Various cafes around the world serve much more than just freshly baked muffins or good coffee. Sometimes, it’s a generous slice of history served with a steaming cup of nostalgia that fills you with warmth that lingers on. These cafes in Tuscany hold stories that are etched on its walls and deserve to be visited on your next visit. By Shubhanjana Das
1. Caffè Dell ‘Ussero in Pisa
Located along the Pisa river in one of the most picturesque and breathtaking buildings in the area, Palazzo Agostini, Cafe dell’Ussero’s origin dates back to as long as 1775, taking your imagination back to the days when it used to be called Caffè Delle Stanze. It is here that the first meeting of the Italian Congress of Scientists was held in 1839. A visit to Cafe Dell ‘Ussero, will leave you enchanted and overwhelmed with its rich history and culinary experience.
2. Café Poliziano in Montepulciano, Arezzo
Ever since 1868, Café Poliziano has been occupying a gorgeous space in the old town centre of Montepulciano since 1868, grabbing attention from every passerby due to its awe-striking architecture and style. The interior of this place imitates a Liberty-style coffee house — large and sophisticated. Makes sense, considering it was a cultural meeting point to exchange path-breaking literary ideas for writers in the likes of Carducci, Prezzolini and Pirandello.
3. Restaurant Buca di Sant’Antonio in Lucca
Restaurant Buca di Sant’Antonio in Lucca’s origin dates back to the Enlightenment Period, 1872 to be precise. This is also when the banned works of Boccaccio, like “decameron” were read at its tables by its guests while they waited for their traditional-style faro soup, one of the oldest dishes in all of Italy.
4. Café Rivoire in Florence
If you find yourself in the wonderful Palazzo della Signoria, there’s one place you simply can’t turn your back on, and that is Cafe Rivoire. The brainchild of Turin-born chocolatier Enrico Rivoire who brought this place to life back in 1872. It was he who introduced the people of Florence, to the traditional Savoy or “chocolate in a cup”. The shop is still a favourite amongst Florentines whose love for chocolate finds solace here at Cafe Rivoire.
Related: A Road Trip To Remember: 6-Days South Italy Road Trip Itinerary
