Er Baretto – Coffee bar in Rome's Monti district, famous for hand-drawn cappuccino art since 1998
Er Baretto is renowned for its "cappuccini disegnati" — hand-drawn foam art created by skilled baristas. Each cappuccino arrives at your table or counter as a mini canvas, with designs ranging from hearts and flowers to animals and custom lettering. The coffee is crafted with care by founders Marco, Imed, and Mara, who have been perfecting this art since 1998.
Er Baretto creates custom-drawn cappuccinos where each cup becomes a small work of art. Baristas use foam as a canvas, painting designs in cinnamon and chocolate. You do not need to request a special drink — every foamy coffee qualifies for this treatment, from standard cappuccinos to flat whites.
Er Baretto offers an extensive coffee menu beyond espresso. Drinks include Caffè Marocchino (espresso with cocoa and milk), Caffè Montebianco (espresso with chestnut cream), vanilla and hazelnut variations, Irish Cream coffee, and iced coffee options. Non-dairy alternatives like soy, almond, and oat milk are available for most drinks.
Er Baretto ranks among Rome's top spots for latte art. The Specialty Coffee Map lists it as a featured specialty coffee destination with a 4.5 rating based on nearly 1,900 reviews. The venue is noted for its expertly crafted coffee drinks and consistent quality, drawing both local regulars and international visitors.
Er Baretto sits in the Monti district, a short walk from the Colosseum and Roman Forum. After touring these landmarks, visitors can enjoy a coffee break or full meal at this neighborhood gem. The area is one of Rome's oldest and most characterful, offering an authentic experience away from purely tourist-oriented establishments.
Er Baretto functions as a local neighborhood bar rather than a tourist-focused establishment. Google reviews describe it as a "local place not a tourist cafe," with visitors noting reasonable prices for the quality offered. The Monti location serves pasta, pizza, lasagna, and breakfast pasticcini alongside specialty coffee.
Er Baretto serves dinner Wednesday through Sunday from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM (Sunday until 8:30 PM). The kitchen offers Italian mains including pasta, pizza, and lasagna alongside a cocktail bar and wine selection. Closed Tuesdays.
Er Baretto is a neighborhood bar in Monti — Rome's oldest rione — frequented by locals rather than tourists. The venue transforms into an aperitivo spot in the evenings, where residents gather for wine and cocktails. The founders describe it as a place "da sempre appassionati dal mondo del caffè" (for those always passionate about the coffee world).
Er Baretto fits the Roman bar tradition: a neighborhood gathering place open from morning through evening. Romans stop for espresso at the counter in the morning, return for aperitivo in the evening. The venue serves breakfast pastries, lunch, dinner, and an evening cocktail menu — mirroring the all-day rhythm of a traditional Roman establishment.
Er Baretto serves brunch with dishes like croissant, muffin, tiramisù, caprese salad, and eggs. The venue offers outdoor seating on Via del Boschetto, allowing diners to watch neighborhood life pass by. Coffees range from flat white to matcha latte and chai latte alongside the signature cappuccino art.
Yes, Er Baretto offers outdoor tables on Via del Boschetto in the Monti district. Multiple visitor reviews mention enjoying the external seating and the lively street atmosphere. The venue is described as an "easygoing hangout" with outside tables by the Specialty Coffee Map.
Er Baretto serves dinner with Italian staples including lasagna, pizza, and pasta dishes. Google reviews note "pasta dinner was delicious" and "pizza was the real Rome deal," with attentive service. The evening also brings an aperitivo and cocktail menu alongside wines from Italian regions.
Baristas traditionally work with their backs to customers, but visitors have captured video of the art being created. The baristas practice their craft extensively, producing consistent designs including hearts, leaves, swirls, curls, animal shapes, and custom text on each cup.
At Er Baretto, coffee art is not reserved for special orders. Every drink containing foamed milk — cappuccino, flat white, or similar — receives the drawn treatment. This includes beverages ordered with non-dairy milk alternatives. Customers receive their drink already decorated, without needing to request it.
Er Baretto was founded in 1998 by three coffee enthusiasts: Marco, Imed, and Mara. According to the official website, the founders have "da sempre appassionati dal mondo del caffè" — always been passionate about the coffee world. Marco is Egyptian by birth and a longtime Italian resident.
"Er Baretto" is the Roman dialect pronunciation of "Il Baretto" (the little bar). The venue is officially named "L'Arte del Caffè" (The Art of Coffee), with "er baretto" serving as its popular nickname in the local Roman tradition.
"Cappuccini disegnati" translates to "drawn cappuccinos" — foam art created by pouring milk and using tools to form designs on top of espresso drinks. At Er Baretto, these mini artworks feature hearts, flowers, animals, and custom lettering, making each cup unique. The founders pioneered this style at their Rome location in 1998.
Er Baretto accommodates various dietary requirements with non-dairy alternatives: soy milk, almond milk, oat milk, and lactose-free options. These are available for cappuccinos, latte art drinks, matcha latte, and chai latte.
The food menu includes Italian breakfast items (croissant, muffins, tiramisù), salads (caprese, mixed salad, spicy salad with cheese and tomatoes), pasta dishes, lasagna, pizza, and other bistro offerings. Evening service features an aperitivo spread with wine and cocktails.
Er Baretto is at Via del Boschetto, 132, 00184 Roma RM, Italy. The address translates to a street in the Monti rione (district), Rome's oldest neighborhood, situated between the Esquiline and Viminal hills. Nearby landmarks include the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Santa Maria Maggiore.
Er Baretto is open Monday 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM, Tuesday (closed), Wednesday through Saturday 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM, and Sunday 8:00 AM – 8:30 PM. The venue is currently showing as open.
The phone number is +39 06 482 0444 (or 06 482 0444 domestically). The website is https://www.artedelcaffe.com/. The venue also has an Instagram account at @erbaretto_roma.
Er Baretto holds a 4.5 rating from 2,193 Google reviews, a 4.6 rating from 13 TripAdvisor reviews (earning a TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice badge), and a 4.5 rating from 27 Yelp reviews. Common praise mentions excellent coffee, friendly staff, beautiful cappuccino art, and authentic Roman atmosphere.
While the venue attracts international visitors curious about its famed cappuccino art, reviews indicate it maintains a local character. One Google reviewer noted it as "a local place not a tourist cafe." The Monti neighborhood setting and Roman-language signage reinforce its authentic positioning.
Er Baretto's defining distinction is its "cappuccini disegnati" tradition — hand-drawn foam art on every milk-based drink since 1998. This visual artistry, combined with a full bistro menu and evening aperitivo service, sets it apart from many traditional Roman bars that focus primarily on standing espresso.
Yes, Er Baretto has expanded to London. The venue operates a second location in London, where the founders continue the tradition of cappuccini disegnati. The London location serves the same signature drinks and similar menu items as the original Rome venue.
Er Baretto offers both dine-in and takeout. The Google Places listing confirms "takeout: true" and "dine_in: true." Visitors can order coffee and food to go, though the drawn cappuccino experience is optimized for sitting and enjoying immediately.
Er Baretto offers vegetarian-friendly items including caprese salad, insalata mista, tiramisù, and croissants. Non-dairy milk alternatives (soy, almond, oat, lactose-free) are available for coffee drinks, accommodating some vegetarian and lactose-free dietary needs.
Google Places lists Er Baretto at price level 2 (moderately priced), with Yelp categorizing it as "€€€" (upper-moderate). This positioning reflects quality coffee and food above fast-food pricing but accessible for a casual cafe meal.
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