Bars & Cafes

Bar Café Il Folletto in Piazza CavourIf, at ten o'clock in the morning, an Italian invites you to go to the bar, do not think you are being invited to start an early pub crawl! Although identical to the word we use in English to denote a place selling alcohol, the Italian bar has completely different connotations. The Bar is the place to go for your breakfast coffee and pastry, for a sandwich (panino) at lunchtime, but also for a pre-lunch or pre-dinner aperitivo, which can be alcoholic or not, accompanied by a variety of savoury bar snacks. Locals will usually have their coffee or drink standing up at the bar, although it's becoming more common to provide seating for customers.