caffetteria
The Italian phrase for coffee shop is caffetteria.
caffetteria refers to a place where people buy and drink coffee and other beverages.
Which one should you use?
While caffetteria is a correct term, the word bar is much more commonly used in Italy to refer to a place where one drinks coffee and eats breakfast or snacks. caffetteria often implies a more specialized establishment or a specific section of a larger venue, whereas bar is the standard everyday term for a coffee shop.
How does it change in a sentence?
caffetteria is a feminine noun, so it uses feminine articles like la or una.
Did you know?
- It is considered a social faux pas to order a cappuccino in a bar after 11 am or after a meal.
- Many people who visit a bar or caffetteria drink their coffee standing up at the counter, which is cheaper than sitting at a table.
- If you ask for a caffetteria, you might be directed to a specialized shop that only sells coffee beans or equipment rather than a place to sit and drink.
Examples in context
- Andai ad una caffetteria.I went to a coffee shop.This sentence is useful for saying you went to a coffee shop.Tatoeba #13536971 by Guybrush88, translation #10113657 by CK
- La caffetteria è affollata.The coffee shop is busy.This sentence is useful for describing a busy coffee shop.Tatoeba #13536924 by Guybrush88, translation #6938280 by Eccles17
- Sono andato alla caffetteria.I went to the coffee shop.This sentence is useful for saying you went to the coffee shop.Tatoeba #13536966 by Guybrush88, translation #10091685 by JumJum
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofia and Francesco are deciding where to meet for a break.
- SofiaFrancesco, andiamo in una caffetteria?Francesco, shall we go to a coffee shop?
- FrancescoSì, ottima idea.Yes, great idea.
- SofiaConosci una caffetteria qui vicino?Do you know a coffee shop near here?
- FrancescoSì, conosco una caffetteria molto tranquilla.Yes, I know a very quiet coffee shop.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry caffetteria, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
