It was my first morning in Rome, and I had gotten up early for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to walk through the Pantheon before it opened.
It was a tough act for our tour operator, Access Italy, to follow, but my group’s jetlagged state provided a great opportunity.
“Anyone up for Italy’s best coffee?” asked Simone Amorico, Access Italy’s CEO.
We all jumped at the opportunity, especially when we found out that the coffee shop in question was a short walk from the Pantheon.
In a few minutes, we arrived at Sant’ Eustachio Il Caffe, a historic coffee shop that dates to 1938. Named after its location in Piazza Sant’Eustachio, the shop is known for brewing its own high-quality beans, as well as for being something of a Hollywood darling. Nine years ago, it was featured in the film “Eat, Pray, Love” in a scene depicting actress Julia Roberts attempting to order an espresso in a crowded, somewhat intimidating, cafe.
The cafe does get full, I was told. But when we were there at 8:30 a.m., the mood was mellow, the staff was easygoing, and my group received our espressos in minutes — just as the Pantheon opened its doors to the public.
The Details
Sant’ Eustachio Il Caffe
www.santeustachioilcaffe.it
