The best bars and cafés Toscane

A warm welcome from Paolo Cioni and a fine selection of Tuscan wines, all at reasonable prices and accompanied by excellent antipasti. For the greatest appetites, there are also traditional and generous dishes, as well as delicious pasta. Here, no wine list, you choose from the many bottles finely selected by the boss in the wine library. To be enjoyed on the terrace, in a quiet place, in the charming little village of Lecchi in Chianti. A "spot" to remake the world in good company!

Located in front of the Baptistery of St. John, this is a perfect place to escape the crowd of San Giovanni Square! Because this pub, both modern and elegant, stands out for its very original concept: it promotes the great classics - burgers and good cold beers - but also vinyl. A record store that operates a bar. Or a bar that sells vinyl... As you wish! Unfortunately, prices are not given, but given the location....

Literary café during the day, trendy bar in the evening... This former prison (in use until 1985) has now become a very pleasant and atypical place to discover! In addition, Piazza delle Murateis one of those places where tourists rarely visit. In summer, free events (film screenings and outdoor concerts) are regularly organised there, as well as multiple cultural initiatives throughout the year. We like the atmosphere of this cultural café, a little alternative and bohemian, just like its customers.

Not the smartest address of the year, let's be clear, but this bar-restaurant has the merit of being well placed. Rough service in English. Classic offerings: cheese and charcuterie boards with focaccia, pasta (gnocchi, pici al ragù di Scottona, lasagne and gluten-free pasta), polpette della nonna (meatballs with San Marzano sauce and spinach), pizzas, salads and homemade desserts. Attractive prices. In short, plenty of food and drink before the climb up to piazzale Michelangelo!

A simple, unpretentious restaurant in Greve's main square. The only reason to come here is to fill a hole in the stomach with an inexpensive pasta dish. In summer, the restaurant has a pleasant outdoor terrace. Staff in a hurry and not very attentive.

It is about a place. As the weekend approaches, the piazza Sant'Ambrogio fills up in the evening. A strategic point, at the junction of major streets that lead to lively corners of the city (San Giovanni or Piazza Santa Croce), and close to the Faculty of Architecture, young students have no trouble finding their way around this square. It is often crowded from 11pm onwards, especially on weekends. The small bars nearby allow you to stock up on food. We meet there, talk loudly and toast.

For creative, unique, even exuberant cocktails, head for the small bar called Eby's, located in an alley just a stone's throw from Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral. After dinner, join the bustling crowd waiting behind the counter to sip one of the legendary cocktails, such as "Il Filo di Arianna" and "Il Vulcano", or if you prefer, spectacular shots, such as the "Nutellino"! We leave you the surprise.... Eby, the boss, is a real character. An original and increasingly popular place to discover without delay!

Do you want to get away from the tourist itineraries of the historic heart? A tip, take the direction of Piazza della Libertà, fifteen minutes walk from the Mercato Centrale, north of the San Giovanni district. There, an oasis of greenery, quiet, opens its doors to you. The giardino dell'Orticultura, mainly frequented by Florentines, also has a small and very nice village style guinguette where you can enjoy a coffee, a glass of wine, and a simple meal (salads, piadine, pizzas) as well as concerts organised on certain evenings.

Every summer, the Pisans who stayed in town meet again at the end of the day, but especially in the evening, on the banks of the Arno, to have a drink and enjoy concerts and entertainment. It takes place on both sides of the river, especially at Argini e Margini with its buffet-apéritif and its restaurant on a floating bridge. The atmosphere is warm for this café-concert located on the banks of the Arno where you can enjoy an aperitif while listening to good music. Good little fish dishes. To live the Pisan summer on the banks of the Arno!

Local wines, good beers, small terrace... As you will have understood, this wine and wine bar has a nice place for an aperitif between two races. A place to live and meet, with a debonair atmosphere, where simple things happen, things of life. The "delicatessen" area allows you to prepare an excellent snack.

Artisanal brewery near Borgo Stretto, in the heart of Pisa. In addition to a choice of special beers (Montemagro for example, a double malt with honey flavours) produced in Bientina (in the province of Pisa), the house offers organic fruit juices and a small restaurant made from local products. The place is very busy and concerts are sometimes organized. Orzo Bruno adheres to the concept of "Book-crossing", so you can "free" or "catch" a book. Be careful, no table service! We order at the counter.

A historic and legendary bar in Pisa, located on the ground floor of the beautiful 14th century Agostini Palace. It opened in 1775 and was frequented by a host of historical figures and famous men of letters of the Risorgimento (among them Ezra Pound). The walls are covered with mementos of its illustrious visitors, such as some letters from the Italian physician and philosopher, Filippo Mazzei. The façade of the building is breathtaking, and the view of the Arno River from the bar has a certain cachet.

Like a large modern outdoor living room, illuminated in the evening with candles. Parco delle Cascine, west of the Santa Maria Novella district, breathes with its beautiful outdoor addresses. Lazy atmosphere. Here the sea is replaced by the swimming pool. Some evenings, remote-controlled boat races are organized! The house plays the musical card to the full, especially with tango evenings. The rest of the time, DJs with various influences come to mix. And there are always pizzas to eat if you're hungry.

In the San Niccolò district of Oltrarno, Bar Zoe has become one of Florence's must-visit aperitif spots (here from 5pm to 10pm!). The regulars - mainly students on the move, but not exclusively - meet in a subdued red atmosphere, under the sound of an evening DJ. A large screen in the back of the bar, especially on match nights, animates the debates. The "apericena" package includes a drink and access to the buffet. Outdoor tables for those who prefer a quiet chat. However... A really nice address.

Like a speakeasy inspired by the Roaring Twenties (you have to ring the bell when you arrive!), the Bitter opened in 2017 in the Sant'Ambrogio district. A surprising place, where the cocktails imagined by mixologist Cristian Guitti are particularly avant-garde, original and crafted. The menu, part permanent and part seasonal, features Negroni, born 100 years ago in Florence, as well as South American nectars such as pisco, tequila and mezcal. A cosy atmosphere and jazz music for an evening to remember!