The Coffee Shop

Sant’ Eustachio il Caffè, 1938

Sant’Eustachio il Caffè is located in the heart of Rome between Piazza Navona and the Pantheon; it was opened in 1938 and the mosaic paving and furnishings are still the original ones. Right across the square from the coffee shop stands the church dedicated to Sant’Eustachio, founded in the 8th century. The coffee shop is owned by Raimondo and Roberto Ricci, two brothers who have run this place since 1999.

The Unique Aroma

Sant’Eustachio coffee is the result of a blend of different coffees from different places, selected and slowly roasted separately over a wood fire. This is the secret behind its famous and unique aroma. Fair trade coffee beans are purchased from cooperatives of producers in the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Ethiopia and Brazil, as well as special beans coming from the Galapagos and St. Elena islands. As William Grimes of the New York Times advised those seeking the perfect espresso: “When the need for a real espresso becomes overpowering, buy a ticket to Rome, tell the taxi driver to head straight for the Sant’Eustachio cafe. The espresso will be perfect. A little expensive, but surely worth the trouble.”

Espresso, Cappuccino and Much More…

Sant’Eustachio monachella coffee

From a classic espresso to the different versions of creamy, sweet or cold coffee, there’s a long list of specialties you’ll be able to taste at this place. Some examples are granita, a creamy blend of frozen coffee, topped with whipped cream; mousse al caffè, a sweet tasting cream made with strong coffee, sugar, eggs and whipped cream; or monachella, espresso coffee with chocolate and whipped cream. Other than all these variations on espresso coffee that are prepared and served at the counter, another famous specialty of Sant’Eustachio is called chicchi di caffè: these are whole coffee beans that are dipped in dark chocolate.