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BARS
A bar in Italy is what we would call a café at home. It is a place to get coffee, pastries and sandwiches, as well as alcoholic beverages. Some serve simple lunches, usually for reasonable prices.
Always look at the price list before ordering. In tourist areas, there are usually two sets of prices, one if you stand at the bar (al banco) and the other if you sit at a table (al tavolo). It is perfectly acceptable in Italy to stand at the bar to eat and drink. The table prices are usually double and require a server. Signs that say “NO SELF SERVICE” mean you can’t take something from the bar (or cooler) and sit at a table (well, you could, but you would be charged the table price.)
It is common in tourist areas to have to pay first. If you see people laying their receipts down on the counter as they order, you have to pay first. Typically you order your pastry/sandwich from one person and your coffee from another. Hang on to your receipt in between.
The Italian coffee culture is very different from ours. People do not walk around with giant coffees in their hands. A coffee is a small, quick affair. Here are a few things you should know:
A caffè is an espresso.
A caffè americano will get you a reasonable facsimile of North American coffee -- a shot of espresso in a big cup and a little pitcher of hot water. If you want milk as for it “con latte” (cone LAH-tay).
A cappuccino comes in one variety in Italy. It is made with lots of frothy whole milk. Don’t even think about asking for a milk substitution. Enjoy the lusciousness. You’re on holiday.
Latte means milk in Italian. If you ask for a "latte" you will get MILK. If you want an espresso with hot milk you have to ask for a caffè latte. This is frequently served in a clear glass. In summer sometimes they will ask you if you want it caldo (hot) or freddo (cold).
A caffè corretto has a shot of alcohol in it. (And don’t be surprised if you see people drinking them in the morning.)
