Breakfast in Florence

Let's face it: Even if you are looking for Siena, you will spend some time in Florence, sooner or later. As I am staying inf Florence for a while for work, I am been screening a few famous Bars for Italian breakfast, that means Brioches + Cappuccino standing at the bar. Here are my findings (and I welcome yours).

Gran Caffé San Marco, San Marco square: *****

This is still my preferred one: huge variety of "brioches" (sweets like Croissant but with different fillings and shapes, I love the one called "Sfoglia" with blackberry jam) and the biggest and most tasting cappuccino I ever got. Staff is friendly and never forgets to put the cocoa if you ask for it. Unfortunately they are not in the historical center so I have less chances to breakfast here now, however they are close to the Accademia museum. Here is the link.

Caffé Giacosa, Via della Spada 10 (almost corner with Via de' Tornabuoni): *****

This would be my preferred one if the environment would have been more classic and wide, but quality-wise I think for me is even with Gran Caffè San Marco. Good variety of brioches (even if they don't have the Sfoglia with blackberry jam...) and great cappuccino with real chocolate cream on top, not cocoa powder. It comes with it by default, so you have to ask to have without it if you don't want it. Service is good and staff is your and friendly. Staying nearby, I would walk/cycle 5-10 minutes more to breakfast here, it's worth it. Here is the link. They have a coffee shop also into the nearby Palazzo Strozzi, but there the choice and quality and service are much lower.

Caffé Rivoire, Piazza della Signoria: ****

This is my second place: good choice of brioches and good cappuccino, but not outstanding. Good staff and service, but not outstanding. It's a good place to breakfast... but, your bet it, not outstanding. It gets points also because it's very close tho my current stay in Florence. Here is the link.

Caffé Gilli, Piazza della Repubblica: ***

My third place so far. The brioche I got was interestingly good, somehow softer that expected but not heavy. The cappuccino was ok, like the Rivoire one. Service ok. Overall: ok++. I would not go there in purpose but I would eventually jump in if passing by. Note however that table service is "tourist style": overpriced. So breakfast italian style, that is, standing at the bar. Here is the link.

Caffé Paszkowski, Piazza della Repubblica: **

The worse breakfast experience in Florence so far. I didn't like the quality of the brioche and the cappuccino was very flat and depressing. The staff even did not consider my request for the cocoa on top. The place is nice anyway. Not recommended. Here is the link.


Thant's it with my current testing, I will test more and I welcome your suggestions as the best places to breakfast in Florence.