If you're hoping for an American style “drip” coffee – you're out of luck. It simply doesn't exist in Italy. The closest you can get is by ordering Italy's best take on American style coffee – the “caffè americano”. This is basically just a shot of espresso that's been diluted with hot water.

If by "regular cup of coffee" you mean a large American-style drip coffee, the answer is no, you won't find it in a traditional Italian bar. In Italy, the "caffè normale" is a single shot of espresso. If you want something closest to a standard black coffee, you should order a Caffè Americano, which is an espresso diluted with hot water, usually served in a larger cup. However, even this is much stronger and richer than filtered drip coffee. It is also important to note that Italians generally do not drink milk-based coffees like Cappuccinos after 11:00 AM, as they believe milk interferes with digestion. In 2026, while some specialty "Third Wave" coffee shops in major cities like Rome or Milan might offer V60 or Chemex pour-overs, the vast majority of the country still operates on the espresso-based system. To blend in, stand at the bar, order an "un caffè," and drink it quickly as the locals do.