Best Gelato & Pastry Shops

Best Gelato & Pastry Shops

The convenient Caffè delle Carrozze (Piazza del Pescee 3-5/r, Piazza della Signoria. 055/2396810) is around the corner from the Uffizi; their gelato (the Italian version of ice cream) is, according to many, the best in the historic center. The pasticceria (bakery) Dolci e Dolcezze (Piazza C. Beccaria 8/r, Sant'Ambrogio. 055/2345458), on colorful Borgo La Croce, has the prettiest and tastiest cakes, sweets, and tarts in town. It's closed Monday. Gelaterie Carabe (Via Ricasoli 60/r, San Marco. 055/289476) specializes in things Sicilian (including cannoli). Its granità (granular flavored ices), made only in the summer, are tart and flavorful -- perfect thirst-quenchers. Florentines with serious sweet tooths come to I Dolci di Patrizio Corsi (Borgo Albizi 15/r, Santa Croce. 055/2480367), which has a bewildering selection of chocolate- and cream-filled sweets. It's closed on Sunday afternoon. Vestri (Borgo Albizi 11/r, Santa Croce. 055/2340374) is devoted to chocolate in all its guises. The small but sublime selection of chocolate-based gelati includes one with hot peppers. Most people consider Vivoli (Via Isola delle Stinche 7/r, Santa Croce. 055/292334) the best gelateria in town, though the cioccolata con caffè is overrated.