Contributing Writer: Alyssa Gregory

Big breakfasts, for me, rank right up there as the cure for all the side effects of a hangover.

I’m sure you know the feeling. You’re eyes are slits to block out the blinding light, your phone’s battery on red and your background a picture of randos who look like they’re having a great time. You feel drained of all energy and starving to replenish the depleted get-up-and-go.

An Italian breakfast of espresso or cappuccino and a small croissant won’t even get you out of the red. What you need is a big breakfast.

To keep in the European mood but still get a large American/English breakfast, turn east on Via Ghibellina in Florence and keep a lookout on the left side of the street for Le Vespe Café or you’ll walk right past it.

This rustic little restaurant was recommended to me by a friend who has been living in Florence for almost seven months. I cannot stress enough the benefits of finding yourself a friend in the city. Not only will it save your taste buds but also usually your pocket book because they’ll help you dodge overpriced touristy places with hit or miss service.

Le Vespe Café is a Florence gem and perfect for breakfast after a long night on the town.

It has a cute rustic café atmosphere with mismatched chairs and flower tiled tables. I went around 10 am, with my book stowed under one arm, and found it quiet and uncrowded. (This is a novelty. Because it is so small and intimate it is usually packed, so I would recommend getting a reservation, especially for Sunday brunch.) They were playing an incredible playlist of American music, many of them oldies, which I found myself humming to.

I ordered a smoothie, French toast and sausage. Though the eggs and bacon sounded good, too. And so did the breakfast wrap full of eggs, sausage, potatoes and cheese.  And the pancakes. It was a hard decision to make!

I barely had time to read a few pages of my book when my food was set in front of me. (Though I have heard that their service can be a little slow sometimes so be prepared because you might have to wait.)

I believe I made the right decision. The French toast was melt in your mouth. Soaked in butter and sprinkled with powdered sugar, the bread absorbed the Canadian maple syrup I dribbled over it magnificently. The smoothie was refreshing and I could taste the fresh fruits (have I mentioned how good the fruit is here?!?!) in every sip.

Le Vespe Café is a must visit for a full American breakfast/brunch, and don’t worry about getting up early because they serve breakfast until 5 pm, as it truly should be.

Even if breakfast isn’t your thing, Le Vespe Café offers a large lunch menu to choose from. With everything from grilled cheeses to karaage fried chicken, they cater to all kinds of taste from Japanese, Firenze, Canadian and American. It is also a vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free friendly café.

For drinks they have juices and smoothies. They are also a bona fide bar so they have a large selection of alcoholic beverages.

This small restaurant is the perfect place to rub elbows with locals, tourists and study abroad students who are mooching off the free wifi and the amazing coffee.

Le Vespe Café

Address: 6R Via Ghibellina, Florence, Italy

Phone Number : 055 388 0062

Hours :

10-23 Tuesday-Saturday

11-16 Sunday

Menu

 

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