Coffee In Florence For The Curious: The Beginners Guide
If this is your first time in Florence, Italy and you know that an espresso will be in your future, our beginners guide will set you on the right path.
To explore the coffee culture of Florence, it is important to understand how locals, tourists and students alike get their coffee fix in this beautiful city. We will help you understand the style of coffee in Florence, as well as some of the iconic coffee bars to keep an eye out for.
While the actual ordering of coffee in Florence isn’t very different from other cities in Italy, one important element to keep in mind is the setting. If you choose to enjoy an espresso outdoors in the shadow of the Duomo, don’t be surprised if you will be paying a premium price for it. Some people forget where they are and are outraged by what would be a ridiculous price for coffee, but really aren’t in Piazza della Signoria.
Similarly, I’ve had the pleasure of enjoying a cappuccino in different museums around Italy, and I highly suggest it. Relaxing with a macchiato in the presence of a masterpiece in Florence can not be replicated, so do it while you can. And if you are wondering: yes, there is a cafè in the Uffizi where you can get a coffee.
The History Of Coffee In Florence
Around the 16th century, coffee was introduced to Europe in Venice from the Ottoman Empire. Europeans quickly discovered the social and “medicinal” benefits of coffee during the Middle Ages. Later, coffee became a source of energy for intellectual movements and the Renaissance movement.
The Ottoman civilization processed and prepared coffee entirely by hand,but the Italians invented a machine that used steam pressure to extract the essence and aroma of the coffee beans in the fastest time.
The evolution and importance of Florence’s historic cafés between 1865 and 1900 is important to put into context. These coffee bars were central to cultural and intellectual life, serving as meeting points for artists, writers, and political figures during a transformative period in Italy’s history. Notable venues like Caffè Michelangelo played a critical role in the Macchiaioli art movement and broader cultural developments.
Coffee Culture In Florence
The coffee culture in Florence doesn’t differ much from that all over Italy. If you feel comfortable ordering a macchiato in Rome, you should feel equally comfortable ordering the same in Firenze.
Given the student population, it is not surprising that the Tuscan capital, with its pool of foreign customers who are looking for a coffee that goes beyond the classic espresso, is trying to interpret the trend of “specialty coffee”. This is thanks to innovative venues that are added to the “historic” ones.
Signature Coffee Styles And Flavors
The style of coffee that is enjoyed around Florence can best be described as medium balanced for bitterness and aroma. Among the best coffees are:
- Mokaflor – In 70 years of tradition their objective has always been to offer our customers the best quality. In order to achieve this, the most important and first step is to choose the right raw material. This is because without a high starting quality, no other step will lead to final customer satisfaction.
- Caffè Magic – This smaller market is also a roaster. They offer home-made coffee, artisanal confectionery products and much more.
- Caffè Pontevecchio Firenze – This brand was born in 2014 from an idea of Alfonso Petrella. Alfonso, born in Campania but Florentine by adoption, brings with him the tradition and culture of coffee from his land of origin. From Florence he appreciates the art of beauty, the meticulous research into attention to detail and elegance in all its expressions.
Famous Coffee Bars And Cafés In Florence
The historic Florentine cafés are one of the most interesting and original elements of the history of the city. The great Italian intellectuals of the twentieth century used to gather at the tables of these elegant cafés.
They would share moments of inspiration, discussion, political and cultural controversy. Artistic movements and well-known literary magazines were born between a coffee and a newspaper, between a counter and a cup of coffee.
Some coffee bars in Florence to consider are:
- Caffè Bianchi – This historic establishment was opened in 1920. It had a small coffee roasting shop that filled the entire neighbourhood with aroma. In 1996 the Café was renovated, maintaining the original furnishings and style, the pink marble counter and the wrought iron windows.
- Caffè Concerto Paszkowski – Born in 1846, it was turned into a Viennese-style beer hall by the Paskowski family. In the first decades of the 1900s it was a star of the Florence cultural scene as a meeting place for writers and artists. In 1991 the place was declared a National Monument.
- Caffè Le Giubbe Rosse – This is a historic establishment in Florence, located in Piazza della Repubblica. It is part of the Historic Places of Italy. The importance of the establishment is however linked to the era of Futurism and Lacerba, La Voce and Leonardo, when the café became the liveliest literary and artistic circle in Florence.
Finishing Off Coffee In Florence, Italy
If you are looking for an amazing place to enjoy coffee, culture and tradition, then Firenze should definitely be in your plans. The history, influences, food and unparalleled beauty of the city will make a visit here as memorable as it would be delicious.
If you enjoyed learning more about coffee in Italy, check out some of these articles that you might find interesting:
- The Best Coffee Cities In Italy: The Ultimate Guide
- Coffee In Rome for Tourists: The Beginners Guide
- Coffee In Milan For Noobs: The Essential Guide
- Coffee In Venice For Beginners: The Essential Guide
- Coffee In Naples For Beginners: The Ultimate Guide
- Coffee In Trieste For The Uninitiated: The Essential Guide
- Palermo Coffee for Tourists: The Essential Guide
- Torino Coffee For Beginners: The Definitive Guide
- Genoa Coffee for Beginners: The Essential Guide
