Florence offers no shortage of places to enjoy a glass of wine, a Spritz or a Negroni. While the city’s aperitivo culture has shifted since pre-Covid times, with complimentary snacks now only including crisps and nuts, maybe a mini pizza or a few olives if you are lucky. Aperitivo buffet is a thing of the past. However, upgraded options like crostini, salads, beef tartar, cheese boards, or charcuterie are widely available but come at extra charge. Sometimes it’s nice to skip dinner and share a few plates and a bottle of wine while watching the local life.
Below are some of my current favourites. Whether you’re after a casual drink or a curated tasting experience, these Florene wine bars stand out for their atmosphere, selection and consistency.
Florence wine bars worth visiting for relaxed aperitivo
Le Volpi e l’Uva
Even if this snug venue is located a stone’s throw away from the Ponte Vecchio, it is not full of tourists. There are only a few seats inside so be prepared to take a seat outside on the small piazza. They have a long list of wines by the glass and a wide variety of foods to order. A perfect place to share a few plates.
Choose from cheeses (both Italian and French) and/or meat boards, salads and warm breads with various toppings. Some of my favourites include the warm crostone with cheese and truffle sausage or cheese, speck and honey. Vegetarian options also available.
Piazza dei Rossi, 1R
Oratio
Oratio is a welcoming and cosy wine bar. It has an excellent selection of wines from all over Italy, mainly from smaller producers. All the wines on their menu are also available to purchase and can be shipped to you. There is an option to do a tasting of the finest wines of Tuscany, from whites to bold reds.
I usually opt for one of their sparkling wines and some snacks. Burro con Acciughe del Canabrico (butter with anchovies and capers) and Pane con Baccalá Montecato (bread with creamed cod and caramelised onions) are both worth a try.
Via Matteo Palmieri, 25r
Vineria Sonora
Vineria Sonora focuses on organic, biodynamic and orange wines. Many of the wines are very different from what I’m used to, but the staff are great at helping to select the best options to suit different palates. One of my favourite bottles was an orange wine called Daphné. All the wines are also for sale.
Plenty of choices on the food menu. The cheese platter is huge! The crostini are made using wholemeal bread and can be a bit hefty. The decor is vintage chic, and the music comes from the vinyl record player. Vineria Sonora hosts special events, from meeting the wine producers to themed tastings and DJ sets. See their Instagram page for upcoming events.
Via degli Alfani, 39 r
Formaggioteca Terroir
This venue is a cheese lover’s dream! It is located in the San Niccoló area, not far from Piazzale Michelangelo. Pretty much everything on the menu is drool-worthy. Choose a mix of Italian and French cheeses, fondues or raclette, warm camembert… It’s a cheese frenzy! Plenty of wine choices to pair with the food. Last time we shared a bottle of BOH, which is a charmat-method sparkling rosé from Fattoria La Leccia in Chianti.
Via dei Renai, 19
Enoteca Zanobini
This is not your typical wine bar. As the name suggests, it is a bottle shop, mainly selling wines but also gin, whisky, vermouth, grappa and more. I like going there for a glass of wine and to take in the atmosphere. There is nowhere to sit, and people often stand outside. Many locals pop-over after work or at lunchtime for a glass of wine and catch-up with friends. You usually end up chatting with strangers, both Italians and foreigners, with everyone having their own story to tell on how long they have been frequenting the bar or how they ended up there in the first place. The venue have a selection of wines by the glass, from Franciacorta to super Tuscan, all very affordable.
Via Sant’Antonino, 47
Enoteca Alessi Wine Bar
Enoteca Alessi is a huge bottle shop in the centre of Florence. They have a large wine cellar and shelves full of spirits and fortified wines (many overpriced if you ask me; clearly priced with wealthy tourists in mind). The venue has a small seating area, which is perfect for a little lunch or a wine tasting, but I recommend their new wine bar next door to the store.
The decor is nice and the service has been great so far. You might expect it to be more touristy than it is, you can actually get some peace and quiet in between shopping and sightseeing. Order a glass of wine or a cocktail and a few nibbles to keep you going for the rest of the day.
Via dell’Oche, 33/R
Caffé Lola
Café by day, wine bar by night. Although of course you can order an alcoholic drink during the day too – the Italians do so when in Rome! This venue is further afield in the Campo di Marte district. It’s a tiny place with only outdoor seating. They offer a great selection of wines and spirits, so if you don’t feel like a glass of wine, opt for a Negroni or something interesting from the menu. Snacks vary, so ask for suggestions. The prices are perhaps a little on the high side, but the service and quality are great, and I like to support small local businesses.
Piazza Tommaso Alva Edison, 1R
Which one of the Florence wine bars have you been to? Do you like biodynamic and natural wines? Have you found some great spots during your travels to Italy? Send me your recommendations.
