The 8 Best Wine Bars in Florence

It will come as little surprise that the Tuscan gem of Florence is awash with splendid wine bars tucked away on every other street. With each visit to the city, I seem to discover new and exciting haunts for a nice glass of vino to add to my ever-growing list of favorite Florence wine bars.

Whether you’ve been dreaming of sipping a glass or two of Chianti Classico while gazing up at the Duomo di Firenze or partaking in an afternoon of Italian wine tasting, I think you’ll find there are plenty of gorgeous spots to keep any keen sommeliers content.

Having spent years perfecting the line-up of bars and eateries for my Florence food tours, I’d like to consider myself somewhat of a connoisseur regarding Tuscan wines. With that in mind, I’ve assembled a collection of the best wine bars in Florence for your next stay!

Le Volpi e l’Uva

I can say with some confidence that one of the best things to do in Florence at night is to grab a seat along the outdoor patio at Le Volpi e l’Uva and enjoy a glass or two. 

Located south of the Arno River in Santo Spirito, Le Volpi e l’Uva is a cozy little spot with an interior packed with top-class wines in every corner. Though I usually come here for a sunset aperitivo, I hear the team offers incredible tastings and lessons about Tuscan winemaking.

Every time I visit here, I sample a different wine, and the quintessential Toscana Brunello Montalcino tickled my fancy during my latest trip. Quite possibly Tuscany’s most sought-after wine, indulging in a glass of Brunello is a bucket list experience in itself.

From the moment I put the glass to my nose, the aroma of cherries, plums, and blackberries was intoxicating in its own right. Dry, medium-bodied, and silky smooth, the Brunello went down a treat and was followed up by a satisfying, floral finish.

Photo credit:Le Volpi e l’Uva

Le Volpi e l’Uva (€€) – Piazza dei Rossi, 1R, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy, Monday to Saturday, 12.00 pm to 9.00 pm

Vino al Vino

Not far from the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella lies a fabulous wine shop and bar called Vino al Vino, which admittedly took me far too long to uncover. 

Sleek yet understated, Vino al Vino is a must for fans of natural wines, so much so that few bars in the city can rival the line-up of low-intervention offerings here. Coupled with the expert, cordial staff and mellow atmosphere, Vino al Vino seamlessly ticks all the right boxes for me.

A few months back, I stopped by when taking refuge from the beating Italian sunshine, knowing that a refreshing glass of Toscana Bianco would inevitably perk me up. Feeling a little peckish, I also ordered some cured meats and crostini to complement my choice of wine.

Is there any better pairing than sweet and salty prosciutto, crunchy crostini, and a glass of refined white wine? If there is, I’m yet to find one! Complex without feeling overly potent, the Bianco boasted pear and orange blossom flavors with gentle vanilla undertones.

Photo credit: Vino al Vino

Vino al Vino (€€) – Borgo Ognissanti, 70R, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy, Monday to Saturday, 11.00 am to 3.00 pm and 4.30 pm and 9.00 pm, Sunday, 3.00 pm to 9.00 pm

Enoteca Pitti Gola e Cantina

If you’re in the market for mouthwatering regional dishes accompanied by some of Tuscany’s finest wines (aren’t we all?), I have a feeling you’ll fall in love with Enoteca Pitti Gola e Cantina, one of my favorite wine bars in Florence.

Although it sits overlooking the historic Pitti Palace in Oltrarno, the location of this elegant enoteca is just one of its winning attributes. From the ambiance and warmth of the staff to the exquisite wine and food pairings, Pitti Gola really is as good as it gets.

The lunch and dinner wine tastings here are phenomenal. However, even if you just stop by for a quick bite and an afternoon pick-me-up, you’ll be in for a treat. I’ll never forget when I made my first visit for their dreamy truffle pasta and Vermentino white wine.

While the earthy truffle flavors and creamy consistency of the pasta dish felt rich and hearty, the Vermentino brightened up the meal with its zesty aromas and mineral finish. Every sip felt incredibly revitalizing, with just the right amount of acidity and soft hints of grapefruit and apricot.

Photo credit: Enoteca Pitti Gola e Cantina

Enoteca Pitti Gola e Cantina (€€) – Piazza de’ Pitti, 16, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy, Sunday to Friday, 12.00 pm to 11.00 pm, Saturday, 12.00 pm to 10.00 pm

Casa Del Vino Firenze

Casa Del Vino Firenze is a quaint hideaway just around the corner from the beautiful Basilica of San Lorenzo. This spot is a neighborhood favorite and one of the most esteemed and great wine bars in Florence. 

I’ll warn you in advance: I’ve struggled to get a seat here on more than one occasion, so be prepared to wait!

After several attempts, I snagged a table on a quiet Thursday afternoon not so long ago and found myself endeared by the wine-filled wooden cabinets dominating the narrow interior. The abundance of locals gives this place an authentic vibe that few competitors can match.

Unfortunately, I had just finished a meal at a nearby restaurant, meaning a glass of wine was about all I could handle.

I fancied something with a punch from the wine list, and the owner pointed me in the direction of Langhe Freisa. This dry, tannic wine had divine berry-infused fragrances, and each mouthful simultaneously encapsulated sweet, sour, and bitter tones. 

Photo credit: Casa Del Vino Firenze

Casa Del Vino Firenze (€€) – Via dell’Ariento, 16r, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy, Monday to Thursday, 10.00 am to 3.30 pm, Friday and Saturday, 10.00 am to 10.00 pm

NOTE DI VINO Firenze

Note Di Vino is a charming Florentine wine bar perched right by the Basilica of Santa Croce and is as revered for its appetizing charcuterie boards and specialty paninis as it is for its enviable collection of fine wines.

A rustic spot dotted with shelves full of a magnificent selection of wines, warm yellow fairy lights, and local artisan produce, Note Di Vino is just as charming on a cold winter evening as it is on a sun-drenched summer afternoon. 

I swung by before sunset a while back and felt compelled to try the Iberian ham, burrata, and cherry tomato panini within seconds of browsing the menu. A sweet wine felt like the perfect vino of choice to enjoy with my sandwich, and a house glass of rose certainly fit the bill.

A blend of strawberry, peach, and citrus notes shone through with each sip, yet the crisp finish kept it from feeling overly sugary. Although stellar in its own right, the rich Iberian ham and buttery burrata elevated the wine’s subtle flavors and teamed impeccably with the juicy tomatoes.

Photo credit: Note Di Vino

NOTE DI VINO Firenze (€€) – Borgo dei Greci, 4, 50100 Firenze FI, Italy, Every day, 10.30 am to 2.00 am

Vini E Delizie

If sitting alongside a barrel table, surrounded by hundreds of world-class wines, and snacking on some bite-sized snacks sounds like a wonderful way to spend an hour or two, I think you’ll quickly become fond of Vini E Delizie. 

I’ve been drawn to this place for some time now. It’s situated at the Piazza Santa Maria Novella. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve frequented this enchanting wine bar, and I’ve made it my mission to try a new variety with each visit. 

This method has yet to fail me, though the Barolo I sampled a few years ago still comes out on top. Had it not been so early in the afternoon, I’m confident my buddy and I would have split the bottle rather than simply having a glass each, as this wine was nothing short of fabulous.

Produced from the Nebbiolo grape, Barolo has long been a favorite of mine, and this variety embodied all of the characteristics I’ve become partial to. Deep rose flavors with touches of truffle, tar, and dark fruits, and high in acidity, this Barolo got better with every sip.

Photo credit: Vini E Delizie

Vini E Delizie (€) – Via dei Banchi, 45/r, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy, Every day, 11.00 am to 9.00 pm

La Divina Enoteca

With a name that translates to The Divine Wine Shop, I had high expectations for La Divina Enoteca from the moment I laid eyes on this stylish wine bar near Mercato Centrale. 

Sitting pretty along a bustling side street, La Divina Enoteca strikes a lovely balance between understated and sophisticated. Its bright yet old-school interior has been luring me in for some time now. In a city filled with homely haunts, that’s a pretty impressive feat in my book.

If the gorgeous setting isn’t enough to entice you, the in-house sommelier’s extensive knowledge and courteous nature surely will. Better yet, much of the inventory here is from small wineries from each corner of the country, opening you up to some little-known treasures and seriously good varieties.

Every once in a blue moon, I get a taste for a refreshing glass of sparkling wine, which was the case when I last visited La Divina Enoteca.

I opted for a traditional Veneto Prosecco. The light bubbles, tinge of vanilla, and tropical fruit flavors were the perfect combination and would convert even the biggest Prosecco skeptics. The bartenders were generous with their pours, which was a big plus for me.

Photo credit: La Divina Enoteca

La Divina Enoteca (€€) – Via Panicale, 19/red, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy, Tuesday to Sunday, 10.30 am to 8.30 pm

Enoteca Bellini

A little more modern but no less appealing than many of the other spots in this line-up, Enoteca Bellini is the most recent addition to my tried-and-tested list of the best wine bars in Florence.

Nestled at the edge of the Piazza di San Pancrazio, Bellini has a slick indoor seating area with just a handful of tables and bar stools lying under the exposed brick ceiling that adds so much character to this happening little hotspot.

Though I was expecting to have to wait it out with wine enthusiasts to get a table, my visit somehow coincided with one of the quieter periods of the evening. 

After reading the wine list, I opted for a glass of Arnies, a medium-bodied white wine I’d yet to try before this. I’m usually not too keen on wines with a waxy finish, but the fragrant aromas of chamomile and lemon, coupled with the tastes of elderflower and pear, more than made up for it.

Photo credit: Enoteca Bellini

Enoteca Bellini (€€) – Via della Spada, 52, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy, Tuesday to Saturday, 5.00 pm to 11.00 pm, Sunday, 5.00 pm to 10.00 pm

Conclusion

With this fail-safe collection of my go-to wine bars in Florence, you’ll have plenty of spots on your radar that will impress even the most discerning wine lovers, whether that’s you or your travel companion.

Italy often ranks among the world’s largest wine producers, so it’s safe to say that the Florentines know a thing or two about high-quality vino. The city’s wine cellars are extensively stocked and filled with everything from rare vintage finds to organic, natural wines.

Of course, this wine bar list is not exhaustive, and I could probably fill an entire book gushing about my adoration for Florence’s stellar roster of wine. Instead, I’ve whittled my list down to ensure I’ve included only the finest wine lounges for you to check out during your next visit.