Stop for treats on your holiday shopping spree in Florence
Feel like something tasty? Here are the addresses not to be missed
The Christmas atmosphere makes Florence even more magical. Festively-lit streets, shop windows aglow with holiday spirit and enticing displays. Are you looking for the perfect gift? No worries, Florence has whatever you need. But Christmas shopping can take hours, so here are the city’s downtown top spots for a delicious break to recharge your batteries and go over your to-buy list.
It’s lunch time and you feel peckish? In Via de’ Tornabuoni, in addition to the city’s most exclusive designer boutiques, you’ll find Procacci, a true institution for truffle fans, and Caffè Giacosa, the café where the world-famous Negroni drink was created! Excellent wines, creative cocktails and mouthwatering cinnamon biscuits and cakes.
Welcome to Colle Bereto, in Piazza Strozzi. Contemporary and elegant interiors, the ideal place for a gourmet lunch or at aperitivo time.
If you’re looking for more traditional flavours and aromas, head straight to Coco Lezzone, in the nearby Via del Parioncino, while Osteria delle Belle Donne, in Via delle Belle Donne, is the perfect blend of tradition, elegance and intimate atmosphere. Traditional Tuscan dishes and house specialties, such as ossobuco and chestnut pudding.
Giving onto Piazza della Repubblica, Irene is the latest addition to the city’s restaurant scene, offering dishes prepared by celebrity chef Fulvio Pierangelini.
In this beautiful piazza, you’ll also find Caffé Concerto Paszkowski, teas and sweets for true gourmands, but also one of the city’s most historic cafés.
Just around the corner, along another main shopping street, is Caffé Gilli, established back in 1733 and since always one of the most elegant venues in town.
Time for some hot chocolate to warm up? In Piazza della Signoria, there is an expert in the field, Rivoire, started in 1872 by the Royal Savoia Family’s chocolate-maker. Try the café’s variety of traditional delicacies specially made for Christmas.
If you’re more of the savoury type when it comes to food, don’t miss Ino and Ora d’Aria, just steps away from the entrance to the Vasari Corridor. Ino is a gourmet grocery store which specializes in panini, made with special bread recipes and filled with top-quality ingredients, to be enjoyed on the spot. Ora d’Aria is the kingdom of Chef Marco Stabile. A one-Michelin-starred restaurant, it offers an easy-chic and reasonably-priced lunch menu based on small gourmet, tapas-like dishes, which has proven very successful so far.
Located near Ponte Vecchio is one of Florence’s best-known traditional trattorias, Buca dell’Orafo. Order the gnocchi with sausage and black cabbage and candied pears for dessert, and that’s all you’ll need!
Another name you need to add to your address book is The Fusion Bar & Restaurant - Gallery Art Hotel (Vicolo dell’Oro 3). Popular with young high-society Florentines, this restaurant and bar offers creative but well-balanced dishes and the best cocktails you can wish for.
Heading back towards the Duomo, in Via de’Cimatori, a narrow street off Via de’Calzaiuoli, you will certainly notice a small crowd of people. They are all fans and regular customers of I Fratellini, where you can choose from a never-ending list of panini, to be enjoyed standing in the street or seated on the sidewalk with a good glass of wine. A true Florentine tradition.
Walking down Via de’ Calzaiuoli, another yummy delicacy: the Venchi boutique, with his tasty chocolate candies.
The go-to place for beer and music lovers, located in Piazza San Giovanni, is the new concept-store Move On, the successful marriage of excellent food and good music.
In Via dei Martelli, Eataly, filled with small, specialized restaurants: pasta, pizza, meat, vegetables, cold cuts and cheese. Only the best from local and regional producers!
Not far is Konnubio (Via dei Conti 8/r), Tuscan and international cuisine with a wide choice of vegetarian and vegan dishes.
Last but not least, among the not-to-be-missed food venues in Florence is the Central Market: a three-thousand-square-meter space devoted to food and wine, with shops, restaurants, trattorias, pub and café.
Enjoy your shopping and buon appetito!