Dishes like Florentine steak and pappa al pomodoro tend to get all the glory when we talk about Tuscan food, but did you know that some of Florence’s desserts are just as tasty?
The Renaissance City has quite a few sweet treats to its name, some of which I’ve even added to the itinerary for my Florence food tours. While favorites like tiramisu and Caprese chocolate cake are widely available, I think Tuscany’s capital really shines when it comes to local specialties.
To tease that sweet tooth of yours, I’ve compiled a list of the most delectable Florence desserts you simply have to try.
The most iconic Florence dessert has to be gelato, an Italian take on ice cream made with a perfectly balanced blend of milk, cream, and sugar.
I’ve heard several variations about how gelato came to be, but Bernardo Buontalenti has long been credited with inventing this delightful creation. As the story goes, Buontalenti presented the Italian-born queen of France Catherina dei Medici with this frozen snack in the 16th century, and the rest is history!
Gelato comes in a never-ending selection of flavors, and you can enjoy it in either a cup or a waffle cone.
Venchi Cioccolato e Gelato is easily one of my favorite gelaterias in Florence, and it happens to be just a few steps from the Duomo di Firenze.
Sure, it’s always busy and a little touristy, but anywhere with an entire wall that’s been made into a chocolate fountain is a must in my books.
My go-to order is a double scoop of pistachio gelato in a chocolate-topped cone. The contrast between the velvety gelato and the crunchy cone is incredible, as is the mix of buttery, nutty pistachio and rich chocolate.
Venchi Cioccolato e Gelato (€€) – Via dei Calzaiuoli, 65/R, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy – Open every Sunday to Thursday from 9:30 am to 1:00 am and every Friday and Saturday from 9:30 am to 1:30 am
Schiacciata Fiorentina, a light, orange-infused sponge cake, might just be one of the less recognizable Florence desserts on this list.
Though the specifics have changed over time, schiacciata Fiorentina has been synonymous with Florence, in some form, for centuries now. Nuns frequently prepared it, and prisoners were often served it in their final days.
This flat, yeast-based cake is usually topped with powdered sugar and is especially easy to find during Florence’s annual Carnival festival. In fact, this celebration first introduced me to this mouthwatering dessert.
Pasticceria Giorgio is a gorgeous pastry shop and caffè that I found out about from a friend of mine. Located in the Soiffiano neighborhood, it’s a little outside the center of Florence, but I promise, it’s worth the trip!
It’s an old-school spot with a classic wooden interior, a sun-soaked outdoor patio, and more dreamy Italian desserts than I could count.
I came here specifically for their schiacciata Fiorentina, and left with a longing for another slice of this moist yet airy cake. With just a hint of sugar and a little orange zest, each bite was lightly sweet with a zingy kick from the citrussy flavors.
Pasticceria Giorgio (€€€) – Via Duccio di Buoninsegna, 36, 50143 Firenze FI, Italy – Closed every Monday, open every Tuesday to Saturday from 7:00 am to 8:30 pm, and every Sunday from 7:00 am to 1:30 pm
Schiacciata all’uva is a grape-filled flatbread that’s a beloved Florence dessert. Not your average confection, schiacciata all’uva consists of two layers of doughy bread stuffed with red grapes and paired with quirky components like olive oil and rosemary.
The origins of this dish are somewhat unclear, but schiacciata all’uva is a staple in Florentine bakeries and homes every fall during the grape-harvesting season.
Simple but oh-so-delicious, schiacciata all’uva is best served with just a dusting of icing sugar for added sweetness.
Focacceria San Marco Srl in Piazza San Marco is the best in the business when we’re talking about schiacciata all’uva. Because of its nature, this dessert is only available in September and October, when the grapes are in season. As such, I had to time my visit accordingly.
I was lucky enough to secure one of the handful of seats and tucked into my schiacciata all’uva while admiring the white-washed wooden decor.
The grapes cooked down into a thick, honey-like jam, and the savory notes from the rosemary leveled out the flavors. What I loved even more was the texture of the bread, as the dough was fluffy and slightly chewy.
Focacceria San Marco Srl (€€) – P.za di San Marco, 9 B, 50121 Firenze FI, Italy – Open every Monday to Saturday from 7:45 am to 7:15 pm, closed every Sunday
In Florence, Italy’s revered biscotti is known as cantuccini. These almond cookies are a pretty great on-the-go snack, but they’re even better when dipped in vin santo, a sugary Italian dessert wine.
According to historians, these two-baked biscuits date back to the Renaissance period. At this time, soldiers used cantuccini to stay energized during battle, though the addition of wine came much later.
I never thought I’d be a fan of dipping dried cookies into a glass of wine, but this unusual serving method is a supremely enjoyable one!
Around the corner from Basilica di San Lorenzo is Il Cantuccio di San Lorenzo. The cantuccini here are second to none, and I’ve been recommending it to fellow foodies for years now.
It’s a no-nonsense, modern bakery with super-friendly staff and an inviting atmosphere.
They offer a couple of variations on the original recipe, but I prefer to stick to the traditional almond edition. The wine’s caramel and apricot undertones elevate the cantuccini’s nutty flavors and work to counter the cookie’s crispy, dry consistency.
Il Cantuccio di San Lorenzo (€€) – Via Faenza, 23/red, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy – Open every Monday to Saturday from 9:00 am to 7:30 pm and closed every Sunday
For a pocket of Italy more typically acclaimed for its Chianti wine tastings and olive oil production, Florentines know a thing or two about quality confections.
From the city’s esteemed gelato to locally loved snacks like cantuccini, no visit to Florence is complete without sampling some of these desserts on offer.
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