The Caffè Rivoire is located in Piazza della Signoria in Florence.
Enrico Rivoire, Savoia royal family chocolatier, was from Turin and brought to Florence the tradition of the typical hot chocolate from his hometown.
Florence was the capital of Italy between 1865 and 1871, so Enrico probably came here following the royal family and then founded his café in 1872.
At the beginning, the recipe for Rivoire chocolate was secret and the shop’s sign said:
Enrico Rivoire – Steam Chocolate Factory
The café soon became famous, thanks to its wonderful location.
Artists, politicians, aristocrats, and celebrities began to visit the café and spend time at the tables in the Piazza della Signoria, admiring the magnificent works of art in the square.
Caffè Rivoire has become over time a point of reference for the Florentines, who during the classic Sunday stroll in the old town could not miss having a chocolate at Rivoire.
The delicacies of Rivoire are many, but it is for the chocolate that grandparents brought their grandchildren to this ancient café: both chocolate tablets and hot chocolate are unique and have made many generations of Florentine children very happy.
Hot chocolate in Florence simply means Rivoire!
Today, this beautiful historical place is a must for Florentines and tourists who want to enjoy a pleasant stop in one of the most beautiful squares in the world.
Caffè Rivoire is on the corner of the Palazzo delle Assicurazioni Generali, the last building erected in Piazza della Signoria in 1871.
In its place were formerly the Church of Santa Cecilia and the Loggia dei Pisani, which was the seat of the Arte del Cambio, the Guild of Florence formed by money changers and traders of precious metals.
From the tables of Caffè Rivoire, you can admire the Palazzo Vecchio, the Fountain of Neptune, and the Loggia dei Lanzi.
Caffè Rivoire is decorated in the style of the early twentieth century, with beautiful wood and marble furniture.
The Rivoire family has not managed the café since 1978, which has recently threatened to close.
We know now, however, that Caffè Rivoire will remain in Piazza della Signoria for at least another twelve years, to the delight of Florentines, tourists, and Robert Langdon.
Inferno’s main character said:
No trip to the piazza was complete without sipping an espresso at Caffè Rivoire.
Pictures by stepnout and Rivoire.it