Extraordinary Confectionery
Florence is a sophisticated city. From world class art, to high end shopping, this city really has it all. But the one thing that I'm always attracted to are the window displays at the confectioneries. In 2014 when I first visited Florence, I was on a mission to visit some of the candy stores that my grandmother went to when she grew up in Florence. Our family has an obsession with chocolate! I was looking to bring back some chocolate bars from some of her favorite places, if they were still around. My grandmother Lillian lived in Florence from 1921-1946 so I wasn't sure how many I would actually find. I would soon find out that I was in luck!
The first place that I wanted to go to is Migone. Located on Via dei Calzaiuoli 85R, it wasn't far from where she lived on Via Lambertesca. Migone Confetti was started in 1916 and is still run by the same family today. I love that! It is a small but charming shop that sells candy, soft nougat and chocolates and they are known for their signature candy boxes shaped like the Duomo, Bell Tower or Baptistery. Their window displays are so adorable with bright colors and uniformity. This is a great place to buy chocolate bars as they are wrapped in beautiful flowery paper and ribbon. I also purchased many small bags of candy to bring home for friends as they didn't take up space in my luggage. They also specialize in wedding favors like candy coated almonds which in Italy are called "confetti"; hence the name Migone Confetti! This is the place to go if you would like to find authentic Florentine chocolate. facebook.com/migoneconfettifirenze
Next, we headed over to a Florentine institution; Gilli. Gilli is located at Via Roma 1R in Piazza dell Repubblica and is probably the most famous cafe in the city, open for 270 years in the heart of Florence since 1733. While it is mainly a cafe, they also sell fine chocolates, jellies and nougats and their window displays are definitely something to see. Lillian worked in a lawyer's office (now a florist) directly across the street from Gilli as a secretary for a few years and would often stop in for a sweet treat. The chocolate and bonbons are almost too beautiful to eat in that picking out which ones to buy was very difficult! The chocolate is sold by weight so you pick which size box you would like and they put on a white glove to hand pick the ones you select and wrap it in a box with a ribbon. While a little pricey, we bought one box to bring home and one to bring to my cousins in Italy as a hostess gift for having us over for dinner. It presents very well. https://caffegilli.com/en/
The third chocolatier that she spoke about we could not find. Porcellini chocolates; which Lillian said was located somewhere between Piazza della Signoria and the Duomo. I tried to look this up online as well and could not find information about it. So, if you happen to know about this store (probably no longer there) please leave a comment! Another option in Piazza della Signoria is Caffe Rivorie. Open since 1872 by the chocolatier of the Savoy Royal family, Rivoire has a fantastic selection of fine chocolate and pralines. They are also known for their hot chocolate, landing on Buzzfeeds list of the top ten places in the world for hot chocolate (they ranked #9, no small feat!). The chocolate is still made on site today and this is the perfect place to grab a table, order a caffe and some chocolates or a pastry and people watch al fresco in the piazza. What I like about Rivoire is that yes they have the fancy boxed chocolates but they also offer small well priced take home gifts and were the only place that had a wide selection of pralines. http://www.rivoire.it
Lastly, Venchi Chocolate is a chain store that is very popular for gelato, chocolates and gifts. There are three locations in Florence; Via dei Calzaiuoli 65, Via Calimaruzzi 2-4 or in the Santa Maria Novella Train station. This is more of a modern type of establishment with glitz and glam. While very pretty, it is expensive. You can choose individually wrapped chocolates from a very large display and it is sold by weight or they also have pre-selected bags for purchase. Venchi also sells fine chocolates sold by weight as well and gelato. I was once in a Venchi in Rome and they had an entire wall of fluid chocolate, which goes to show you how modern they are. While it is very beautiful, if you are looking for a more authentic one of a kind place, I would skip Venchi. There are many locations in high tourist areas so if price is not an issue and you want a cute gift and are limited on time, this could be a option for you. Also, while I was last in New York, it is now sold at Eataly. https://us.venchi.com
What is your favorite place to buy sweet treats in Florence? Let me know in the comments!
The first place that I wanted to go to is Migone. Located on Via dei Calzaiuoli 85R, it wasn't far from where she lived on Via Lambertesca. Migone Confetti was started in 1916 and is still run by the same family today. I love that! It is a small but charming shop that sells candy, soft nougat and chocolates and they are known for their signature candy boxes shaped like the Duomo, Bell Tower or Baptistery. Their window displays are so adorable with bright colors and uniformity. This is a great place to buy chocolate bars as they are wrapped in beautiful flowery paper and ribbon. I also purchased many small bags of candy to bring home for friends as they didn't take up space in my luggage. They also specialize in wedding favors like candy coated almonds which in Italy are called "confetti"; hence the name Migone Confetti! This is the place to go if you would like to find authentic Florentine chocolate. facebook.com/migoneconfettifirenze
Selection from inside the store. Photo credit:facebook.com/migoneconfettifirenze |
Yours truly at Migone in 2017 |
Nougat is always a good idea! Photo credit: facebook.com/migoneconfettifirenze |
The chocolate bars wrapped in flowered paper on the top shelf is what I chose to bring back for Lillian. Photo credit: facebook.com/migoneconfettifirenze |
Duomo, Baptistery, and Bell Tower boxes, simply adorable! Photo credit: www.omgflorence.it/ |
Ummm, yes please! |
Next, we headed over to a Florentine institution; Gilli. Gilli is located at Via Roma 1R in Piazza dell Repubblica and is probably the most famous cafe in the city, open for 270 years in the heart of Florence since 1733. While it is mainly a cafe, they also sell fine chocolates, jellies and nougats and their window displays are definitely something to see. Lillian worked in a lawyer's office (now a florist) directly across the street from Gilli as a secretary for a few years and would often stop in for a sweet treat. The chocolate and bonbons are almost too beautiful to eat in that picking out which ones to buy was very difficult! The chocolate is sold by weight so you pick which size box you would like and they put on a white glove to hand pick the ones you select and wrap it in a box with a ribbon. While a little pricey, we bought one box to bring home and one to bring to my cousins in Italy as a hostess gift for having us over for dinner. It presents very well. https://caffegilli.com/en/
My first time in 2014! |
Heaven is a place on Earth |
I mean, how can one decide?
Nom, Nom, Nom...Photo Credit: https://caffegilli.com |
So dazzling! Photo credit: https://caffegilli.com |
A little jelly for your belly. Photo credit: https://caffegilli.com |
It doesn't get much cuter than this... |
Oh wait, yes it does! The holiday displays are the best! Photo credit: https://caffegilli.com |
Oh hello, beautiful! |
I'll take one of each please |
The third chocolatier that she spoke about we could not find. Porcellini chocolates; which Lillian said was located somewhere between Piazza della Signoria and the Duomo. I tried to look this up online as well and could not find information about it. So, if you happen to know about this store (probably no longer there) please leave a comment! Another option in Piazza della Signoria is Caffe Rivorie. Open since 1872 by the chocolatier of the Savoy Royal family, Rivoire has a fantastic selection of fine chocolate and pralines. They are also known for their hot chocolate, landing on Buzzfeeds list of the top ten places in the world for hot chocolate (they ranked #9, no small feat!). The chocolate is still made on site today and this is the perfect place to grab a table, order a caffe and some chocolates or a pastry and people watch al fresco in the piazza. What I like about Rivoire is that yes they have the fancy boxed chocolates but they also offer small well priced take home gifts and were the only place that had a wide selection of pralines. http://www.rivoire.it
It's me, a man on a bike and a wedding party. Doesn't get much more Italian than this! Circa 2014 |
Rivoire Exterior, they change out the displays quite often and usually with a color scheme! Photo credit: http://www.rivoire.it |
Fancy pink boxes? They have it. Photo credit: http://www.rivoire.it |
More of a Tiffany blue kind of girl? They have that too! Photo credit: http://www.rivoire.it |
Cute seasonal displays during the holidays. Photo credit: http://www.rivoire.it |
The famous hot chocolate. There is an actual piece of chocolate in the middle that melts as you drink! This is when I ordered in 2017. |
And this is when I ordered in 2014. |
Lastly, Venchi Chocolate is a chain store that is very popular for gelato, chocolates and gifts. There are three locations in Florence; Via dei Calzaiuoli 65, Via Calimaruzzi 2-4 or in the Santa Maria Novella Train station. This is more of a modern type of establishment with glitz and glam. While very pretty, it is expensive. You can choose individually wrapped chocolates from a very large display and it is sold by weight or they also have pre-selected bags for purchase. Venchi also sells fine chocolates sold by weight as well and gelato. I was once in a Venchi in Rome and they had an entire wall of fluid chocolate, which goes to show you how modern they are. While it is very beautiful, if you are looking for a more authentic one of a kind place, I would skip Venchi. There are many locations in high tourist areas so if price is not an issue and you want a cute gift and are limited on time, this could be a option for you. Also, while I was last in New York, it is now sold at Eataly. https://us.venchi.com
Choosing which ones I want to try. I recommend the Pistachio. |
Very unique options for chocolate boxes and small gifts. |
Selection of take home gifts they offer. |
Brightly wrapped pieces are fun and makes me want to try them all! Photo credit: https://it.venchi.com |
They also serve gelato and espresso! All in one sweet shop! |
A corner of their in store items on display |
I do like the hanging ice cream cones in their window display. A nice touch. |
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