The End of the €1 Espresso? Italy’s Coffee Prices in 2025

Waking up on a random weekday morning, maybe before heading to work, and treating yourself to a quick espresso at the counter while chatting with the barista to start your day right. What’s more Italian than that?

Yet, according to a report by Assoutenti and the Centro di formazione e ricerca sui consumi (C.R.C.), this simple pleasure is becoming a luxury that has opened a heated argument among Italians.

Breakfast at the Bar Keeps Getting More Expensive

According to the data, this year the morning bar ritual continues to get pricier due to the increase of raw materials (particularly coffee, butter, and cocoa) that are pushing up prices across all breakfast beverages and products. In particular, behind these increases are factors affecting the food sector in general: climate conditions that have reduced coffee production in Brazil, Vietnam, and Colombia due to droughts followed by heavy rains; higher energy and logistics costs; and increased demand for dairy products affecting milk prices.

The espresso, which averaged €1.21 in 2024, is set to climb even higher in 2025, with some cities already surpassing €1.40. So let’s say that in the not-too-distant future, it’s not hard to imagine it reaching €2. But the most obvious increase affects cappuccino, which in many bars has already crossed the €2.50 threshold, marking an average 14% increase over the last three years.

While by American and British standards this is still quite affordable (considering that a coffee can easily cost $6 or more), these price increases highlight deeper changes. They point to a shift in a deeply rooted Italian habit. In fact, if the trend continues, within a few years breakfast “al banco” could cost almost as much as table service, potentially changing or “eliminating” this tradition. The quick espresso at the bar has long been an accessible ritual for everyone – business professionals and construction workers alike needing a quick break before work, young and old alike. It’s a habit that has traditionally been affordable for all.

Regional Price Differences

Prices vary greatly from city to city. In Trentino Alto Adige, Bolzano leads the pack at €1.38 per espresso, with Trento close behind at €1.35. Meanwhile, Catanzaro in the south remains at just €1.00. That’s a 38% difference for the exact same product.

While the national average for an espresso at the bar has risen by about 18% since 2021, some provinces have seen sharper increases. Pescara (+34%) and Bari (+33%) top the list, followed by Napoli (+29%). Northern cities like Aosta (+6.7%) and Firenze (+11%) have kept price hikes more modest, reflecting different regional cost structures.

When looking at roasted coffee sold by the kilo, prices have surged by an average of 43%, with significant jumps in Milano (+64.8%), Palermo (+64.1%), and Torino (+62.3%). This suggests that while café owners are cautious about raising prices, the retail market has absorbed the full impact of global coffee price increases.

Butter shows even more dramatic regional differences: Turin charges €15.85 per kilo compared to Florence‘s €10.07 – a 57% gap for the same product on your morning cornetto.

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Credits: Assoutenti.it

Putting Italy’s Coffee Prices in Global Context

Generally speaking, compared to the USA and Northern Europe, prices in Italy for a simple breakfast remain relatively contained. Consider that in major American cities like New York or San Francisco, a basic cappuccino typically costs between $5 and $7, while in London a flat white easily runs £3.50 to £4.50 (approximately €4 to €5). Even countries traditionally considered more affordable, such as Spain and Portugal, are seeing café prices converge with Italian ones, with espressos in Madrid and Lisbon now averaging €1.30 to €1.50.

For expats considering living in Italy, it’s important to put these price increases in perspective. While it’s likely that a ritual like this may fade if prices continue to rise, it’s also true that the country remains one of the most economical places to live in Western Europe, especially when it comes to food culture.

In fact, beyond breakfast, a full meal at a local trattoria (appetizer, main course, side dish, and wine) in many places still costs €15-25 per person. Compare that to equivalent dining experiences in London (£30-50), New York ($40-70), or even Berlin (€30-40). Fresh produce at local markets remains remarkably cheap: a kilo of seasonal tomatoes for €2-3, fresh mozzarella for €10-12 per kilo, quality olive oil at €8-15 per liter.

The Wage Problem: Why Italians See It Differently

All this doesn’t change one important thing: while prices for certain raw materials are increasing, Italian wages have barely moved in years. This is the real concern behind the “breakfast crisis.” It’s not that €1.50 for an espresso is objectively expensive – it’s that for many Italians, salaries haven’t kept pace with inflation. So when a coffee goes from €1 to €1.40 in just a couple of years, and when you’re having one (or two) every day, it adds up.

This wage-to-cost ratio explains why Italians are so sensitive to these increases, even when foreign observers might see Italian prices as a bargain. For expats earning salaries from abroad or working remotely for international companies, Italy remains incredibly affordable. For locals navigating the Italian job market, every price increase hits harder. It’s a tale of two Italys – and understanding this distinction is key to grasping why something as simple as morning coffee has become such a heated topic.