It is kind of overwhelming going to Florence for a weekend, trying to decide where to eat and drink. This Tuscan city has a rich and distinctive food culture that reflects its history and traditions. Florentine cuisine emphasizes simplicity and the use of fresh, high-quality local ingredients with a focus on bringing out the natural flavors of ingredients without overly complex preparation. Florence is surrounded by the Chianti region, making it a hub for excellent wines, and it is also home to some of the best gelato in Italy. There are endless options when it comes to wine bars, nice restaurants and cute coffee shops and all of them are so, so good. I am therefore here to help you sort of some of the best bars and restaurants to visit when in Florence, and other food experiences that are not to be forgotten about. Hopefully this guide will prepare you for your Florence trip.

Best wine bars in Florence

Le Volpi e l’Uva – This is one of my favorite wine bars in Florence and a place that is also popular among locals. People gathered here for some charcuterie and wine in the afternoon and it was definitely a vibe. If no seats were available, people stood up to mingle. I didn’t get a seat but was invited to sit by a table with 4 chairs where only 3 were taken. So it was me chilling with some locals. Le Volpi e l’Uva has both indoor and outdoor seating.

Il Santino – Il Santino is a really cosy, small wine bar. It felt like I had found a hidden gem when I was the first one to arrive for the afternoon rush and then locals dropped in, one by one, greeting each other with cheek kisses and ciaoooo’s. This spot is perfect for a glass of wine and some charcuterie, with the people working there preparing everything with tools right in front of you by the bar.

Enoteca Spontanea – This is one of the more upcoming bars, opened in 2022. Funny that I went here very spontaneously (due to the name being Enoteca Spontanea) when I had some time to kill and googled ”wine bars in Florence near me”. It was a really nice place serving natural wine, and the vibe is very intimate with few tables.

Oratio – Oratio is a two-story wine bar with a relaxing atmosphere. The place have a lot of bookshelves and all tables also had coffee table books to read.

Procacci – Procacci is a small wine bar with only 5 – 10 seats. This place is therefore mainly for standing and drinking. I escaped to this place an evening when it started raining and began by standing up among everybody else but got a seat just minutes later.

The best mix of restaurants in Florence

When visiting Florence you might want to try as many different restaurant vibes and cuisines as possible, therefore I am below presenting you with a great mix of places to eat for a full experience.

Gustapizza – Gustapizza is famous for having the best pizza in Florence. This place does not accept reservations so around opening hour, people gather outside, creating a queue. You will most likely get a table whenever you go, but you might have to wait for a while. If you don’t want to wait I highly recommend to be there at opening hour. It is worth it though, the pizzas are great and it’s a friendly vibe there.

Antico Noè – This is the perfect laid back lunch spot in Florence, serving amazing paninis. While most tourists go to another panini place (which I got told by a local to not go to), this one is where the locals do go, located by the little square Piazza di San Pier Maggiore inside an archway. The lunch rush here is such a vibe. Grab a panini to go or sit at one of the tables outside with your sandwich and a glass of wine. I had the panini with turkey, brie and sundried tomatoes and it was YUM.

Osteria delle Tre Panche – This place has the most beautiful terrace with a colorful flower arrangement and on top of Hotel Hermitage right by Ponte Vecchio. I had the paccheri pasta for lunch and it was delicious. Fresh tomatoes, garlic and basil reduced to a fine sauce with paccheri pasta and parmesan cheese.

Trattoria Cammillo – Trattoria Cammillo is where you should go if you want that dinner buzz. It’s a restaurant divided into several parts, creating an intimate feeling. Also it is said that this place serves the best tortellini in Florence.

Ditta Artigianale – Ditta Artigianale is one of the best breakfast and brunch spots in Florence. Before 9AM they don’t serve their brunch menu (which is according to me the one you should aim for). If you are an early bird, they do serve some crispy and tasty croissants.

Best wine windows in Florence

The wine windows of Florence, also known as buchette del vino, are arched, small windows that can be found in the walls of historical buildings around the city. They might not serve the best Tuscan wine, but ordering a glass of wine and getting it delivered through a small window is one of the top things to do when visiting Florence. I have written a more detailed guide about the wine windows in Florence, which you can find here.

Fiaschetteria Fantappié – One of the less famous wine windows. It has a hanging bell to ring when ordering and the price is €6 for a glass of wine.

Babae – The most famous wine window in Florence with an iconic location in a yellow wall. €8 for a glass of wine.

Osteria Belle Donne – Has an adorable flower arrangement outside the wine window, very picturesque. This place was the cheapest, €5 for a glass of wine.

Cantina De’ Pucci – Bell to ring before ordering. €7 for a glass of wine

Best rooftop bars in Florence

Loggia Roof Bar – This is the best rooftop bar in Florence when it comes to afternoon and sunset drinks. The sun is perfectly placed to have this terrace soaked in it. The bar is located right by Piazza Santo Spirito on top of Hotel Palazzo Guadagni.

View on Art Rooftop Cocktail Bar – If you are looking for the best rooftop bar that has a view of the Duomo, this is where you should go. This rooftop has a 180 view of Florence and is located right next to the Duomo. It is however a bit pricier compared to other bars in Florence, but it’s worth it for the view.

Other food experiences in Florence

Vivoli – Vivoli is the oldest gelateria in Florence. You will find people sitting on the curbs outside this gelateria, everyone having one thing in common: they are all having an affogato. Vivoli serves the most famous affogato and it is estimated that they sell around 350 affogatos a day. What is an affogato? A hot espresso poured into a prechilled cup with vanilla gelato.

Mercato Centrale – This market in central Florence was built in 1874 and is still used by many locals to get their fresh groceries from. Not only do you need to bring them home with you, but you can enjoy the food right away. On the ground floor there are several stalls also selling food, and the top floor has been transformed into a food court in later years.