A dive in the past: Florence traditional cafés

The beauty of Florence is not only in its museums, palaces and churches, it’s also in its traditional cafés. If you come to Florence it’s worth having a coffee or a cocktail in one of these cafés, because their beauty can be compared only to their cultural and social value.

Art nouveau interiors, wood furnitures and marble counters, luxurious chandeliers and elegant tea rooms, staff in uniform and, on the walls, images representing scenes from the past (which is still alive thanks to places like these).

The extremely pleasant and welcoming atmosphere and the belle epoque mood are common traits, but each café has its own peculiarities and something different to offer. Three out of the four cafés that we have chosen are located in Piazza della Repubblica, and it is no coincidence. This square was restored during the nineteenth century, in order to create a city center that had to be worthy of a city preparing to become the capital of the newly formed Kingdom of Italy. The fourth is located in Piazza della Signoria.

1. Caffè Concerto Paszkowski
piazza della Repubblica, at the corner with via de’  Brunelleschi
Despite its name (which is really hard to pronounce for an Italian…) it represents a part of the story of the city and many Florentines use to have breakfast there. Pastry and coffee are great. In the night time, the terrace hosts outdoor concerts and it’s definitely nice to sit at a table and order a cocktail (that for sure will be properly prepared).

2. Caffè Gilli
piazza della Repubblica, at the corner with via Roma
The Gilli café was founded by a Swiss family in 1733 in via de’ Cazaiuoli as a confectionery. Then it moved in via degli Speziali and became very famous among the Florentines. At the beginning of the XX century it was finally established in Piazza della Repubblica, its present location. A meeting place for writers and artists during the past century (the Futurists in particular), it offers nowadays – in addition to fine wines and liquors – a production of top quality chocolate.

3. Caffè Le Giubbe Rosse
piazza della Repubblica, at the corner with via Calimala
It was opened in 1896, as a brewery, by the Austrian brothers Reininghaus and took its name from the color of the jackets of the waiters (“giubbe rosse” means red jackets). It was assiduously frequented by intellectuals during the XX century: the Futurists artists and then, after the First World War, the Ermetic poets and nowadays it occasionaly hosts cultural events, lectures and books presentations. Just having a coffe here is like diving into the history of Itay itself.

4. Caffè Rivorie
piazza della Signoria
Established in 1872 (Florence was the capital of Italy until 1871) by Enrico Rivoire – a maitre chocolatier of the Savoy royal family –  as a chocolate shop, its fame has suddenly spread all over the town and it is still very famous and appreciated among Florentines and tourists. More than a century after its chocolate is stil considered on of the best in town. If you like to take a greedy break in a beautiful frame (the Palazzo Vecchio and the David stand just in front of your eyes) this is definitely the place you’re looking for. The perfect break for our group tours…