Caffe’ sospeso

Coffee is one of the most famous elements of the Neapolitan tradition. Once in Naples, in the Sanità district, when one was cheerful, because something had gone well, instead of paying for a coffee he paid for two and left the second coffee, the one already paid for, for the next customer. 

The gesture was called “suspended coffee” (‘o cafè suspiso). Then, from time to time a poor man appeared to ask if there was a “suspended”. It was a way like any other to offer a coffee to the rest of the world. The tradition of paid coffee in Naples began to spread during the early years of the ‘900; difficult times during which those who could afford it began to pay two cups of coffee, one to be consumed immediately and one to leave to those who could not afford it. 

The coffee paid in Naples is a noble gesture, because the taste of coffee should not be denied to anyone. The tradition of “suspended coffee”, therefore, represents humanity, the incredible feeling of love, compassion, understanding and all the other positive feelings that are part of this city and that we must never forget. 

Neapolitan coffee is accompanied by a glass of water to drink after eating a Neapolitan croissant and anyway before coffee (usually). For the Neapolitans it is not a simple drink to be consumed in the early morning, after lunch or at the bar with friends. Coffee in Naples is a ritual, it represents a real cult. And to refuse it, if offered, is almost an insult.

It seems that from the second half of the nineteenth century the practice of suspended coffee was born at the Gran Caffè Gambrinus, a historic club in Naples located in Via Chiaia. At the entrance of the Bar is still a giant coffee pot where you can leave the receipts “suspended” (left by the customers) in favor of anyone who needed it. 

The echo of this practice has reached America where initiatives similar to the Neapolitan one were born.. The Gran Caffè Gambrinus is one of the top ten Caffè d’Italia and is part of the Associazione Locali Storici d’Italia. Founded in 1860, by the entrepreneur Vincenzo Apuzzo, furnished in beaux-arts style, it preserves inside stuccoes, statues and paintings of the late nineteenth century made by Neapolitan artists. 

From the Belle Époque onwards it was frequented by historical figures. It is one of the most frequented places in Naples, both by intellectuals and tourists. At Gambrinus you can enjoy a sublime coffee delighting your eyes with the beautiful frescoes that decorate the walls. In addition to the classic blend, you can also try the coffee with chocolate, hazelnuts and cream, accompanied by the unmissable puff pastry freshly baked. It’s a real coffee temple.