Café Compass: Italy

Italy has some of the best pastries and cakes we have ever tried, and a good cup of coffee is quite easy to come by; nevertheless, we thought it might be nice to share our Café Compass Italy edition:

Marchesi - Milan - @Marchesi1824

If you are looking for a traditional Italian spot while in Milan, look no further than Marchesi: a classic pastry shop founded in 1824. Our whole experience here was lovely. We visited the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II location and everything we had was amazing. Also, the view, which overlooks the Galleria, is stunning. You can choose whether to have your coffee while standing or to be seated at a table (this is something common in Italy and prices between the two differ). 

Our dad had an aperitivo: prosecco with some olives, chips and nuts and some small savory pastries; while we, of course, had to have our coffees. We also had chocolate croissant knot, veneziana (sweet dough covered with granulated sugar), croissant with jam and bombolone (slightly flattened sphere doughnut filled with pastry cream). Everything's pictured on the photo below. 

Locations: Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II - Via Santa Maria alla Porta, 11/a - Via Monte Napoleone - Milan, Italy.

Melaleuca - Florence - @melaleuca.florence

Located by the Arno River, this Australian-American café was exactly what we needed on a sunny October day. 

The view of the Arno, right outside the coffee shop.

We went for brunch, and we had to wait a while for a table (please note that they don't take reservations), but being by the river made the wait quite enjoyable. The people working there were nice and welcoming and everything we had was very tasty and delicious. We had some tacos, the "classic eggs on toast" and the "b.l.t. bagel".

Of course, after eating we had some coffee and to satisfy our sweet tooth carrot cake and a chocolate chip cookie. We can't wait to go back soon to Florence and have some coffee here again.

Location: Lungarno delle Grazie, 18, Florence, Italy.