Tazza d'oro, Rome

When in Rome you're strolling through the City Centre, somewhere in the vicinity of the Pantheon (and the weather is moderately warm), you'll notice people carrying little plastic cups with something dark brown at the bottom (and possibly whipped cream on top).

Chances are that they have just been at the "Tazza d'Oro" to get their fix of "granita di caffè", one of the best ways to have a coffee on a hot summer day: Basically, it's a slush puppy for adults, i.e. coffee that has been frozen, but stirred during the process so that the ice crystals remain very small (hmm, there's a new order for Mr Bond "I want my coffee frozen and stirred"). The whole thing is then rounded off with a generous dollop of whipped cream (given the long ways you have been walking to the different sights you can probably afford it).

Apparently, Tazza d'Oro is one of the best places in Rome to get a granita di caffè - not only according to the tourist guides, but also to the queues of locals you will normally have to join to get your fix.

By the way, apart from the granita, the Tazza d'oro naturally offers all the coffees, tea etc. you can expect from an Italian bar - but from their own coffee which they roast themselves. If you like it so much, you want to take it home - go ahead: The coffee is also sold on the premises.