8 coffee orders that make Europeans roll their eyes at American tourists

Traveling is one of life’s great joys. But let’s be honest—nothing outs you as an American abroad faster than the way you order coffee. In Europe, coffee culture is less about “how big can I make this drink?” and more about tradition, taste, and simplicity.

I learned this the hard way in Rome when I asked for a cappuccino after dinner. The waiter gave me a polite smile that somehow managed to feel like a lecture. That’s when it hit me: coffee abroad isn’t just about caffeine. It’s about fitting into the rhythm of a culture that’s been steeped (pun intended) in centuries of ritual.

Here’s the thing: the way we order coffee says a lot about our psychology. In the U.S., we love customization, convenience, and abundance. Bigger is better. Options are endless. Coffee reflects our culture of individualism.

In Europe, though, coffee is tied to community, rhythm, and respect for tradition. Less is more. And you fit in by following the script that’s been there for generations.

So if you’d rather not be the tourist everyone side-eyes, here are eight coffee orders that tend to get the biggest eye-rolls.

1. The venti anything

Let’s start with size. In much of Europe, coffee is meant to be small, strong, and savored. Asking for a “venti” latte or “grande” drip coffee will mark you instantly as a Starbucks transplant.

Coffeehouses in Italy, Spain, and France often serve espresso in tiny cups. That’s the norm. The idea isn’t to camp out with a laptop for three hours—it’s to have a quick, flavorful shot and move on with your day.

So when Americans demand their 20-ounce caffeine fix, baristas can’t help but shake their heads. It’s not that they don’t understand wanting more caffeine—it’s that the oversized cup clashes with the spirit of the culture.

And really, isn’t it interesting how size has become tied to status in the U.S.? We often treat “more” as a marker of value. But in much of Europe, the sophistication is in restraint.

2. Flavored syrups

Caramel swirl. Pumpkin spice. Hazelnut blast. These are staples in the U.S., but in many European cafés, they’re considered unnecessary distractions.

Coffee is supposed to taste like—wait for it—coffee. Italians, for example, take pride in the balance between bitterness and crema. Adding sugary syrups is often viewed as covering up bad beans rather than elevating good ones.

As noted by culinary historian Massimo Montanari, “In Italy, food culture is less about invention and more about respect for tradition.” Coffee falls squarely into that category.

This doesn’t mean Europeans don’t enjoy flavor. Think about French patisseries or Viennese cakes. But they often prefer sweetness alongside their coffee, not inside it. The message? Keep the coffee pure, and let dessert do its job.

3. Iced coffee with whipped cream

If you’ve ever ordered one of those towering iced concoctions topped with whipped cream, sprinkles, and caramel drizzle, you’ll know it’s practically dessert in a cup.

Europeans usually don’t see coffee as a sweet indulgence; it’s more of a ritual. Sure, you’ll find variations like the Greek frappé or Italy’s caffè shakerato (shaken espresso with ice). But these are light, simple, and elegant—nothing resembling a milkshake.

So when a tourist requests an iced mocha mountain of sugar, it tends to raise eyebrows. To the locals, it looks like Americans can’t enjoy coffee unless it’s disguised as a sundae.

There’s also a cultural rhythm here. In hot weather, Europeans still often prefer their espresso hot, sipping it quickly even under the blazing sun. The iced versions exist, but they’re still rooted in balance rather than excess.

4. Decaf at odd hours

Here’s a cultural quirk: Europeans often drink espresso late at night without thinking twice. Asking for decaf in those settings can earn you a puzzled look.

To them, coffee isn’t just about caffeine—it’s about flavor and tradition. Ordering decaf at 10 p.m. in Lisbon or Paris might lead the barista to wonder: why even bother?

Of course, decaf does exist in Europe, but it’s not the default request. Timing matters, too. Coffee after a meal is typically an espresso, not a gentle caffeine-free variation.

There’s something psychological here, too. In the U.S., we often treat food and drink in terms of health adjustments—decaf, gluten-free, sugar-free. In Europe, the expectation is that you take things as they come, in small doses. Moderation, not substitution, is the mindset.

5. Cappuccino after noon

This one’s infamous. In Italy especially, cappuccino is considered a morning drink. Milk after lunch? Practically unthinkable.

It has to do with digestion. The idea is that warm milk doesn’t sit well after a heavy meal. So when Americans order a cappuccino at 3 p.m., it signals they’re not in the know.

As Italian food writer Anna Del Conte once said, “Cappuccino is breakfast, not an afternoon pastime.” Order it after noon, and you might as well hang a neon sign that says “tourist.”

But there’s something liberating about respecting this cultural rhythm. When you stick to espresso in the afternoon, you feel more like a local. And isn’t that half the fun of traveling?

6. Extra-large drip coffee

Drip coffee as Americans know it—endless refills in a bottomless mug—is rare in much of Europe. Espresso-based drinks are the standard.

Yes, countries like the Netherlands or Scandinavia serve filter coffee, but it’s usually smaller and stronger than the watered-down version served in American diners. Asking for a “regular coffee” can create confusion. Regular to whom?

If you insist on something large, the closest you’ll get is a café lungo or café crème, but even those won’t resemble the jug-sized portions you’re used to.

What fascinates me here is how coffee reflects work culture. In the U.S., the giant refillable mug symbolizes productivity: stay fueled, keep going. In Europe, the smaller serving symbolizes pause: take a moment, breathe, then move on. Two cultures, two psychologies in a cup.

7. Non-dairy “custom everything” orders

Almond milk, oat milk, coconut foam, sugar-free vanilla, two pumps, light whip… In the U.S., customization is a badge of honor. In Europe, it’s often viewed as overcomplicating something that should be simple.

Cafés tend to have whole milk, maybe soy milk if you’re lucky. Beyond that, good luck. Your hyper-specific order can leave baristas baffled or amused.

This isn’t about being inflexible—it’s about tradition. As one Parisian barista told The Guardian, “Here, the coffee decides the milk, not the customer.”

It’s worth reflecting on this. In the U.S., our culture rewards self-expression, even in small choices. In Europe, tradition and collective experience carry more weight. Neither is wrong. But when you travel, bending toward the cultural norm can open you up to experiences you wouldn’t have had otherwise.

8. The to-go obsession

Finally, the takeaway cup. In the U.S., coffee on the go is practically a way of life. In Europe, coffee is meant to be consumed on the spot, at the bar or at a table, often while chatting with friends or taking a pause in your day.

Yes, you can get coffee to go in some places, especially in big cities. But the cultural expectation is to slow down and enjoy it where you are. Walking through Florence with a giant paper cup screams “outsider.”

And maybe there’s something we can learn here. In America, coffee is fuel for multitasking. In Europe, it’s a reason to stop. A moment of presence. A ritual. Imagine how different life would feel if we treated coffee not as a background activity, but as a daily practice in mindfulness.

Final thoughts

Ordering coffee in Europe isn’t just about avoiding embarrassment—it’s about experiencing a culture on its own terms. When you step into a café abroad, you’re stepping into a tradition that values simplicity, taste, and ritual over excess and customization.

Does that mean you can never have your pumpkin spice latte again? Of course not. It just means when you’re traveling, it’s worth adapting. Try the espresso. Savor a small cappuccino—in the morning. Order what the locals order and notice how it changes your experience.

Because at the end of the day, coffee isn’t just coffee. It’s a window into how people live, slow down, and savor life. And isn’t that why we travel in the first place?