Even with Valentine's Day in the rearview mirror, finding a perfect romantic setting in Florence can be a little tricky. Many of the city’s best restaurants are pretty lively, so if you want to whisper sweet nothings in your lover’s ear somewhere they can actually hear you, it won’t be easy.
This is especially true in winter as many great places will close during colder months to rest and prepare for the upcoming season. I like to think of it as them getting their beauty rest, but it is, alas, another challenge when seeking out that perfect spot.
Along with my recommendations, I’ve also asked my super romantic friend for inspiration. Cuckie Zatti loves love so much she is an international wedding planner through her company GATHER Events. She offers (at the end) two of her favorites to help you plan a perfect date.
Be sure to reserve a window seat for spectacular views of the Ponte Vecchio at this dreamy Florentine establishment. River views and airy decor feel as if dining aboard a luxury yacht, while art on the walls and live music on Friday evenings feel like a vernissage. If this isn’t romantic enough for your sweetheart, consider booking their private suite upstairs with Arno views and a roaring fireplace, or their impressive cantina hidden nearby, second only to Enoteca Pinchiorri’s collection. For those seeking a more casual date night, their adjacent Forneria offers high-end pizzas with a view.
Combining a Michelin star farm-to-plate menu with a dreamy interior, this city location is an extension of Borgo Santo Pietro’s fabulous farm estate south of Florence. Simply being here is a peaceful retreat from the chaos of the city. Floor to ceiling windows drench tables with diffused natural light, filtering through lush plants and freshly cut flowers while softening architectural details and giving the sensation of dining in an elegant botanical oasis. Executive Chef Ariel Hagen’s menu highlights ingredients from the estate replete with a beekeeper, cheesemakers, a fermentation specialist, livestock, a biodinamic culinary garden, an in-house butcher, everything but a candle-maker. A sommelier offers wine pairings to accompany seasonal tasting menus or assists in choosing a complimentary wine should guests opt to dine a la carte. The adjoining lounge area is a great place to start your romantic evening with excellent cocktails.
This Oltrarno eatery has that certain something every restaurateur strives to achieve: casual but elegant, hip yet somehow conjuring nostalgia, just the right mix of dim lighting, dark wood tables, and a touch of linen. Their evolving menus feature designs by local artists and meals are reliably delicious. They consistently serve great wines, and overall, the prices are moderate. It may get noisy on busy nights, but here it somehow doesn’t take away from the romance, especially if you request a more intimate table by the window when making your reservation.
Below are two of Zatti’s favorite romantic spots, currently on break but re-opening this Spring:
Michelin Star food and service combined with views of the Ponte Vecchio will conspire for an intimate evening with your sweetheart. Drenched in art, every detail of this restaurant is curated, from lighting and linens to music and menu. The selection of wines is impeccable, tended with love by renowned sommelier, Salvatore Biscotti.
A romantic dinner at their restaurant, Il Verrocchio, is sure to make your partner swoon. Tables face the river, with sweeping vistas of rolling hills spotted with olive trees and grape vines. Blankets are offered on chilly evenings to keep guests cozy, and inside, an enormous fireplace warms the dining area in colder months. This gorgeous property is located about 20 minutes east of Florence along the Arno River, with an easy drive from Florence proper. Or take advantage of their free shuttle to and from Florence that picks up and drops off near Ponte Vecchio. For a more dramatic entrance, helicopters can land at Villa La Massa. Dine and dash back to town or stay a night or two on the luxurious property for a truly romantic experience.
