How Italian Coffee Bars Work

Learn how Italian coffee bars work along with key words and phrases for this context
If you like this video, check out my book: "A Guide to Italy: Cultural Insights and Tips to Maximize Your Trip"

[@wisteria3032]

for croissants you can just call them croissants if you want and they will get it. Otherwise "cornetto" (lit "small horn") is the correct name.
Brioche is actually a different thing... but they only have it in the south. That's why there will be no problem with calling a croissant "brioche" in the north whereas in the south this would end up with you receiving a completely different thing.
Also very good and you may want to try it but just know it's not the same thing.
Also about sandwiches. We have the word in Italian, you can get in a bar and order a "sandwich". But it's not a "panino" - it's a specific kind of "panino" (specifically the one that uses sliced bread). The actual translation of that would be "tramezzino" while there is no real translation for a "club sandwich" so a sandwich that uses more than two slices. If this is what you want, order a sandwich. If you want the one with the real bread order a "panino". Sometimes bars have sandwiches made with different things instead of bread - in that case you may ask for that specifically (eg "focaccia" or "focaccia ripiena" or "panino con la focaccia" ("con" means with but in this case it would mean "made with" and not "filled with" as it usually would))
Anyway, saying "panino" lets you choose, saying "sandwich" indicates a specific kind.
Also "toast" is a sandwich made with toasted slices of bread or a sandwich that then gets toasted. If you want plain toast ask for some "pane tostato".

[@aguidetoitaly]

Excellent insights! Grazie mille for sharing. We always called croissants brioche in Milan. But in other parts of Italy, you’re right - it was a different item entirely and sometimes served with gelato. The distinction on sandwiches is quite true and very helpful for viewers I’m sure. Lots of wonderful nuances to pick up as travelers experience Italy more.

[@wisteria3032]

@@aguidetoitaly while it's beautiful to discover things by yourself I think it's quite frustrating when you expect something and receive something different. Then you try to explain you want something different to a person who is sure they gave you the right item when none of you speaks the other's language....
and if you're ordering food chances are you are already nervous because you're hungry so, better safe than sorry. let's not ruin a vacation because of something so trivial 😉

[@aguidetoitaly]

Very true, indeed! Much appreciated😊