My 9 Favourite Cafes in Florence (From Someone Who Actually Lives Here)

I work with travellers as a Florence-based travel advisor, and one of the first things I do is take them for coffee. The cafe is where you learn to be Florentine. Let me share nine places where I actually spend my mornings, my afternoons, my time in this city.

Dina is a Florence-based travel advisor who blends knowledge of the city with hands-on experience to create personalised, seamless trips. She works closely with trusted partners to make sure recommendations land beyond the typical traveller spots.

1. Caffè Gilli: Where Florence Started Drinking Coffee

Piazza della Repubblica

Founded in 1733, Gilli is one of the oldest cafes in Florence. Sitting on Piazza della Repubblica, it is perfect for people-watching while drinking espresso pulled with care. The atmosphere is elegant and historical, yet it welcomes everyone.

The pastries are classic Italian, excellent. The espresso is what espresso should be: small, strong, finished in a sip. This is where Florence goes to feel connected to its past while living its present.

2. Ditta Artigianale: The Modern Pioneer

Florence

Ditta Artigianale brought specialty coffee culture to Florence. They focus on high-quality beans and sustainability and craftsmanship. The coffee here tastes different because it is treated differently.

It is great for brunch too, mixing international style with Italian tradition. This is Florence embracing modernity while respecting quality.

3. La Ménagère: Beauty and Coffee

Florence

This space is beautifully designed, combining a cafe, restaurant, and flower shop. The atmosphere is relaxed and stylish, contemporary without being cold. The coffee is excellent and the pastries are good.

I come here when I want to feel inspired, when I want a contemporary Florence experience alongside my love of the historic city.

4. Caffè Rivoire: Elegant Tradition

Piazza della Signoria

Rivoire sits on Piazza della Signoria with views of Palazzo Vecchio and the Duomo. The cafe is elegant, slightly more upscale. The hot chocolate here is famous, made to a traditional recipe.

The coffee is classic Italian, and the atmosphere reminds you that you are in Florence's most important square. It is expensive but worth it for the experience.

5. Caffè Letterario: Books and Coffee

Florence

This cafe combines coffee with literature, a perfect combination. You can sit with a book and an espresso and feel like a Florentine intellectual. The space is comfortable and welcoming.

6. Ditta Caffè: The Neighbourhood Spot

Florence

This is where Florentines come for their morning coffee, not travellers. The espresso is good, the owner is friendly, the atmosphere is authentic neighbourhood. This is real Florence.

7. Caffè dei Veri Amici: Among Real Friends

Florence

The name means "Cafe of True Friends," and that is what it feels like. The quality of coffee is high, the atmosphere is friendly and welcoming. This is where conversations happen.

8. Brac: Modern and Literary

Florence

Brac is a modern cafe, bookshop, and restaurant in one space. It feels designed for people who love books, good food, and good coffee. The quality of everything is high.

9. The Cafes Around Santa Croce: The Neighbourhood Rhythm

Florence

In the neighbourhood around Santa Croce, there are excellent small cafes where Florentines gather. Each has its own rhythm, its own regulars. Coming to one of these, you become part of Florence's daily life.

Florence is small enough that you can hop between three of these cafes in a single morning, and they'll each give you a different version of the city — historic, contemporary, neighbourhood, intellectual. That's how a Florentine actually drinks coffee.