15 Best Italian Coffee Brands To Experience Italy At Home

You don’t need to travel to Italy for a quality cup of coffee. Read on to find out the best Italian coffee brands in the market today!

Coffee may not have originated in Italy, but as a country, it sure did have a major influence on the drink. After all, coffee innovations such as the espresso machine and the Moka pot were invented by the Italians. Even the coffee terms we use for its drinks, including latte and cappuccino, are Italian in origin.

It is a dream to visit the beautiful Italian cafés and taste their magnificent java, but making your own cup of Joe made from Italian coffee brands can be the next best thing if it’s not possible for you to travel to the Mediterranean country.

Italian coffee is known for its robust and full-bodied features, so you have to learn what your preference is before going on a buying spree. I looked at reviews, budget, taste, and origin to determine the best Italian coffee brands. I also tried to ensure that there is something for everyone, with light, medium, and dark roasts included.

I have even picked a couple of decaf options. Some on the list can be a bit pricey, and some can be questionably cheap, but if the product has value for money and is of epic quality, then we’ve put it on the list.

Italian coffee culture has a substantial history, and you will notice that many of the brands listed date back decades, with some even going back over a century. This is all part of what makes Italian coffee so special and why we were so happy to deep dive into their amazing coffees.

Our Top 3 Best Italian Coffee Brands For You

Below is a comparison table of the top three items from this article to help you choose which is best for you.

03/07/2024 05:55 pm GMT

1. Illy Classico Coffee

Illy are an iconic Italian brand, and it’s often them or Lavazza that coffee lovers think of when they think of good coffee from the country. As we will show you, there are many other great brands, but those two do deserve the acclaim.

You may have to pay a bit for your first time, but you won’t be looking back after you brewed yourself a cup of Illy’s Classico Coffee. The product is composed of nine Arabica varieties from around the world, giving it its immaculate aroma and exceptional taste. It is the quintessential Illy coffee.

When brewed, either via espresso machine or Moka pot, it brings a silky rich, and full-bodied cup with its unique floral and citrus notes of jasmine and orange blending with hints of toasty chocolate and caramel. This medium-roasted product is a bit premium, but the price is worth it for 24 servings of authentic Italian coffee.

2. Kimbo Espresso Napoletano

This one makes the list for its ability to make one of the finest espressos we have ever had. We are not saying that it doesn’t work for other types of coffee, but when used for espresso, it really stands out of the pack.

The Italian espresso options are endless, but after some internal deliberation, my pick for one of the best options goes to the Kimbo Espresso Napoletano. 

The dark roasted coffee beans bring forth distinct smoky and spicy undertones that complement the hints of dark chocolate. This coffee has a lingering pleasant aftertaste. Interestingly, the beverage is low in acidity, which might be because it is a blend composed of 80% Arabica and 20% Robusta beans.

Personally, I think what makes Kimbo a winner is that it brings Italian authenticity to it. The brewed product is uncannily similar to genuine Neapolitan coffee. It is as if you are in Naples with one sip.

3. ¡Tierra! Organic Whole Beans

Is it possible to find an Italian coffee brand that is on the softer side? Thankfully, Lavazza offers a milder option with its light roast ¡Tierra! Organic Whole Beans. Those good people of Lavazza think of everything.

Compared to its stronger counterparts, the product features more refreshing floral and citrus tones that work with its thick and creamy texture. It still offers a good pick-me-up, but it’s a little softer on the palate.

Keep in mind that there are three ¡Tierra! Organic Whole Beans flavors to choose from – the ¡Tierra! Bio-Organic for Planet, the ¡Tierra! Bio-Organic for Africa, and the ¡Tierra! Bio-Organic for Amazonia. The for Planet blend is what you should be looking if your preference is light roast coffee, as the other two are medium roasts. While these two retain the flowery and tropical fruity flavor, some might find it overpowering.

4. Pellini No.82 Vivace

The Pellini No.82 Vivace deserves a space on this list of the best Italian coffee brands. The brand is as luxurious as it sounds. A kilogram pack will really cost you, but is it worth it? The answer is 100% yes. 

Although it comprises just 90% Arabica coffee, with the other 10% Robusta, the dark-roasted, freshly brewed Pellini will deliver a rich and creamy espresso shot capped with velvety crema. Not to oversell, but its taste can be compared to an orchestra – a well-conducted harmony of sweetness and bitterness with every shot. Take this one out when you have guests, and they are sure to leave impressed.

5. Camardo

Camardo first opened its doors in Molise, Italy, in 1951, and with more than 70 years in the coffee business, the brand has perfected the art. One of the most popular offerings is a 100% Arabica blend that is ideal for Moka pot and drip coffee.

It conveniently comes pre-ground, so you can get to work right away. The java is smooth with little bitterness. You’ll detect sweet notes of caramel.

6. Caffe Mauro Centopercento

Founded in 1949 by Demetrio Mauro, there is little doubt that this is one of Caffè Mauro’s finest creations. It is a dark roast that goes perfectly as the key ingredient of espresso, ristrettos, and even cappuccinos. It is a taste of Italy you can have in your own kitchen.

In fact, as I write this, I am enjoying a cup of it made with drip coffee. And let me tell you, it’s the perfect way to start the day.

It’s an Arabica blend with beans sourced in Central and South America. The flavor profile includes berry fruits, as well as hints of dark chocolate and hazelnut.

7. Gran Aroma Caffe Vergnano

This is the first time Caffe Vergnano appears on our list, but it’s certainly not the last. It is a company that knows great coffee, and its Gran Aroma is amongst its best creations.

Ask any Italian coffee lovers you know, and they will list out Lavazza, Illy, and Caffe Vergnano as good starting points for your introduction to ground coffee from this wonderful country. Very often, the unacquainted only mention the first two, but Caffe Vergnano certainly deserves its place in that company.

These beans offer up a slight spice in their taste, as well as hints of roasted nuts and chocolate. It makes for beautifully thick espresso with a gorgeous crema. Vergnano uses a mix of Arabica and Robusta beans here, and it must be said that they get it entirely right.

8. Pellini Caffè No.9 Cremoso

It took us eight coffees to get to this point, but when we are discussing Italian coffee, we are talking about coffee that’s roasted in Italy. Obviously, the beans are sourced elsewhere. Thus, although the beans might be from somewhere like Guatemala, Brazil, Colombia, etc., if it’s roasted in Italy, we are considering it Italian coffee for the purpose of this list.

Take Pellini Caffè No.9 Cremoso, for instance – this is a blend of beans from different origins around the world. However, they are then expertly roasted in Sicily to make one of the finest cups of coffee out there. It’s a beautiful medium roast that leaves you wanting more.

When brewed in a Chemex, this is one of the best cups of joes you can enjoy in your own home. The notes of chocolate and honey really come to the fore. Close your eyes, and you will think that you are sitting in an Italian town square enjoying the beauty of this amazing country.

9. Caffe Vergnano 100% Arabica Espresso Roast

We told you that Caffe Vergnano would be appearing on our list again, and we weren’t lying. They truly are amazing coffee roasters. Before we get into this specific blend, let us tell you a little about the company’s origin story.

It outdates most of Italy’s other coffee producers, with them having been around since 1882 when Domenico Vergnano started a shop near Turin in the North of the country. He became known as a producer of some of the finest coffees around.

The brand is still in the hands of the family today, and they are still making wonderfully complex and delicious coffee. This particular blend has all the subtly you would look for from an Arabica roast. The flavors that are given off are toasted nuts, dark chocolate, and there is even a hint of vanilla.

It’s perfect for an americano or a macchiato and will leave you incredibly satisfied.

10. Lavazza ‘Gran Espresso’

You can’t talk about iconic Italian coffee brands without mentioning Lavazza coffee. They are also making their second appearance on our list, but not their last. Go to an Italian-themed cafe anywhere around the world, and you will likely see their name somewhere within it.

Their story also started back in the late 1800s, when Luigi Lavazza opened the first Lavazza store, also in Turin. Turin is a real hotbed of Italian coffee culture. Since then, the coffee has gone on to be a crowd-pleaser throughout the world, with Lavazza being served in most places that offer premium Italian coffee.

As for this blend, you can expect it to produce a full-bodied dark espresso with plenty of crema and gorgeous notes of chocolate and spice. We love it as the base for a cappuccino, but it works equally well as the key ingredient for any espresso-based drink.

11. Forte by Filicori Zecchini

This budget-friendly option offers up an epic cup of 70% Arabica beans and 30% Robusta coffee beans, with notes of toasted nuts and caramel. ‘Forte’ is the word for strong in Italian, so with that, you should expect this one to have a bit of bite in its taste, too. But it’s definitely not too much, and you don’t have to be a seasoned coffee drinker to enjoy it.

If I was looking for an Italian coffee to use in my French press, then this would be near the top of my list. It seems to truly prosper when used with that brewing method, with the immersion method bringing out all the different flavors within the beans.

However, it works brilliantly in espresso machines and any other type of coffee machine that you care to use. And if you are new to Italian coffee makers, then its relatively affordable price on Amazon makes it an easy way to jump into a new world of taste.

12. Aromistico, Roma

Aromistico is a family-run coffee brand operating out of Lake Garda. One of the most iconic offerings is named after the county’s capital, Rome.

The Roma blend is a medium-dark roast made from beans from El Salvador and Guatemala. Since it contains both Arabica and Robusta beans, it packs a punch but still tastes delicious.

This brew has a complex flavor due to the slow-roasting process. You’ll detect nut-like qualities and a sharp tang.

13. Caffe Toraldo, Classic Espresso Coffee Capsules.

There’s no denying that Italian coffee roasters have a history on their side. Here is another iconic company that dates back over 50 years. It was in Naples in 1960 that Caffè Toraldo began its journey.

Nowadays, it is known for bringing a taste of Neapolitan coffee shops to the rest of the world. They make a number of great ground coffees and offer brilliant whole-bean options. However, we have gone for their convenient coffee pods for the purpose of this list.

This is the first time coffee pods feature on our list, but for good reason. There is no taste sacrificed with the creation of these authentic cups of Italian coffee. It may not be our favorite brewing method, but Caffe Toraldo has got it right with these.

Everything from the aroma to the subtleties in taste, has us reaching for the box of coffee pods.

14. Caffe Trombetta Gold Bar, Espresso Roast

Did we mention Italy’s history of amazing coffee? Oh well, we might be going about a bit much, but there’s simply no getting away from it. Take Caffe Trombetta, which was set up in Rome by Vittorio Trombetta all the way back in 1890.

He had a small cafe in a train station but was so renowned for serving his customers an amazing blend that he became somewhat of a celebrity. The cafe is still there today, but you don’t have to travel to Rome to taste Caffe Trombetta’s brilliant coffees.

Although if you do find yourself in Rome, it definitely qualifies as a ‘must-do’. It’s a real throwback to the Italian coffee culture of days gone by.

The Gold Bar is one of their most popular blends. It’s made from a dark roast blend of Arabica, and it’s a winner in our book. Try this one with a Moka pot and home.

You will not be disappointed.

15. Lavazza Dek Ground Coffee Blend

We couldn’t finish our list without putting one more Lavazza blend on our list. It’s one of our favorite Italian brands for consistently producing high-quality coffee.

And this time, we are turning to their Dek blend decaf Italian roast. Any of my friends who had to give up caffeine have used this to wean themselves off the regular cups. And they said that they couldn’t tell the difference at all.

My, this makes a beautiful cup! It’s a dark blend but one that even the most experienced baristas would love to work with. It’s a wonderful way to finish off our list – a stunning coffee that you can enjoy any time.

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