I love cupcakes & cake (but I don't bake) and I have to say I'm fairly picky. These cupcakes are…read moreworth the detour from any tour group. They were moist & not too sweet, creamy and beautiful. Loved the ladies at Dolce Lab & I'm sure we'll be seeing a lot of each other (see note about the fact that I don't bake, ha!). The shop is adorable with plenty of seating to enjoy a cupcake or slice of cake (they have other treats too) with tea. They have a large table to seat at least 8, a cozy couch, bar along the wall up front & tables along the wall walking toward the back. So, bring your friends and enjoy this place. Maybe I'll see you there ;)

Let me be the weird girl here that did not like this place. I really am unhappy to be disappointed…read moreby a place I have been trying for more than one year to go to. Let's face it, my first criticism would be that they have unusual schedule here. My expectations have only been growing as I was failing to get in. But, finally, on a bright and particularly lucky Sunday, by a magical concordance of universal forces, I was able to enter for a brunch (last time i tried a brunch, it was open but no brunch was served that specific Sunday..). But then... I really ended up very disappointed by the food served. The 12€ brunch plate was composed of: first, an over cooked eggs with some tiny pieces of not very good quality smoked salmon (why not at least ask how people like the eggs to be cooked? anyway very few person would choose this over cooked version of an omelet). Second, a half cold very very bad croque monsieur, honestly closed to one you could buy on a highway stop: the bread was not toasted enough, the bechamel was not very good to say the least and again, half cold like this is not good! No. Then, the pancakes were ok, nothing special, nothing bad. But the jam was so common, I mean for a bakery you would expect a bit more taste. And overall, I found the portion a bit small. After this quite mediocre plate (not bad really, just not good at all), i decided to try the cupacke for which they are famous for. Well, it was an ok cupcake but nothing very good and special either. I even found it a bit dry. Last comment, there was absolutely no flexibility in changing the plate composition. You have to choose between 1- eggs, 2- pancakes (sweet or salted) and 3- "specialty of the day" which this particular day was the croque monsieur and a kind of flaky pastry filled with pesto (that is it, some flaky pastry + pesto - not anything more, that is it). So if you do not like eggs and wish to change this amazing omelet with this pesto dough, you are to be charged more, and not the brunch plate. I would understand if it were meat or fish or something elaborated, but dough ? and pesto ?? The difference was like 1€ so ok, who cares? Well it is not very important financially for sure but shows a lack of flexibility and niceness that I do not like a lot.

From the owner: Pasticceria, caffetteria, hamburgerread more

This is the best place to come for a break from the usual gelato. I was so excited to find Sugar…read moreand Spice because I miss American desserts! I had a slice of carrot cake for €3.30 and it was the best carrot cake I've ever had. Very moist and fresh. I wasn't overly sweet and had the perfect amount of frosting. I tasted a bite of my friends chocolate cake and it was so good, too! They definitely know how to bake and make everything from scratch.

Came here to check it out and they didn't have much left, just a few cupcakes for 2.5 euro,…read morebrownies and fudgies for 1.9 euro and some slices of cake for 3.3 euro. I opted for the cheesecake brownie and I wasn't really impressed. I asked the lady if they were made today and all she said was "sure". So I went with my gut instinct and bought one. The brownie was really crumbly, dry, and not as good as I expected. I don't think I'll be visiting anymore American styled bakeries.. guess I should stick with Italian snack bars instead.

Cute bakery with excellent pastries, small plates, and a lovely courtyard out back to sit with your…read morefood and coffee. Add to that reasonable prices, prompt service (courtesy of the friendly staff,) and you end up with this little gem of a spot you won't want to miss. All the stars.

During a 5 week stay in Italy, I stopped here to purchase some yummy desserts for a dinner party at…read moremy Italian friend's home. I selected this bakery because it had good reviews and was only a couple blocks from my apartment. When I arrived at my friend's with an armload of Mama's goodies they said, "Oh, you went to the American bakery!" Me : Huh? I did? Of course I (an American) had somehow stumbled into probably the only American bakery in Florence. (To be fair, they may bake a lot of American style treats, but it is staffed and frequented by mostly locals. The cashier graciously went and found the one staff member who spoke English to help me. Very kind.) I had ordered about a dozen different items - cookies, brownies, pies - and we all had a great time sampling them after dinner. Every single one was absolutely delicious! B O T T O M L I N E : Go! Cozy spot, lots of seating, great food, and friendly staff!

This coffee shop/bakery is located on a small, hidden side street off one of the main pedestrian…read morestreets in the center of Empoli. What a surprise it was for me to find, in this small Italian city, a quaint little place like this that serves American desserts! I was there on a Saturday afternoon and there were brownies, a carrot cake, cupcakes, fudge bars and chocolate chunk cookies among other things (there were a couple of sandwiches, Italian-style cookies, macaroons and chocolate lollipops). There are four or five tables and you can order coffee, cappuccinos and other drinks together with your desserts. The ambience and decor are simple but contemporary and the nice thing about this cafe' is that they chose to not fill it up with tables so there is plenty of space for its guests. I inquired and they occasionally hold some cake design courses too (consultable online on their website). The only disappointing thing was that the display seemed a bit empty for a Saturday afternoon. There was a bit of everything but somehow I got the feeling as if we had arrived late and there was little left. The chocolate chunk cookie we had was delicious, perfectly American. Next time I will go back to try the brownies and cupcakes! Lovely atmosphere, WIFI available also, excellent place to rest and snack.

Cupcakes, brownies, cookies, macarons, carrot cake, cheese cake, apple pie, pecan pie, AND MUCH…read moreMORE!

Great pastry shop and good coffee. A slightly hidden gem, you can't see the entrance from the…read morestreet as you half to walk under the front of a building to get there. In any event the space is nice with outdoor seating in the back, and the service is quick. There is a nice selection of pastries and they are cheap and delicious!