AD Café is not your usual Italian coffee shop. It tells a story. It creates a space for study and connections in one of Cagliari’s most populated districts: Monserrato. The idea to create a literature café, where ones can trade books, is the brain child of Antonio Dessì, an artsy and charming individual with a deep love for cooking and the printed word.
In 2008, Antonio left behind his career in finance to revamp his brother’s café, gifted to them by their grandfather in 1997. The question that fuelled the remodelling of this space was one of great meaning. Antonio told us: “Why would anyone choose to spend even a minute of their most precious possession – their time – in my café?” And so, the idea to create an atmosphere, an experience, came to be. AD Café (from the initials of its owner) prides itself in giving each customer the feeling of being invited into Antonio’s living room. Surrounded by his own books, records and even the bike he uses to commute to and from work, Antonio has created a space where anyone can feel unrushed and at home.
Even the coffee machine they use has a story behind it. Found by chance during one of his friend’s restoration projects, this beauty from 1964 was brought back to life and it’s now the beating heart of the café. We asked what makes this machine so unique, considering its age, and the answer warmed our heart while teaching us a profound lesson. Antonio warmly explained: “This machine, it’s like your own nonna. It can’t do much, but only she can make that tomato sauce that is impossible to recreate, no matter how many times you try”. It’s substance over style in a world that is anything but. That translates to the coffee being classic and smooth rather than trendy and punchy. The café offers a simple selection of great quality pastries, including the typical Sardinian ‘pizzetta’ (ask for it to be “scaldata” or warmed up). The ample, cosy indoor and outdoor seating areas make this a perfect place to relax for a while.
So, if you find yourself in South Sardinia anytime soon, take a detour from your usual destinations and pay a visit to AD Café, where community, family and culture are the true meaning of the Italian dolce vita.
