Ordering Coffee at a Café
These phrases will help you confidently order coffee and pastries at an Italian bar like a local.
Key Phrases
Buongiorno.
neutralGood morning.
The standard greeting to use until the early afternoon.
Ciao!
casualHi!
Only use this if you know the barista well.
Un caffè, grazie.
neutralAn espresso, please.
The most common and natural way to order.
Prendo un macchiato, per favore.
politeI'll take a macchiato, please.
A slightly softer alternative to order your drink.
Da portare via.
neutralTo go.
Use this if you don't want to drink it at the café.
Quant'è?
neutralHow much is it?
The standard, universally accepted way to ask for the total.
Posso pagare con la carta?
neutralCan I pay with a card?
Useful since some small places still prefer cash.
Ecco.
neutralHere you go.
Say this naturally as you hand over cash or your card.
Arrivederci, buona giornata.
politeGoodbye, have a good day.
A friendly and polite way to leave.