The best bars and cafés Italy

Not to be missed, Harry's Bar is the Café de Flore of Lake Como. In the heart of Cernobbio, located in a delightful little square, this café has seen a parade of intellectuals, stars and businessmen of all nationalities. Ideal for an aperitif to see and be seen, and why not for dinner, although, taking advantage of its reputation, the establishment is inflating its prices. The ravioli are delicious for example! Early in the morning, you drink your coffee on the terrace, taking your time and enjoying the atmosphere of the place, the lake and Cernobbio.

What could be more pleasant than a good Italian espresso to start the day? A good espresso on the terrace facing the elegant Piazza Dante! In this mythical café, open since 1953, they serve a 100% Neapolitan coffee, zuccherato (sweet) or amaro (without sugar), which can also be enjoyed at the counter in a picturesque 1950s-style setting. Some Neapolitan pastries and pastries will fill a small hunger. The hot chocolate is also excellent. The establishment has another address, Piazza Garibaldi 72 (next to the train station).

This is a real Italian address where Romans meet in the morning for a coffee and a cornetto on the go, at the counter or in the dining room. Just a stone's throw from Piazza Navona, this bookstore-café is extremely welcoming with its shelves of books and comfortable armchairs in the back. As in many cafés in the capital (less often in the center, however), the breakfast formula consisting of a cappuccino or coffee and the famous cornetto is always tempting! You can also find sandwiches for lunch.

This is a beautiful place, nestled under the arcades of Via Emilia with its small vegetated terrace that invites you to sit. You can come here in the morning for a good coffee, a fresh fruit juice and a pastry. You can also have lunch with a gourmet sandwich or a homemade pasta dish, accompanied by a good wine. A sweet break in the afternoon is not to be refused here: the pastries in the window are all tempting. Maison Livre becomes a refined cocktail bar in the evening, concocted with quality bottles that line the shelves.

Fattori is a café, a bar, a pastry shop and a gelateria all in one! An address as we like them, where the inhabitants of the district meet throughout the day. Open every day, from morning to night, you can come to Fattori's to have breakfast, eat a sandwich for lunch or an ice cream for a snack, have a coffee in the afternoon (with one of their very good cookies) or have a drink as an aperitif. If you are staying in the Pigneto area, this is the perfect place to start your day.

Like any self-respecting Italian city, Monza has its historic pastry-café, a monument to gourmet delights for decades, a haunt of grandmothers in furs at teatime and young working people at aperitif time. In the shadow of the Arengario, you can enjoy delicious pastries (try the dry cakes, baci di dama and others), cocktails, sandwiches and coffees at any time of day. A place to stop for a well-deserved break! During the summer months, concerts are held in the square.

Not the smartest address of the year, let's be clear, but this bar-restaurant has the merit of being well placed. Rough service in English. Classic offerings: cheese and charcuterie boards with focaccia, pasta (gnocchi, pici al ragù di Scottona, lasagne and gluten-free pasta), polpette della nonna (meatballs with San Marzano sauce and spinach), pizzas, salads and homemade desserts. Attractive prices. In short, plenty of food and drink before the climb up to piazzale Michelangelo!

A simple, unpretentious restaurant in Greve's main square. The only reason to come here is to fill a hole in the stomach with an inexpensive pasta dish. In summer, the restaurant has a pleasant outdoor terrace. Staff in a hurry and not very attentive.

It is about a place. As the weekend approaches, the piazza Sant'Ambrogio fills up in the evening. A strategic point, at the junction of major streets that lead to lively corners of the city (San Giovanni or Piazza Santa Croce), and close to the Faculty of Architecture, young students have no trouble finding their way around this square. It is often crowded from 11pm onwards, especially on weekends. The small bars nearby allow you to stock up on food. We meet there, talk loudly and toast.

A bar and its small, charming terrace on the sidewalk, very lively and young, with small concerts of amateurs. 

Located on the campsite, the terrace is the new institution of Venetian trenches at the hour of the aperitif. A delightful bohemian atmosphere. Cabernet or spritz, chardonnay or prosecco, you can choose between French or Italian wines. One thing is sure, taste the ciccheti in the bar. Very correct pizzas too.

This friendly vintage bistro is a real landmark in the heart of Quadrilatero Romano. Decorated in the style of the 1960s, Pastis offers a well-stocked buffet of quiches, focaccia, cold meats and cheeses, as well as fine wines and cocktails. The terrace, under the trees, is one of the most pleasant in the area, and the waiters are very friendly. If you dine here, the dishes are very well prepared and varied with Sicilian influences, for a very affordable price.

If you want to surf the Net with your own computer, install in this cafe at the entrance to Trastevere, the Wi-Fi connection is excellent and free. On the terrace or in the window with windows, you will be able to spend a long time without being specially tempted to eat. A small restaurant is available all day, and in the evening a drink formula with buffet breakfast (from 6 € to 9 €).

A benchmark enoteca housed in a former convent on one of the liveliest squares in the Trastevere district. Beware, it's not very well signposted from the outside, so look carefully and don't be discouraged! A chic, modern decor with intimate lighting under century-old vaults, a list of a thousand clearly identified wines and refined cuisine are the chefs behind the success of this place. A charming patio is also available to guests. A true Roman oenotheque, where one drinks well and eats well, while remaining in tune with the times.

A charming and lively place located in the historical center of Alghero, in front of the dome of the church of San Michele. At the Prosciutteria Sant Miquel you will find the best of the Sardinian gastronomic and wine tradition: you can taste delicious platters of cold cuts and local cheeses accompanied by fine wines. The owner and his wife are very friendly. All of this is done to a jazz/rock background music. The kind of atmosphere that reminds us of the wine bars back home.

Exceptional setting for this wine library inaugurated in 1973. In fact, if from the outside the spaces may appear cramped, you have to go down into the basement to access the vast hall of the former refectory of the Augustinian friars in the nearby parish of San Marco. By reservation, you can dine by candlelight in a very 17th century atmosphere. Very wide choice of labels, tasting courses. One will simply regret the - sometimes - a little excessive prices of the drinks: between 10 and 15 € the glass of wine, you pay the address .

A bar like we would like to find more in Matera, which shares a clientele of regulars and tourists and welcomes them without distinction with the same simplicity and warmth. The Gahvè spreads out its small terrace in Piazza San Giovanni, in front of the beautiful façade of the church of the same name. For breakfast, for an aperitif with some typical products to nibble on or simply for a coffee or a special beer brewed locally, it is a welcome stop before or after an excursion in the sassi.

If you're wandering along the Genoese riverside to Bogliasco, the Bistrotto is the perfect place to stop for a bite to eat. It's one of the most popular meeting places for Genoese, who come here especially at aperitif time for the view and the great tapas, but also for dinner and live concerts. It's here that weekend planning takes place. Don't be shy: ask around for Friday and Saturday night tips, and we'll be happy to oblige!

Murano glass floor lamps, black marble, neon signs and Martini cocktails... Dolce & Gabbana's trendy bar is the perfect place for a meal (restaurant featuring Italian specialties or pizzeria) or a drink. Refined and spectacular, the venue is divided between restaurant and veranda, in the courtyard of a palazzo in the Fashion Quadrilateral on chic Corso Venezia. You can choose your cocktail from a vast repertoire of drinks, with martinis taking pride of place.

Set in a former popular home, the Morgan's continues to seduce a young and trendy clientele among the locals and students at nearby Cattolica University. It has to be recognized that his vintage and his explosive cocktail, the Rocket, are rather glamorous. 

Surrounded by a splendid park, in the heart of Milan, the hotel of the famous Italian jeweller, who did not miss the opportunity to prove his know-how also in the hotel business, houses a glamorous lounge-bar, it goes without saying. To have an aperitif here is to step into the shoes of a jet-setter for a few moments. Settled in vast sofas, you can enjoy this unique green corner while sipping a disconcerting cocktail accompanied by finger food. A unique setting that is also sought after in the morning for breakfast served from 7:30 am.

Between Saint-Pierre and Saint-Ange castle, a trendy place, both bar, restaurant and club. Jazz concerts, rythm'n'blues or Latin music to enjoy with a glass of wine accompanied by tapas or dinner. Excellent international programming.

For lovers of the little black Italian boy, this café is a real paradise. It is probably here that you will taste the best coffee in Verona in a very small room with enough space for a few tables, the counter and an impressive collection of teapots (120 varieties of tea for tea lovers). Let yourself be tempted by the various gourmet coffees and chocolates, or by a marocchino (small coffee served on a creamy chocolate base), either black or white. Among the accompaniments: fresh cream, chocolate chips or caramel syrup... To discover!

A friendly, colorful wine bar in the heart of Quadrilatero Romano. At aperitif time, in addition to wine or cocktails, you'll be served appetizers, usually tempting assortments of cold meats, cheeses and small sandwiches. In winter, the vaulted interior is very welcoming, while in summer you can enjoy the lovely terrace on Piazza Emanuele Filiberto, which can seat over a hundred people. The menu features some 200 different labels, also on sale at the counter.

Some feel that Tonolo is the best pastry in Vénise. By returning not to be attracted by the window, which especially during the carnival period, fills with croissants, brioches, foccacce and cakes of all kinds. Go for a gourmet breakfast, or an aperitif hour for a sipped and a pizzetta.

Historical café of Vicenza, opened since 1943, the Gran Caffè Garibaldi is at the same time a café, a restaurant and an ice cream parlour. The place, which was completely refurbished in 2012, now has a rather design decor where some special Murano glass windows still sparkle here and there. The room on the first floor and the terrace overlooking Piazza dei Signori are very pleasant at lunchtime or for an aperitif, while upstairs, the Matteo Grandi restaurant has just won its first Michelin star. Experimental cuisine for those who love it.

In this pretty neighborhood bar located on the banks of a canal, Venetians often stop for a drink accompanied by beautiful toast as an appetizer. The house has more than 500 wine labels, with a clear predominance of local vintages. Along the walls, the shelves are lined with these bottles, so you will be spoilt for choice. You may be served a "balloon" of fragolino, a strawberry flavored vintage...

The enoteca's focus is on small-scale producers, with the possibility of tasting almost every derivative of the region's famous prosecco. The house also offers a selection of biodynamic wines. The tasting can be accompanied by cheeses, cured meats or a plate of tomato-mozzarella. And don't forget our bread with oil and oregano! You'll have the pleasure of spending a pleasant moment seated at the little tables on the terrace, facing the bell tower of San Giacomo dell'Orio, lulled by the voices of the children playing on the Campo.

Another bar managed by the Mentelocale group, this time version summer. Along the sea, along Corso Italia, a nice place where to enjoy a drink and meet the world, from sunset to moonlight.

In the Baretto of Corso Italia we still breathe a holiday air, even in the early autumn. Very frequented by the youth of Albaro, this small bar is still very lively.

A gourmet haven for the people of Padua since 1919, who love buns, almond cakes and other sweets. For those who love it, the speciality for which people travel miles is the millefeuille with custard, a recipe that has been handed down from father to son for 100 years. Over the years, to the traditional version have been added the one with cream and chocolate chips and the one with cream and wild strawberries. Nice terrace on Piazza della Frutta, for a break between two visits. A sure value.

This historic café has been a favorite meeting place for Genoese of all ages since 1904. Inside, in the Liberty-style dining room, or on the terrace, you'll come for an aperitif, an after-dinner drink or even a pizza, focaccia or panino for lunch. Not to be underestimated in the kitchen either, as the pesto troffie and other pasta dishes have nothing to be ashamed of. Owner Walter bends over backwards to satisfy the demands of his customers, many of whom are regulars.

Spanish atmosphere for this cosy bar in the Ticinese district. Exposed beams and some wooden tables placed under Iberian jamons hanging from the ceiling and facing a counter filled with good bottles. On Saturday evenings, the bar is so full that we stay standing, a glass in hand, some very Spanish tapas to nibble (octopus salad, cod carpaccio, vegetable couscous, avocado shrimp, chickpea cream and others) and especially in good company. A fine selection of Iberian wines and a must-have sangria.

Opened to coincide with the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, this trendy bar is inspired by the philosophy of the famous sports brand from which it takes its name, with large leather armchairs and giant plasma screens showing documentaries. There's even a terrace. Ideal for spending a pleasant evening after a day on the slopes, or for fortifying yourself in the morning before hitting the slopes with a hearty breakfast. Simple but nourishing dishes, and good cocktails. Very welcoming staff.

This rather cozy café, located on the very long Via Ostiense, allows you to take a break after discovering the neighborhood and the imposing pyramid of Cestius, which is just a few steps away. You can come here for coffee, tea and pastries at breakfast or snack time. On Saturdays, a brunch is offered. During the week, it is possible to have lunch, the menu is constantly changing, according to the season. From Thursday to Saturday, the establishment closes at 10 pm and serves an aperitif. In short, an address to know in the Ostiense district.

A breath of fresh air in this trendy bar surrounded by greenery, in the center of Parco Sempione. The ideal place to have a drink as an aperitif or after dinner while listening to good music, during the hot summer evenings. Excellent mojito!

Opened in 1961, this is one of the most popular pastry shops in Milan. The counter, the 1970's wooden shelves and the elegant Murano glass lamps have been welcoming regular customers for 40 years, at any time of the day. Its production of all kinds of pastries has become legendary with its delicate mignardises, its famous mimosa cake (sponge cake with custard and wild berries) and its butter panettone. Excellent brioches for breakfast, and very well mixed cocktails for the aperitif.

Wine bar with an elegant and modern setting, located on the seafront. It offers a good selection of regional and Italian wines as well as excellent cocktails and craft beers. At aperitif time, opt for a cheese and charcuterie platter to accompany your drink. The establishment is also a restaurant and specialises in grilled chianina meat, a Tuscan breed of cattle. The gourmet burgers are filled with quality ingredients (try the burrata burger, for example).

The NeroCafè bar is located just a few steps from the central square of Agropoli, in the modern part of the city center. At breakfast and during the day, it's perfect for a coffee and a pastry. At lunchtime and in the evening, it'saperitivo: the counter is overrun with trays of toast, puff pastries, rolls, mini-pizzas and all kinds of appetizers, from which the waiter picks to compose generous plates to accompany the drink of your choice. And all this for the price of your drink: a good plan for small budgets!

As its name suggests, this bar invites us to waste our time having a drink, reading a book and listening to music. Very good atmosphere of the bohemian youth of Piazza Bellini who do not take their heads. It is also a good place to forget the frenetic bustle of the streets of Naples, as their slogan says "down with the infernal cadences". On some evenings, the bar also offers DJ sets. In front of the music conservatory, windows from which escape, from time to time, a few piano notes.

Located in the former cloister of the Santa Caterina a Formiello church, converted into a textile factory in the days of the Bourbons. In its 700 m² space, the Lanificio25 collective offers a bar with snacks and cultural events of all kinds: contemporary art exhibitions, concerts, theater, dance, debates... The aim is to create a place where culture and art blend with entertainment. The industrial architecture of the place is very suggestive. Enjoy cocktails, wines and smoothies in the large inner courtyard.

This enoteca, located under the arcades of Piazza Mazzini, is not to be missed. It's a delight for wine-lovers, who like to meet up for a convivial time between aperitifs and the early hours of the morning. A vast stock of bottles is on offer, to be accompanied by a few hot or cold dishes, such as cheese and charcuterie boards, but also polenta, pumpkin gnocchi or tagliatelle with ragout. We love the turn-of-the-century atmosphere here, with regulars always ready to remake the world.

A small wine bar, welcoming and intimate, perfect place for the après-ski, but especially at the time of the aperitif. We are talking about a glass of a large Venetian cru or a giant sipped, eating exquisite appetizers and cold meats. Small restoration for who would like something more consisting of.

This last address, which has won the Golden Palm of Venice's nightlife awards since its opening in September 2018, is not to be missed. The way to get there is not the easiest, but the setting, the drinks and the food are worth the detour. The choice of beers is extensive, and the list of cocktails is well provided. On the menu, burger and chips are served with spaghetti in squid ink, oyster platters from Chioggia and Parma ham boards. To be enjoyed as early as the aperitif, in a very local atmosphere

We love this cute little cafe in the cathedral square of Modena with its dynamic waitresses. A few tables squeezed outside on the corner under the arcades are the rendezvous of early morning coffee drinkers, as well as strollers on the terrace who linger at their table to enjoy the view and the musical atmosphere of the café, at any time of the day. Behind the window, a display of cute pastries and some sweet and savory pies. Freshly squeezed orange juice, espresso and sweets make for a pleasant morning or afternoon on this terrace.