1. Ditta Artigianale
This fantastic coffee chain has three locations in Florence: Via Cavour, Via dei Neri, and their largest one across the river at Via dello Sprone. This artisan coffee bar brews fresh cups from their carefully imported selection of beans. They also have an extensive lunch menu and all day breakfast offerings. At night, they serve up eclectic cocktails to an even more varied crowd of stylish Florentines. My new favorite drink there is called a “Marocchino,” which was introduced to me by my lovely roommate. A Marocchino is actually a traditional Italian coffee drink that consists of a shot of espresso, cocoa powder, and frothed milk. It originates from the Northern city of Alessandria in Italy, and in some places in Northern Italy, thick hot cocoa or Nutella is added. Its name stems from the color of a type of Moroccan leather used for headbands in the 1930s. What really makes this trendy drink my favorite is the cocoa that is added to it, and sometimes there is an extra dusting. At Ditta, they serve this drink in a martini glass, but you also cannot go wrong with a cappuccino, as Ditta serves up the best ones in the city. I can back this up with the fact that Ditta is the one coffee shop where my Italian mother did not have to order a cappuccino “doppia” or double for a more caffeinated serving. As for brunch, I highly recommend any of their croquet Madame options, especially the truffle one. They also mix up a tasty variety of smoothies and juices for healthier options.
2. Locale
This excellent and incredible restaurant is tucked away near the Bargello Museum on Via delle Seggiole. My mom and I dined here for Thanksgiving, and fortunately they gave us a cozy table in the dining room without reservations. The entrance and bar area creates the ambiance of luxurious Italian gardens with a jardin d’hiver, or modern vertical garden that climbs up to the bright skylights. The bar itself recreates the glitz of Paris cocktail bars in the 1970s, while the building recreates the vibe of a grand palace. The bar area opens up into elegant dining spaces with refurbished original walls and floors. The ambiance and décor was the most alluring part of the restaurant, but the food did not disappoint, with complimentary petit dishes brought out in between courses. We got to try a pumpkin soup and a foamed dessert sprinkled with cinnamon. As for our entrees, I had a filet served on a hot pink salt stone from the Himalayas and my mother ordered freshly prepared pappardelle.
3. Parione
This adorable trattoria is tucked away on Via del Parione off of Via Tornabuoni. They offer dinner and lunch, and all of their items are homemade and perfectly delicious. The portions are generous and you can find tasty combos such as pumpkin soup with black truffle, and classics such as ravioli with pear and pecorino. They also have seafood risotto and wild boar with a side of steaming polenta for heavier entrees. The ambiance is lovely, with wines lining the walls upstairs, and downstairs is set up like a cozy cave also decked out with bottles of Tuscan favorites for a romantic evening. As for dessert, all of their cakes are made to order. I recommend the chocolate soufflé and a cup of steaming coffee to finish your meal. You also can’t go wrong with their tiramisu or crème brulee. The location of this small trattoria is perfect for walking around after to shop or grab dessert if you skip out on it at the restaurant (which I do not recommend).
4. Santarpia Pizza
Yes, we have discovered the best pizza in Florence. It is here on Largo Pietro Annigoni near Santa Croce that we have tried the magnificent Margherita pizza with the perfect crust. I am not lying to you--even my cooking teacher, a professional Italian chef, immediately approved of the form when he saw the pie in our PowerPoint presentation (Yes, it was appropriate because we analyzed carbohydrates). All of their pies are delicious, but I recommend making a reservation at 7:30 so you can beat the crowd of locals that suddenly file in.
5. Signorvino
This cozy wine shop also serves appetizers and is situated on the banks of the Arno River over the Ponte Vecchio. It is actually a chain that can be found in other Italian cities, such as Turin, but it is worth it. They offer a variety of wines and tasting experiences, along with small but tasty plates. The view of the Arno also doesn’t hurt, and you can purchase a bottle to bring home from the large selection in the wine shop attached. Even if you go just to have a drink like my friend and I did, they still present you with a filling aperitif tray including crostini, cheese, crackers, olives, and carrots. This shop is also on the way (or way back) from Piazzale Michelangelo, which is a few staircases and hills up to some of the best views of Florence.
