Written by Ella Ramchand (Boston College), Student Correspondent for CET Florence, Fall 2025
Breakfast & Cafes
- Vivaldi: Home to the best pastries I’ve had so far, Vivaldi is cute, inexpensive, and filled with friendly staff. It is located directly across from the CET center, and I enjoy grabbing a cappuccino and croissant between classes. Their pistachio croissants are my favorite!
- Melalucca: Just a five-minute walk from the CET center, Melalucca’s cinnamon rolls are to die for! They have seasonal flavors, such as Pumpkin Spice and Biscoff, as well as more classic options. It tends to have a long line outside, but it moves quickly as long as you are taking it to go.
- Shake Cafe: This is a popular cafe chain found throughout Florence. Some locations are bigger and nicer than others, but overall, it is a great place to enjoy brunch with friends, or even pull out your laptop and get some work done. I would highly recommend their mocha and banana chocolate chip pancakes!
- Forno Ghibelina: A few blocks away from Santa Croce is Forno Ghibelina, which is a bustling yet adorable cafe. Not only do they have pastries and coffee, but they also have cakes. I purchased a tiramisu cake for a friend’s birthday, and she loved it!
- La Milkeria: Loved by everyone who has been, this tiny and quaint cafe serves all kinds of coffee, crepes, and treats. Its retro design makes it a fun place to sit and eat with friends. It is a popular breakfast spot, but also open until late at night.
Lunch & Dinner
- Gustapanino: Located in the bustling piazza right outside the Santo Spirito church, Gustapanino serves the best lasagna and bruschetta I’ve had. The waiters are friendly, and they have heat lamps outside, making it appealing in all temperatures. I came here with my family and friends, who all loved it!
- Osteria Santo Spirito: Not too far from Gustapanino is Osteria Santo Spirito. Although the wait here is long (I had to wait thirty minutes for a table for two), it certainly pays off. We ordered their famous truffle pasta and loved it!
- Schiacciateria dei Neri: Schiacciateria dei Neri is just a stone’s throw away from Santa Croce and is one of the most popular sandwich shops in town. While there is a long line, it moves quickly, and the sandwiches are massive, so you can have them for two meals! It is definitely worth a visit.
- Trattoria Sant’Agostino: This restaurant is a cute, local spot with some of the best Florentine steak I have had. Despite being a bit of a walk, it is near several great gelato spots and bars. In addition to the Florentine steak, I would highly recommend their gnudi butter and sage with saffron sauce!
- Dante e Beatrice: A popular local spot, Dante e Beatrice is in a central location near the Duomo and has excellent service. I brought my parents here when they visited for fall break, and they really enjoyed it! Their pesto pasta is a personal favorite of mine.
Gelato & Desserts
- Rivareno: My all-time favorite gelato place! Every flavor I have tried here has been amazing, and it is beloved by all my family and friends as well. The best part is that there is never a line!
- Sbrino: A close second to Rivareno, Sbrino has a wide variety of delicious gelato flavors. It is located just a few blocks away from the CET center, making it easy to stop by after class. Flavors I would recommend are Speculoos and Amorino.
- Vivoli: Home to the viral affogato, Vivoli is a must-see in Florence. An affogato is coffee with a scoop of ice cream inside, and it is a classic Italian treat. I would personally recommend getting the pistachio ice cream affogato!
- Gelateria la Carrara: Although this shop is a little out of the way, it is certainly worth the walk. A friend and I visited here recently and loved it! While there tends to be a bit of a line, it moves quickly.
Other
- Empireo: A classy, upscale rooftop cocktail bar with the best views of Florence. I came here for drinks with a small group in honor of a friend’s birthday, and we had a great time taking pictures and enjoying the unique drinks. They also have a restaurant, although we did not visit it ourselves.
- Cooking Class: One of the most fun activities I’ve done in Florence so far was going to a cooking class with friends! We chose the company The Italian Way, and together, we made pizza and chocolate gelato with the help of an expert chef, who taught us and other participants about the history of Italian cuisine as we went. It was some of the best pizza and gelato we’ve had!
