In a country where food is as important as Jesus, the quality of Italian coffee is, on average, terrible.
Yes, your average bar in Rome is burning up an espresso as we speak.
And will I still drink this burnt espresso from the 80-year-old barista? Willing.
The quality is slowly changing, and no, not by corporate transplants like in New York who want their 8-dollar latte. Just young Romans who really care about elevating their countryâs coffee culture with a little dose of sustainability.
In Rome (and Italy), we have a little thing called âspecialty coffeeâ - yes, in English - which is basically like the third wave coffee movement the US had 20 years ago. Young Italians are pushing for not just quality extraction and beans, but even FILTER COFFEE.
Yes. Pour overs. Look out, americano. Thereâs a sexier sheriff in town!!
And if you are in the mood for that, and a real sexy pastry on the side, then you have got to go to:
Grani Farina e Caffe in Monteverde
Duh! Babe, I donât know how else to say it - from the coffee sourcing to the sexy pastries to the locally made ceramics - this place is a no freaking brainer.
Plus, if youâre a coffee nerd, the barista will talk your little ear off about her current roasts. Grani is always experimenting, with a rotating daily selection of espresso and filter coffee from all over the globe.
You will get all nerdy, caffeinated, and shit.
Grani sources its beans from small specialty roasteries in Verona to Berlin and beyond. Shout out to italian roasters Garage Coffee Bros in Verona and Aliena in Rome for doing rad work!
Or if youâre like me, who, as much as I study coffee and prioritize ethical sourcing, just want a straight espresso with a sweet treat, or the occasional hangover cigarette, their house espresso never fails.
My tip is to make it a caffĂš macchiato with local milk served in a handmade tazza by Romeâs most talented ceramist Marie Nurra. It will bring you to life and another level of paradise.
Donât sleep on their sweets either. They actually glaze their cinnamon rolls here (yes, in Rome, they seem to avoid the essential accessory of this beloved dessert.)
Or just go for one of their pretty pastry specials.
and if youâre a brunch b*tch
Grani also does a phenomenal brunch situation. Seasonal menu, homemade focaccia, all the things of dreams. I do warn you, though: Grani is petite. So when it gets busy, itâs busy.
Aka, getting just a coffee and one of their seasonal pastries will also do the job just right. I meanâŠ.
Stay tuned - Sunday, youâre in for a real little treat! My buona fking domenica series will continue with some real contadino shit recipes for paid subscribers. :)
TA TA!
xx,
Victoria