Caffe Concerto Paszkowski — Restaurant in Florence

Paszkowski Café (pronounced Pash-KOFF-skee) - A Polish Central European oasis in scorching heat of beautiful Florence !

We visited Paszkowski on a blistering Sunday afternoon with our family during la pausa, and this place truly saved our day. Tucked into Piazza della Repubblica, the terrace is cooled by what looked like fine “misting sprinklers” — a blessing under the Tuscan sun. Inside, the interiors are a striking mix of Polish‑Austrian / Central European elegance: wood‑panelled walls, crystal chandeliers, mosaic floors - think the grand cafés of Vienna, Cracow, Warsaw or Prague, transported into Florence.

Service was warm and polished. The manager greeted us with humor, interest in our origins, and genuine care throughout our stay. Highlights from the PSK signature menu? Their bubble‑tea twist felt refreshingly light, and the signature cake—a billowy, Central‑European‑style delight—was perfect. The coffee, too, carried that rich Polish‑Austrian sensibility: full‑bodied, smooth, slightly sweet, and utterly comforting.

But what really makes Paszkowski iconic is its history and atmosphere. Founded in 1846 as Caffè Centrale, it became Polish‑run in 1903 when Karol (Carlo) Paszkowski - an enterprising Polish brewer and, later, Honorary Polish Consul in Florence - took over. He transformed it into a Viennese‑style brewery and concert café. Since then, Paszkowski has been a beloved meeting place for Florentine intellectuals and European literati - from Italian greats like Giovanni Papini, Ardengo Soffici, Gabriele D’Annunzio, Władysław Reymont, Stefan Żeromski, Eugenio Montale, Umberto Saba, Vasco Pratolini and Leopold Staff are often mentioned as part of that broader Central‑European café milieu, which Paszkowski beautifully embodies. It’s a place where Polishness quietly but proudly lives within the interior architecture, coffee and convivial conversational style - part of an esteemed Central European café tradition of intellectual gatherings, mid‑afternoon coffees and layered cakes.

Today, Paszkowski stands alongside Café Florian in Venice or Cafe Greco in Rome — equally steeped in art, politics, literature and music. It’s not just a beautiful stop for a break - it’s a living, breathing cultural institution. Highly recommend for anyone looking for history, good taste, and that slightly refined, unforced...

Terrible experience. It took forever to get anyone to even talk to us at the counter. There was a line of people waiting, not just us. Once we finally got some service, we ordered 5 small pasties. She said inside or out, and as it was overpacked and busy inside, so we said outside. What we didn't know and weren't told, is that there is a "table service" charge to sit outside on their patio. Once seated, it took another 5 min to get service when we were supposed to just have a quick pastry snack. Our pasties finnaly came out after another 5 minutes. Keep in mind we saw the counter attendedent plate the pastries. When we asked for the check, it was more than double the price at the counter. We were not told about a table charge or service fee. If we had, we wouldn't had sat there. Plus, the service they were charging for was terrible! So ironic. The waiter was very rude. He showed us the outise menu with higher prices... but we didn't order from that menu and he knew it. We did all the work ourselves ordering at the counter!

The whole situation was bizzare in the worst way. It was a terrible experience right from the get go. We should have walked away when we were being ignored with the other tourists. The staff was rude, the manager started to get physical at the end (grabbed my arm), LACKING in table service despite charging for it, and to top it off... only one of the 5 pastries even tasted good! Plus we kept getting wiffs of urine (pee) while on the patio.

If you go here, good luck and congrats on getting ripped off 👍 Save your money and visit one of the 100s of other shops in town that won't treat you like tourist trash and cuss you as you leave. Just my opinion.

If you're still reading this, you either work for the establishment and you should be embarrassed by your practices. Or you're enjoying me vent my frustrations. If that's the case, leave a thumbs up and NEVER go...

29 August 2023, three friends and I were dining inside glass enclosure when torrid rains suddenly appeared and overhead panes had water leaking onto to floor. The wait staff quickly placed buckets underneath rain pelted ceiling glass panes and mopped best they could. I saw people outside fall as they tried to get out of the rain. The folding glass door enclosures were quickly closed as incoming rain pelted inside open areas inside Resturant. After torrential rains stopped the staff opened windows again . The floors were damp inside Resturant and I accidentally slipped striking my head, face, shoulder hand right side of body on dining chair falling onto floor. Praising quick attention of management in contacting medical services and the EMS ambulance taking me to ER where I was kept overnight for my injuries. I told management that I was very pleased with attention they provided and their genuine concern and care they provided. I am saying thank you for being so helpful after my accidental slipping on wet / damp floor from rain. I think the wait staff were wonderful and my pizza and chips delicious. I thoroughly enjoyed my meal and highly recommend Resturant. 5 star for attentiveness and...