Caffe Astra

Home is very far; I never processed the fact that I was leaving home. But the first thing I knew when I moved from place to place was to find a cafe. 

Florence was a familiar place where I could get espresso without many additives. But there is a lot of trial and error when discovering a spot that is not highly expensive that I would like to keep coming back to. 

For example, just a “Dirty Chai” that is overloaded with milk and a drop of chai at Shake Caffe costs five euros; an extra shot costs another euro. Another cafe even charged eight euros for a coffee that tasted burnt and super syrupy chocolate. I thought I would never find the caffe of my dreams in Florence until I did.

Caffe Astra al Duomo, a mere five-minute stroll from the Duomo and en route to Santa Maria Novella, is a beacon of affordability in Florence. This star of a cafe offers a reset without denting your wallet, serving up a delightful range of coffees and a variety of sweets.

Step into Caffe Astra and you’ll find two levels of comfort, with plush seats and elegant marble floors. The sleek 1920s aesthetic, adorned with tasteful decorations, creates an atmosphere of sophistication that’s perfect for unwinding.

Caffe Astra shares a space with the Auditorium al Duomo. When the auditorium hosts events or meetings, the cafe can get busy with Italians, tourists, and students trying to order. 

Caffe Astra boasts a wide selection of coffees, from cappuccino to macchiato to espresso, all reasonably priced between two to four euros. In addition, they offer a variety of other beverages and snacks, including teas, panini, sweets, juices, wines, and cocktails. I have my go-to orders, which the staff always remembers. Whether it’s a cappuccino, a sweet treat, and a glass of juice, or a macchiato, a panino, a few tea biscuits, and a glass of orange juice, both options come in at under ten euros. 

If you want to order any of these things in Italian: 

“posso avere…” = “Can I get…” or “ io vorrei…” = “I would like…”

succo d'arancia = orange juice; biscotti da te = tea biscuits; un panino/panini = a sandwich/sandwiches; un cornetto = a croissant; un cappuccino/macchiato = a cappuccino/macchiato; un cannolo/cannoli = A cannoli/cannolis

I constantly come back to this place not just because it is comfortable and cheap but because it is actually good. My favorite thing to order is obviously the orange juice: freshly squeezed, not overly sweet that feels like you’re going to get a cavity, not too tart that makes you cringe, and always refreshing. 

One of my most cherished indulgences at Caffe Astra is a petite cream tart adorned with strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries. This seemingly effortless treat becomes a delightful addiction after the first bite. The tart’s crust is light and delicate, reminiscent of a perfectly cooked pie crust. The cream filling is airy and delicate, leaving no trace of a milky flavor. And the berries on top are always plump and juicy, providing a sweet balance that’s not overpoweringly sugary.

Caffe Astra is not just a cafe; it’s a window into the vibrant tapestry of Florence. Here, you can observe people from all walks of life, learn a bit of Italian, and immerse yourself in the local culture. Whether you’re studying, working, or simply enjoying the ambiance, this is a place where memorable conversations and encounters are a given.

Now, some people have various opinions about this caffe. There have been issues of people saying the prices are too much, they can go somewhere better, and the staff is rude. Like any other food establishment, these complaints happen pretty often. In regards to pricing, there is a difference between take-away (in Europe, they say "take-away" instead of "to-go") prices and seating prices. The difference is usually seventy cents for each item. Still, most likely, you will pay at least ten euros for all of your items. In regards to staff, there are usually two staff members willing to assist at all times, but their attitudes can seem rude or off-putting. This issue occurred with some of my friends, but I have never had the problem per say. I think when traveling, people just need to have a little bit more patience.

Caffe Astra was where I began to watch the people of Florence and tourists unite. I never anticipated such quietness in the wake of the noise from the busiest part of Florence. You will find yourself at the Duomo or Piazza della Repubblica, just four minutes away. It is the one place I constantly felt comfortable when it came to being alone. Being alone in another city, let alone another country, is complex. This caffe was a constant beacon of hope that I would return home someday. As I eventually have to say good-bye to this lovely space, I will never forget the memories made at this place of being able to be alone and above the city.

My average spending at Caffe Astra is €6-10 in total.