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The freedom of eating outside In the cool of the evening
[Susan Glasspool]
The warmer weather means that life in in the city tends to be lived out of doors so that most restaurants and bars open up their gardens or set up tables surrounded by plants right outside their premises. There are almost always wide sunshades to protect diners from the heat at lunchtime, while the evenings are enlivened by varius kinds of live entertainment to entice clients in the hopes that they will stay until closing time!
However do select with care as it is not always pleasant eating out in the street with dozens of Vespas whizzing by...
Most restaurants do have air conditioning inside however should you arrive too late to grab an outside table (usually limited in numbers), so you needn’t worry about being to hot for comfort!
NapoLeone in Piazza del Carmine 24 (% 055.281015) has outdoor tables overlooking the square. It is only open for dinner and serves fresh fish, typical meat dishes and a wide variety of Pizzas. The interior has been designed to create the old fashioned atmosphere of a Parisien cafè.
Pleasant variations on a traditional Tuscan menu are available in the historic San Frediano district from the fashionable O!O Bar con Cucina in Piazza Piattellina 7r (% 055 212917). Here Tuscan dishes and Mediterranean influences go hand in hand in a smooth blend of design, music, art and 'organic art food'. The outdoor terrace is perfect for everything from lunches to evening dining, snacks, nibbles and pre-dinner drinks.
Da Stefano in Via Senese, 271 (% 055.2049105) at Galluzzo specialises in fish dishes. Its flower-filled garden is extremely popular among the Florentines for sampling its deliciously fresh seafoods, oysters and raw fish served up as a mouthwatering“carpaccio”.
Giannino in Via Borgo San Lorenzo, 35/37r (% 055.212206) is specialised Tuscan menus - just try their steaks! - and boasts a characteristic interior decor, while also serving meals outside during the summer months.
The Fiddler’s Elbow in Piazza Santa Maria Novella, 7r (% 055.215056) is one of the oldest pubs in Italy open daily from 12am to 2am with space outside for sipping anything from a coffee to an alcoholic tipple (especially beer!).
Grotta di Leo in Via della Scala, 41/43r (% 055.219265) offers mouthwatering traditional Tuscan menus every day in its delightful interior and at its tables outside.
Celestino in Piazza S. Felicita, 4r (% 055.2396574) serves mouthwatering traditional Mediterranean style menus both indoors and outside in the tiny square. It is a very popular place to eat among the Florentines and therefore good food is ensured!
Natalino in Borgo Albizi 17r (% 055.289404) is one of the oldest restaurants in the city. Here you can also taste its typical Florentine specialities on its tables outside.
Semolina in Piazza Ghiberti, 67r (% 055.2347584) is right by the characteristic Sant'Ambrogio area. You can eat outside here in sight of the colourful market and should try their creative dishes from Tuscany and Campania.
Caffé Paszkowski in Piazza della Repubblica 6 (% 055.210236) and Gilli in the same square at 39r (% 055.213896) are two of Florence’s most famous literary caffés. Sit outside and enjoy mouth-watering menus - from starters to desserts - along with the view over the spacious square.
The Old Stove in Via Pellicceria 2/4r and The Lion's Fountain in Borgo Albizi 34r are two traditional pubs with outdoor seating in the heart of the city centre. Here you can enjoy traditional Irish food, music, dessert and beer.
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