Antico Caffè Greco

"A must try on your Roman holiday! Caffe Greco seems to get a lot of mixed review. Having experienced it myself I can say it’s a caffe in its own league. It’s equal parts caffe and museum, not to mention a respectful nod to a time long passed. Being one of the oldest caffes in Europe, people among the ranks of Lord Byron have traversed the threshold and dined within these walls. And for me that is part of what going here is all about. You’re buying entry to be transported back in time and sit in the same spots as some of history’s great minds. I think it’s worth noting coffee culture in Italy is very different from other countries, and especially the US. Usually being a walk up bar where you slap down one Euro, get a shot of espresso in under a minute, drink quickly, and move on with your day. This is not that place. You sit down, get served crème in a silver dish by a waiter in a tuxedo, and order fabulous tortes to indulge in the coffee experience. But keep in mind, by and large, Italians do not drown their food in sugar like so many people, and especially Americans, are used to. I think this is why some people find the experience to be lacking. I’ve always found the food here to be exceptional, but you need to be mentally and maybe emotionally prepared to drop some cash for coffee and cake. This is on the more luxe side of experiences. If that is your thing, then this is a must try on your Roman holiday."