La Casa del Caffè Tazza d'Oro

One of Rome's great espresso institutions, steps from the Pantheon. Founded as a roastery in 1944, the bar opened in 1946 and has been serving Romans ever since. The espresso is full-bodied and traditionally roasted. The star attraction is the granita di caffè con panna — a frozen, slushy coffee drink topped with a mountain of fresh whipped cream, served in summer and one of the most satisfying things to eat in Rome on a hot day. Busy but efficient; antique brass fittings and marble surfaces create a sense of history.