Florence is a cosmopolitan city, frequented and admired by tourists from all over the world, making it the perfect city for a romantic getaway on Valentine's Day. To give a little help to those who are still undecided about which place to choose and have left the booking to the last minute, here are some suggestions, which are also useful for other special occasions.
Where to Eat in Florence for Valentine's Day
B-Roof at Grand Hotel Baglioni
Restaurant. Formerly Terrazza Brunelleschi, on the fifth floor of a luxurious 4-star hotel just steps from Santa Maria Novella Station, B-Roof has outdoor terraces at different heights and rooms with large windows that offer a magnificent view of the city and its main monuments. The evening can start with a drink or a glass of Champagne, then there are two options: choose the tasting menu dedicated to the Florentine steak or pick excellent dishes from the menu, such as chicken liver lollipop, pumpkin flan with Vin Santo reduction, risotto with red onion caramel, chestnuts, and veal cheek braised on a bed of Jerusalem artichoke fondue.
B-Roof del Grand Hotel Baglioni – piazza dell’Unità Italiana, 6 – 055 23588560 – www.b-roof.it
Burro & Acciughe
Restaurant. In the heart of San Frediano, a former working-class district now a nightlife hub, a very charming venue with outdoor seating, a counter, and spaces with refined vintage décor: turquoise leather menu, colorful dishes, and the bill in an anchovy tin. A plunge into the sea in the city, with marinated anchovies with Tropea onion, as well as cod and zolfini beans, raw dishes, "63° egg" with herring caviar and bottarga on pumpkin cream. Among the first courses, there are spaghetti with Cantabrian anchovies, pine nuts, and toasted black bread crumbs, or linguine with raw and cooked red shrimp and lime. Grilled squid and braised artichokes or tuna steak with spicy sautéed turnip tops for the main course. Well-crafted and rich sparkling wine list.
Burro & Acciughe – via dell’Orto, 35/R – 055 0457286 – www.burroeacciughe.com
Ciblèo
Fusion. A unique place in Florence, created from an old shop and founded by the "legend" Fabio Picchi: here, the technique of oriental cuisine intersects with Tuscan ingredients. Few seats, with the possibility of sitting at the counter observing the chefs cooking in front or at one of the three available tables. At lunch, you can choose à la carte, while dinner is served with an extensive and varied tasting menu that provides a complete experience. Among the dishes that play with contamination are warm tortellini with sesame sauce, veal tongue with fermented Chinese cabbage, and baozi with wild pork from Casentino. As accompaniment, sake, tea, or wines.
Ciblèo – via A. del Verrocchio, 2/R – 055 2341100 – www.cibreo.com/cibleo/
La Leggenda dei Frati at Villa Bardini
Restaurant. A magical place with a view that dominates the city, Filippo Saporito and Ombretta Giovannini's restaurant attracts visitors and tourists seduced by the idea of living a gastronomic experience in the setting of a fascinating historic villa that also hosts contemporary art exhibitions. The extensive and varied menu includes a vegetarian option ("del Cavolo") and two paths (La Via di Mezzo and Gran Menu dei Frati) of 6 and 9 courses. Timeless dishes on the menu include the chicken liver terrine (20 years on the menu), pigeon with pomegranate, chanterelles, and anchovies, and hare cappelletti with cocoa, Parmesan, and truffle. A well-curated wine list, with various pairing options.
La Leggenda dei Frati a Villa Bardini – Costa San Giorgio, 6/A – 055 0680545 – www.laleggendadeifrati.it
La Ménagère
Bistro. In a slightly secluded street from the main tourist flow, it is a delightful place that attracts from the first glance due to the beauty of the environment, the in-house flower shop, unusual furnishings, the smokehouse in the basement, and the opening from the morning for breakfast: then easy lunch, dinner at the restaurant spread across several spaces with a special atmosphere, and finally the cocktail bar. If desired, you can book the private room or the Chef's table. The evening menu is varied, with inspiration from classic French cuisine and well-executed fusion dishes. From seafood crudités (including oysters and carpaccios) to caviar, from tartare to Acquerello risotto, pink shrimp, turnip top cream, anchovy sauce, and lemon. A wide and well-crafted wine list.
La Ménagère – via de’ Ginori, 8/R – 055 0750600 – www.lamenagere.it
Ora
Vegetarian. Articulated in three environments, it presents itself with wooden floors and furnishings, colorful murals on the walls, and comfortable seating. Strongly wanted by owner Rossella Bartolozzi with the aim of educating people to a healthy and sustainable diet, it offers a fun seasonal cuisine, with well-presented and tasty dishes. To give an idea of what you can find on the menu, there is avocado tartare with tomato fillets, almonds, and caramelized onion; three hummuses (black, white, and pink), potato agnolotti with fried sage and porcini reduction, tagliolini with two cabbages and crispy bread, and red lentil fillet Wellington on celeriac puree. A delicious ending with vegan berry cheesecake. Well-chosen wines in the cellar.
Ora – via San Zanobi, 126/R – 055 4633414 – www.orafirenze.it
L’Ortone
Trattoria. When a reservation becomes mandatory, it means that public success is a fact. Credit goes to a proposal that knows how to satisfy a diverse audience, a mix of locals and tourists. Federico Tacconi has oriented the offering of his cozy venue towards Tuscan specialties, but without falling into immobility. This means local ingredients and beyond, elaborated in an enticing way. With dishes like beef tartare, pigeon-filled agnolotti, its thyme butter, or red deer fillet with red currant sauce, celeriac puree, and sautéed black cabbage. Homemade fresh pasta, bread, and desserts. A well-articulated wine list with "human" markups.
L’Ortone – piazza L. Ghiberti, 87/R – 055 2340804 – www.lortone.it
SE.STO on Arno at The Westin Excelsior Hotel
Restaurant. Two large terraces and an elegant transparent glass structure that offers a fantastic panorama of the city, a unique spectacle, especially in the evening. In this exclusive context, Chef Marco Migliorati's cuisine plays its part, with dishes that mainly highlight local raw materials. Examples include stuffed red onion, porcini cream, pecorino fondue; slow-cooked veal, tuna sauce, capers; homemade pappardelle, roast rabbit with rosemary and truffle; hazelnut-breaded lamb ribs, artichokes, and salsify. There is also a good selection of seafood options. To complete the picture, there is an internationally renowned wine cellar with hundreds of references.
SE.STO on Arno al The Westin Excelsior Hotel – piazza Ognissanti, 3 – 055 27152783 – www.sestoonarno.com
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