Rarely will you see me complain about places being tourist traps. We all know what the score is, especially in Europe; a place gets a reputation or doesn't need one because it's near a major tourist destination, the service goes down and the prices go up. It is, in short, a tourist trap. Using just a little bit of discrimination we avoided most of those during our trip. Certainly, we had dinner a couple of times in the Piazza Navona, but while the prices were higher than we might have paid a couple of blocks over, the experience was worth it and the food was utterly delicious.

This cafe, which is located in one of the more stylish areas of Naples has a reputation as a "must visit" place. In my view, it's not entirely deserved. Yes, the interior is quite beautiful and stylishly elegant. Yes, the outdoor tables provide a view over some busy Neapolitan streets and piazzas, albeit at the cost of rather rickety table legs. But the service (and yes, it is table service only) is legendarily slow and the prices are "not economical".

On the first point, we were yet again on the clock. This was at the end of an "orientation" tour of Napoli which we had just before heading off to Pompeii and then Sorrento. We had about 20 minutes (or it may have been 30, I can't quite recall). Either way, it's the sort of time that seems like a reasonable amount, but which flows like water out of a tap. So of course, when 10 minutes had elapsed without our orders appearing we started to get a little bit nervous. Eventually they arrived after I followed up with the waiter. The drinks were not exactly voluminous considering that they cost between four and five Euros each. The total bill came to €19. I paid with €20 note and the cashier disappeared without providing change.

I suppose that wouldn't have been too bad but one thing that Australians (and probably Americans) are not used to is that most public toilets in Italy, you have to pay for. Normally it's between €0.50 and €0.80. In bars, cafes and restaurants it is less common to see a charge. However this place not only had one for its paying customers, but the charge was one full Euro per person. One of our group, who had to pay with a note, received change that was distinctly "light", to put it charitably. Fortunately she noticed and disputed it.

If you are not limited in time, just want to sit back and watch Naples go by or experience an old world environment and don't mind paying a bit over the odds to do so, this place may be okay. But for mine it's just a gouge. You are better off finding less famous coffee bars in the area.