Caffè Libertà — Restaurant in Florence

This was the worst experience we have had in Italy. They state on the menu the price for a cappuccino is €1.40, yet they charged us €2.50. I also believe they charged us extra for the croissants - either that or they are already overpriced for €2.50. When I went to question the overcharge, I was told repeatedly it was for service. I explained that there was no indication on the receipt or in the cafe that there was over a €2 fee per person. I am happy to pay a service fee when it is marked clearly on the bill, not marking up the other food items sneakily. Also, the service is not something you would want to pay for, when the poorly made cappuccinos are then slapped down on the table in front of you by staff incapable of smiling. Upon reading reviews from others on google and Tripadvisor, it is clear that if you are not Italian they immediately charge you more and try to hide the cost and claim it as service. I was “refunded” the service charge after paying €10 for 2 cappuccinos and 2 croissants (a rip off) by having the change thrown down in front of me.

If you want to charge an expensive service fee for coffee, write it clearly the cost per person, don’t make it up on the day and hide it on the receipt by making each coffee €1.10 more than it should be. The coffee was bland and weak, the croissants were good.

Keep away if you are...

My husband is more of an Italian foodie than I am... and he was totally in love with this cafe from the moment he tasted the espresso and found not only a pistachio cream cookie; but also a pistachio cream filled croissant - freshly baked on site daily. Aside from the pastries and sweet treats that fill the pastry cabinet; the authentic espresso experience with the morning rush of the locals is a true Italian experience. The venue opens from 5am like all good Italian espresso bars (and closes only at 9pm).

The little Italian candies and chocolate at the cashier gives you a last chance to indulge further in Italian treats that one would imagine were part of every Italian childhood.

Do not miss the chance to visit this cafe during your trip to Florence.

They also offer a simple daily homemade lunch menu from late morning. The tiramisu is light fresh and hits the spot perfectly. Take them away to your hotel after dinner if you must or have it right after lunch. The antipasti buffet for pre dinner drinks seems to be where the locals indulge in an aperitif or...

dishonest place that will take advantage of the fact that you are not a local... no attempt to explain the price difference between table service and ordering yourself... no menu recieved and no prices listed.... then a surprise at the end when you are asked to pay 14 euros for 2 small juices that came from a plastic bottle.

and by the way, even when you do sit down at a table and attempt to order you are completely ignored in favor of other Italians who arrived long after you did... only when you demand attention are you acknowledged, without a smile... a very disappointing and unwelcoming experience.

edit to respond- if you are going to charge extra for table service then I expect a menu with prices at the table, not at the cash register where I cannot see it until it is...