Pasticceria Gualtieri
Review by Savanna White, Karlianne Willson, Bryan Hoffman, James Romano, Hannah Amorello
Experiencing food is such an imperative part of one’s traveling experience, especially in Italy. Italy is just as known for several baked goods as part of their food traditions as it is pasta, wine, and prepared fishes and meats. We ventured off to one of Florence’s hidden treasures to experience firsthand Italian pastries at a small patisserie called Gualtieri.
A little off the beat and path, we traveled to Gualtieri for a light breakfast. Walking in, it was apparent that this bakery is generally frequented by locals, as opposed to tourists. With a small seating area, this establishment offers a comfortable and casual bite to eat for people on the go, as well as a place to sit and relax in the morning.
Gualtieri’s food selection included an array traditional Italian pastry items, such as traditional cakes, cookies, as well as wedding and special event cakes. There seems to be something in store for just about everyone who visits. A unique aspect of Gualtieri, is that they feature a variety of vegan and gluten free options, which is great for those with dietary restrictions. This allows vegans and vegetarians to experience the sweeter side of Italian food culture without being confined by their diet.
In addition to the pastries, Gualtieri offers a fairly extensive list of coffee/tea products. The staff in the store are very knowledgeable and were more than happy to suggest pairing specific coffees and pastries.
Overall, the experience at Gualtieri was pleasing. The food was undoubtedly delicious, and the visit itself was helpful in exposing us to several intrinsic aspects of the Italian food scene. Returning to try some of their other offerings (namely one of the fruitcakes) and expand our understanding of Italian pastry is not out of the questions, however the distance from the city center makes frequenting this particular shop more of an effort. All in all, this is a great location for somebody looking to experience breakfast the “Italian way.”
Pasticceria Gualtieri
Address: Via Senese, 18r
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday: 7:30am-1:00pm; 4:00pm-8:00pm Sundays: 8:00am-1:30pm. Closed Mondays