Florence, the capital of Tuscany, is the home of the Renaissance, with the Duomo, the Ponte Vecchio, Michelangelo’s Statue of David and Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus all found here. For those of us in the hospo world it’s also known as the birthplace of the Negroni cocktail. The prevailing origin story of the Negroni dates its invention to 1919 and one Count Camillo Negroni at a bar called Casoni in Florence, where the count allegedly asked for an Americano, with a little more kick. Sadly, the Café is no more but there is a plaque to commemorate this important place in drinks history.
Here are our Florence Top Picks:
Caffe Gilli
via Roma 1R 50123 Florence
caffegilli.com
Said to be the oldest caffe in Florence, it dates back 270 years but it has moved since its original inception. A traditional piazza style of caffe with lots of outdoor seating, this one really pulls the tourist crowd.
Enoteca Alla Sosta e Papi
Via Borgo La Croce, 81r – 50121 Florence
sostadeipapi.it
Located just a few steps from the Sant’Ambrogio markets in Florence, this is a hub for Italian wines, which you can sample and also buy in bulk. A haven for locals, they also serve cheese boards, so it’s a great option for a pre-dinner drink and snack.
Il Santino Wine Bar
Via Santo Spirito 60r, Florence
ilsantobevitore.com
Modern and fun wine bar, packed and spilling out onto the street on the weekends with both locals and tourists alike. It’s the little sister of a more fine-dining restaurant Il Santo Bevitore just a couple of doors down the street. A great place where you can settle in with your charcuterie and cheeses and run through a selection of delicious Italian wines.
Procacci 1885
Via de’ Tornabuoni, 64R, 50123 Firenze
procacci1885.it
This is an upmarket Florentine caffe that specialises in oysters and truffles since 1885. Founded by Leopoldo Procacci in 1885, this is a iconic café located in the middle of magnificent Via de’ Tornabuoni, in the heart of downtown Florence. Prepare to wait for a seat!