs are out of service about 80% of the time.  They are either out of money (yes, out of money. They just run out. No one reloads them), or simply broken for some inexplicable reason.

So here are my tips to making sure you get cash since credit cards aren’t as widely accepted as you might expect 

1.Go in the morning right after the bank opens. It is less likely that the machines will have run out of cash if you go earlier in the day.

2.Walk a couple of blocks, shaking your head and muttering to yourself about how much simpler life would be with credit cards until you find a working ATM.

12 Ways to Stay Safe in Naples 💪

12 Ways to Stay Safe in Naples 

Worried about saftey in Naples ? It never hurts to be cautious but rest assured that Naples  is safe, for a major European city.

The monuments, the flaking ochre and red  palazzi, the cobblestones, the sea … Naples  can feel like Disneyland.

It is a city. A major city, where real wages have stagnated and benefits have been cut.  Naples  is a city that is incredible to visit, but its residents are not always benefitting from the global economic upturn. There is a trickle-down effect between the economy and safety in Naples , so its always best to be sure.

It is a city filled with wonderful people, but as with any place, there is always a group who will take advantage. And it is much easier to take advantage of a foreigner in a strange land who has succumbed to the allure of 1 euro shots.

The drinking age in Italy is 16 for beer and wine, and 18 for liquor.  Being released from the confines of a country that raises the drinking age to 21 means that young Americans might go a little crazy when given the freedom to drink whatever they want.  I get that.  But here is where I start to sound like your father : just because you CAN, doesn’t mean you SHOULD.

Here are common sense tips for how to stay safe in Naples  (and for just saying safe in general wherever you might be):

1. Know the Italian emergency numbers.

General Emergency: 113

Police (Carabinieri): 112

Fire (Vigili del fuoco): 115

2. Sign up for the US STEP: Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (link in my blog - bottom page   ) . This way your nearest Embassy will know how to contact you in case of an emergency. [Most other countries also have an equivalent]

3. Don’t go on a pub crawl. Spend your time and money doing something more Neapolitan  if you want to experience the city. Get a glass of wine at a local bar, or check out ongoing events for something more exciting.

4. Always stay with someone you know. Keep an eye out for each other.  Traveling alone? That’s ok too! Naples  really is quite safe but common sense applies.

5. Know your limits. It is not just about looking out for your friends, but also about looking out for yourself.

6. Don’t accept drinks from people you don’t know and don’t leave your drink unattended. This is as true in Naples  as it is anywhere else in the world.

7.Be aware of your surroundings. This is a much bigger risk of pickpockets who will opportunistically snatch your phone or wallet. 

Bag in front of you all times  as it is anywhere else in the world.

8.Don’t leave valuables in plain sight. Driving in Naples ? Be sure that you take everything with you out of the car. Suitcases piled on backseats and charging iPhones look might tempting and you may come back to smashed windows and 0 stuff.

9. Have copies of your important documents stored electronically, or left with family at home to ensure you can easily replace anything that is stolen, and quickly cancel stolen cards.

10. Avoid certain areas at night, or at least use good judgment. These include parks (which should be closed), the darkened areas around Stazione Centrale and Piazza Garibaldi  , and as much as th area has improved, I have noted that it is not a place for nighttime wandering.

11. Pick secure accommodation. Best area :  Centro Storico/Spaccanapoli  , Chiaia , Vomero and Lungomare (waterfront  )  My fav is Centro storico and Chiaia to get a real experience 

12. If you want to live la bella vita, you also need to embrace la bella vita . This means keeping up a good public image, not losing control, and still enjoying all the good things that Naples  has to offer.

11 Dining Habits that Make You Look Like a Tourist in Italy 🙌

 11 Dining Habits that Make You Look Like a Tourist in Italy 

Eating out in Italy is a fantastic opportunity to enjoy an important part of the country’s culinary culture.  But making a mistake at the dining table is also a surefire way to out yourself as a tourist.

There are unwritten rules about how and what to eat when dining out in Italy. In order to avoid any missteps, here are 11 habits that make you look like a tourist:

1. Cutting your pasta: Have you ever wondered why there are so many different shapes of pasta? They have each developed from a local context and go perfectly with a certain kind of sauce or topping. Pasta is not used interchangeably – the right shape is always selected for a reason. So long pasta is meant to be long! Practice twirling, or even ask for a spoon for help, but never cut your pasta.

2. Piling lots of different kinds of foods on to one plate: In Italy, the vegetables on the menu almost never come with the main dish. If you order meat, you are getting meat and probably nothing more. Salad, cooked vegetables, meat, and pasta are all served on their own plates and not mixed together. There are a few buffet exceptions, but if you are sitting down to eat then take your time. Focus on one food at a time instead of helping yourself to everything at once.

3. Asking for modifications: Italians take food allergies and celiac disease very seriously, so please do speak up if you have special dietary needs. However, asking the chef to hold an ingredient or leave something on the side because you simply don’t like it? Go ahead and proceed at your own peril. The chef knows best, and many restaurants will dismiss a request to change a dish. But if you are traveling with a child or a vegetarian and don’t see anything suitable on the menu, go ahead and ask politely. The kitchen will likely be able to accommodate this.

4.Chicken and Pasta: Pasta is traditionally a first course, with meat being served separately as a second course. While there is no need to always order multiple courses, you should be aware that meat and pasta are rarely served together. Spaghetti and meatballs, for example, is more Italian-American than Italian. In Italy, those meatballs (polpette) are served as a secondo. One meat you will never find on pasta or pizza in Italy is chicken. If you are craving a bit of bird, try pollo alla cacciatora  (A hearty, rustic stew made with chicken and vegetables simmered in a tomato sauce rich with wine and herbs) or scaloppine  di pollo  (chicken in a lemon-butter sauce.  ).

5. Eating cheese with a fish dish: Continuing on the pasta rules – you will give yourself away if you ask for parmigiano to sprinkle over your frutti di mare pasta. There are very few exceptions to this rule (cozze e pecorino come to mind), but in general it is simply not done to add cheese to any fish-y dish. And tuna melts? Forget it.

6. Dipping bread in olive oil: Italy makes some of the world’s best olive oil so it is natural to want to indulge in some extra. Bread is often brought to the table right before the meal is served, and you will likely be charged for it. However, dipping bread in olive oil is distinctly non-Italian. The amount of oil absorbed is seen as too much. Instead, drizzle the oil over the bread. Or better yet, order a bruschetta aglio e olio e pomodorino . 

7. Getting artichokes in August: Italian food is seasonal, particularly the produce. Keep an eye out for menu items that seem out of place, such as artichokes in summer. The same goes for strawberries sprinkled on your gelato in winter – it is pretty much guaranteed that those ingredients are frozen instead of fresh. Keep an eye out for an asterisk* after menu items. Restaurants are required to disclose when they use frozen ingredients and usually do so with a mark on the menu. Skip those and ask for the plate of the day instead (piatto del giorno).

8. Asking for tap water: The tap water in Italy is perfectly good to drink – so why can’t you do it at a restaurant? While you technically can order tap water, it is simply not done.  Treat yourself to a bit of frizzante (Lete or Ferrarelle are the most requested my fav is Lete  ) if you can’t bring yourself to pay a euro for naturale, but know that asking for tap water will almost definitely peg you as a tourist.

9. Ordering more wine than food: It is totally normal to order wine with pretty much any meal after breakfast. However, the key is that wine is really only normally enjoyed WITH food. Even if you order wine during happy hour, you are likely to receive a few snacks alongside your glass.  Feel free to indulge in a bit of a vino, but be prepared to order food to go along with the boozey break.

10 . Drinking a cappuccino after your meal: This is an oft repeated “rule” to dining in Italy for good reason – milk after meals is simply not done. This is because of the generally held belief that milk is bad for digestion. So a cappuccino with your meal? Really really bad for digestion. Enjoy it in the morning, and then opt for a caffe macchiato after a meal if you need the espresso to be cut with a dash of dairy ( schiumato).

11. Tipping :  Last but not least, leaving the table can be just as fraught with potential pitfalls as ordering can be. While you are welcome to leave as much as you like for excellent service,  but "be careful"  only cash tips and at the table to the waiter/waitress   (NOT AT THE CASH REGISTER)  . Here is a helpful guide to tipping in Italy with a bit more information .

🛎️What’s the rule for tipping in Italy? ⭐

https://visitnaplesandamalficoasttraveltips.blogspot.com/2025/04/whats-rule-for-tipping-in-italy.html

🛎️  LOCAL RESTAURANT IN NAPLES - NOT TOURIST TRAPS 2024-2025  🥘🍲☕( Personally tasted )  - follow the link below 👇 

https://visitnaplesandamalficoasttraveltips.blogspot.com/2024/10/local-restaurant-in-naples-not-tourist_22.html

🛎️ The best traditional restaurants serving pasta in Naples 🍝 - follow the link below 👇 

https://visitnaplesandamalficoasttraveltips.blogspot.com/2025/01/the-best-traditional-restaurants.html

🛎️ Vegan / Vegetarian Restaurant Guide to Naples 2025 💚 -  follow the link below 👇

https://visitnaplesandamalficoasttraveltips.blogspot.com/2025/02/vegan-vegetarian-restaurant-guide-to.html

Yes, Americans Need a “Visa” to Travel to Italy in 2026 – How to get it ( By Karen ) 💼

Yes, Americans Need a “Visa” to Travel to Italy in 2026 – How to get it  ( By Karen ) 

Updated  29 April 2026 

Starting in 2026, US citizens will need a (kind of) visa to visit Italy.

Before anyone freaks out, the new rule is actually more of a visa waiver program than a visa requirement and will be known as European Travel Information and Authorization System , or ETIAS.

I have many  American friends  and they  have always had a visa to live in Italy, but you currently do not need a visa to visit Italy for less than 90 days within a 180 day period if you have an American passport. 

Once the travel restrictions are eased, Americans can still book their return flights and show up in Italy without a visa and without worrying about obtaining the official waiver through the end of 2024. And it is not just Americans – currently there are 1.4 billion people living in the 60 countries with visa free entry, and all will now have to register with ETIAS for pre-authorization to enter. 

Initially, the program was slated to start in 2021. That has now been pushed back because of delays with Europe’s travel tracking program (and likely because of the travel interruptions caused by the global health crisis). In 2020 it was announced that US citizens will still need to have a visa waiver in the future to visit European countries which are a part of the Schengen – an area made up of 26 European countries that currently allow passport-free travel between their borders. 

The new ETIAS system is very similar to what most non-Americans need to enter the U.S.:ESTA  – Electronic System for Travel Authorization. And that is what US citizens will need to travel to Italy in 2026 – an authorization, not a visa.

Visas are hard to get and involve a great deal of documentation and scrutiny. The new system will likely be an online application that will take a few minutes to complete. Most people will pay a small fee (likely less than €20) and be approved instantly. A few others will need to provide additional documentation, and a very select few will be denied. 

Once you have applied and been approved, your ETIAS should be valid for four years, so you don’t need to apply every time you want to visit Italy or other Schengen countries in Europe. You simply need to keep track of your application number and be ready to share it when you speak with the border control.

My friend Karen is  familiar with the ETSA process because her husband is an EU citizen, so he always has to ensure that his authorization to travel is valid if they are visiting the US.

In a way, it makes perfect sense to institute the equivalent back to Americans. Visas work on reciprocity – so if your government holds foreign nationals to one standard, then you should expect the same treatment from the foreign government. European officials also see this as an anti-terrorism measure.

When it goes into effect in 2024, if you don’t have the ETIAS visa waiver as an American, you might not be able to board your flight. However, the exact date when ETIAS will launch has not been announced. To be honest, while it is still slated to launch in 2024, the fact that no dates have been announced means that it will likely be delayed again. However, even if it all comes online quickly, since it is not intended to deter tourism, there is very likely to be a grace period… but eventually you will apply Here. 

“Before boarding, air carriers and sea carriers will need to check whether third country nationals subject to the travel authorisation requirement are in possession of a valid travel authorisation.”

However, for now, there is nothing to worry about or change in your immediate travel plans.

In the next few years, all you will have to do is one more step at least a few days before you fly. Annoying perhaps, but certainly worth it for security. 

What’s the rule for tipping in Italy? ⭐

 What’s the rule for tipping in Italy?

There’s no pressure to tip in Italy. Unlike in other countries, where a service charge is automatically added to the bill or a standard tip is expected, tipping in Italy is based on unwritten rules and is a personal choice.

Having said that, it’s absolutely not rude to tip in Italy. Actually, it’s a way to show service workers gratitude for doing an exceptional job.

If you’re not satisfied with the service, there’s no need to feel obligated to leave a tip. Plus, it’s customary to leave gratuities to staff only, and not to business owners. And if there aren’t gratuities for street food, tipping for food delivery is a nice gesture.

How to tip in Italy ?

If you decide to leave a tip, there’s no set amount or percentage you’re expected to give. But according to the unwritten rules I mentioned earlier, it’s considered polite to leave a small amount, such as rounding up the bill or leaving a few extra coins.

By the way, when I say coins, I mean anything from 50c and above. If you’re considering leaving anything less, then it’s better not to tip at all to avoid making a brutta figura (bad impression).

The way you tip is also important. Tipping in cash is best

Also, it’s usually better to leave a tip on the table than to hand it directly to the server. It helps keep things discreet, which prevents awkwardness or embarrassment.

Lastly, remember that tipping etiquette varies depending on what kind of place you’re visiting or what service you’re getting. You might tip more at an upscale restaurant, especially if the service was superior, but in a more casual café, a small tip will do (round the bill) .

Tipping in Italian restaurants

In Italy, it’s common for restaurants to include an additional fee, which can be either a coperto or servizio, on your bill. Although some sources may suggest that these fees serve as a substitute for a tip, this is not entirely accurate.

Coperto is not a tip but rather a fee that covers the use of tablecloths, cutlery, bread, and other essentials while dining (basically it’s the setup fee…). This practice dates back to Medieval times when people sought refuge in inns and restaurants to escape the cold and stay covered (which literally means coperto in Italian). The coperto fee, which is typically €1 to €3 per person, must be clearly stated on the menu and does not go towards the waiter’s compensation.

Servizio, on the other hand, is essentially a gratuity that some restaurants automatically add to large groups’ bills. It can range anywhere from 15% to 20% of the final bill. Be sure to check the bill for servizio fees. If they’re included, there’s really no need to tip on top unless the service was stellar.

After clarifying this, if you’re pleased with the service and would like to leave a mancia to show appreciation, the amount of your tip is entirely at your discretion. However, as per the unspoken guidelines I mentioned at the beginning of this post, let’s just say it depends on the size of the bill, your level of satisfaction, and the type of restaurant you’re in.

Generally, for a casual meal it’s common to leave a couple of euros or tell the waiter to keep the change (for example, if you owe €48, give €50). On the other hand, if you’re in a high-end establishment, you may choose to leave as much as 10% of the bill.

TIPPING IN ITALY WHEN ORDERING COFFEE AT A BAR

Here’s another tipping dilemma: do I have to tip for coffee?

Typically, you can  tip at cafés, especially if you order at the counter (round the bill with  small changes ). However, if you sit down to enjoy your drink, you can show appreciation for the service with a little extra on the bill ( extra 10% or more  )

Just rounding up the total or adding a small coin is enough. For example, if your cappuccino cost €1.20, you could just leave 30 centimes. Remember that, especially in big cities, some bars will raise menu prices for sitting at a table – something comparable to a restaurant’s coperto or servizio fee.

Tipping in Italian hotels

In Italy, tipping isn’t expected for short stays at bed&breakfasts or guesthouses. In bigger hotels, though, tipping the porter or friendly staff who serves you during your stay is always a nice gesture. Here are a few guidelines:

Porter: a €1 euro gratuity per piece of luggage is customary when the hotel porter carries your luggage to your room
Concierge: a tip between €5 and €10 is appropriate if the service provided you with top-notch recommendations or information that isn’t easily found elsewhere
Housekeeping: a thoughtful way to show appreciation for a spotless room is to leave a small daily tip of €1-€2 during your stay. Consider leaving the tip well visible in your room every day.

ITALIAN TIPPING VOCABULARY

Here are some terms and expressions around gratuities that might be helpful when you are at a restaurant or bar in italy :

Il conto per favore (The bill, please): in Italy, you will only receive the bill after you specifically request it from the waiter. In certain cafés, however, the bill may be presented to you when your drinks are served.
Mancia (Tip): this is the word we use in Italy to refer to a gratuity
Tenga il resto (Keep the change): this is what you say when handing the money to your waiter at the end of the meal expressing gratitude for the service provided; if they appear to be of a younger age, you can us the informal version, Tieni il resto.

What is an Aperitivo in Italy?🍹

 What is an Aperitivo in Italy?

One of the things that I really cherish about my life  are the small social interactions that revolve around food. This can mean shopping at a local market to interact with the vendors, making small talk with the barista over a morning caffè, and of course, sitting down for an aperitivo. Aperitivo in Italy is an aperitif drink, but it is about more than getting a buzz (and does not even need to be alcoholic!)

More than just the Italian equivalent of happy hour, aperitivo is that blissful moment between the end of work and the business of dinner. It is a time to catch up with friends, enjoy a well-earned cocktail, and simply reflect on the day and future plans. The Italian aperitivo is about recognizing that the productive part of the day is done. Is the delineation between your work obligations and your personal time. Aperitivo is usually available from about 5 pm to 8 pm. After 8, it is time to start thinking about a real meal.

Almost any coffee bar will serve aperitivo before closing at dinner time. You can also find fancier aperitivo options at cocktail bars, which begin to open at this sunset hour. Some bars will become known for their aperitivo food options, while others are eternally popular for their settings (think a sea-side spritz in Chiaia, or drinks overlooking the rooftops of Naples ). 

Meaning of Apertivo

Aperitivo refers to an early evening drink that is meant to “open the appetite.” Often made with bitter liquors because an aperitivo is meant to prime your stomach for dinner – the main event. Aperitivo does not mean “happy hour” but the timing of the drinks are similar in both cases.

But don’t expect happy hour prices! Drinks served for aperitivo in Italy can often be a little bit MORE expensive rather than less. This is because of the food that accompanies the drink. You can’t really be expected to whet your appetite without a few snacks, now can you?

What to Order 

What to order for your aperitivo is ultimately a question of personal choice. The most iconic Italian aperitivo is the spritz. This bold red drink is made with either Campari or Aperol (which is slightly sweeter and has a brighter appearance), plus white wine, and topped with fizzy water. The last ingredient is a “spritz” that gives the drink its name.

The most traditional Italian drink is actually vermouth – a fortified wine flavored with herbs.

However, these days you can truly order any drink for aperitivo, and don’t need to stick to the traditionally bitter cocktails. Prosecco, wine, and beer are all common drinks when out before dinner. (Though don’t plan to order wine if you are out AFTER dinner. That tends to strike locals as odd because wine is something to be enjoyed with food).

Check the menu because different drinks sometimes lead to different prices for your aperitivo deal. (e.g. house wine is often one price, while cocktails come in at €1-€2 more on average).

For non-alcoholic options, crodino is a bitter drink without the buzz of a spritz (and much nicer than chinotto, if you ask me). You can also request a cocktail anacoholico (without alcohol). The bartender might ask if you want bitter or sweet, and then propose something that they can mix in house. 

Prices will depend on the location and how elaborate the included food options are. The most average price in Naples  is about €8 for a drink and aperitivo snacks. However, you can find this as low as €5 if you order a simple drink like a beer and the bar serves a small bowl of peanuts or chips

NIGHTLIFE IN NAPLES ITINERARY ( best bars for an aperitivo   + bistrot + squares /hang out) 🍷🎶🍸🍽️🎺 

https://visitnaplesandamalficoasttraveltips.blogspot.com/2024/10/nightlife-in-naples-itineray-best-bars.html

Why (Most) Italians Don’t Drink Cappuccino After 11 am ⭐

Why (Most) Italians Don’t Drink Cappuccino After 11 am

I receive a lot of worried messages asking me if it is true that Italians NEVER drink cappuccino after 11 am, and what visitors can do if they really want that coffee fix later in the day.

While there is no law in Italy that bans a cappuccino after 11 am, you really won’t find many Italians drinking this milk-heavy coffee after breakfast time.

In Italy, a cappuccino tends to be a drink reserved for the mornings. Italian breakfasts tend to be small and sweet, and the large amount of milk in the cappuccino corresponds to a mini-meal in itself. The heaviness of the cappuccino balances out the rather tiny quantity of food that is usually consumed in the first hours of the day.

So while you can always find a barista with coffee and milk – the two ingredients they need to make you a cappuccino regardless of the hour- most Italians avoid the drink after lunch. Lunches in Italy are sizeable affairs, so the idea of drinking half a cup of milk after a full meal does not sit well with most locals. In the same way, most Italians would never pair cappuccino with savory food (which tends to be consumed from lunch onwards).

So you don’t need permission to order a cappuccino after 11, and it is not some irrecoverable faux pas. BUT you may raise a few eyebrows or be subject to some good-natured teasing about your coffee preferences if you order the drink after a meal. If you are really concerned about fitting in, then you may want to keep your cappuccino consumption before 11 am.

So what is a milk-loving coffee drinker to do?

If you don’t like espresso on its own, you ask for a caffè macchiato – a coffee with a small dollop of steamed milk. If you want to try something different and delicious, order a Brasiliano. This is a coffee with a small bit of steamed milk, and powder chocolate! (cacao in polvere)

And if you don’t drink dairy, please know that Italy is a bit behind on the plant milk trends. You can ask for a soy milk cappuccino (cappuccino di soya), and should expect to pay a small fee – like 50 cents more than a regular. Some of Rome’s better specialty coffee bars will have oat milk.

Oh! And don’t order a “latte.” Latte is simply “milk” in Italian, and milk is all you will get. You can instead ask for a “latte macchiato.” This will be a large glass of steamed milk with a few drops of espresso.

5 Best Italian Cocktails and the cherished Aperitivo 🍹

 5 Best Italian Cocktails and the cherished Aperitivo 

Italy is probably more often associated with wine, but there is also a long history of liqueurs (often bitter to help with digestion). As a result, there are fantastic combinations of bitters, sparkling wines, seasonal fruits, fresh herbs, to create mixers and garnishes for classic cocktails. While young Italians certainly go out for a night on the town, cocktails also appear at aperitivo time. Aperitivo is a cherished Italian tradition that takes place before dinner. It typically involves enjoying a pre-dinner drink accompanied by a selection of small snacks or appetizers. Aperitivo drinks can range from classic cocktails like the Spritz, Negroni, and Americano to wine, prosecco, and vermouth-based concoctions.

While the term “best” is always subjective, there are some Italian cocktails that stand out for their popularity. I highly recommend sitting in a piazza (town square) and spending a hour watching the Italian world go by and eavesdropping on the chatter of neighboring tables while you sip a spritz.

Keep in mind that Italy’s diverse regions have their own unique cocktail specialties. For example, in the northeastern regions like Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia, the Spritz is a popular choice, while in Sicily, citrus-based cocktails and liqueurs take center stage. Exploring regional specialties allows for a taste of the distinct flavors and traditions of each area.

Here are the best Italian cocktails: My fav!

1. Spritz: If you are seeing bright orange-red cocktails everywhere you turn in Italy, that is a spritz. There are two typical variations: the Aperol Spritz is made with Aperol (an Italian bitter liqueur), white wine , and a “spritz” of soda water. Sometimes prosecco (sparkling wine) is substituted for a simpler preparation. The second version is a Campari Spritz. Campari is slightly more herb-y and bitter so stick with Aperol if you prefer sweeter drinks. It is typically garnished with an orange slice and/or a green olive and served over ice. In Venice, you can try a third version made with the herbal Select liquor. It’s a perfect choice for aperitivo time.

2. Negroni: The Negroni is a classic cocktail that originated in Florence. It has a bittersweet and complex flavor. It consists of equal parts gin, Campari (an herbal Italian liqueur), and sweet vermouth. It is traditionally garnished with an orange peel and served on the rocks. It’s a favorite among cocktail enthusiasts. This is a STRONG drink, so be aware as you sip away. 

3. Americano: An Americano cocktail typically consists of three main ingredients: Campari (a bitter Italian liqueur), sweet vermouth, and soda water. It is believed to have been created in the 1860s at Gaspare Campari’s bar in Milan. I would consider this a kind of negroni-lite. The drink was originally known as the “Milano-Torino” due to its ingredients’ origins. Campari was produced in Milan, while sweet vermouth, another essential ingredient in the cocktail, was typically from Turin. Over time, the cocktail likely became associated with American tourists, and the name “Americano” stuck.

4. Hugo: The Hugo is a refreshing and light cocktail, perfect for hot summer days. It is my person go-to cocktail on those long warm evenings of July and August. It is made with prosecco, elderflower syrup, soda water, fresh mint leaves, and a squeeze of lime. This cocktail originates from the South Tyrol region in northern Italy.

5. Bellini: The Bellini is a popular cocktail invented in Venice. It combines prosecco with peach puree or peach juice. It’s a delightful and fruity cocktail that is often enjoyed during brunch or as a celebratory drink. If strawberries are in season, be sure to order a Rossini instead, which is a play on the classic Bellini. 

Cocktail culture is strong in Italy, and there are lots of modern mixologists  who can make you a new twist on an old drink – but these 5 remain favorite Italian cocktails for good reason. 

And you ? which do you like better ? write in the comments 👇

 

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