I was in Naples last week, eating, drinking and eating some more. In the countless times that I’ve visited Naples over the past 20 years, I’ve avoided Caffè Gambrinus. Gold accents, chandeliers, bow-tied baristas (barmen). It’s all a bit too fancy for me.
This trip I reluctantly gave it a try. I ordered a caffè strapazzato, it’s THE COFFEE to drink here. When I asked a Neapolitan friend to describe it he replied “caffè’ (fatto bello cremoso) crema di caffè’ (che si ottiene shakerando caffè’ e zucchero) e una spolverata di cacao amaro.” I love the way Italians describe coffee. The literal translation is espresso (made beautifully creamy), coffee cream (that one makes by shaking espresso and sugar) and a dusting of dark cocoa powder. It lived up to its description. The espresso was smooth and the coffee cream and bittersweet freckles clung to the porcelain cup; sweet, rich and velvety.
It is a must try for the coffee obsessed but in the end, I’m a Vero Bar del Professore girl.
Caffè Gambrinus Via Chiaia 1 Piazza Trieste e Trento tel. 081 417582