Would like to understand the economics of how you can buy a fabulous coffee and pastry for €3 in Milan, but can’t even buy a decent coffee for €3 in Dublin.

@jeremycherfas probably both. Maybe insurance and or rates as well. I have no idea what the costs of doing business are in Milan. It would be really interesting to take two similar coffee places in both cities and look at the accounts.

@wfm I remember long ago how we in London used to laugh at the exorbitant prices in Italy for such tiny cups of coffee. Our cheap swill was good enough. Times, and tastes, have changed so much for the better.