A delicious cup of joe in the city of lilies.
Italy is well known for its fabulous coffee culture. Italian’s start their day with a cappuccino, indulge in a caffè macchiato when an afternoon pick-me-up is needed, and wash their dinner down with strong espresso. And what better place to experience all that Italian coffee has to offer than the beautiful city of Florence? Here are our top five favorite places to grab a delicious cup of joe in the city of lilies.
Caffe Gilli
Via Roma, 1r, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy (map, website)
Caffe Gilli is one of the most famous cafe’s in Florence, and for good reason! It has been at the heart of Italian coffee culture since 1733 when it first began selling coffee and sugared donuts. Actors, writers and artists from all over the world would come here when visiting Florence, and it became an intellectual hub for young Florentines after the world wars. Today, it’s located in the sprawling Piazza della Repubblica, a great place to people watch with a coffee and donut in hand.
Rivoire
Piazza della Signoria, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy (map, website)
Another historic cafe in Florence, Rivoire is well known for its decadent hot chocolate as the original owner, Enrico Rivoire, was a famous chocolatier. All the chocolate you see there is homemade from their secret recipe dating back past the cafe’s opening in 1872. You can sit inside, surrounded by beautiful wood and marble decor, or step outside onto the terrace and take in Piazza della Signoria and Palazzo Vecchio.
Finisterrae
Piazza di Santa Croce, 12, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy (map, website)
Finisterrae is cute local place that serves amazing pastries to accompany your coffee. You’ll see locals in the morning reading the paper while sipping on espresso, and it’s a great place to go if you want to chat up the natives and find out places they recommend. Everyone is super friendly and you can even get your coffee to-go, something that most cafe’s don’t allow. They usually only take cash so make sure to have an ample amount of Euros on you.
La Ménagère
Via de’ Ginori, 8/R, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy (map, website)
If you want to spend your time in the most insta-worthy cafe in Florence, head over the La Ménagère. Part cafe, part florist, this gorgeous restaurant and cafe is perfect if you just want to sit and enjoy the rustic atmosphere with a cup of coffee. With high ceilings and blooming flowers everywhere, you almost feel as if you’re in a garden or greenhouse. You certainly won’t find a cafe concept like this anywhere else so it’s a definite must-visit.
Le Vespe Cafe
Via Ghibellina, 76 red, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy (map, website)
Le Vespe was started by a Canadian-Italian couple, so if you’re looking for something closer to an American/Canadian cafe this is the place to go. It’s a huge hit with American students studying abroad, so if you want to get a table we advise going early in the morning on weekdays. On weekends it’s almost impossible to get a table at any given time. They have great iced coffee, something that most Italian cafes don’t have, and amazing breakfast sandwiches (on bagels no less!), making this a true gem.
