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Rome’s Best Coffee & Hot Chocolate Spots Near the Spanish Steps

Looking for the best coffee in Rome near the Spanish Steps? The Tridente area is home to some of the city’s most historic cafés and refined coffee rituals. From legendary espresso bars to elegant tea rooms and indulgent hot chocolate spots, these cafés near the Spanish Steps offer warmth, atmosphere, and a true taste of Roman daily life — especially perfect in winter or cooler mornings.

 

 

Coffee in Rome: A Proper Ritual

 

 

In Rome, coffee is never rushed even when it’s drunk standing at the bar. It’s a pause, a punctuation mark in the day. Near the Spanish Steps, cafés are more than to drink espresso: they are salons, refuges, and observatories of Roman life.

Here is our curated selection of the best coffee and hot chocolate spots near the Spanish Steps — places we return to, season after season.

 

 

Antico Caffè Greco

 

The most iconic coffee near the Spanish Steps

 

Founded in 1760, Antico Caffè Greco is one of the oldest cafés in Europe. Writers, artists, and intellectuals once gathered here — from Goethe to Stendhal — and the atmosphere remains unchanged. Gilded mirrors, velvet banquettes, oil paintings, and softly clinking cups make every visit feel ceremonial.

 

Order a classic espresso or cappuccino and take your time. You're in Rome.

 

 

Babington’s Tea Room

 

For winter afternoons & indulgent hot chocolate

 

Just beside the Spanish Steps, Babington’s has been warming travelers since 1893. While best known for tea, it also serves one of the most comforting hot chocolates in Rome — thick, velvety, and deeply nostalgic.

 

In winter, this is one of the coziest cafés near the Spanish Steps. Settle in after a morning walk, watch the light shift across Piazza di Spagna, and let the city slow down around you.

 

 

Ciampini

 

For locals, mornings & people-watching

 

Ciampini is where Romans actually stop. Elegant without being formal, it’s ideal for a quick espresso in the morning or a longer pause later in the day. The coffee is excellent, the pastries discreetly refined, and the terrace offers one of the best views for observing the rhythm of the Tridente.

 

If you’re looking for authentic coffee near the Spanish Steps without ceremony, this is the place.

 

 

Sant'Eustachio Il Caffè

 

For serious espresso lovers

 

A short walk from the Spanish Steps, Sant’Eustachio Il Caffè is legendary among coffee purists. The house blend is intense, aromatic, and slightly sweet, protected by a closely guarded roasting secret.

 

Order it al banco like the locals do. No frills, no distractions — just one of the best espressos in Rome.

 

 

Bar della Cometa

 

For matcha lovers & discreet cultural cafés

 

Hidden inside the historic Teatro della Cometa, Bar della Cometa is one of Rome’s most unexpected café addresses. Known among insiders for its calm atmosphere and cultural clientele, it’s also one of the rare places in central Rome where you can enjoy a properly prepared matcha.

 

The setting feels almost private — a quiet foyer where writers, artists, and theatergoers pause before or after performances. Order a matcha latte, take a seat away from the street noise, and enjoy a slower, more contemplative side of Rome.

 

 

Hot Chocolate in Rome: A Winter Indulgence

 

Unlike lighter European versions, Roman hot chocolate is closer to a dessert than a drink — rich, thick, almost spoonable. Winter is the perfect season to discover it.

 

Beyond Babington’s, look for traditional cafés offering cioccolata calda made with dark chocolate and milk, often served alongside pastries. It’s one of Rome’s most underrated cold-weather pleasures.

 

 

When & How to Enjoy Coffee Like a Roman

 

  • Drink espresso quickly, standing at the bar
  • Sit down when you want to linger — especially in winter
  • Avoid cappuccino after lunch (unless you truly don’t care — which is also very Roman)
  • Let coffee punctuate your day, not dominate it

 

 

Stay Steps Away from Rome’s Coffee Rituals

 

Staying near the Spanish Steps means stepping directly into Rome’s café culture. From Margutta 19 and Babuino 181, many of the city’s best coffee spots are just minutes away — perfect for early mornings, winter afternoons, or quiet returns at dusk.

 

 

Concierge Tip: A Coffee Walk Through the Tridente

 

Our concierge can curate a personalized coffee walk near the Spanish Steps — combining historic cafés, hidden espresso bars, and seasonal treats like hot chocolate or pastries. A simple pleasure, elevated by timing, context, and local knowledge.

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