Welcome! Let's get this started.
Finish logging in.
Raw vegan gelateria and patisserie. Has over 10 different flavors of ice cream and sorbet made with Italian almonds. Also a large range of raw, gluten-free, vegan pastries. Next door to the shop you can see in to “the laboratory” where the pastries are being baked. Teas and coffees also served. A second retail opening from Vito Cortese just a few hundred yards south of Ponte Vecchio. Open Mon-Fri 08:30-19:00, Sat 09:00-19:00, Sun 09:30-19:00.
-
Loading...
-
- Accepts credit cards
-
-
Last update on 10 Dec 2024 by Teegly
Update business info -
Are you the owner?
Claim this business -
Added by JP22000 on 05 Sep 2024
-
-
52 Reviews
First Review by JP22000
Bella&Ollie
Points +1691
Delicious cookie - Edit
I happened across this bakery by chance and I am so glad that I did!
Read moreI had a dulce de leche cookie and an oat milk cappuccino both of which were delicious.
I am excited to return when their gelato options increase next month!
Updated from previous review on 2026-03-14
Pros: Multilingual staff , Ample seating , Plenty of food, drink and gelato options
Cons: Expensive
Guest
Llu-mapache
Points +96
Surprised - Edit
I'm not a fan of raw things, but not all is raw here. They have croissants too. Great variety of vegan sweets and some savoury options.
Read moreThe place is elegant.
However I think they charge too much for the table service, almost double the price.
It's not cheap in general
Pros: Savoury options, Ambient
Cons: Prices on table
Guest
contraltotango
Points +285
Exzellent - Edit
Eine außergewöhnliche, elegante Patisserie! Köstliche Pralinen, auch sehr leckere herzhaft belegte Croissants, und die beste heiße Schokolade, die wir jemals getrunken haben.
Read moreDer Cappuccino war lecker, durch die frische Mandelmilch ganz besonders - das bekommt man kaum woanders.
Man kann aus dem Café das Geschehen in der Patisserie beobachten, das ist sehr cool.
Updated from previous review on 2026-03-01
Pros: Pralinen, Heiße Schokolade , Herzhafte Croissants
Guest
gaffer
Points +100
Loved it - Edit
Excellent selection of vegan snacks and sweets. The raw chocolates and tiramisu were brilliant.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2025-11-26
Pros: Service, Atmosphere
Cons: A bit expensive
Guest
mycoffeeheart
Points +408
Vegan cafe - Edit
Good vegan cafe. They only had almond milk option, but the pastries with vegan cream and jam were very good !! A lot of vegan sweets as well perfect for tea
Read moreGuest
rb_br
Points +58
An oasis of sweet treats - Edit
After some fomo on a trip around Tuscany, Cortese was the jackpot of Italian pastries. Italian hot chocolate and gelato as well, all vegan, raw and gluten free. The staff were great too, and said that they make their own almond milk for coffees fresh everyday.
Read moreGuest
absoluteleighx
Points +73
Most delicious truffles - Edit
The treats available were wonderful, and there was lots of variety! I indulged in a creamy truffle with hazelnuts (not too dissimilar from a Ferrero Rocher, if not much better), and my partner enjoyed a raw cookie. €5 for us both to have a little sweet treat and tasted top-notch!
Read moreUpdate: it was so nice, we went the next day too! Two cappuccinos with their own almond milk, a beautiful cornetto each with chocolate and a few more of those delectable truffles; all for only €15,60! You'd be a fool to miss it.
Updated from previous review on 2025-11-06
Pros: Entirely plant-based
Guest
chels2ocean
Points +1735
Vegan and gluten free - Edit
The cornetto was not flaky but it had a delicious buttery flavor and I liked the custard filling. Also one of the few places to offer a vegan affogato!
Read moreGuest
Susi_Toastbrot
Points +448
Really good - Edit
Visited the shop twice and was totally happy about this delicious snacks :)
Read moreThey offer a lot of vegan ice cream, not just fruit sorbet!
Updated from previous review on 2025-10-25
Guest
Clara_D_M
Points +23041
Gorgeous - Edit
Although their croissant is not “flaky” (no puff pastry since it’s gluten free), the filling was incredible. Highly recommended
Read moreGuest
Sampholland8
Points +312
Incredible raw sweet delights - Edit
Fantastic raw sweet treats, the standout being their signature emblema.
Read moreTheir cappuccino with house made almond milk is also as advertised- best coffee we had in Florence.
Finally, their gelato- belissimo. Also the best we had in the city. Cappuccino, and blueberry/wild ginger were extremely good.
Super friendly service, especially in the branch near the Duomo
Pros: Gelato, Emblema, Cappuccino
Guest
delmei
Points +62
Amazing - Edit
All vegan and gluten-free, very good coffee with home made almond milk. Pastries and ice cream was also good! Nice interior seating.
Read moreGuest
Heavenlycow
Points +246
Supersweet - Edit
Einfach wunderbar, vegan, glutenfrei, fröhlich!
Read moreGuest
lassecorleone
Points +372
Alles Vegan und sehr gut! - Edit
Alles hier ist vegan und sehr gut. Sehr zu empfehlen!!!
Read moreGuest
JillKeb
Points +235
ALL VEGAN! Mostly Gelato & sweets - Edit
Close to Pritti Palace (Boboli Gardens are a Wow!) This gem of a place has many flavors of Italian Gelato as well as other baked and raw sweet vegan snacks
Read morePros: High Quality of gelato and desserts , Very friendly staff, Lots of options
Guest
BellaCiclista
Points +157
Great espresso & desserts - Edit
The people were nice, the espressos good and the pastries delicious. Unfortunately we were looking for lunch so were disappointed in just snacks, but that was our fault for not noticing they’re a patisserie!
Read morePros: Nice people , Great espresso , Good variety of sweets
Guest
filippodibari
Points +1916
Great cappuccino - Edit
I did not try the other raw patisserie. But the cappuccino was so good that I will be back. Lucky me as florentine
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2025-08-30
Guest
oszum
Points +768
Better than expected - Edit
I was really craving ice cream, so even though I don’t usually go to raw places, I decided to give it a try and I have to admit it was soooo good! The cashew ice cream was absolutely delicious, and I was surprised by the wide range of flavors! I also noticed lots of other nice-looking sweets, so I’ll definitely be coming back to try them next time.
Read moreGuest
lraivn
Points +662
Amazing gelato - Edit
There were many gelato options available, and I went with cappuccino and salted caramel. Both flavours were amazing and reasonably priced (€3.80).
Read moreI would definitely come back if I ever visit Florence again.
Pros: Variety of aromas, Friendly staff, Vegan heaven
Guest
killerqueen
Points +209
Crudo e buono! - Edit
Buonissimi i dolcetti! Consigliato per una colazione raw, vegan e gluten free!
Read moreGuest
magdalenaenya
Points +76
Really tasty! - Edit
We stopped there for a quick breakfast. Everything tasted really good. The portions are rather small, so it is possible to share a few of them. Coffee was really good as well.
Read moreGuest
joel_laun
Points +3370
Great coffee next to boboli - Edit
Nice all vegan and raw cafe with sweets and ice cream. The coffe was very tasty (with their homemade almond milk - 3,5€), we also had a brownie and an energy ball, which were both good. They also sell their own chocolate bars and chocolate spreads (which are pretty expensive though). It's a nice option if you want to visit boboli gardens :)
Read morePros: All vegan, Homemade almond milk
Cons: Rather expensive
Guest
Barajas
Points +24
Delicious vegan deserts - Edit
Stopped by for a quick coffee and picked up a few deserts to try out. The mango cheesecake was a standout. Staff was extremely friendly and highly recommended Santo Falafel which is on the bucket list here in Florence.
Read morePros: Mango Cheesecake, Pistachio desert, Great place to people watch
Guest
PiselloPatata
Points +287
Very good raw vegan patisserie - Edit
A must try! I had the vegan cheesecake, very good! I had the impression, though, that desserts have all similar bases made of nuts and dates (typical of raw patisserie).
Read morePros: Reasonable prices
Guest
MakanMakanMakan
Points +639
Extraordinary & Exceptional - Edit
Cortese is both Vegan and Senza Glutine (gluten-free)! Not only that, but as a bakery, chocolatery and gelataria it is mind-blowing excellent at all three. Across a short stay in Florence we visited multiple-times - the food here is just excellent, and we wanted to eat it all - we could not get enough! It has two locations in Florence, but the one south of the river is more spacious and accommodating!
Read moreBoth café-settings are expansive, modern and upmarket. It definitely feels a bit gilded and your wallet will agree.
However, this is truly something unique and extraordinary. We have rarely come across something like this in the world of Veganism, and it is truly worth the effort to go here and we don't think the cost is misaligned to the quality!
In short:
- Gluten-Free Vegan Croissant; as good as one could ever hope for as a gluten-free product
- Tiramisu; not a standout, but a solid example
- Brownie; drier texture, but plenty of flavour
- Gelato; awesome - the fig flavour they had was sublime
- Quiche-style pastry; an absolute stand-out. We had to get a second
- Chocolate; great!
- Coffee; pretty good and they use their own home-made almond milk
Pros: Gluten Free, Gelato, Sweets and Pastries!!!!
Guest
Yamiryou
Points +784
Incredible - Edit
I tried two desserts and coffee at Cortese Café, and honestly, they were some of the best desserts I've ever had in my life.
Read moreThe “Emblema Pistacchio” and “Crostatina Pistacchio” (both pistachio-based) were absolutely amazing. Saying they were perfect almost feels like an understatement.
I also read great reviews about their ice cream, but we were way too full to try it.
Even if you're not vegan, I highly recommend giving this place a try. The quality and flavour speak for themselves!
If you're in Florence and love delicious, plant-based treats, this café is a must-visit.
Guest
EarthPilgrim
Points +114
Your lunch venue sorted - Edit
Go here for real, properly made & absolutely delightful food. This place is the antithesis of fast food, or just the ubiquitous lunch foods on offer everywhere. It’s all vegan, even all the amazing looking chocolate pastries & treats. Delicious savoury stuff available too, plus the best sorbet ever. Food as it should be, but seldom is. Very pleased to have stumbled upon this place.
Read morePros: Friendly helpful staff, Great venue , The best of food on offer
Cons: None at all
Guest
For Members
Why was my review removed? Guidelines for writing a review View our privacy policyFor Business Owners
Claim this business See inaccurate information? Submit an update here Link to this page from your site See an unfair review? View full terms & conditionsThis page has been viewed 4109 times.