Dark Roast – Caffè Verona®: A Passionate for Chocolate Lovers

• Short 8 fl oz
• Tall 12 fl oz
• Grande 16 fl oz
• Venti 20 fl oz

$2.65 – 5 Calories

$2.95 – 5 Calories

$3.45 – 5 Calories

$3.65 – 5 Calories

The Starbucks Caffe Verona is a year-round dark roast brewed coffee known for its deep, rich, chocolatey flavor and velvety body. It blends Latin American and Italian Roast coffees to create a dark, romantic cup with notes of dark cocoa, roasted marshmallow, and a sweet, lingering finish. Often called Starbucks’ most romantic coffee.

Starbucks Caffe Verona Quick Facts (2026)

What Is Starbucks Caffe Verona?

Caffe Verona is Starbucks’ signature dark roast brewed coffee, often described as the most romantic coffee in the Starbucks lineup. It blends Latin American coffees with a touch of Italian Roast to create a deep, rich, velvety cup with prominent dark chocolate notes and a sweet, lingering finish. Named after the Italian city of Verona, the setting of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, this coffee is crafted to be the dark roast you can fall in love with.

What makes Caffe Verona special among Starbucks’ dark roasts is its remarkable sweetness. Despite being a full dark roast, it avoids the harshness and excessive bitterness that can characterize heavily roasted coffees. The Italian Roast component adds depth and smokiness, while the Latin American base provides a smooth, sweet foundation with notes of roasted marshmallow and caramelized sugar. The result is a dark roast that is bold yet approachable.

Caffe Verona has been a permanent menu item for decades, earning a devoted following among dark roast enthusiasts. It is available year-round at all Starbucks locations, either on the dark roast brewer or by request as a pour-over. Starbucks deliberately positioned it as the ideal pairing for chocolate desserts, and it lives up to that promise, the dark cocoa notes in the coffee mirror and amplify the flavors of chocolate.

Starbucks Caffe Verona Price 2026 (All Sizes)

What Affects Pricing?

Caffe Verona is priced the same as all standard brewed coffees at Starbucks, making it one of the most affordable ways to experience a premium dark roast. There is no upcharge for the specialty blend. Location-based pricing variations of $0.50-1.00 apply at airports and premium stores.

Starbucks Caffe Verona Calories by Size

Black Caffe Verona has only 5 calories per cup, regardless of size. The rich, chocolatey flavor that makes this coffee feel indulgent comes entirely from the roasting process, not from added sugar or fat. It is one of the most satisfying ways to enjoy a virtually calorie-free beverage.

Starbucks Caffe Verona Nutrition Facts (Grande, Black)

Starbucks Caffe Verona Caffeine Content

As a dark roast, Caffe Verona has slightly less caffeine than medium or light roasts. A Grande provides approximately 260 mg of caffeine, which is still a strong dose representing 65% of the daily recommended maximum. The dark roasting process burns off some caffeine, but the difference versus medium roast (310 mg for Pike Place) is relatively modest.

Starbucks Caffe Verona Ingredients

Core Ingredients

• 100% Arabica Coffee Beans: A blend of Latin American coffees and Italian Roast for depth
• Water: Filtered water for brewing

The Italian Roast component is a very dark roasted coffee that adds smoky, charred notes and body. It is blended with smoother, sweeter Latin American beans that provide the chocolate and caramelized sugar characteristics. The two components create a balanced dark roast that has depth without harshness.

Starbucks Caffe Verona Allergen Information

Black Caffe Verona is free of all major allergens. It is vegan, gluten-free, and suitable for all dietary restrictions when consumed black. Adding dairy, milk alternatives, or syrups introduces potential allergens.

Starbucks Caffe Verona Flavor Profile and Taste Review

Caffe Verona opens with a deep, inviting aroma of dark chocolate and roasted nuts. The first sip delivers a full-bodied, velvety mouthfeel with prominent notes of dark cocoa, bittersweet chocolate, and a toasted, almost marshmallow-like sweetness. The Italian Roast component adds a subtle smokiness in the background that provides complexity without dominating the cup.

As you drink, the caramelized sugar notes become more apparent, creating a sweetness that feels natural and integrated rather than added. The finish is long, smooth, and slightly sweet, with lingering dark chocolate that invites another sip. Caffe Verona is one of the few dark roasts that does not leave a harsh or ashy aftertaste. Instead, it finishes with warmth and elegance, which is why Starbucks calls it their most romantic coffee.

Who Will Love It

• Dark roast enthusiasts who want depth without harshness
• Chocolate lovers who want cocoa notes in their coffee
• People who pair coffee with desserts (especially chocolate)
• Coffee drinkers looking for a full-bodied, rich everyday cup
• Those who find Pike Place too mild and want more intensity

Who Might Not Like It

• Light roast drinkers who prefer bright, acidic coffees
• People who find all dark roasts too smoky or bitter
• Customers who want a lighter, more refreshing coffee
• Those who prefer flavored or sweetened beverages

Is Starbucks Caffe Verona Worth It in 2026?

At $3.45 for a Grande, Caffe Verona delivers a premium dark roast experience at standard brewed coffee prices. The blend’s quality and complexity rival specialty coffee shop dark roasts that cost $5-7. For dark roast lovers, it is the best-value premium dark coffee available at scale, and its year-round availability means you never have to settle for a lesser dark roast.

Compared to espresso-based dark coffee drinks ($5-7), Caffe Verona provides a larger volume of rich, dark coffee at a fraction of the cost. It is the most efficient and affordable way to enjoy Starbucks’ darkest, most chocolatey coffee.

Caffe Verona vs Pike Place vs French Roast

Caffe Verona is the sweet, chocolatey dark roast. Pike Place is the balanced, everyday medium. French Roast is the most intensely dark and smoky. Choose Verona if you want dark roast richness with chocolate sweetness, Pike Place for versatile balance, or French Roast for pure dark roast intensity.

How to Order Starbucks Caffe Verona (2026)

In-Store Order

Say “Grande Caffe Verona” or “Grande dark roast.” Many locations keep a dark roast brewer running alongside Pike Place, and Caffe Verona is frequently the featured dark roast. If not currently brewed, ask for a pour-over, which takes about 4-5 minutes.

Mobile App Tips

Search for Caffe Verona in the app under Brewed Coffee or Hot Coffee. Select your size and any customizations. The app will confirm availability at your selected store.

Best Caffe Verona Customizations (Popular Orders 2026)

Splash of Cream

A splash of half-and-half opens up the dark chocolate notes and creates a richer, more dessert-like experience. The cream softens the smokiness while amplifying the sweet cocoa character.

Mocha Sauce

Add a pump of mocha sauce for a chocolate-on-chocolate experience. The mocha sauce doubles down on Verona’s inherent cocoa notes, creating a richly chocolatey brew without ordering a full mocha drink.

Vanilla Syrup

Add a pump of vanilla for a dark chocolate-vanilla combination. The vanilla smooths out the dark roast’s edges and adds an aromatic sweetness that complements the cocoa perfectly.

Pair with Chocolate

Order a Chocolate Brownie alongside your Verona. Starbucks specifically designed this coffee to pair with chocolate, and the combination of dark cocoa coffee plus rich chocolate brownie is a genuine flavor experience.

Is Starbucks Caffe Verona Healthy?

Health Pros

• Only 5 calories black, effectively calorie-free
• Zero sugar and zero fat when black
• 260 mg caffeine for strong energy
• Rich in antioxidants, which dark roasting preserves well
• No artificial ingredients or flavoring

Health Cons

• 260 mg caffeine is substantial; two cups approach the daily limit
• Dark roast acidity may affect sensitive stomachs
• Adding cream and sugar quickly increases calorie count
• The rich flavor can tempt heavier cream and sugar additions

Healthiest Ways to Enjoy It

• Drink black for maximum health benefit at 5 calories
• Use a small amount of nonfat milk instead of cream
• Limit to one Grande per day for caffeine management
• Skip added sugar; Verona’s natural sweetness may be sufficient

Best Food Pairings with Caffe Verona

Starbucks developed Caffe Verona specifically as a chocolate pairing coffee. A Chocolate Brownie is the signature match, with the dark cocoa in both the coffee and the brownie creating a harmonious chocolate immersion. A Double Chocolate Chunk Brownie Cookie amplifies this further. For a savory contrast, an Everything Bagel with cream cheese provides salty richness against the sweet dark roast.

How to Make Caffe Verona at Home

DIY Recipe

1. Purchase Starbucks Caffe Verona whole bean or ground coffee from the grocery store
2. For drip brewing: use 2 tablespoons per 6 ounces of filtered water at 195-205 degrees Fahrenheit
3. For French press: use a coarse grind, steep 4 minutes, then press for maximum body and chocolate flavor
4. Serve immediately for the best crema-like richness
5. Pair with chocolate for the intended experience

Caffe Verona is one of Starbucks’ most widely available grocery store coffees, typically priced at $10-12 per 12 oz bag. It is also available in K-Cup format and as whole bean. At about $0.25-0.30 per cup at home, it is an excellent value for a premium dark roast.

Customer Favorites and Popular Feedback

Caffe Verona has one of the most loyal followings of any Starbucks brewed coffee. Dark roast enthusiasts praise its unique combination of boldness and sweetness, noting that it tastes like dark chocolate without any chocolate added. The year-round availability is greatly appreciated by fans who do not want to depend on seasonal releases. Many customers describe it as their everyday comfort coffee.

The most common criticism is that some locations do not brew it regularly, defaulting to Pike Place only. Pour-over waits of 4-5 minutes can be frustrating during busy mornings. Some light-roast drinkers find it too dark and smoky, though Verona is generally considered the most approachable dark roast in the Starbucks lineup. Overall, it is a beloved staple with extremely high customer satisfaction.

How to Save Money on Caffe Verona

• Standard brewed coffee pricing: $2.65-3.65 for a premium dark roast is excellent value
• Free refills: Rewards members get unlimited free brewed coffee refills during the same visit
• Grocery store bags: $10-12 per bag yields about 40 cups ($0.25-0.30 each)
• K-Cups: Available in K-Cup format for convenient, consistent home brewing

Frequently Asked Questions About Caffe Verona

Is Caffe Verona always available?

Yes, it is a permanent, year-round menu item. However, not all locations brew it continuously on the dark roast brewer. You can always request a pour-over if it is not currently brewed.

What does Italian Roast mean?

Italian Roast is a very dark roasting level, darker than French Roast. In Caffe Verona, a portion of Italian Roast beans are blended with lighter Latin American beans to add depth and smokiness without making the entire cup aggressively dark.

Why is it called the most romantic coffee?

Named after Verona, Italy, the setting of Romeo and Juliet, Starbucks positioned Caffe Verona as a coffee meant for sharing and pairing with chocolate, creating an intimate, romantic coffee experience.

Does it have chocolate in it?

No, Caffe Verona is 100% pure coffee with no added chocolate or flavoring. The chocolate notes come naturally from the bean selection and dark roasting process.

How does it compare to Pike Place?

Caffe Verona is darker, bolder, and more chocolatey than Pike Place. Pike Place is a medium roast with balanced chocolate, nut, and citrus notes. Verona is a dark roast that leans heavily into dark cocoa and caramelized sweetness. Choose Pike Place for balance, Verona for bold chocolate.

Is there a decaf version?

There is no dedicated Decaf Caffe Verona. For decaf dark roast, try Decaf Pike Place Roast or ask if a decaf dark roast is available at your location.

Final Verdict: Is Starbucks Caffe Verona Worth It?

Starbucks Caffe Verona is the dark roast for people who love coffee AND chocolate. At $3.45 for a Grande with 5 calories, zero sugar, and rich flavors of dark cocoa, caramelized sugar, and roasted marshmallow, it delivers one of the most satisfying coffee experiences at Starbucks. Its year-round availability, affordable pricing, and unmatched chocolate character make it the best everyday dark roast on the menu. If you have never tried it, pair it with a chocolate brownie and prepare to fall in love.