Okay, this list might seem incredibly long, but I assure you that selecting the best pastry shops in Florence is no easy task, as there are so many of them. Indeed, we Florentines really love our sweets, but I’ve made an effort to include only the very best on this list.
These are the pastry shops that, once you step inside, won’t let you leave without indulging in a delicious treat. If you’re short on time, which one should you visit? Naturally, the one closest to you, since they are all top-notch.
18. Caffè Gilli
Stepping into Caffè Gilli at Via Roma 1/r is like traveling back in time to 1733, thanks to its heritage of over 250 years in pastry-making. This iconic lounge bar blends historic charm with modern elegance, featuring period furnishings and lighting.
It boasts a lovely outdoor seating area overlooking Piazza della Repubblica, ideal for summer, and a refined indoor ambiance. Famous for its superb pastries and chocolates, Caffè Gilli has long been a favored meeting place for artists and writers, continuing as a cultural touchstone of Florence today.
17. Caffè Pasticceria Serafini
Located at Via Vincenzo Gioberti 168/r, Caffè Pasticceria Serafini has been a Florence staple since 1928, known originally for its wood-fired oven baked goods.
Today, it continues to excel in pastry making, offering an array of breakfast pastries like cream-filled croissants, various jams, and rice puddings. Noteworthy are their exquisite puffs, available in flavors like pistachio, hazelnut, chocolate, chantilly, and zabaglione.
16. Galleria Iginio Massari Firenze
Located at Via de’ Vecchietti, 3, within the Helvetia & Bristol Firenze hotel, Galleria Iginio Massari offers a taste of Italy’s finest pastries right in Florence’s city center, showcases an array of traditional Italian and Florentine treats, including the famous panettone and local specialty, zuccotto cake.
Founded by renowned pastry chef Iginio Massari, this spot is a must-visit for dessert lovers. Despite the potential wait, the exquisite offerings make it well worth the visit.
15. Paszkowski Caffè Concerto
Situated in Piazza della Repubblica, 6r, Caffè Paszkowski is a historic venue that began as a beer factory and evolved into a meeting place for 19th-century intellectuals. Now a “National Monument,” it’s celebrated for its exquisite pastries and seasonal gelato.
Visitors can enjoy treats like the Paszkowski cake and fresh tarts in the cafe or at the outdoor seating area overlooking the bustling square, making it a quintessential Florence experience.
14. Caffè Rainer
Found at Via San Zanobi, 97/r in Florence’s historical center, Caffè Rainer offers a taste of Austria with its array of pastries. Established in 2011 by master pastry chef Rudolf Rainer from Innsbruck, the café is known for its naturally leavened croissants and savory Austrian baked goods.
Don’t miss their renowned cakes like Sacher, Strudel, coffee-infused “torta Cardinale,” “Stollen” fruit cake, and artisanal French Macaroons, blending Austrian craftsmanship with Italian flair.
13. Dolci & Dolcezze
Dolci & Dolcezze on Piazza Cesare Beccaria 8r is a true cake boutique. The self-taught owner prioritizes high-quality ingredients, such as Corman butter from Belgium, Valrhona chocolate, top-grade seasonal fruits from Mercato Centrale, and wild fruits from the Pistoia mountains.
Signature offerings include a decadent chocolate cake, wild fruits crostata, and sumptuously filled croissants for a memorable breakfast.
12. I dolci di Massimo
Located in Florence’s Gavinana district, I Dolci di Massimo has been a beloved pastry shop since 1994, maintaining a family tradition of fine baking. The selection ranges from Sacher and meringue cakes to profiterole, millefoglie, and various seasonal pastries, including special occasion cakes, chocolates, and traditional Italian sweets like pandoro and panettone.
Founded by Massimo, who inherited his skills from his father, the shop is dedicated to impressing patrons with both its sweet and savory offerings, including a well-chosen wine list and breakfast items.
11. Mama’s Bakery
Nestled in the Oltrarno quarter of Florence, Mama’s Bakery at Via della Chiesa, 34r is the brainchild of Matt Reinecke and his wife. They created a cozy spot that combines a relaxing ambiance with authentic American culinary traditions.
This bakery serves up a variety of American favorites made from high-quality ingredients. For those with a sweet tooth, there’s an array of options like cakes, muffins, cupcakes, and biscuits, all complemented by rich American coffee.
10. Marcello
Located just outside Florence’s city center at Viale Europa, 169, Pasticceria Marcello is a haven for those who appreciate high-quality pastries paired with specialty coffee or tea. Every pastry is handcrafted in the on-site laboratory, using only natural ingredients, eschewing margarine for purer alternatives.
The shop offers a delightful assortment of pastries, savory breakfast options, cakes, and mignon desserts. Highlights include the semolina chocolate cake and the fruit tart, both celebrated as classic must-try items at Marcello.
9. Pasticceria Gualtieri
Since its inception in 1933 by Alfredo Gualtieri and Lina Cennini, descendants of renowned Florentine pastry chefs, Pasticceria Gualtieri at Via Senese 18r has become a landmark for exquisite cakes and pastries.
The shop is celebrated for its diverse selection, including the torta tirolese (an Italian take on Austria’s SacherTorte), semolina cake, and Meringo semifreddo—a lightly cooked Italian dessert. One standout is the Iris Cake, a flourless wonder with a recipe secretly passed down through generations.
8. Pasticceria Giorgio
Located in the Soffiano area at Via Duccio da Buoninsegna, 36, Pasticceria Giorgio stands out not just for its sweets but especially for its savory offerings.
When it comes to desserts, their Schiacciata alla Fiorentina—a soft, whipped cream-stuffed cake—is unparalleled, along with their cream puffs and millefeuille. Be prepared for a queue on Sundays, but the wait is undoubtedly worth it for some of the best pastries in Florence.
7. Pasticceria Nencioni
Since opening in 1950 by Maria Luisa Falai and her husband Vinicio Nencioni, Pasticceria Nencioni at Via Pietrapiana 24r has been a fixture in Florence’s culinary scene. Initially a bakery, it now specializes in fine pastries.
Highlights include the SacherTorte, cream-filled Millefoglie, assorted mignon pastries, and savory mini puff pastries. For a special treat, try the baked Budino di riso or Sfogliatina, straight from the oven.
6. Pasticceria Stefania
Located near Ponte al Pino in Campo di Marte at Via Guglielmo Marconi, 26, Pasticceria Stefania is an elegant spot renowned for its breakfast offerings. Notably, their cremini—hot, cream-filled puff pastry turnovers—are a local favorite, perfectly paired with a cappuccino.
The display also features tempting puff pastry cannoncini filled with whipped cream or chocolate, “fruttini” with berries and cream, and miniature versions of Stefania’s famous semolina cake.
5. Rivoire
You will find Rivoire in Piazza della Signoria 5, founded by Enrico Rivoire, a chocolatier to the royal Savoia family, when Florence was the capital of Italy in 1872. This historic café was established to share sublime chocolates crafted from an ancient and secret recipe with the people of Florence.
More than 140 years later, Rivoire stands as one of Florence’s oldest cafés, a place where time seems to stand still. Be sure to try their signature artisan products, including Cremini and Gianduiotti (hazelnut chocolates), along with their exceptional chocolate spread.
4. Robiglio
Founded in 1928 by a young pastry chef from Turin who fell in love with Florence, Robiglio brought Piedmont’s confectionery techniques and chocolate crafting traditions to this beloved city.
Since 2012, this flagship store has been revitalizing historic Robiglio products such as Torta Campagnola (country rice cake), Fruttodoro (a type of plum cake with candied fruits and chocolate), and Gallettine al Latte (traditional milk biscuits).
3. Scudieri
Since its establishment in 1939, Scudieri has become a landmark in Florence’s Piazza Duomo, located at Piazza di San Giovanni, 19. Perfectly positioned at the corner of Via dei Cerretani, directly opposite the Baptistery of San Giovanni and the stunning facade of Santa Maria del Fiore, it offers one of the city’s most beautiful views.
Scudieri is renowned for its pastries, all made in-house and served fresh from the oven. Thanks to continuous production, the variety is vast, catering to even late risers seeking freshly baked treats.
2. Caffè Lietta
Located in Piazza della Libertà, 6/7/8r, Caffè Lietta is named after Lietta Cavalli, an artist and icon of experimental fashion in the seventies and eighties, and sister of designer Roberto Cavalli.
The café is celebrated for its delightful desserts, particularly the traditional grandmother’s cake and the “pirulo,” a unique pudding with a short pastry shell filled with ricotta cheese, offered in seasonal variations.
1. Pasticceria Minni
Situated at Via Antonio Giacomini 16, Pasticceria Minni is celebrated among Florentines for its broad selection of sweets. Highlights include their creamy rice pudding and an extensive variety of puff pastries.
The shop also offers an impressive array of pastry mignon and a must-try meringue that adds a sweet touch to its legendary status.
