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Boutique hotels in Florence

Florence eating, drinking and dancing

Florence Food and drink

We've tracked down the best cafés for people-watching, the bars with the coolest cocktails, the most accomplished restaurants and the liveliest local nightlife in Florence.

Restaurants

(+39 055 248 0508)

Cantina Barbagianni

This ancient cellar restaurant close to Santa Croce is ideal for dinner à deux; head there for their great value two-course lunch, or book private dining for two for a little extra romance (as if Florence wasn't romantic enough). The menu features typical Tuscan dishes, cooked with flair (www.cantinabarbagianni.it).

13 Via Sant’Egidio, Florence, Tuscany

+39 055 234 1100

Cibreo

This may be the most famous trattoria in all Italy; it’s formal and glamorous.

Via de’ Macci

+39 055 264 5027

La Congrega

This traditional trattoria on Via Panicale is a quaint setting for lunch or an informal but unforgettable dinner.

Via Panicale, 43/r

+39 055 242 777

Enoteca Pinchiorri

This Michelin-starred restaurant is set in a Renaissance palace, where Giorgio Pinchiorri himself helps you choose from his 150,000-bottle cellar; a jacket and tie are required.

Via Ghibellina, 87

+39 055 265 8198

Olio & Convivium

A delicatessen and restaurant on Via Santo Spirito that is well worth a visit.

Via Santo Spirito, 4

+39 055 210 916

ll Latini

This place can be hit or miss – but get there on a good night (ie: not full to the gills with tourists) and it’s great fun. The kitchen decides what you’ll be eating – you just name the colour of wine you prefer, and whether you want fish or meat.

Via Palchetti

+39 055 281 661

Borgo San Jacopo

At the Hotel Lungarno, between the Ponte Vecchio and Ponte Santa Trinita, this restaurant cooks up several fish dishes from the Adriatic coast. The location is superb right on the river. A huge arched window offers views of the Arno and there are four tables on the terrace overlooking the Ponte Vecchio.

Borgo San Jacopo 14

+39 055 230 2153

Coquinarius

Located near the Duomo,this restaurant is a charming and intimate place; its salads and pastas are popular with ladies who lunch.

Via delle Oche

+39 055 224 002

Pandemonia

For a family-run treat, try a place that serves succulent Florentine steaks in its enclosed garden.

Via del Leone

(+39 055 8840004)

Villa Bordoni

It's well worth checking in to here to sample the delights of this fantastic hotel restaurant. About half an hour from Florence, Villa Bodoni draws visitors for its accomplished Tuscan cuisine, cookery lessons and 11th-century wine cellar. Mr & Mrs Smith members who book a room online will get a complimentary bottle of Chianti Classico and a tasting platter of wild-boar salami when they show their Smith card, too.

31–32 Via San Cresci, Loc Mezzuola, I-50022 Greve in Chianti, Tuscany

Cafés

(+39 055 214412)

Caffè Rivoire

Overlooking Michelangelo’s statue of David in Piazza della Signoria since 1872, this café is a Florentine institution and is the perfect place for people-watching, cappuccino in hand.

Piazza della Signoria, angolo Via Vacchereccia

(+39 055 2399863)

Caffè Pitti

Wonderful café by day; truffle-toting restaurant and cocktail bar by night. Kick off with truffle bruschetta, move on to ravioli stuffed with cream cheese and truffles, and finish up with chocolate truffles. Mmm.

9 Piazza Pitti, Florence

(+39 055 277 6328)

Giacosa

The Roberto Cavalli-owned café, linked to his shop on Via della Spada, is a busy, fashiony place for breakfast, lunch, coffee and post-shopping cocktails.

10 Via della Spada, Florence

(+39 055 241 773)

Trattoria Baldovino

Great location on the corner of Piazza Santa Croce. Though British-owned, this restaurant's informal atmosphere, fresh salads, wood-oven pizzas and home-made desserts are 100 per cent Italian. Try the Ribollita – a Florentine delicacy that's much tastier than its main ingredient (cow's stomach) sounds.

22 Via San Giuseppe (Piazza Santa Croce), Florence

(+39 055 210034)

Gelateria dei Neri

For delicious Italian ice-creams, head to this excellent gelateria, located behind the Palazzo Vecchio. It's open till midnight, so you could even pop in for dessert on your after-dinner stroll. Flavours change according to what's in season; they even make soy ice-cream.

20–22 Via dei Neri, 50122 Florence, Tuscany

Bars and clubs

Capocaccia

This charming place is perfect for pre-dinner mojitos.

Lungarno Corsini,12/14r

(+39 055 264 5282)

The Lounge

A sister to JK Place – one of Mr & Mrs Smith's favourite Florence boutique hotels – this lounge bar and restaurant is as chic and sexy as the hotel, with white leather armchairs and framed architectural drawings. Go for brunch or Modern Italian dining; or take cocktails on the clubby terrace bar and nibble on the excellent 'gastro tapas' menu from 6.30–11pm (www.thelounge.it).

9–10 Piazza Santa Maria Novella, 50123 Florence

(+39 055 239 8762)

Angels

Frescoes adorn the domed ceiling of this medieval building, now a restaurant and bar; white muslin drapes, mood lighting and modern furniture give it 21st-century appeal. Early on, tourists slurp fruity cocktails and pick at bar snacks; Florence’s hipsters appear later.

29–31 Via del Proconsolo, Florence, Tuscany

(+39 055 215160)

Yab

If you have to dance and want no more than a good ol’ fashioned discotheque, try this fantastically over-the-top night club. Imagine where Derek Zoolander would go if he was in Florence. Good fun (www.yab.it).

5 Via Sassetti, Florence,

(+39 055 234 7220)

Enoteca Baldovino

Moroccan-tinged wine bar and café with a great lunch menu and a good selection of Italian wines, including an extensive list of Super Tuscans.

18 Via San Giuseppe (Piazza Santa Croce), Florence