Italians love coffee. But first-time visitors are often unaware of the many unwritten rules when it comes to ordering and drinking it. After spending a month in Rome with my wife and two young daughters – and spending an inordinate amount of that time drinking coffee in seemingly every neighbourhood in the city – I’m here to help you crack the Italian caffeine code.

First things first. It’s early morning and you’re heading to a bar. No, you’re not getting a beer or glass of wine – well, maybe you are, but I don’t want to pry into your personal life. A bar is the equivalent of a cafe here in Australia. With that said, you may end up going to the same place in the early evening for an aperitif, or to settle in with a few drinks later at night.