It is no shock that Italy — the nation that invented espresso — can credit score espresso as a significant a part of its economic system. How giant? Nicely, based on Statista, Italy’s espresso scene has pulled in $15.60 billion in income in 2025 up to now. Sluggish Italy experiences that, in cities like Trieste, residents eat 10 kilograms of espresso beans yearly, making it one of many world’s most coffee-obsessed locations. Whereas inflation has pushed up the value of home items and elevated the worth of €1 ($1.17) by round 70% since 2000, espresso costs have stayed remarkably steady. Statista additionally experiences the typical worth of a cup of espresso in Italy is round €1.50 as of December 2024, although some cities nonetheless cost even lower than that. Nonetheless, many vacationers pay a lot, far more than that quantity for a similar cup, just because they’re lacking a easy trick that might save them lots on their Italian journey.
The hot button is an outdated Italian behavior: Stand on the bar as an alternative of sitting down at a desk. Vacationers who stand pay the conventional native worth. Those that sit get hit with a lot larger payments. This worth differential, often called “al banco” — which interprets to “on the bar” — versus “al tavolo” (“on the desk”), suits Italy’s fast espresso tradition: Locals normally drink their espresso in round 30 seconds earlier than persevering with with their day.
Learn extra: 10 Issues You Ought to Cease Shopping for To Save Extra Cash
Why bar service prices lower than desk service
Younger lady checking her telephone and consuming espresso at a desk in an Italian café – RossHelen/Shutterstock
Outdated guidelines nonetheless form cafés right this moment. Just a few years earlier than World Struggle I, the federal government instated a authorized most on the value of espresso. Since this meant eating places and cafés might solely cost a lot for espresso itself, they started charging prospects for the labor wanted to serve espresso to make up for misplaced income.
Labor prices drive a lot of the hole. In keeping with the Financial institution of Italy, Italy’s labor productiveness grew by simply 0.25% per 12 months between 2000 and 2022. That was the weakest tempo within the eurozone. This continual productiveness hole informs why so many restaurant chains are struggling to remain worthwhile. Low output means larger labor prices. So, cafés cost extra for desk service. Seated company might have waitstaff to take orders and clear tables however standing patrons do not.
Then, there are additional prices. Many spots slip in a coperto — or “cowl cost” — of some euros per individual. Vacationer-heavy cafés additionally impose a servizio — or “service cost” — of roughly 10% to twenty% of the full invoice. All that may rapidly flip a €1.20 standing espresso right into a €4 to €5 seated one. And the hike in worth might be even greater than that: At Caffè Florian in Venice, a €6 cappuccino on the counter leaps to €12 at your desk.
Straightforward methods vacationers can sip and save like locals
smiling younger lady stirs her espresso on an Italian café’s patio – Mstudioimages/Getty Photographs
Mastering the native solution to order espresso can slash your prices considerably and allow you to dodge frequent cash errors whilst you journey. Stroll as much as the bar and say “Un caffè, per favore” for an espresso — meaning, “A espresso, please.” Stand on the counter, drink it quick, then pay on the register. Often, you drink first and pay later on the counter. However at a desk, they may carry the invoice, take fee immediately, or write it down so that you can settle on the until.
Timing your espresso orders strategically is one other solution to keep away from vacationer costs and bizarre appears. In the event you order a cappuccino previous 11 a.m., locals will know immediately you are a customer as a result of they solely drink them at breakfast. You may mix in higher if you order a straight espresso on your afternoon pick-me-up.
If you wish to keep away from pointless journey purchases on trip, the place you go counts, too. Neighborhood cafés away from massive sights typically price much less. Take a look at Caffè Pedrocchi: It is traditionally well-known and prices €3 for an espresso. Given the nationwide common is round half that, you would possibly wish to search for some extra secluded choices to avoid wasting slightly money.
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