In summer Florence comes alive with a whole host of new dining experiences. Some of them are seasonal, some of them are old favorites, but all of them boasts spectacular views and great food, wine and cocktails to match.

So whether you’re dreaming of kicking back on Florence’s urban beach along the Arno River with live music or just want to dine with the Duomo in your sights, here’s our guide to the best places to eat with a view in Florence for Summer (updated April 2022).

Signorvino

With extremely enviable views of the Ponte Vecchio, Signorvino doesn’t have a decor. What it is has is rows upon rows of the best whites and reds from all over Italy lining its walls like a well-stocked Victorian library! If you can drag your eyes away from the view, you’ll find a relaxed and seasonal menu of simple pastas made with top notch ingredients like Campana DOP bufalo mozzarella and pasta with rabbit ragu. There are also plenty of small snacks to enjoy with a glass of wine. The Tagliere Signorvino is a particular steal at €25 and presents a complete picture of the best Italian cheeses and cold cuts.

Opening hours: every day from 11:30am to 11pm, reservations available over the phone + 39 055 286258

Address: Via de' Bardi, 46R

Website: www.signorvino.com/en

Vele Sull’Arno, Manifattura’s summer bar

Florence’s favorite ‘50s retro Italian lounge has just opened a summer bar along the Arno. We love the original Manifattura for its affordable (€10 each) craft cocktails made exclusively with Italian liquors and elegantly dressed waiters in white shirts and black ties. The summer bar ups the nostalgia by creating a ‘50s Italian seaside resort complete with bartenders in striped sailor shirts and caps. Order a cocktail and kick back to the nightly live music. The Tu vuò fa' l'americano (gin, bitter campari, herbal tonic amaro) is particularly good!

Opening hours: throughout the summer months from 6pm

Address: Vele Sull’Arno, Lungarno Colombo 11.

Website: www.facebook.com/Vele-sullArno-2269027996679288/

Easy Living

Each year, Easy Living transforms Piazza Giuseppe Poggi into an urban beach complete with free sun loungers and umbrellas. You can take your pick from two great dining options here. You can kick back at the beach bar from 10am each day and enjoy some really reasonably priced (€4 each) sandwiches and rolls, salads, juices, smoothies and spritzes. For something a little fancier, you can take a seat at the summer terrace restaurant headed by New York chef Alexandro Sala (head chef at Sant’Ambroeus) and dine on pasta dishes like Linguine alle Vongole (with clams), Fritto di Mare (mixed fried seafood) and slow-rise pizza. Quaffable wines by the glass, too. Both locales have plenty of great live music and DJ sets throughout the summer, as well as yoga sessions, bocce and beach rugby.

Opening hours: Every day for lunch and dinner throughout summer

Address: Piazza Giuseppe Poggi

Website: www.easylivingfirenze.it/en/arno-urban-beach/

Angel Bar at Hotel Calimala

Set on top of the fantastic Hotel Calimala, this multi-level rooftop oasis. features local terracotta, finely worked bronze, wrought iron and white marble. Along with the 360° views is a menu of modern Italian and international dishes served with signature cocktails and a fine selection of wines. Come on the weekend for live DJ sets under the terrace lights and starry Florence sky.

Opening hours: Wednesday to Sunday, 6pm to late

Address: Via Calimala, 2

Website: www.hotelcalimala.com

Coquinarius Fiesole

Coquinarius Fiesole is the sister restaurant to the eponymous eatery that boasts Florence’s Duomo as its backdrop. Our friend at Girl in Florence tipped us off to one of our favorite Florentine restaurants second location in Fiesole. Just like the Florentine version, Coquinarius Fiesole has gorgeous views, but instead of manmade architecture, your dining partners are the spectacular hills of the Tuscan countryside. Coquinarius Fiesole’s cuisine is made up of Tuscan greats and unknowns, outstanding crostini and carpacci (cold sliced meats) and some interesting pasta dishes like pecorino ravioli with pear. Our favorite is the ravioli filled with burrata and topped with a pistachio pesto and Tropea onion sauce. Legit wine list to match!

Opening hours: Monday to Friday for dinner, Saturday and Sunday for lunch and dinner, reservations can be made online

Address: Via Mantellini, 2b

Website: www.coquinarius.it

Rooftop bar at Hotel Minevra

Open from May to September, the Three-Sixty bar at Hotel Minevra is a sixth floor “seventh heaven”, with heated rooftop pool and 360° views over Florence. The pool area is strictly for guests at the hotel, but the other part is open to all from 7pm with white basket chairs and some lounge chairs. For a bite to eat, you can order from a selection of Italian bar favorites, like Tomato caprese with buffalo mozzarella and Tuscan raw ham with melon. And of course a glass of Prosecco or other cocktails prepared by the skilled bartenders.

Opening hours: Every day from 7pm throughout summer

Address: Piazza di Santa Maria Novella

Website: www.grandhotelminerva.com/en/meetings-events/three-sixty-bar

B-Roof

Located on the fifth floor of the Grand Hotel Baglioni, B-Roof serves elevated cuisine alongside spectacular panoramic view of the Florentine skyline. The sight of Brunelleschi's Dome and Giotto's Tower are just the entree to what is a stylish and sophisticated menu. Highlights include “liquid” panzanella (tomato and bread soup) with cuttlefish, gnudi (spinach and ricotta dumplings) with chicken liver and roast pigeon with chanterelles.

During the summer months, you can hit up B-Green, a flower-filled corner of the terrace for classic well made cocktails and nightly rooftop apertivos

Opening hours: every day for lunch and dinner, reservations can be made online at www.hotelbaglioni.it/en/bars-restaurants/b-roof

Address: Piazza dell'Unità Italiana, 6

Website: www.b-roof.it/ristorante

Ristorante Borgo San Jacopo

Borgo San Jacopo needs no any introduction. With its one-Michelin-starred cuisine and its exclusive location, spectacular view of the Arno and Ponte Vecchio and gastronomic delights, it’s one of the best restaurants in the city. Claudio Mengoni is in charge here, combining Italian ingredients with flawless French techniques and gorgeous plates. Think risotto with sea urchins, suckling pig porchetta with port braised shallots and divine desserts like baba in a jar with rum ice cream.

Opening hours: every day for dinner, reservations can be made by phone at +39 055 281661

Address: Borgo S. Jacopo, 62/R

Website: www.lungarnocollection.com

Irene Firenze

Irene Firenze stands out for its views of the Piazza della Repubblica. Here the fare is quality sourced. Taste truffles a few miles from where they’ve been foraged. Enjoy house made ravioli stuffed with seasonal tomatoes and organic beef and freshly-caught seafood. The outdoor dining area is particularly European chic in the summer, allowing you to contentedly people watch for hours by candlelight. The restaurant also has a great afternoon menu with snacks, salads and sandwiches.

Opening hours: every day for lunch and dinner, reservations can be made online

Address: Piazza della Repubblica, 7

Website: www.roccofortehotels.com/hotels-and-resorts/hotel-savoy/restaurant-and-bar/irene/

Sesto on Arno Rooftop Bar, Westin Excelsior

An “iconic venue overlooking the city” and an “up and coming chef with a Michelin background” are Sesto on Arno’s selling points. You can dine on classically executed dishes Tuscan pork neck flavored with fennel, served with sweet and sour onions and apple purée, but we usually come here for the apericena which has some great snacks and cocktails at a much more affordable price.

Bar opening hours: every day 12pm to 2am

Address: Piazza Ognissanti, 3

Website: www.sestoonarno.com/

La Leggenda dei Frati

A truly beautiful restaurant located in the gorgeous Villa Bardini with sweeping views of Florence from its summer terrace. The atmosphere is elegant and welcoming and the menu is creative and modern, inspired by the expansive kitchen garden. Taste monkfish with cauliflower, pigeon with an orange and ginger chutney and whole grain spaghetti with calamari and burnt lemon. As an added treat, you can visit the adjacent museum accompanied by the restaurant owner for free!

Address: Costa S. Giorgio, 6/a

Website: www.laleggendadeifrati.it/home-ing.html

Osteria Tre Panche at Hotel Hermitage

A wonderful truffle-flavoured culinary journey awaits! Head to the sixth floor for views of the Ponte Vecchio and a menu inspired by Tuscany. Many of the recipes date back to 1986 when the restaurant was born. Among them, don't miss the handmade tortelli di Pecorino di fossa with fresh truffle and the secret Osteria delle Tre Panche truffle cheesecake. It opens its doors once more following a series of success pop-up events in NYC, baby!

Opening hours: Every day for lunch and dinner

Address: Vicolo Marzio, 1

Website: www.osteriadelletrepanche.com

Where to eat with a view in Florence