Best Places to Have an International Style Brunch in Florence
Discover Melaleuca: Florence’s Vibrant Brunch Haven
A lively melting pot for both Florentines and international expats, Melaleuca is an Aussie-American brunch spot that fosters a love for global flavors. With a nourishing menu boasting local ingredients, standout dishes, and superb single-origin coffee, this unique bakery and bistrot invites guests to experience a morning meal next to the Arno River.
For co-owner Chloé Guest and her husband, Marco Cappellari, Melaleuca is a labor of love. Shaped by their love of cooking and international travels, Chloé shares what it’s like to run a thriving business in the heart of Florence.
A Morning at Melaleuca
There’s nothing quite like a sunrise in Florence. Looking east along the Arno at dawn, light peeks out through the distant hills as it rises into the sky, making the river’s current sparkle. As sunbeams illuminate Florence’s iconic landmarks — Brunelleschi’s dome, Palazzo Pitti, and the Ponte Vecchio — the Renaissance city wakes up.
With local Florentines and international travelers filling the cobblestone streets in search of a coffee and cornetto, Melaleuca opens for the day. A bustling riverside brunch spot, Melaleuca offers house-made pastries, warm mugs of coffee, and a brunch menu that has continuously impressed locals and tourists alike.
As customers sip on their cappuccinos and indulge in their brunch plates, Melaleuca co-owner Chloé Guest surveys the sunlit space, the trailing leaves on the dining room’s collection of potted plants, and the glass display case filled with baked goods.
With a generational love for cooking, Chloé grew up with food-focused ambitions. “I had always wanted to have my own international coffee shop since I was about 15,” Chloé says. “I didn’t think about it again till recently, when I had this ‘aha’ moment where I was like, ‘Wow, I’ve got a coffee shop in Italy now.’”
In a city known for its art, culture, and exceptional food, the storefront of Chloé’s dreams hasn’t just come to fruition — it’s thriving. And this bakery and bistrot shows no signs of slowing down.
A Story of International Flavors
Long before Melaleuca opened its doors on the north side of the Arno, Chloé grew up in Australia with the scent of aromatics on the stove and the sound of dinner table conversations. “I grew up with a love of cooking,” she says. “My mom was a fantastic cook, so when she had time and when she could, we had amazing dinner parties, and everyone wanted to come because she’s such a great cook, and it was very inspiring.”
That inspiration motivated Chloé to study the art of cooking, learn about hospitality, and pursue a career in the restaurant industry. Working on the beach in Far North Queensland, it was the restaurant scene where she met her Italian-American husband, Marco Cappellari. Chloé and Marco’s shared curiosity about cuisine spurred a yearlong trip through Asia, where the pair surveyed some incredible food.
“We decided in our travels to collect information and experiences about the cultures that we were visiting,” Chloé recalls. “So, instead of just feeling like a tourist and passing through for a day or two, we would spend a month or five months at a time in one area, in one country, just to really capture and understand the authenticness of what they ate and why that was important.”
These seminal travel experiences stayed with them as the couple spent four years living and working in London. Chloé worked with world-renowned chef Heston Blumenthal, while Marco grew several Aussie cafés from the ground up. Eventually, Chloé transitioned from fine dining to the café scene herself. Eager to learn more about the behind-the-scenes aspects of running a restaurant, she spent time cooking, managing kitchen teams, and writing menus.
When the couple welcomed their first child, Chloé and Marco made an international move once again, this time to Italy to be closer to Marco’s family. Here, they would bring Melaleuca to life after years devoted to cooking. In true Italian fashion, Melaleuca’s brunch offerings are a celebration of fresh ingredients. With a menu that changes seasonally, there’s always something new and exciting to try. But with so much experience tasting incredible dishes from around the world, Chloé knew their menu needed a unique global flair.
“Melaleuca was inspired by our home and our travels, and wanting to share these amazing flavor profiles with people,” Chloé says. “It’s really fun to find something — a really punchy Szechuan or limey, zesty flavors or crunchy, raw flavors that Asia offers you. Moroccan food is also one of my favorites.” Alongside these authentic dishes inspired by their travels, Chloé and Marco put their own stories on a plate, serving Australian and American dishes to diners in Florence.
In the years since it first opened, Melaleuca has shared its food with diners from around the globe. From offering deliveries during the pandemic to building community through holiday harvest menus, the brunch spot has grown into a gathering place. “I have people who come here and have met here and have become friends just from running into each other here at Melaleuca,” Chloé says. “Some students that we met at the very beginning got married, and they came back to visit us.”
What Makes Melaleuca Special?
As a business right along the Arno, Melaleuca receives a healthy dose of sun all year. The windows on the entryway’s wall let in beams of light from sunrise until sunset, giving diners an incredible view of the Oltrarno skyline as they sip their morning coffee.
Chloé says she wouldn’t trade the location for anything, noting that the sunshine outside makes things even better inside. “You’ll see that light, friendly, warm energy that you need for brunch,” she says.
That energy, Chloé says, sets Melaleuca apart in a 2000-year old city known for its medieval allure. In Florence, many travelers search for traditional Tuscan cuisine, sampling food by candlelight in a romantic, tucked away trattoria (and for good reason). But when you’re searching for something a bit brighter, Melaleuca’s modern vibe stands out. “We’re here in the open, and less is more,” Chloé says. “We want all the attention to be on the food.”
Melaleuca doesn’t just offer an array of international flavors. This cosmopolitan brunch spot brings together different languages and cultures — on both sides of the counter.
“We are all from somewhere else,” Chloé says. “So all of the staff here have several languages under their belts, they’re well-traveled, they’ve had experience outside of Europe, most of them. They are basically serving people like themselves.” Staff are not only excited about the food at Melaleuca, but also the connections they make by giving those who try it a memorable experience.
“The food sells itself, but the service is what keeps people coming back,” Chloé says.
Savoring Every Sip: Melaleuca and D612 Coffee Roasters
You can’t talk about Italian culture without talking about coffee culture. Italians take their brews pretty seriously, and as Chloé notes, Melaleuca is an outlet for the coffee community in Florence and beyond.
“We have people from all over the world who have their own coffee shops, or they work as baristas, or they’re just coffee geeks, and they come in here and they want to relate to someone,” Chloé says. “They want to try something different and talk about free trade coffee and how that is uniting communities across the world. That’s definitely a big deal for us.”
For its signature coffee, Melaleuca partners with D612 Coffee Roasters, a small roastery founded by Lucian Trapanese. The unorthodox moniker is actually Florence’s land registry area code, and true to its name, D612 roasts and hand-packages all of its coffee in the heart of the city.
“(Trapanese) does single origin coffees, a variety of them that really encompass the flavors of each different theme,” Chloé explains. “So like wine, Chardonnay will taste differently to a Shiraz, so they have different varieties of coffee beans. And he really tries to get the best out of the flavor of those by roasting it just right.”
Melaleuca offers espresso bar classics and specialty lattes to its brunch-goers with the help of D612’s specialty products. As an independent café and a small-batch roaster, the partnership further knits both small businesses into the fabric of Florence. Supporting one another, Chloé says, creates a “good community vibe.”
Melaleuca: Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How did Melaleuca start?
A: The Aussie-American bistrot grew out of a love for international cuisine — and dishes from closer to home. Chloé, who hails from Australia, and her Italian-American husband, Marco, brought a wealth of global culinary knowledge and flavor profiling experience to the Melaleuca menu. Chloé says they try to create authentic dishes based on their extensive travels, while also highlighting the kinds of foods diners can enjoy in Australia or America.
Q: How does Melaleuca use local produce in the menu?
A: At Melaleuca, local produce is at the heart of each dish. Fresh produce is “absolutely amazing in Italy,” Chloé remarks. “It’s like nowhere else.” As a result, Melaleuca’s menu changes to highlight ingredients that are in season.
Q: Is Melaleuca family-friendly?
A: Yes. The bakery is full of crowd-pleasing treats, and the bright, welcoming dining area makes Melaleuca a great place for family brunch.
Q: Does Melaleuca accommodate dietary restrictions?
A: Yes! The menu features delicious vegan and gluten-free options. If you have any questions, Melaleuca’s friendly staff will help point you to the perfect dish!
Q: Does Melaleuca take reservations?
A: No, Melaleuca does not take reservations, but not to worry! No matter when you walk in, brunch is available all day.
Practical Information
Address: Lungarno delle Grazie, 18, 50122 Florence, Italy
Hours: Open 7:30 AM – 4 PM on weekdays (kitchen closes at 3 PM), open 8:00 AM – 4 PM on weekends and public holidays
Phone: +39 055 614 6894
Price Guide: € €
Visit the Melaleuca website to learn more about the menu, read the bistrot’s blog, and connect with this flourishing brunch spot on social media!
Beyond Brunch: Explore Florence with Artviva!
Melaleuca brings its dishes to life using fresh, local ingredients. Learn to do the same with the help of a Michelin-starred chef! This hands-on experience will give you a glimpse into Florence’s buzzing produce markets — and the opportunity to cook some flavorful dishes of your own.
Want to discover even more of Florence’s fabulous flavors? Indulge in fresh food from around the city with Artviva’s Tastes of Florence Walking Food Tour. Our expert local guides will show you Florence’s most delicious — and historic — eateries, wrapping things up with a delectable lunch tasting menu at a local trattoria.
Ready to experience Tuscany beyond Florence? Get a true taste of the region while traveling in style! Indulge in gourmet food from a top Michelin chef, sample some of the best wines in the world, and take in the beauty of the Tuscan countryside as you journey from Florence, a Renaissance gem, to Rome, the Eternal City.
Why Book with Artviva?
Artviva is leading the way in immersive Italian adventures that bring travelers closer to Renaissance masterpieces, handmade artisan goods, and of course, delectable cuisine. Whether you’re hoping to brunch by the Arno at a spot like Melaleuca, enjoy a romantic Tuscan dinner, or savor a meal from our private chefs, we’re ready to curate exceptional dining experiences for your Italian excursion.
Our experts at Artviva won’t just lead you to a great bite, though. Offering a unique glimpse into Italy’s rich culture, our private tours and experiences are tailored to all your passions. Book with us now and live la dolce vita in Italy!
