Boboli & San Miniato al Monte
This humble wine bar remains as appealing as the day it opened in 1992. Its food and wine pairings are first class – taste and buy boutique wines by small…
Must-see nightlife in Tuscany
Oltrarno
Wine lovers won't do better than this serious wine bar opposite Palazzo Pitti, run with passion and humour by charismatic trio Edoardo, Manuele and Zeno –…
Santa Maria Novella
'Made in Italy' has never been such a pertinent buzzword in the city, hence this trendy cocktail bar – an unabashed celebration of Italian spirits and…
Santa Croce
At home in a 13th- to 15th-century palazzo, this tucked-away drinking and dining space is designed to stun. From the exquisite craft cocktails
Val d'Orcia
Located underneath Palazzo Piccolomini and accessed via the staircase between the palace and the duomo, this hybrid cafe and cocktail bar in the former…
Val d'Orcia
Roberto Rappuoli is a devotee of craft beer who operates a sleek but petite brewery and tap room in the fortified medieval hill town of San Quirico d…
Elba
Steps lead down from the panoramic terrace at the far end of the central Piazza Matteotti to this party-hot enoteca (wine bar), a strictly after-dinner…
Pistoia
This warm, vibrant cafe with its own bakery (superb breads) and flowery courtyard garden buzzes with local life. Sip an espresso at the bar, chat with…
Lucca
With a giant canvas cream parasol providing shade and a tinkling stone fountain the atmospheric soundtrack, cafe terraces don't get much better than this…
Livorno
Live music, craft beer, creative bar cuisine and fabulous cocktails lure a local party set to this red-brick cellar bar, right by a canal in Piccola…
Southern Tuscany
Owner Magdy Lamei may not be a local (he's from Cairo), but it would be hard to find anyone else as knowledgeable and passionate about local artisanal…
Southern Tuscany
Overlooking a small harbour framed by slopes of colourfully painted buildings, Giulia is a popular locals' haunt. Its waterside terrace is a picturesque…
Montepulciano
Established in 1868, Poliziano was lovingly restored to its original form 20 years ago and is the town's most atmospheric cafe. It serves excellent coffee…
Northwestern Tuscany
Taste fine Tuscan wine on bar stools at high wooden tables or beneath big parasols on the street outside. Whichever you pick, the distinctly funky, arty…
Oltrarno
At this ubercool bar in San Frediano, cult alchemists Neri Fantechi and Julian Biondi woo a discerning crowd with their expertly crafted cocktails, served…
Oltrarno
The living is easy at this hipster garden-bistro-bar, snug against a chunk of ancient city wall in the flowery Santarosa gardens. Comfy cushioned sofas…
Santa Croce
Many a Florentine's favourite hotel bar, American cocktail bar Empireo inside the historic Plaza Hotel Lucchesi has been seducing cocktail lovers since…
Santa Croce
With industrial decor and laid-back vibe, this ingenious coffee roastery is a perfect place to hang at any time of day. The creation of three-times…
Duomo & Piazza della Signoria
Popular with locals who sip coffee standing up at the long marble bar, this is the most famous of the historic cafes on the city's old Roman forum. Gilli…
Duomo & Piazza della Signoria
Strike up a conversation with passionate mixologist Marco Arduino at Mayday. Within seconds you'll be hooked on his mixers and astonishing infusions, all…
Duomo & Piazza della Signoria
'Fresh food and old furniture' is the catchy strapline of this cafe-bar hidden in an alleyway near Ponte Vecchio. Vintage furniture – all for sale –…
San Lorenzo & San Marco
Still lovingly known as Lo Sverso (its original name) by many a Florentine socialite, this superstylish bar is a gem. In a part of town where hipster…
Duomo & Piazza della Signoria
With its old stone vaults, scrubbed wooden tables and modern air, this enoteca run by the dynamic Nicolas is spacious and stylish. The wine list features…
Oltrarno
The 'secret' speakeasy everyone knows about, it has no sign outside: disguised as a chapel of sorts, look for the tiny entrance with the two-seat wooden…
Duomo & Piazza della Signoria
This rooftop bar with a wood-decked terrace accessible from the 5th floor of the Hotel Continentale is as chic as one would expect of a fashion-house…
Duomo & Piazza della Signoria
This golden oldie with an unbeatable people-watching terrace has produced some of the city's most exquisite chocolate since 1872 (sadly only available in…
Oltrarno
The second branch of Florence's premier coffee roaster treats its faithful hipster clientele to full-blown dining in a 1950s-styled interior alongside its…
Oltrarno
Kid sister to top-notch restaurant Il Santo Bevitore two doors down the same street, this intimate wine bar with exposed stone walls and marble bar is a…
San Lorenzo & San Marco
As if an organic pizzeria and pasta parlour were not enough, the considerate folk behind SimBIOsi now run their very own cafe, and it doesn't disappoint…
Santa Croce
This arty cafe-bar in Florence's former jail is where literati meet to talk, create and perform over coffee, drinks and light meals. The literary cafe…
Oltrarno
Florence's first dedicated whisky bar – named after illustrious American horror writer HP Lovecraft – has proved a hit from day one with a staunchly local…
San Lorenzo & San Marco
A firm long-term favourite (since 1990), down-to-earth Rex maintains its appeal. Behind the bar Virginia and Lorenzo shake a mean cocktail, using homemade…
Oltrarno
Going strong since the 1980s, this cult bar with subtle club vibe is an Oltrarno hot spot for after-work drinks, cocktails and DJ sets. Its chic, design…
Oltrarno
Head to this sharp Japanese cocktail and sake bar for an inventive Bloody Meray (tomato juice, Japanese shochu, fresh ginger, soy sauce and wasabi) or…
San Lorenzo & San Marco
'Peace and Wine' is the alluring strapline of this contemporary enoteca (wine bar), run with an arty passion and creativity by Francesca and Daniele…
Oltrarno
Armchairs, recycled and upcycled vintage furniture, books to read, jukebox, crêpes and a tasty choice of nibbles with coffee or a light lunch give this…
San Lorenzo & San Marco
At home in Ospedale degli Innocenti's verone (drying room) where linen at the foundling hospital was hung up to dry in the 15th century, this peaceful…
San Lorenzo & San Marco
The 1920s provide the sassy inspiration behind this speakeasy where ordering anything so mundane as a Sex on a Beach is simply not done. Mixologist…
Elba
The sunset view from the beach terrace of this bar-restaurant in the cute cove of Bagnaia is the stuff that lasting holiday memories are made of. Head…
Santa Maria Novella
An experimental 'factory' of people, ideas, food, wine, cocktails and live music is the essence of this funky new hangout, at home in Palazzina Reale di…
