Last updated on June 22nd, 2024
Did you take it too far last night? Need a little comfort food to get you back on track? Florence is a city built on tradition but when it comes to brunch there are plenty of options to relieve even the worst of hangovers.
Although I am now a mom of four living in Florence I first started my adventures here as a student. Later, as a young woman and newlywed in Florence, I had plenty of opportunities to hunt down the best brunch nooks in the city.
In this article, I will share my top brunch spots in Florence good for any occasion but most often, in my experience, as a way to relieve any kind (or level) of hangover. I’ll share each brunch spot’s specialties and what I like to order.
Tip: You absolutely need to pre-book your table for brunch in Florence on the weekends. Don’t get caught with a hangover waiting in line for a table!
Learn More: And before sitting down, you may want to read more about order, eating and tipping in Italy in How To Order Food In Italian, Tipping In Italy – When & How Much From A Local, What Is A Coperto? All About Italy’s Cover Charge, and A Visitor’s Guide To Eating In Italy.
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Brunch Spots in Florence to Relieve an Epic Hangover Map
Best Brunch in Florence Quick Guide
| Name | Address (Neighborhood) | Best For | What I Like To Order |
| Le Vespe Cafè | Via Ghibellina, 76r (Santa Croce) | Vegan and vegetarian brunch in Florence | Smoothies and egg dishes |
| Shake (four locations downtown) | Via dei Neri, 56 (Santo Croce) Via del Corso, 30r (Historic District) Via Camillo Cavour, 67/69R (San Lorenzo) Via degli Avelli, 2/red (Santa Maria Novella) | Large menu (including gluten-free brunch) and students | Asian bowl or Club sandwich |
| Melaleuca Bakery + Bistrot | Lungarno delle Grazie, 18 (Santa Croce) | Twists on classic brunch items (menu changes regularly) and coffee lovers | Tacos + pain au chocolat |
| Ditta Artigianale | Via dei Neri, 30/32 R, (Santa Croce) Via dello Sprone, 5/R, (Santo Spritio) Lungarno Benvenuto Cellini, 1r, (Piazza Ferrucci) Via Giosuè Carducci, 2/4r, (Sant’Ambrogio) Lungarno Soderini, 7R (San Frediano) | Larger groups or families (also kid-friendly) | Avocado toast |
| Mama’s Bakery | Via della Chiesa, 34R | Self-service casual atmosphere / Take-out brunch items | Bagel sandwich |
| Il Palagio | At the Four Seasons in | Luxury brunch experience in Florence | N/A |
| Rooster Cafe Firenze | Via Porta Rossa, 63R (Historic District) Via Sant’Egidio, 37R (Sant’Ambrogio) | Budget friendly brunch in Florence | Pancakes |
| Santarosa Cafe E Bistrot | Lungarno di Santa Rosa | Brunch outside in Florence | Avocado toast with bacon |
Le Vespe Cafè
Via Ghibellina, 76r
Open: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Best For: Smoothies & eggs
Since it first opened in Florence in 2013, Le Vespe Cafè has been the city’s favorite spots for classic American brunch with amazing eggs benedict, huevos rancheros, big salads, granola bowls, french toast, pancakes and plenty of cocktails, smoothies, juices and non-alcoholic beverages.
Le Vespe Cafè can cure your hangover any day of the week with an expanded menu on the weekends. Most of their seating is indoors but they do have a couple tables outside as well.
Special Diets: Le Vespe Cafè has brunch options for both vegans and vegetarians on both their weekday and weekend menus. Read more about eating vegan and vegetarian in Florence.
Shake
Four Locations:
Via dei Neri, 56 (Santo Croce)
Via del Corso, 30r (Historic District)
Via Camillo Cavour, 67/69R (San Lorenzo)
Via degli Avelli, 2/red (Santa Maria Novella)
Open: Hours vary depending on location (including weekend brunch hours)
Best For: A taste of home
Shake Cafe is one of the best spots in Florence to relieve a hangover and not only! This fun, modern, very American-style cafe is flooded with mostly students and young travelers but don’t let that scare you away.
There is so much to love about this cafe. Each location is a different size, and thus offers a different menu and dining options but all have great coffee, juices, smoothies, vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free food (and regular food too!).
Their brunch menu is the best thing they do with plenty of classic brunch items like eggs, pancakes, breakfast bowls, club sandwiches, smoothie bowls, bagel plates, falafel, wraps and burgers.
Their freshly squeezed juices are made to order and their coffee beverage list is ongoing. I like the Cavour location because of the large interior and outside courtyard.
Good To Know: Shake cafe is also one of my favorite spots for studying in Florence. You can sit down and order a coffee and never feel rushed, even at lunch hour.
Melaleuca Bakery + Bistrot
Lungarno delle Grazie, 18
Open: For Brunch Saturday and Sunday
Best For: Twists on classic brunch items (menu changes regularly) and coffee lovers
If you are looking for brunch but not for the regular brunch items, come to Maleleuca. Think fish tacos or sweet potato pancakes.
Melaleuca Bakery + Bistrot is not only my favorite spot of brunch in Florence but also for baked goods and coffee.
Coffee Lovers: Looking for more coffee to cure your hangover? Read Best Coffee In Florence – A Florentine Local’s Guide To The Best Cafés In Florence.
The moment you take a look at the bakery counter, you can tell it’s all about the quality here. The croissants aren’t ok, they are AMAZING. The coffee isn’t acceptable, it’s strong and perfectly brewed.
Good To Know: Melaleuca has indoor seating only. If you want to bring food home, they are happy to wrap it up or prepare your coffee to go.
Ditta Artigianale
Locations scattered throughout city center:
Via dei Neri, 30/32 R
Via dello Sprone, 5/R
Lungarno Benvenuto Cellini, 1R
Via Giosuè Carducci, 2/4R
Lungarno Soderini, 7R
Open: Brunch served 9:00 am – 3:00 pm (Cellini location only Monday-Friday)
Best For: Larger groups or families
La Ditta Artigianale is my top pick for brunch if you are with a larger group or with families (kid-friendly options and atmosphere).
You will find a very eclectic selection of brunch items like caesar salad, soup of the day, pancakes, bagels, sandwiches, avocado toast, scrambled eggs, and green curry. The brunch menu changes on the weekend.
The cafe has done so well for itself that it now has 5 locations in Florence, all of which have a different amount of indoor/outdoor seating (Piazza Ferrucci location has enormous gated outdoor seating while the Via dei Neri location only has indoor seating).
Don’t miss their innovative cocktail list and great coffee which is locally roasted by themselves just outside of Florence.
Tip: Ditta Artigianale is also a great spot for studying or working.
Good To Know: Some of the best gelato and sorbet in Florence is located right next to several Ditta Artigianale locations. To find out which gelaterias to visit after your brunch read Best Gelato In Florence – From A Local.
Mama’s Bakery
Via della Chiesa, 34R
Open: Tuesday – Sunday 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Best For: Bagels and baked goods
Mama’s Bakery is a bakery in Florence tucked away behind Piazza Santo Spirito, centrally located Oltrarno and serving up some of the best American baked goods in all the city.
This cafe and bakery does not offer a specific brunch menu on the weekends but rather, serves up casual brunch items in a self-service/catered atmosphere all day. Choose from a wide selection of bagels, sandwiches, muffins, granola, cookies and quiches, wait for your name to be called, and take your food to a free table.
Mama’s Bakery is the best brunch option for people who really want to be left alone (maybe that extra Spritz wasn’t such a good idea after all). Order and eat in peace is the philosophy here. And if you can’t even hack that, get it to go and retire to your rental to recover from your hangover.
Palagio
At the Four Seasons in Borgo Pinti, 99
Open: Sunday 12:30-3:00 pm
Best For: Luxury brunch experience in Florence
The Sunday brunch at the Palagio in the Four Seasons Hotel in Florence is definitely the city’s finest location to cure a hangover while enjoying an elegant and sophisticated brunch buffet.
The dining room is elegant so be forewarned that you must be dressed decently to attend. If the weather is nice, be sure to sit outside and enjoy the views of the hotel’s expansive gardens.
There is basically anything you want under the sun including fancy desserts, seafood, mini burgers, various fruit, salad, cheese and charcuterie boards as well as a full bar at your fingertips.
Good To Know: Pre-booking is mandatory and in the summer the brunch formula isn’t always available. It’s a pricey but memorable brunch option for Florence.
Rooster Cafe Firenze
Via Porta Rossa, 63R, and the other at Via Sant’Egidio, 37R.
Open: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm (closed Mondays). Location at Porta Rossa has extended weekend hours.
Best For: Budget friendly
Rooster Cafe is my top pick for eating brunch in Florence on a budget. You can walk out of there without spending more than €20.00 per person, which is saying a lot for a city like Florence.
They serve three different pancake options, chicken and waffles, bagels, burgers, salads and smaller bites as well, all made with local ingredients. And like any other good brunch, they are going to serve plenty of good coffee and cocktails to get you through the morning.
Unfortunately, they don’t take reservations so bring a pair of sunglasses while you wait street-side for your table.
Santarosa Cafè E Bistrot
Lungarno di Santa Rosa
Open: Brunch served Sunday 12:00 -3:00 pm
Best For: Brunch outside
Santarosa cafe e Bistrot is my top pick for brunch if you want to sit outside in a cool place. Their enormous terrace is just off the Arno river, decorated with lots of greenery.
Their brunch menu (only served on Sunday) is small with only 10 items but very good including classic brunch dishes such as french toast, eggs benedict, yogurt and granola.
If you aren’t feeling great but still want to get some sun and sit down, don’t worry. Order coffee and a small pastry to settle your stomach and call it a day.
Spending Time in Florence? Make the most of your time eating and drinking in bella Firenze!:
Best Pizza in Florence
Best Gelato In Florence
Best Coffee In Florence
10 Foods You Must Try On Your First Visit To Florence
The Best Cheap Eats in Tuscany
Eating Vegan and Vegetarian in Florence
Best Rooftop Bars in Florence
Where to Have Aperitivo on a Budget in Florence
Where to Eat on Your First Visit to Florence
My Favorite Places to Eat Bistecca Fiorentina in Florence
Where to Have Brunch in Florence
Coolest Bars in Florence
International Restaurants in Florence
My Favorite Wine Bars (Enoteche) in Florence
Wines to Try in Tuscany
Where to Find Florence’s Best Schiacciata
Florence’s Best Panini
Food Markets in Florence
Where to Find Florence’s Best Pastries
Best Bakeries in Florence
Eating Gluten-Free in Florence
Where to Have Apericena in Florence
Where to Get Takeout in Florence
Where Locals Eat in Florence
Florentine Food Souvenirs
Where to Buy Specialty Food Items and Gifts in Florence
Where to Eat with Kids in Florence
Where to Get a Quick Bite with Kids in Florence
Traditional Tuscan Food
