Cafeography
Florence · Santa Maria Novella

Cafés in Santa Maria Novella

The station, the basilica square, Via della Scala, Borgo Ognissanti and the D612 roastery on Via Cittadella.

Photo: Sunil Bhardwaj, Pexels License

Santa Maria Novella is where most visitors arrive: the main railway station, the Dominican basilica that gives it its name, and the streets running west to the Lungarno and the Cascine. The station building was put up in 1932–1934 to a design by the Gruppo Toscano, whose members included Giovanni Michelucci, and about 59 million people pass through it each year.1 It opened in 1848 as Maria Antonia station, after a Bourbon princess, and was renamed for the basilica after Italian unification.1

Bar Tonarelli, Panella, Fratelli Cuore and Pausa caffè all trade on Piazza della Stazione, and Cortese Café 900 and Il Bar De L'O face the basilica. The quieter bars lie toward the river, along Borgo Ognissanti, Via della Vigna Nuova and the Lungarno.

Local tip: Caffè Amerini on Via della Vigna Nuova opens at 07:00 from Monday to Saturday; ask for a rice tortina, the Florentine breakfast pastry.6

At a glance

32Cafés listed
4With opening hours
07:00Earliest opening
23:00Latest closing
  • Opens earliest: Caffè Amerini, from 07:00 (Mon–Sat 07:00–21:00 · Sun 08:30–21:00).
  • Closes latest: Menchetti Firenze Belfiore, until 23:00 (Daily 08:00–23:00).
  • Most common features: indoor seating (16%), air-con (9%), open late (6%).

Caffè Amerini

  • Via della Vigna Nuova, 61/63 r
  • Mon–Sat 07:00–21:00 · Sun 08:30–21:00
  • +39055284941
  • Air-con
  • Indoor seating
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Coffee chains in Santa Maria Novella

From the station to the basilica

The basilica was consecrated in 1420, and Leon Battista Alberti's upper façade was finished in 1470 for Giovanni di Paolo Rucellai.2 The square in front hosted the Palio dei Cocchi, a chariot race, from 1563 into the 19th century; its two obelisks, resting on bronze tortoises cast by Giambologna in 1608, marked the turning points.2 Inside, Masaccio's Holy Trinity, an early lesson in Renaissance perspective, hangs about halfway along the left aisle.2

The T2 tram has run from the airport at Peretola into the city since 11 February 2019, a ride of about 22 minutes end to end.3 Shake Café is on Via degli Avelli, and Bar Santa Maria Novella is at Via della Scala 1r.

D612 and the specialty bars

D612 Coffee Roasters, at Via Cittadella 2R, roasts for several Florence cafés: in 2021 its beans were brewed at SimBIOsi and at Melaleuca, on Lungarno delle Grazie.4 Gambero Rosso International named it again in 2024 as the roaster behind Manly The Office in San Frediano.5

Ditta Artigianale has a branch at Via Solferino 21. Rusty Bar, on Via Guido Monaco, opens weekdays 08:00–17:30 and Saturday mornings.

Via della Vigna Nuova and Borgo Ognissanti

Caffè Amerini, at Via della Vigna Nuova 61–63r, bakes pistachio, chocolate and fruit tortine, rice tortine and chocolate saccottini, along with savory schiacciate and pizzette.6 It opens Monday to Saturday 07:00–21:00 and Sunday from 08:30.

Caffè dei Fossi is at Via dei Fossi 65r, on the street of Todo Modo, a bookshop, wine bar and café at number 15r where an afternoon table among the shelves is usually free.7 Borgo Ognissanti, which runs parallel to the river, has Bianco Firenze at number 85, Bar Jolly Caffe at 68 and Piccioli at 118. On the river itself, Alfieri Café and River Cafè are on Lungarno Corsini and Caffè del '900 is on Lungarno Amerigo Vespucci.

Toward Porta al Prato and the Cascine

Gamberini, at Via Curtatone 4–10, opens daily 07:00–22:00, and Menchetti on Viale Belfiore stays open until 23:00. Cafè al Comunale and Le Cafe are side by side on Via Magenta. Michelle Cake is on Via del Ponte alle Mosse, beyond Porta al Prato.

Sources

  1. Firenze Santa Maria Novella railway station, Wikipedia, accessed October 2026
  2. Santa Maria Novella, Wikipedia, accessed October 2026
  3. Trams in Florence, Wikipedia, accessed October 2026
  4. 6 Great Coffee Shops in Florence, 2foodtrippers (updated October 2026), accessed October 2026
  5. The best specialty cafés in Florence, the city for coffee lovers (Michela Becchi), Gambero Rosso International (February 16, 2024), accessed October 2026
  6. Le migliori colazioni in centro a Firenze, Firenze Made in Tuscany (December 9, 2024), accessed October 2026
  7. 7 Smart Working Cafes in Florence (Lauren Mouat), Romeing (December 15, 2025), accessed October 2026
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In Santa Maria Novella, also browse: Outdoor seating Open late Vegan & vegetarian

FAQ

Santa Maria Novella cafés: questions

How long does the tram take from Florence airport to Santa Maria Novella?

The T2 line, open since 11 February 2019, takes about 22 minutes from Peretola airport to the end of the line in the city. Santa Maria Novella station, built in 1932–1934 by the Gruppo Toscano, handles about 59 million passengers a year, and cafés line Piazza della Stazione outside.

Where is D612 Coffee Roasters in Florence?

At Via Cittadella 2R, in the Santa Maria Novella district a short walk from the station. D612 roasts for several Florence cafés: its beans have been brewed at SimBIOsi on Via de' Ginori, Melaleuca on Lungarno delle Grazie and Manly The Office in San Frediano.

What pastries does Caffè Amerini in Florence sell?

Caffè Amerini, at Via della Vigna Nuova 61–63r near Santa Maria Novella, bakes pistachio, chocolate and fruit tortine, rice tortine and chocolate saccottini, plus savory schiacciate and pizzette. It opens Monday to Saturday from 07:00 to 21:00 and on Sundays from 08:30.

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