Casa del Vino
Come here for creative panini, such as sgrombri e carciofini sott'olio (mackerel and marinated baby artichokes), and an ever-changing list of significant wines by the glass. They also have a well-stocked collection of bottles to go.
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Florentines are rather proud of their nightlife options. Most bars now have some sort of happy hour, which usually lasts for many hours and often has snacks that can substitute for a light dinner. (Check whether the buffet is free or comes with the price of a drink.) Clubs typically don't open until very late in the evening, and don't get crowded until 1 or 2 in the morning.
Come here for creative panini, such as sgrombri e carciofini sott'olio (mackerel and marinated baby artichokes), and an ever-changing list of significant wines by the glass. They also have a well-stocked collection of bottles to go.
A hop, skip, and a jump from Orsanmichele in the centro storico is I Fratellini, in existence since 1875. It sells wines by the glass and has a lengthy list of panini, including pecorino with sun-dried tomatoes and spicy wild-boar salami with goat cheese.
This swanky, American-style bar is attached to the Hotel l'Orologio. It's a good spot for a well-executed cocktail with tasty snacks; when it's warm, you can sit outside and gaze at the beautiful facade of Santa Maria Novella.
Though it has only four tables and four small stools at an equally small bar, Il Santino is blessed with a big wine list and superior cheeses, cured meats, and other delicacies to match.
Le Volpi e l'Uva, which translates as "the foxes and the grape" and is based on one of Aesop's fables, off Piazza Santa Felicita, is an oenophile's dream: they pour wines by the glass and serve equally impressive cheeses and bite-size sandwiches to accompany.
Come here when it's summer for outdoor seating with a view of an 11th-century church (Sant'Ambrogio) directly across the street. Come here at any time of the year for perfectly mixed drinks and a lively atmosphere filled with (mostly) locals.
In the heart of the centro storico is Cantinetta dei Verrazzano, where serious wines may be had as well as tasty baked treats in the morning and light lunches.
A perfect stop for a marvelous panino or sweet while raving about the majesty of Michelangelo's David is just down the street from the Accademia. Do be aware that sitting at a table is more expensive at most cafés, and this place is particularly notorious in trying to get you to sit down.
Enjoy live music in this small basement club.
Choose from indoor or outdoor seating and take advantage of the great list of wines by the glass. At aperitivo time €12 will buy you a truly tasty cocktail and give you access to the tremendous buffet; it's so good, you won't need dinner afterward—in fact, they called it "Apericena." That means, roughly, drink and dinner.
Just down the street from the Accademia, Oliandolo is a perfect place to have a light lunch.
Here you'll find a great selection of cheeses and cured meats, wines by the glass, food products to take home (like powdered porcini mushrooms), daily specials, as well as some tasty food served in situ.
At Pitti Gola you can order tasty tidbits to accompany your choices from the extensive and impressive wine list. The outdoor seats have a view of Palazzo Pitti.
A trendy, artsy clientele frequents this bar at aperitivo time. By 10 pm, the place is packed with mostly young folks sipping artful cocktails.