There’s something romantic and glamorous about outdoor dining in Florence. We’ve all seen the Golden Age movies with well-dressed stars in their sunglasses and headscarves sipping cocktails al fresco. Why not embrace your own main character energy when you enjoy a drink or a meal outside in Florence?
You’ll notice tables outside in nearly every piazza, but it’s hard to know which outdoor dining restaurants are worth a stop. Read on for seven of our favorite spots for outdoor dining in Florence, as well as what you should order when you visit. Ready, set, action!
Expert’s Tip: Don’t be surprised to see a cover charge or coperto of around €1–3 per person on your bill. This is customary when you receive table service, especially at an outdoor dining restaurant.
Fattoria Rossi
Fattoria Rossi is the very definition of farm-to-table dining right in the heart of Florence. While they have a number of outdoor tables in their covered seating area, you’ll want to pop your head inside to be transported by the Tuscan farmhouse vibes.
The family-run Fattoria Rossi began on a farm over 150 years ago. To this day the farm still produces high-quality products such as parmigiano reggiano cheese and salami that you can try for yourself at the restaurant.
Santarosa Bistrot
You’ll forget you’re in Florence when you visit this Oltrarno oasis. Santarosa Bistrot is open continuously for all three meals so you can park yourself and your kids at any one of their many outdoor tables for a few hours.
The menu features Tuscan classics along with a few wild cards like Caesar salad or fish poke. Their well-equipped bar staff can mix up any cocktail you like or even make a pour-over coffee.
La Loggia del Piazzale Michelangelo
A restaurant with a view, La Loggia del Piazzale Michelangelo is worth the climb up the hills surrounding the city.
The panoramic view of the city center makes for a highly scenic backdrop for a romantic dinner in Florence. Enjoy typical Florentine dishes like crostini neri or cheese ravioli with butter and sage.
Auditore
Sharing a name with the main character of the Assassin’s Creed video games, Auditore (Piazza del Grano, 13R) serves traditional Tuscan dishes just a few steps behind the Uffizi Gallery.
Despite being so near a tourist hotspot, the outdoor seating area of Auditore is a lively corner without being overly crowded or noisy. Stop by for lunch or an aperitivo cocktail, and you might just stay for a dinner of Florentine steak!
Fedora
With a lush and spacious outdoor courtyard, the Fedora School Pastry Shop is a great spot to enjoy a quiet meal just a 2-minute walk from the Duomo.
The rotating lunch and dinner menu is planned and prepared by the talented chefs-in-training of the APICIUS International Hospitality School. If you’re lucky, there might be a dish with fresh orange marmalade made from oranges grown right in the courtyard.
B-Roof
Feel on top of the world in every sense at B-Roof, the fine dining restaurant atop the historic Hotel Baglioni.
A quick walk from the Santa Maria Novella train station, B-Roof serves elevated Tuscan cuisine. The bar is staffed with knowledgeable and friendly bartenders, making it a great spot for a picture perfect cocktail hour.
Enoteca Le Barrique
Enoteca Le Barrique serves up typical Tuscan dishes and seafood in their romantic garden dining area.
Their extensive list of Italian wines is organized by region and features dozens of reasonably priced bottles. This spot is a must-visit for the wine lover who likes to pair the food with the wine rather than the other way around!
Want to upgrade your experience by exploring Florence alongside an expert guide? Join our Dine Around Florence food tour to discover local secrets and sample more of the city’s best bites!
Verity Pryor-Harden is a freelancer of many talents living in the historical Tuscan city of Arezzo while studying Visual Communications in Florence. She’s a sucker for a cold spritz in a piazza on a hot day, enjoys making bizarre wine pairings, and is a Tuscan street food enthusiast. Follow along on Instagram @verityeph.