Caffe Concerto Paszkowski

I was recommended this cafe by The Tour Guide channel. Overall I found it to be average. The coffee was fine, nothing special. I enjoyed the small snacks provided upon sitting. The biggest problem was the service which was a total mess. Inside we tried to order drinks and cakes and were told to go outside. Outside we waited for a seat and nobody came. Eventually we sat and tried to wave down a waiter and multiple times we were told that the waiter would serve us eventually. Finally they came and took the order and to almost no surprise; they brought us the wrong drinks. This was just a case of poor service and we felt like we were passed from person to person.

Great experience for a lunch. Pizza and salads are unique, fresh, and you must try their homemade ice tea! Waiters Ardit and Gigi were very hospitable and fun to have while we stayed. Would come back again and again. The view was great in the square

Paszkowski Café (pronounced Pash-KOFF-skee) - A Polish Central European oasis in scorching heat of beautiful Florence ! We visited Paszkowski on a blistering Sunday afternoon with our family during la pausa, and this place truly saved our day. Tucked into Piazza della Repubblica, the terrace is cooled by what looked like fine “misting sprinklers” — a blessing under the Tuscan sun. Inside, the interiors are a striking mix of Polish‑Austrian / Central European elegance: wood‑panelled walls, crystal chandeliers, mosaic floors - think the grand cafés of Vienna, Cracow, Warsaw or Prague, transported into Florence. Service was warm and polished. The manager greeted us with humor, interest in our origins, and genuine care throughout our stay. Highlights from the PSK signature menu? Their bubble‑tea twist felt refreshingly light, and the signature cake—a billowy, Central‑European‑style delight—was perfect. The coffee, too, carried that rich Polish‑Austrian sensibility: full‑bodied, smooth, slightly sweet, and utterly comforting. But what really makes Paszkowski iconic is its history and atmosphere. Founded in 1846 as Caffè Centrale, it became Polish‑run in 1903 when Karol (Carlo) Paszkowski - an enterprising Polish brewer and, later, Honorary Polish Consul in Florence - took over. He transformed it into a Viennese‑style brewery and concert café. Since then, Paszkowski has been a beloved meeting place for Florentine intellectuals and European literati - from Italian greats like Giovanni Papini, Ardengo Soffici, Gabriele D’Annunzio, Władysław Reymont, Stefan Żeromski, Eugenio Montale, Umberto Saba, Vasco Pratolini and Leopold Staff are often mentioned as part of that broader Central‑European café milieu, which Paszkowski beautifully embodies. It’s a place where Polishness quietly but proudly lives within the interior architecture, coffee and convivial conversational style - part of an esteemed Central European café tradition of intellectual gatherings, mid‑afternoon coffees and layered cakes. Today, Paszkowski stands alongside Café Florian in Venice or Cafe Greco in Rome — equally steeped in art, politics, literature and music. It’s not just a beautiful stop for a break - it’s a living, breathing cultural institution. Highly recommend for anyone looking for history, good taste, and that slightly refined, unforced Central‑European charm.

The experience: 5 The food: 4.5 Service: 5+ Value for food/coffee: 4 Beautiful location outdoors or indoors for a nice Sunday lunch. We people watched on a beautiful afternoon My wife said the bread and the club sandwich was some of the best she tasted in Italy. My scrambled eggs were good, but lukewarm.

I got to admit - this place was such a great find for late night cocktails and amazing live music - Lye the server, sorry if I misspell it- did such a great job taking care of us two nights in a row. I feel very grateful I found this place.