FastItalian LearningSign in
PhrasesOrdering CoffeeQuanto costa il caffè?
A1

Quanto costa il caffè?

How much does the coffee cost?

Pronunciation

QUAN-to — two syllables, stress on first. 'Qu' is like 'kw'.

When to use it

Before ordering if you are unsure of prices, or in touristy areas where coffee at the bar can sometimes be priced unusually.

What it means

'Quanto costa' (how much does it cost) + the item is the standard price question in Italian. Prices for espresso in Italy are regulated — rarely above €1.50 at the counter even in major cities, except at famous tourist locations.

Variations

Quanto viene?

How much does it come to?

More informal — 'viene' (comes to) is used colloquially for prices

Qual è il prezzo al banco?

What is the price at the bar?

Specific about the counter price — clarifies you want the cheaper standing rate

Avete il listino prezzi?

Do you have a price list?

Italian law requires bars to display prices — ask to see it if unsure

Mini Dialogue

— Quanto costa il caffè? — Un euro e venti al banco. — E il cappuccino? — Un euro e cinquanta. Cosa prende? — Un caffè, grazie.

— How much does the coffee cost? — One euro twenty at the bar. — And the cappuccino? — One euro fifty. What will you have? — A coffee, thank you.

Cultural Note

Italy has a law ('Codice del Consumo') requiring all bars to display a price list ('listino prezzi'). The price must be listed separately for 'al banco' and 'al tavolo'. Famously, the espresso at the Naples train station bar costs €0.90 — the cheapest in the country.