Burro e acciughe

Where local artisans and cultural travellers meet

Where: Caffé Degli Artigiani, Via dello Sprone 16r, Florence, Italy

When: Spring — Summer to sit outside, in Winter its cozy inside too

With good coffee, a cozy atmosphere, uncomplicated service and more than fair prices for sweets and panini Caffé degli Artigiani is one of my personal favourites in Florence. The “artisans café” is definitely true to its name, since it is located in Oltr’arno (the other side of the Arno River compared to the Centre around the Duomo) where a lot of artists and craftsmen have their ateliers, workshops and “botteghe”. It is a nice hangout for cold winter afternoons (don’t be fooled by the tiny entrance, there is another room in the back and an upstairs), the music is never too loud and the cakes are handmade. In summers I prefer to stay outside in the little side street and watch the Florentine day pass by. If you like to try a truly original taste have a tiny panino con burro e acciughe (butter and anchovies) with coffee. Nothing makes me feel more Italian and it is the perfect power combination after a long walk through the city center! The lunch salads are delicious but compared to Florentine lunch menus a little pricy (that means still affordable for travellers). Also don’t miss out on the artisan ice cream across the street (the other corner) which is part of the friendly family business. Evenings are lush there too, but the aperitivo food is not the best in the area. Better stick to a glass of prosecco and blend in with the artsy original crowd. By the way, the café is cornering “Piazza della passera” which was once a place where a lot of working girls “passed” by. Or was it men?