Rivoire is perhaps the best Cafe-Bar for people watching in all of Italy. Here, in what is by far the most striking square in Florence, you can watch people from the world over as they view the magnificant sculptures displayed in the Piazza della Signoria.
You can enjoy a light snack, sandwich or cappuccino. Seating is available both indoors and outside. Prices are cheaper if you eat inside; however, the opportunity to watch such a parade of humanity is definitely worth the higher price.
Chocolate seems to be the specialty of the house here, with fresh pastries with smooth chocolate filling, tiny squares of bitter-sweet chocolate wrapped in colored foil, rectangular butter cookies with a thin layer of chocolate icing and a dusting of powdered sugar. A young German couple at the next table treated their toddler to a cup of thick hot cocolate with a huge portion of whipped cream on top.
A variety of fresh pannini (small sandwiches)was available--mostly salami, formaggio (cheeses), bruchetta and crostini. We (my husband and I) chose a crusty bread topped with cheeses, artichokes and olives, dressed with a simple olive oil--very tasty. Of course, the usual coffee, espresso, etc. were available, but we shared a half litre of local wine and watched the world go by. Of course, a small bit of chocolate (the ones wrapped in blue foil) was necessary to restore our energy.
A lovely place for a light lunch, a bit pricey--but definitely worth the cost. NOTE--Rivoire is closed on Monday.