Change is afoot in the courtyard at Palazzo Strozzi. From the end of September, the arts space will host a brand-new bistrot concept designed by All’Antico Vinaio CEO Tommaso Mazzanti.
The recent history of the bistrot at Palazzo Strozzi dates back at least to 2007, when the foundation began working with Caffè Giacosa, bringing a café into the palace that would become a familiar presence for exhibition visitors and people living and working in the city centre. In 2015, the space was taken over by Colle Bereto, combining café service, food, aperitivi, wine and tastings. The venue took on a different identity in 2023 with the launch of Strozzi Bistrò, accompanied by a redesign by Fabio Novembre and a culinary concept developed with chef Tommaso Arrigoni. It is against this background of changing concepts and operators that All’Antico Vinaio now arrives at Palazzo Strozzi.
All’Antico Vinaio began in 1989 when the Mazzanti family took over a rotisserie shop on via dei Neri, a short distance from the Uffizi, before opening a sandwich and wine shop on the other side of the street. What started as a traditional Florentine business gradually became a phenomenon far beyond the city. Mazzanti joined the family business in 2006 and played a central role in its development. A combination of generous Tuscan-style food, a strong Florentine identity and a sophisticated use of social media helped All’Antico Vinaio attract an huge international following. (Mazzanti famously once did a skydive with one of his schiacciate!) The original via dei Neri shop became a destination in its own right, with long queues of visitors eager to try its filled schiacciate. The business expanded beyond Florence and Italy, developing locations in major international cities. New York was an important early step in its overseas growth, followed by expansion into cities including Los Angeles and Las Vegas, as well as international destinations such as London and Dubai.
The new bistrot is being designed to accompany visitors throughout the day, from breakfast to lunch through to aperitivo. Those coming to see an exhibition will be able to stop for a meal or coffee; people who work or live in central Florence will have a new place for a break during the day; and international visitors will be able to experience the atmosphere of Palazzo Strozzi beyond the exhibition galleries.
The concept continues the shift in how cultural institutions are thinking about their public spaces, an area in which Italy’s museums are mostly a sloth. In international metropolises, cafés, outdoor spaces and other social settings are central to the visitor experience, giving people reasons to spend more time (and money) within the institution. At Palazzo Strozzi, the courtyard has long provided a sense of openness in the middle of the city. With the new bistrot, it is set to become an even more active point of connection between art, architecture, food and everyday Florentine life—and it’s likely to bring in a younger audience too.
