Italy, unfortunately, is not a "beer country". There are some beers which are produced here, and some are more than ok, but nothing special. That's quite a problem for me, since I spent a year and a half living in Slovakia, I'd gotten used to a beer-based diet and now I'm homesick for those quality beers (especially Czech ones).
Luckily, a few months ago my friends and I discovered a small pub, close to the Faculty of Architecture, that is committed to Czech beers. This is place is "The book". Beer is not the only Czech mark: the interiors are designed in Czech style and some Prague street signs are hung up all around (even if none of the bartenders I've met there were Czech or even foreigner).
So I go there every time I feel like taking a dive into my past or just feel like having a good beer (even if I can only have it at an awful Italian price).
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"Piccola Farmacia Letteraria" in Florence is a small bookshop run by Elena which everyone, including me, describes as special. Go there & then for a beer!
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The garments at Pesci Che Volano are meticulously crafted by hand, embracing small-scale production and handmade textiles from natural fabrics...
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Their pizzas are nothing short of incredible, thanks to a carefully crafted dough left to rise for 36 hours. But remember to save room for dessert!
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"Cantina Pacini": a wine and oil shop (est. 1935) in Florence I like to visit. If you're lucky, you'll be visiting when they have fresh oil from the mill.
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"Babae" in Florence is a restaurant with an ancient 'buchetta del vino', a traditional wine window used to offer wine to wayfarers. It's beautiful inside!
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"Alla Sosta dei Papi" Florence it's not just a bar and not just a wine shop: it's the kind of place I visit once/week for an aperitivo & the relaxed vibe.
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"La Raccolta" was the firs natural foods shop and café that I found in Florence and still I love. The bakery is probably my favorite part of this shop...
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"Caffè Lietta" in Piazza della Libertà in Florence has delicious cakes & you can even find a bunch of flowers inside. It's just really relaxing & cozy...
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Everybody knows "Banki Ramen" in Florence. This Japanese/Italian restaurant seems really cheap, as if stuck in the '80s, but the food wins everyone over!
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"Sdrucciolo de' Pitti" in Florence is a vintage street that has kept the neighborhood's old-time attractiveness! Come discover its secrets...
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"Caffè del Verone" in Florence is literally on the balcony where they'd hang the clothes when this place was an orphanage. But what a view and atmosphere!
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"Burro & Acciughe" in Florence is a place to experience some of the best fish in the city. Their bread and butter and anchovies are just amazing...
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108 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the crowd & travel slow 🐌
✓ 108 Insider Tips from our local Spotters