Top Bars and Cafes in Florence

Ristorante Beccofino

Just minutes from Ponte Santa Trinità on Florence's “left bank,” this restaurant and wine bar's snappy modern décor of high tables and bar stools has instant appeal. A clever combination of Tuscan and Mediterranean cuisine offers diners an extensive choice of traditional pasta starters and main meat courses. The impressive wine collection is served by the bottle or by the glass.

Enoteca "La Sosta del Rossellino"

Enoteca "La Sosta del Rossellino" is a handsome wine bar with a special, welcoming atmosphere. The tables are hand-painted and the room has a warm ambiance. In summer, customers can eat on a terrace overlooking the hills surrounding the city. The cellar contains more than 250 quality wines, including all the best Tuscan, Piedmontese and Venetian wines, as well as a number of dessert wines, spumanti, champagnes and grappa. To accompany the wines, the bar serves snacks and sought-after dishes which can be enjoyed as a proper meal.

Rex Cafè

Large, accommodating pub which for years has been an important meeting place for night owls. With its mosaic design, the pub offers a wide range of aperitifs, drinks, and appetizers all accompanied by music from the various DJs. Special themed nights, shows, etc. Happy hour and aperitivo from 6p.

Moyo

By day, students type furiously on their laptops, taking advantage of the free WiFi that Moyo provides for free until 7:30p. But by night, the bartenders crank up the music and mix hundreds of cocktails for an energetic young crowd. Bar-goers spill out onto the street during the weekends, clutching Moyo's signature cocktail, a cranberry martini with lemon juice and triple sec. Thursday nights have a hip-hop theme, while on Friday and Saturday a DJ spins the latest remixes.

Mama's Bakery

Say goodbye to lonely study sessions at the library! With plenty of tables, comfortable chairs and international customers who like to chat up, Mama's Bakery is the perfect place to get social or grab a snack and get some work done. Tucked away in a quiet street, Mama's serves fresh, genuine American-style sweet essentials: drip coffee, perfect bagels, simple bagel sandwiches, brownies, cookies, muffins, slices of cake and an assortment of bottled beverages. The pumpkin pies and cheesecake are popular around the holiday season, so order yours in advance.

Gelateria La Carraia 2

Gelateria La Carraia 2 is a perfect excuse to make the trek to Piazza Santa Croce, a convenient stop on the way to the catch a glimpse of the Arno, and a few steps from several trendy bars. Unlike the long, disorderly lines and expensive miniature portions found at most of Florence's touristy gelaterie, Gelateria La Carraia 2 is a best-kept secret that boasts a special selection of some fantastic flavors as well as some of the best prices one can find. Who knew it was possible to find genuine gelato for EUR1? - Camille M. Lina

Cafè Deluxeè

Cafè Deluxeè is a veritable haven for people who love to socialize,lounge around and listen to dazzling live music. It has been witness to a number of DJ nights, indie rock, orchestras, alternative rock, funk, experimental and other live bands like: The Last Orange, Vandemars, tooMuchBlond and so on. As you let the music envelop you, try out the themed dinner fare, mouthwatering pastries, fresh fruit juices and steaming hot coffee on offer. Check website for a detailed schedule of events.

Quanto Basta

Walls half-tiled in white, painted with a stripe of muted color, and high white vaulted ceilings dominate the minimalist décor at this attractive restaurant. What the interior design may lack in imagination is made up for in the creatively presented dishes that artfully mix colors, textures, and flavors. Situated in the remodeled sixteenth-century stables of Palazzo Ginori, the restaurant (also known as "q.b.") serves contemporary Italian fare, and it's a fun place to have lunch or dinner. Stop by in the afternoon for the wine bar, or before dinner for an aperitivo.

'Ino

‘ Ino, short for panino, sandwich, is an artisanal deli, wine bar and sandwich shop that attempts to break the barriers between consumer and producer, buyer and seller. The focus is on high-quality, locally-produced food, attention to detail, and the important role of wine and food in Italian culture. Stop in during your lunch break or for a quick bite after visiting the nearby Uffizi galleries. Check the website for information about tastings and events.

Ringo's

Ringo's is a Slow Food restaurant, so don't come here looking for a quick bite. Run by owner/chef Ringo for over 40 years, this tiny establishment features daily pasta dishes (two-person servings), fresh salads, and famous hamburgers with a signature special sauce. The interior décor is dominated by the kitchen, with limited table and bar seating available, while outdoors, the small metal tables are flanked by champagne buckets during the aperitivo hours. The ingredients are all fresh and Ringo grows most of the vegetables and herbs himself. Food is prepared carefully and individually, resulting in gastronomic delights.