Autumn and coffee share a special relationship. As mornings get chilly, the light turns golden, and suddenly the smell of cinnamon or pumpkin spice, a swirl of cream, or the warmth of roasted chestnuts feels just right. In Florence, autumn sets the stage to relish the usual Italian coffee traditions, with seasonal drinks appearing on contemporary café menus. To me, October seemed like the perfect time for an autumn coffee hunt in Florence.
This time with Big Red Cuppa Autumn Coffee Hunt in Florence, I’m looking beyond the usual espresso to discover seasonal coffees worth seeking out. Say, pumpkin spice lattes, chestnut cream, hazelnut, real pumpkin puree and inventive coffee creations that capture the mood of October.
Additionally, Halloween is just around the corner, and it’s an even stronger reason to hunt for mysterious ghostly lattes. What do you say?
Whether you’re visiting or simply looking for a new café to add to your local coffee routine, here’s where to begin your autumn coffee hunt in Florence.
“Pumpkin Spice isn’t just a drink, it’s a state of mind.”
1. Caffè Gilli: Pumpkin Spice Latte in Historic Florence
Where: Via Romany 1/R, near Piazza della Repubblica
Best for: Historic café atmosphere and a Halloween-inspired coffee stop.
My first stop for an autumn coffee hunt in Florence is Caffè Gilli.
Founded in 1733, Caffè Gilli is one of Florence’s most recognizable historic cafés. Its elegant setting and long-standing connection with the city’s café culture make it an intriguing place to encounter a modern seasonal favorite.
For Halloween 2026, Gilli introduced a limited-edition Pumpkin Spice Latte, combining espresso, milk and autumn spices, finished with whipped cream and cinnamon. The drink was announced as an in-store seasonal offering for October. Check with the café before visiting, particularly after Halloween, to confirm availability.
Something about this meeting of old and new is special: a symbolic drink of contemporary international coffee culture served in a café that has witnessed nearly three centuries of Florentine life.
Big Red Cuppa tip: Pair your coffee stop with a walk around Piazza della Repubblica. The surrounding architecture, historic facades and lively café terraces provide a quintessential Florence backdrop.
Visit Caffè Gilli’s official website
2. Ditta Artigianale: Lotus Biscoff meets Specialty Coffee
Where: Riva d’Arno, Lungarno Soderini 7R
Best for: Contemporary coffee culture and seasonal experimentation.
My second stop and one of my personal favorites for an autumn coffee hunt in Florence is Ditta Artigianale.
Florence’s coffee scene isn’t limited to traditional espresso bars. Ditta Artigianale, a specialty coffee roaster founded in Florence, bring forth a more contemporary approach, artfully blending carefully sourced coffee with creative café drinks.
Even though their menu lists Pumpkin Spice Latte, they might not serve it in autumn 2026. So I decided to try another of their seasonal signature coffee this year: the Lotus Biscoff Latte.
Ditta Artigianal’s hot Lotus Biscoff coffee offers a delicious, creamy blend of caramelized, cinnamon-spiced Biscoff spread or cookies with their specialty espresso. The beautiful presentation of this tasty coffee drink makes it even more tempting.
It’s an interesting way to experience an autumn drink enhanced by Florence’s specialty coffee scene.
Big Red Cuppa tip: Ditta Artigianale introduces more than one seasonal coffee drink every year. Look for your favorite flavors to enjoy a true autumn coffee experience in Florence.
5. Wantry Coffee & Matcha: A Modern Pumpkin Cream Latte
Where: Piazza della Stazione 24R, near Santa Maria Novella
Best for: Creative coffee presentation and contemporary seasonal drinks.
Not every autumn coffee needs to be steaming hot. Florence can still have mild afternoons in October, and an iced seasonal drink can still make an appealing alternative. My third stop for an autumn coffee hunt in Florence is Wantry Coffee & Matcha
For a more visually expressive take on autumn coffee in Florence, Wantry Coffee & Matcha lists a Pumpkin Spice Cream Coffee Latte among its seasonal creations. It sits within a range of newer drinks that explore different flavors, textures and presentations.
The name alone suggests a richer, creamier interpretation of pumpkin coffee.
Before stopping by, check the current menu for availability, as seasonal drinks appear for a short time.
Wantry’s location near Santa Maria Novella makes it a practical stop for anyone arriving by train or exploring the western edge of Florence’s historic center.
Big Red Cuppa tip: Look for the details that make the drink distinctive: the cream, the color, the texture and the coffee presentation. Seasonal drinks can be as much about the sensory experience as the flavor itself.
Explore Wantry Coffee & Matcha
The Golden Ghost Latte: Have you found it in Florence?
One final mystery drink on my Autumn Coffee Hunt in Florence: the Golden Ghost Latte, which I came across in an Instagram Reel on Illy Coffee’s page.
I haven’t been able to independently confirm whether this drink is an official current Italian seasonal offering or whether any café in Florence is serving it. Rather than presenting it as a confirmed local discovery, I’m leaving the question open.
Have you spotted the Golden Ghost Latte in Florence? Do you know which café serves it, or have you tried it elsewhere?
Tell me in the comments. I’d love to follow the trail.
Editorial note
Seasonal drinks and prices can change. Caffè Gilli’s announced a Halloween Pumpkin Spice Latte for October 2026; still verify availability before visiting. The Golden Ghost Latte’s availability in Florence remains unconfirmed.




