Sundays can always be a little tricky in Italy, even for someone who has lived in the city “as long” as I have ( 5 years ) or someone who grew up her, we never seem to know/remember what is actually open. Not looking to spend 5 euros to sit down and sip a caffe in the center’s gorgeous (but overpriced) piazza’s, we decided to head over to Caffeteria Oblate which is a caffe located on the 2nd floor of a local library with a stunning view of the Duomo. Which is why I thought, I need to write a post about places you can go, bookstore cafe’s in particular, that everyone can appreciate.
Coffee with a (really awesome view)
Well-known in the Florentine circles as a place to meet-up, Oblate has really embraced its now trendy image and has on offer special concerts, themed apertivi (happy hour) and even brunch. Prices are minimal ( no need to worry about sitting down to enjoy your cappuccino ) and almost screamingly cheap especially for the location. I was so excited to show our friends this cool place only to arrive and it be closed! Figures, since this was clearly not MY weekend. Nevertheless it was an over sight of my usually anal-retentive self when it comes to checking opening times and days. Oblate is open every day but Sunday ( which I will never forget again..)
Caffetteria delle Oblate
via dell’Oriuolo, 26
50122 Firenze
tel. 055/2639685
[email protected]
Hours: Monday 14.00-19.00
Tues-Saturday 9.00-24.00
So after that debacle and my hurry to remedy the situation, I first thought about heading to Moyo, and yet changed my mind again after suddenly remembering this fabulous place I used to go with a Dutch friend. Another library-cafe-contemporary art space, Libreria Brac is located in a somewhat isolated street steps from Via di Benci close to Ponte alle Grazie.
Like a Garden Oasis, Libreria Brac
They serve delicious seasonal vegetarian and vegan food as well as coffee, soy cappuccino’s , wines, and delicious cakes.Libreria di arte contemporanea, caffè e cucina aka Libreria Brac, via dei vagellai 18r, 50122 firenze ( off of the street via dei benci, it can be a little tough to find the first time) www.libreriabrac.net, [email protected], Tel: +39 055/0944877. Make reservations for dinner or happy hour because they are almost always full, locals love it! Open Monday to Saturday, 11am – 24:00, Sunday from 12pm – 20:00.
TODO MODO
This independent bookshop/cafe/theater is a recent addition to Florence and what an addition it is! 180 square meters of space, 15,000 titles, a wine bar, all the coffee you could want. Free WiFi, events, readings and more – you could say that I am love with this place and you would be right. Plus the design is almost Scandinavian, plenty of wooden tables and signs – the day I worked from there, a dog wandered through the shop. Highly recommend. Open every day but Monday, 10am – 8pm.
Todo Modo, Via dei Fossi 15/R
Florence, Italy. Tel: + 39 055 239 9110, website, facebook.
La Cite, the almost never was
I can’t mention great library coffee bars without mentioning the famous La Cite in the Oltrarno area of Florence. This place is a really neat place to sip a coffee/ have a beer/ watch a band, and many local Florentines go there. It was almost closed down for good for noise violations in the neighborhoods but recently has gotten their license back. I would tell you the times but quite frankly they change so often, I would just walk by and see for yourself.
- Libreria La Cite, Via dei Vagellai, 18/r, TEL 055/0944877, www.libreriabrac.net
Cool Cuculia
Another vegetarian library caffe bar option in addition to Brac is also on the Oltrarno side of the river located on via dei serragli. They have a great aperitivo and their drinks are pretty good. They also do a Sunday brunch that I haven’t tried yet but I really want to. Cuculia – Libreria con Cucina, Via Serragli 3R e 1R, 50124 Firenze, Italy.
Lu Murate
This former monastery/prison has come a long long way since its origins. Now they have made this space by piazza sant’ambrogio into low-income housing, a restaurant and a bookshop cafe which is really quite cool. They host a number of events here and it is the perfect place to bring a book or three and sip coffee in with locals. La Murate, Piazza delle Murate Firenze – list of events.
Red
When the beloved Edison bookshop cafe’ was closed a few years ago, it was rumored that an Apple store would be put in it’s place. Naturally people protested and the Apple store will now choose a different location (in the same piazza naturally) and instead the Fetrinelli chain of bookstores opened ‘Red’ in place of Edison. A similar concept with a bit more emphasis on the ‘cafe’ part but there still are three levels of books and technology, I admit the design is pretty cool.
Red, Piazza della Repubblica 26. (you can’t miss it), Facebook Page
Black Spring
New place that just opened in 2014, this cool independent bookshop is located in the ‘other side of the river’ on the quite via camoldoli. Well worth the walk, because once you go inside, it’s like another world. Books hang like chandeliers and the coffee is pretty darn good too. Highly recommend, open daily till 8pm.
Black Spring, via di camoldoli 10r. Facebook page.
Mama’s Bakery: Feels Like Home
If you are looking for an American-type of brunch/coffee place that serves hot coffee and great desserts. You probably already knows about Mama’s Bakery on via della chiesa. Check out their site here. Whenever I really need a good chat with some friends and a club sandwich – this is where you will find me. They tend to close on the earlier side – 5pm, 3pm on Saturday and now open on Sunday so make it a lunch date. and invite me, ok? Mama’s Bakery can be found at via della Chiesa, 34/r. They also now have WIFI internet
The Diner
Another diner close to Piazza Santa Croce is actually just called.. the diner. This place has been open for a few years and the owner also manages Aqua al Due and the Blob Club. They have a great website and really good brunch and prices. They recently underwent a renovation and their space is even bigger and brighter than before. I was really impressed when I stopped by a few weeks ago. I would dare say their pancakes and omelettes are some of the best I’ve had in Florence. If you only want a coffee and a chat, that’s ok with them too, they won’t make you feel uncomfortable for not ordering food. The Diner is located on Via dell’Acqua, 2.
Honestly I don’t know anyone who doesn’t love a bookshop coffee bar, I first fell in love with this concept as a poor student in Los Angeles, looking for a quiet nice place to study. When I’m inside, I feel like I am in a current version of a Fellini film, impossibly cool without having to spend a cent. Ok perhaps a few euros but at the very least, these places are not expensive as I try to be pretty good about sharing “budget-friendly” places that I really enjoy in Florence since it can be quite expensive in the historical center. We all need a great place to decompress, sip a prosecco or tea with a friend where we can chat for hours and not get glared at by impatient staff, so go ahead and visit one of these local places and let me know what you think or of I missed something.
14 Responses
These places look great. Honestly, I wish I had discovered this blog when I lived in Italy a few years ago! I definitely would have made use of your suggestions. I’ve enjoyed having a look through your past posts too! I’ll remember this post when I next go to Florence. For some reason I always have trouble finding somewhere to eat/drink that isn’t overly touristy when I’m in Florence, so thanks for the tips!
grazie~! part of the reason I revived this blog was after being around town and hearing people’s frustrations about decently priced places to eat, chat with a friend or just chill. A lot of these places are on tiny side streets or just aren’t that advertised so hopefully people can enjoy some of the reasons I love this city. Anyone can google search but its not easy finding up-to-date relevant info in Italy ( in english ), I see some famous sites advertising places that closed down years ago. Florence is very touristy and obv many businesses cater to that community but there are so many cool places for locals 🙂 , I am always looking for an excuse to chat away the afternoon with friends or just have a huge coffee while reading.. ( and not have to stand at the bar.. ).
Reblogged this on Bus2alps – Student Travel Europe.
These tips are amazing. Whenever I get to go back to Italy (and I definately hope that will be SOON!) I will try to keep these in mind . I have never been to Florence, or Tuscany for that matter, but it’s on my ‘to-do-within-3-years-list’. So if you have any more tips, they’re most welcome :). Keep up the blogging, I’ve read a few and they’re fun to keep up with!. – Daphne -.
Thanks Daphne, I have been here since 2007 and have loved every minute, its a very special (and small city). I try to blog fromt he perspective of a normal young person working and living in the city (no under the tuscan sun presumptions ;-). I also like to blog about traveling around Europe, Italy and of course about all of the awesome food in these parts. thanks for stopping by!
If Under the Tuscan Sun was at all realistic, we’d all be living in romantic cottages surprisingly found but ‘just’ hopping of a bus. But it does leave space for dreaming ;-). I’m actually hoping to make my way around all of Europe over the next couple of year, which should be doable since I’m a Dutchie. So far it’s just mainly the West with England or better yet, London, as all time favorite. If you’d like any tips for this side of Europe, I’ve got some blogposts as well.
I will absolutely check out your blog, I love reading about people’s travels, especially in Europe since I’m here. I too love London town, too much to do there. Where in Holland are you from?
I’m from Zoetermeer, which is a totally uninteresting city about 15 km east of The Hague (Den Haag). So pretty strategic between The Hague, Rotterdam and close to Amsterdam. What kinda work do you do besides blogging : )?
no city can be that uninteresting ;-). I’ve only been to Amsterdam and Utrecht, great places! I work as a social media consultant and manager for a start up in Florence called Attrakt and I also work as a sales manager for a tourist site operating from America called http://www.insidersabroad.com 🙂
This article is EXACTLY what I was looking for. I just moved here for a semester abroad. Thank you for sharing!
Heading to florence in a month, thank you so much for the recommendations! I am glad that you noted a vegan caffe as well, I was worried I might not find much.
I’m an Erasmus student in Florence for a semester, so your blog is pure gold to me 🙂
I just wanted to point out that the Meykahedh Cafe has unfortunately closed. Which is a pity, it looked really nice!
Anyway, thank you so much for your lists, they are incredibly helpful!
Would you by any chance have some advice to meet new people? I’m quite shy and live alone, with few lectures to speak off so my opportunities for social interactions are quite limited for the moment 😛
Alexandra, thank you! I just updated the list and I am sorry about the closure, that was a nice place :(. As for meeting people, I highly recommend checking out the Yelp Firenze events (good mingling opportunities for both International and local contacts). Also I would think about joining a class (yoga or dance) which might be a fun way to meet people. I wrote a list of various groups in the city here