Gambero Rosso – July-August 2019

SPECIALTY COFFEE IN FLORENCE: THE BEST COFFEE BARS IN TOWN

FILTER AND ESPRESSO COFFEE,

ENJOYED WITH CAKES,

CLUB SANDWICHES, CROQUE-

MONSIEURS, CUPCAKES

AND VEGAN PROPOSALS:

IN FLORENCE, QUALITY COFFEE

SHOPS ARE INCREASINGLY

IN TUNE WITH INTERNATIONAL

CUISINE. BUT THERE ARE

ALSO PLACES THAT OFFER

TRADITIONAL TUSCAN DISHES.

HERE ARE OUR FAVOURITES.

At the beginning, in the ’80s it was Pi-

ansa that opened a new path in the

world of coffee just outside Florence,

in the town of Bagno a Ripoli, a fam-

ily business long held by Alessandro

Staderini, proud heir of a company

that has specialized increasingly over

the years. But it was the Salento na-

tive Francesco Sanapo, who in 2014

rattled the local coffee scene. With

him, specialty coffee started getting

serious, and today Florence can count

on several quality points dedicated to

black gold.

As always, it’s impossible to draw a

definitive list of valid places, consid-

ering the many new others that are

coming soon: for this, the list is con-

stantly updated and subject to con-

stant changes.

DITTA ARTIGIANALE:

TWO ADDRESSES, ONE SOUL

After the success of the via De Neri

local, in 2016 Sanapo doubled in Ol-

trarno, with another bar, bigger and

even more dynamic, with a propo-

sal suitable for every moment of the

day, but always focused on coffee, the

true protagonist of the coffee shop.

Regardless of the location, Ditta Arti-

gianale knows how to offer high le-

vel service in both locations, with a

wide and constantly evolving coffee

proposal, from the house blend to

the many single origins, all roasted

on the spot. The espresso is always

good, but it’s worth sitting down and

tasting an excellent filter coffee, pre-

pared with precision and care by the

professional and welcoming staff. V60,

chemex, cold brew, aeropress: whate-

ver the chosen extraction system, the

drink will not disappoint the most de-

manding palates. In addition to cof-

fee, high attention to ingredinents is

revealed in every corner of the menu,

from international breakfast to lunch

dishes, from American desserts (try

the carrot cake combined with a fine

filter coffee), plus aperitifs, with well-

mixed signature cocktails based on

quality distillates.

CAFFETTERIA PIANSA: COMING

FROM OUT OF TOWN

Born and raised with the aromas of

coffee, Alessandro Staderini had to

open a coffee shop in the city: in ad-

dition to roasting in Bagno a Ripoli,

in fact, since 2016 Piansa also has a

coffee bar in Via Gioberti, where pa-

trons can taste an excellent blend and

several single origins that change on

rotation. For lovers of the genre, the

place is the ideal location to taste

impeccable cappuccinos, with a silky

and perfectly crafted foamy top, com-

plete with artistic Latte Art decora-

tions, perfectly mixed and with an in-

tense and harmonious taste. But there

are also filter coffees; plus cocktails

and a series of irresistible sweet and

savoury options, including cakes, bi-

scuits, homemade pasta and assorted

charcuterie boards to pair with drinks

during the aperitif. Dishes that reflect

the flavours of the Tuscan tradition

and pay homage to regional culinary

richness. In the summer, cold brew

dominates the scene, a perfect cold

coffee extraction for the hottest days.

Similar offer and same (high) level of

service in the second location on via

Gran Bretagna.

PASTA ALLA GENOVESE

by Michela Becchi

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