A decaf coffee, please.
de-caf-fei-NA-to — five syllables, stress on the fourth.
When you want the taste and ritual of espresso without the caffeine — in the evening or for health reasons.
'Decaffeinato' (or colloquially 'deca' or 'decaf') is widely available in Italian bars. The quality is usually good because the Italian coffee culture demands it. Saying just 'un deca' is completely understood.
Un deca, per favore.
A decaf, please.
The most common abbreviation — completely natural in any Italian bar
Un cappuccino decaffeinato.
A decaf cappuccino.
You can order any coffee type with decaf — just add 'decaffeinato'
Avete il deca in cialda?
Do you have decaf in a pod?
Some smaller bars use pod machines — asking about pods ('cialde') confirms the quality
Evening espresso ('caffè serale') after dinner is so embedded in Italian culture that decaf was invented partly to allow the ritual to continue. Many older Italians drink regular espresso at any hour with no apparent effect on sleep — years of tolerance built up.