Coffee in Naples is not a drink, it is a ritual
In Naples, coffee is much more than just a drink: it is a social ritual, a cultural identity and a sacred moment of the day. Neapolitans have a unique relationship with coffee, made up of unwritten rules, precise gestures and a passion that has lasted for centuries.
History of coffee in Naples
Coffee arrived in Naples in the XVII century and quickly became part of the city's soul. In 1819, the Neapolitan mechanic Morize patented the cuccumella, the Neapolitan coffee pot, which turned the preparation of coffee into a domestic ritual. Eduardo De Filippo dedicated one of his most famous poems to coffee: 'A tazzulella 'e cafè'.
How to order coffee in Naples
At the Neapolitan coffee bar, coffee is not called 'espresso'. Here is the essential vocabulary:
- "Un caffè " - classic espresso, ristretto and creamy
- "Caffè macchiato " - with a drop of milk
- "Caffe lungo " - Slightly more diluted (but not like in the North!)
- Spiced coffee - with a drop of liqueur (sambuca, aniseed)
- "Coffee with hazelnut " - Neapolitan speciality: hazelnut cream in the espresso. A must-try!
- "Shaken coffee " - Espresso, ice and sugar shaken. Perfect in summer.
Cost: €1-1,50 at the counter. Always at the counter: sitting costs double.
The hanging café
One of Naples' finest traditions. Those who can afford it pay two coffees: one for themselves and one 'suspended', left as a gift for those who cannot pay for it. Born in working-class neighbourhoods, today it is a symbol of Neapolitan solidarity recognised throughout the world.
Where to drink the best coffee in Naples
Gran Caffè Gambrinus
The most famous coffee bar in Naples, in Piazza del Plebiscito. Open since 1860, it has hosted Oscar Wilde, Hemingway and Sartre. Sumptuous Art Nouveau interiors. Coffee at the counter costs €1.50 - at the table more, but the experience is worth it.
Bar Mexico
In Piazza Dante, this is the temple of Neapolitan coffee. No frills, just excellent coffee. The blend is roasted dark Neapolitan style. Always crowded: that's a good sign.
Caffè Moreno
Historical Neapolitan roasting house. The bar in Via Chiaia serves one of the best cups in town.
Gran Caffè Cimmino
In the Quartieri Spagnoli, specialising in sfogliatelle and coffee. The perfect combination for a Neapolitan breakfast.
Bar Nilo
In Spaccanapoli, famous for its coffee and the shrine dedicated to Maradona. A place of football-café pilgrimage.
La cuccumella: homemade coffee
The Neapolitan coffee pot (cuccumella) works in the opposite way to the moka: the water rises, then turns upside down and filters by gravity. The result is a less bitter and more aromatic coffee. Today it is rare to find, but it remains in the hearts of Neapolitans.
Unwritten rules of Neapolitan coffee
- Coffee is drunk at the counter, standing up, fast
- It is drunk hot, even in summer
- You ask for sugar right away, before the barista prepares it
- You never order a 'cappuccino' after 11 a.m
- If a Neapolitan offers you a coffee, never refuse
Coffee and accommodation in the centre
At our Happy Boutique Apartments you are surrounded by the best cafés in town. And in the flat you have the Nespresso machine for your first coffee of the morning before going out to discover Naples.
Condividi questo articolo