CASA DEL VIN SANTO
via
Porta Rossa, 15r – 055/216995
The
tables are placed right smack in the middle of the street and not only do you
sit and enjoy a wood-fired cooked pizza, but you get to see all the street
theater that abounds in Florence ‘til late at night at the corner of the Straw
Market.
BOCCADAMA
piazza Santa Croce, 25-26 r – 055/243640
Although
this restaurant has great air conditioning, the place to be in the evening is
outdoors sitting at the romantic candlelit tables lined up against the southern
edge of this great piazza with its view of the imposing Santa Croce. We were
not turned away when we sat and ordered only glasses of wine.
BISTROT BALDORIA
via San Giuseppe, 18 / r – near piazza Santa
Croce – 055/2347220
This
bistrot is open late into the night. The tables outside are a pleasant spot to
sip wine within view of Santa Croce.
VIP’S BAR
viale G. Poggi, 21 – near Piazzale
Michelangelo
The view from this terrazza just below the
Piazzale, is pure heaven. This bar, with its 180-degree view of Florence, is a perfect place to sit for an early morning
coffee in the cool morning air or late in the evening, under the stars with the
glittering lights of the city below. The menu is nothing more than gelato,
pastries, cocktails and beer, but the attraction here is the panoramic view of Florence, breathtaking either by day by night.
CAFFE’ PITTI
piazza Pitti, 9r – 055/2399863
This
chic café’ is located directly across from the enormous Pitti Palace
and the adjacent Boboli Gardens.
It functions throughout the day as a typical Florentine bar-albeit a little
more ornate- but the evening is when things really get interesting. Depending
on the night, there could be live music, tarot readings, or astrological
sessions.
NOIR
Lungarno
Corsini, 12/14r – 055/210751
Noir
(former Capocaccia) offers a rare treat almost impossible to find in Italy-Sunday
brunch! For this reason alone it seems
to be extremely popular on Sundays with locals returning from a weekend at the
beach. Every evening throughout the week
this riverfront locale is packed with well-dressed young Florentines; in fact
it is probably the most popular bar for aperitivi in the city of Florence. Capocaccia’s views of the Arno and Ponte
Vecchio, its larger-than-normal plates overflowing with great food, and its
liberal policies allowing guests to take their plates and glasses out to the
edge of the river are probably just a few of the reasons for its popularity.
NEGRONI FLORENCE BAR
via
de’ Renai, 17r – 055/243647
In
the famous Oltrarno locale where, many years ago, Florence’s
own cocktail was first invented, a generous selection of ‘ethnic’ aperitivi from
across the Mediterranean
is served even today. The entire Piazza
Demidoff and nearby Piazza San Niccolo’ typically buzz with activity late into
the night, and the clientele from the various restaurants and wine bars of Piazza
San Niccolo’ usually spills over into Piazza Demidoff where Negroni and another
famous night-locale, Zoe, exist side by side.
VILLA SAN MICHELE
via Doccia, 4 – Fiesole
– 055/5678200
For
stunning views, exceptional food, and great al fresco dining, take bus number 7
up toward Fiesole and get off at the Villa San Michele (not quite to the top,
Regresso 2), one of Florence’s premier luxury hotels. The restaurant is beautiful and pricey;
“Lunch al Fresco” and “Dinner on La Loggia” take place at essentially the same
destination, a covered stone deck or “Loggia” with views of the entire city of Florence.
TRATTORIA LE CAVE DI
MAIANO
via Cave di Maiano, 16 – Maiano (Fiesole) – 055/59133
This Tuscan country trattoria in the village of Maiano is reached by the same Villa San Michele bus stop
(Regresso 2, bus 7); however, reaching it from there requires walking almost a
mile up a winding country road. On a cool day, the walk can be pleasant; if the
scorching August heat is pounding down, however, we recommend a taxi. The
trattoria itself consists of a converted farmhouse and a tree-shaded terrace
with views of the Fiesole hills (but not of the city of Florence); the food is excellent.
CARPE DIEM
via Giuseppe Mantellini, 2b – Fiesole
This
restaurant and aperitivo piano bar can also be found near the Villa San
Michele on the bus 7 route (Regresso 2). Boasting beautiful views of Florence
and the surrounding countryside, Carpe Diem also offers dual menus-if you’re
tired of traditional Tuscan food, you can order from an alternate menu with
more varied cuisine.
TERRAZZA BARDINI
Villa Bardini, Costa San Giorgio, 6 – 055/2008444
Enjoy
Florence
from a different perspective at this newly opened terrace café connected to the
contemporary art museum at Villa Bardini. Boasting innovative dishes and
fashionable cocktails, it is the perfect place for a light meal or an aperitivo
on a warm summer evening.
4 LEONI
via dei Vellutini, 1r, Piazza della Passera
– 055/218562
Tucked
into a tiny Oltrarno piazza, Trattoria 4 Leoni offers the perfect mix of locals
and tourists heartily enjoying their Tuscan specialties. Big, white umbrellas
provide the right amount of shade for diners sitting in the piazza.
