Florence for gourmets: the best restaurants, bars and wine experiences

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Florence enchants with its Renaissance splendour, world-famous art treasures and charming alleys. But off the beaten track, there are hidden gems to discover – from ancient wine cellars to exclusive culinary delights. A journey through the authentic Florence!

The breathtaking beauty that characterises Florence comes at a price. Aperitivo in Piazza della Signora, the curved walk inside the elegantly vaulted Brunelleschi dome of the Duomo, a sundowner selfie at Ponte Vecchio – over-tourism has always been an issue on the Arno.

Renaissance perspectives

It is easy to see why Renaissance painters invented the principle of perspective here: behind every famous backdrop, the next one is already opening up. Currently, visitor numbers in Florence are consistently high, but the pearl on the Arno remains one of the leading boutique cities, not only in Europe, but worldwide. This is demonstrated by the opening of elegant new hotels such as the Tivoli Palazzo Gaddi Firenze, a historic noble palace.

Culinary insider tips

At the same time, Tuscany gourmets are also discovering addresses off the beaten track: places like the Trattoria 13 Gobbi or the Trattoria Sostanza for the classic bistecca alla fiorentina fall into this category. The historic Café Procacci 1885 prefers to entice with truffle sandwiches, while a tour of the Bottaia wine cellars of the historic Cantinetta Antinori offers the ultimate in Chianti indulgence. San Miniato al Monte offers the best panoramic views and a completely different spiritual experience.

feelflorence.it

Negroni & cocktail culture

Giacosa 1815

15 R Via della Spada, 50123 Florence

Florence is also a mixology stronghold. This is proven by the story of Count Negroni and the organisation of events such as the Florence Cocktail Week (7 to 13 April). Last year, a branch of the legendary place where the Negroni was invented over 200 years ago opened: Giacosa 1815.

Art and culture beyond the classics

Florence’s highlights include the creative Murate Art District, the impressive Uffizi Gallery and the picturesque Parco d’Arte Enzo Pazzagli, which inspire art lovers and culture vultures alike and offer a deep insight into the city’s fascinating art and cultural scene.

The renaissance of the wine window

Florence, the city of the Medici, the Renaissance and – the wine windows. If you stroll through the alleys of the Tuscan capital, you could easily miss them: small, arched wall openings, often no larger than an open book. And yet they tell one of the city’s most charming stories – a story of wine, nobility, pandemics and the rebirth of an almost forgotten tradition.

Florenz Weinfenster Cr Getty Images Tiziana Fabi

Small windows, great history

The so-called buchette del vino, or ‘wine holes’, were invented in the 16th century by the noble wine merchants to sell their own wine directly to the population – tax-free, of course. High taxes led the Florentine families with vineyards outside the city to look for alternative ways to distribute their wine discreetly. The small arched windows in the thick stone walls, which were long attributed a religious significance, enabled this tax-free trade and – as historians suspect – a respectable distance between the lower classes and the Florentine nobility.

Wine for all: a social meeting place

Of particular interest: the wine windows enabled people from all social classes to have brief, innocuous exchanges based on their shared interest in wine. Centuries later, when the plague swept across Europe, the wine windows became a symbol of innovation and resilience – they allowed a safe distance to be maintained while keeping the population happy, which has proven useful once again during the coronavirus pandemic.

From relic to trend

Today, the wine windows are being rediscovered in Tuscany, but mostly in Florence – not only by tourists, but also by resourceful restaurateurs. Suddenly, wine is once again being served through the small openings. But not only that – gelato and coffee, and sometimes even other drinks or snacks, are now also being served through the small openings. And not only in Italy: the idea has now spread as far as California. On 11 April 2025, the ‘Whired Wine Window’ opened in Sacramento, a modern wine window with stylish illuminated lettering ‘Buchette del Vino’.

The best wine window addresses

Each of these windows has its own story, but many – almost all – are about 20 x 30 cm in size, making them just right for the traditional Tuscan straw bottle, or ‘fiasco’. If you want to go in search of the best still-active wine windows in Florence, you should visit:

Babae

Via di Santo Spirito, 21R, 50125 Florence

One of the most popular wine windows in Florence! Every day from 7 p.m., you can order not only wine but also Aperol Spritz through the buchetta – in the best tradition.

babaefirenze.it

Il Latini

Via dei Palchetti, 6/R, 50123 Firenze

This traditional restaurant is one of the oldest in Florence and is famous for its signature dish, bistecca alla fiorentina. Right at the entrance, there is an active wine window where you can get a glass of wine – perfect for passing the time while you wait for a table.

illatini.com

Cantina de’Pucci

Via dei Pucci, 4, 50122 Firenze

The historic Palazzo Pucci combines history with excellent gastronomy. The wine window here allows guests to purchase a handpicked selection of wines directly through the small opening.

cantinadepucci.it

La Ménagère

Via de’ Ginori, 8/R, 50123 Firenze

A versatile establishment combining a restaurant, flower shop and design shop. It has an active wine window through which drinks are served.

lamenagere.it

Vivoli

Via dell’Isola delle Stinche, 7R, 50122 Firenze

One of the most famous gelaterias in Florence, which reopened its wine windows in 2020 – not for wine, but for its legendary gelati.

vivoli.it

DiVin Boccone

Via delle Caldaie, 20, Firenze

Located in the Santo Spirito district, this small gourmet boutique is a treasure trove of Tuscan delicacies and wines. Its wine window was only recently identified by the Associazione Buchette del Vino because of its special shape.

Il Vivandiere

Via Torte 6, Firenze

Hineingehen lohnt sich auch! Denn dieser Ort bietet nicht nur eine grosse Auswahl an lokalen Weinen, die durch das Weinfenster angeboten werden. Auch Tapas oder Snacks für den grösseren Hunger sind hier ein Must-try!

ilvivandiere.com

Fiaschetteria Fantappié

Via dei Serragli, 47R, 50125 Firenze

This small, charming wine bar offers a fine selection of Tuscan wines. Thanks to the active wine window, you can get your glass directly from the street.

fiaschetteriafantappie.com

Il Santino

Via di Santo Spirito, 60/R, 50125 Firenze

In addition to an exquisite selection of organic and biodynamic wines from local vintners, the wine bar also offers high-quality ham and cheese specialities. If you can’t get a seat inside, you can enjoy a glass of wine through the active wine window.

A window into Tuscan tradition

Whether as a nostalgic reminder of times gone by or as a clever modern-day business idea, the wine windows of Florence are unique in the world. They combine history with pleasure, recount the ingenuity of the Florentines and allow us to experience a piece of Tuscan culture literally through the wall. Today they represent a window into the soul of the city. So the next time you travel to Tuscany or are directly in Florence, you should have a glass passed through through the wall – with a friendly ‘Salute!’ to the Medici, who once brought this charming custom into being. Yet another good reason to enjoy un bicchiere di vino!