All'Antico Vinaio

Walk in for a delicious typical sandwich lunch or a warm and yummy plate of pasta, right in the middle of Florence but just a little away from the crowd. This type of restaurants is really Italy at its best: fresh product and careful preparation for very decent prices.

• Web:

  www.allanticovinaio.com

• Address:

  Via de neri 65/R, Florence

• Phone:

  +39 055 238 2723

• Opening hours:

  Monday - Sunday: 10AM–10PM

Caffè/Ristorante Pitti

Caffè/Ristorante Pitti is located in the heart of Florence and is a cafe, a restaurant and a shop that sells local products! Their speciality is truffle but the choice is really large and they serve classic Italian food. Expect relatively high prices because of the ideal location.

• Web:

  www.caffepitti.it

• Address:

  Piazza Pitti, 9r, Florence

• Phone:

  +39 055 239 9863

• Opening hours:

  11AM–11:30PM

Dopolavoro La Foce

If you are looking for a budget eat, Doplavoro La Foce is a good spot. It offers cheap sandwich-like snacks (such as foccacia's cousin "bico" and paninis) or slightly pricier but still very affordable warm dishes. All of which are served in a newly renovated restaurant with a terrace and great views. On Wednesdays or Weekends, go for a tour of the La Foce gardens!

• Web:

  www.dopolavorolafoce.it

• Address:

  Strada provinciale 40 Amiata Chianciano, 90, Pienza

• Phone:

  +39 0578 754025

• Opening hours:

  Tuesday - Sunday: 9AM–11PM

Il canto del maggio

If you encounter Il Canto del Maggio by chance while strolling around the beautiful Tuscan countryside, you might think for a second that it is a mirage. The settings are just too perfect: an old farm renovated with taste, adjacent to a charming swimming pool surrounded by canopy beds which veils are softly animated by the wind, right in the middle of the vineyards. The cuisine, a melange of Arezzo's, Siena and Florence's specialties, is just as worthy.

• Web:

  www.cantodelmaggio.com

• Address:

  Località Penna Alta, 30/d, Terranuova Bracciolini

• Phone:

  +39 055 970 5147

• Opening hours:

  Tuesday - Saturday: 7.30–10.30PM, Sunday: 12–2PM, 7.30–10.30PM

Il Falconiere

This one Michelin star hotel and restaurant sitting in the Chiana valley has everything you would dream of: a beautiful terrace overlooking the Chianti hilltops and a local cuisine made with invention - all the ingredients are local but the chef sure knows how to put his personal touch! Special mention for the Chianina beef battuta.

• Web:

  www.ilfalconiere.it

• Address:

  Località San Martino Bocena, 370, Cortona

• Phone:

  +39 0575 612679

Officina della Bistecca

Come to Officina della Bistecca for a meat extravaganza! Halfway between a butcher, a cooking show and a restaurant, a meal here is entertaining, reasonably priced and beyond delicious (that is, if you love meat). The tartar, carpaccio and bistecca fiorentina are the stars of the show! Remember to book.

• Web:

  www.dariocecchini.com

• Address:

  Via XX Luglio, 11, Panzano In Chianti

• Phone:

  +39 055 852176

• Opening hours:

  1–3PM, 8–10:30PM

Aigrum Vini E Delizie Di Murgia Serena

Owned by a very nice married couple, Vini e Delizie is great for wine lovers. There you can try a large range of Italian wines, Prosecco and other Tuscan wines and specialties. Complimentary nibbles are also brought to the table, which is always a much appreciated plus.

• Address:

  Via Dei Banchi 55/57, Florence

• Phone:

  +39 055 215686

Archea Brewery

Archea Brewery is just what it sounds like: a great place for beers, specially crafts. A mix of locals and tourists visit the place regularly, and despite an outside that does not attract at the first sight, this place is very popular and that should tell you something.

• Web:

  www.archeabrewery.com

• E-mail:

  archea.brewery@gmail.com

• Address:

  Via dei Serragli, 44, Florence

• Phone:

  +39 347 711 0239

• Opening hours:

  Tuesday - Sunday: 6PM–1AM, Friday - Saturday: 6PM–2AM

Bar Impero

All day long and into the night, locals and visitors of Siena go to the Bar Impero for a coffee, some sweets or a drink. Just join them and enter this modern and trendy bar and see what all the fuss is about. The Bar Impero is perfect for a quick night cap or post-dinner desert.

• Web:

  www.barimperosiena.it

• Address:

  12, Viale Vittorio Emanuele II, 10, Siena

• Phone:

  +39 0577 41058

• Opening hours:

  6AM–1AM

Barkollo winepub

In Porto Azzuro, on the beautiful Elba Island, one bar did the unthinkable: mixing the wine bar and pub concept! And Barkollo did it well, inventing by the same occasion the concept of "Wine Pub". Available: wine and beer of course, but also meals, tasting plates and paninis for example.

• Web:

  www.barkollowinepub.com

• Address:

  Via Felice Cavallotti, 13, Porto Azzurro

• Phone:

  +39 329 294 7304

• Opening hours:

  5:30PM–1:30AM, Closed Wednesdays

Beach Club Versilia

What could possibly be better than a Beach Club for a hot summer in Tuscany? Well, not much really, we agree. Beach Club Versilia is a bit pricey, but the settings explain that easily. Good news, it is also opened in the winter, and serves coffees, drinks and food all day until early morning (or late night, depending how you look at it).

• Web:

  www.beachclubversilia.it

• E-mail:

  prenotazioni@beachclubversilia.it

• Address:

  Viale IV Novembre, 18, Cinquale di Montignoso

• Phone:

  +39 0585 807876

• Opening hours:

  7AM–4AM

Beer House Club

Located in Florence, Beer House Club is notable for its big range of beer, in particular what is probably the best craft beer in the region - and some of it is Italian! Beer House Club is a heart warming pub with mouth watering food and an overall friendly atmosphere.

• Address:

  Corso dei Tintori 34/R, Florence

• Phone:

  +39 055 247 6763

• Opening hours:

  12PM–2AM

Artigiani gelateria

If you came to Italy for the gelato (and who could blame you?), Artigiani gelateria is the one and only stop you need to make for artisanal and absolutely mind blowing Italian ice creams. You can also try ice cream cakes and they have more flavours than you could dream of.

• Address:

  Via Petrarca 28, Campi Bisenzio

• Opening hours:

  Monday - Friday: 1PM-11PM, Saturday: 3PM-11PM, Sunday: 11AM-1PM

Buccellato Taddeucci

This old cafe/bakery, once owned by the Taddeucci family still offers their specialty: the buccelatto, a traditional sweet cake. Of course, there is much more here for a classic Italian coffee break: flavourful espressos, Tuscan panforte, biscotti and much more.

• Web:

  www.buccellatotaddeucci.com

• Address:

  Piazza San Michele, 34, Lucca

• Phone:

  +39 0583 494933

• Opening hours:

  8AM-8PM

Caffè Paszkowski

Don't be intimidated by the fancy allure of this artsy coffee shop, it is actually a typically Italian cafeteria with an old school style The coffee is as top-notch as the service, assured by suited waiters, and you can also come in for a lunch or some drinks which you can sip on while enjoying a concert.

• Web:

  www.paszkowski.it

• Address:

  Piazza della Repubblica 35, Florence

• Phone:

  +39 055 210236

• Opening hours:

  7AM–1AM

Caniparoli cioccolateria

Caniparoli cioccolateria is a tiny little shop that has already made some serious fans. The variety is wide (from classic chocolates to French style chestnuts or cookies) but we guarantee you will be back to try everything! To complete this perfect place: the staff is just as sweet as what they sell!

• Web:

  www.caniparolicioccolateria.it

• Address:

  San Paolino, 96, Lucca

Coffee Bar MokaSirs

The MokaSirs Coffee Bar might be small and quaint but it has become legendary in Livorno, and for good reasons: the staff is just peach, and the coffee and pastries great. All of that is also offered at a great price: 1€ per cup and per pastry. Unbeatable!

• Web:

  www.mokasirs.com

• Address:

  Via Grande, 127, Livorno

• Phone:

  +39 0586 952859

Ditta Artigianale

Ditta Artigianale is one of the cosiest cafes in Florence and was actually founded by a rewarded barista champion. The place is small but praised for its quality coffee, nice lunches and sweets as well as the friendliness of the very knowledgeable staff.

• Web:

  www.dittaartigianale.it

• E-mail:

  info@dittaartigianale.it

• Address:

  Via dei Neri, 32R, Florence

• Opening hours:

  Sunday - Thursday: 8AM–10PM, Friday: 8AM–12AM, Saturday: 9:30AM–12AM