Aperitivo near Piazzale Michelangelo

Posted by Johnny Boy (Fort Worth, Texas, USA) on 12/23/24 05:59 PM

We will be celebrating our 39th anniversary during our upcoming trip to Florence in late May. We have visited Florence numerous times but sadly have never been to Piazzale Michelangelo. I'm determined to do so this time.

My vision is dinner (late) after seeing sunset at about 8:30 or so. Walking from our Oltrarno hotel is about 25 minutes to Piazzale Michelangelo and I like the idea of aperitivo along our walk before be start up the hill. That particular part of Florence is one we have not explored and I would welcome any favorites.

Best to all,
JB

Posted by hiredman

San Diego, California, USA

12/23/24 06:40 PM

1226 posts

There is at least one bar options right around Piazzale Michelangelo. Just below the piazza level is Vip’s Bar facing the city with outside tables with the same view as the piazza. And the piazza itself is - as you would expect - filled with vendors taking advantage of the people coming to watch the sunset with food and drinks (and tourist tat) from various carts.

I know there is also a bar in the rose garden - which you can walk through on your way up the hill which I'm sure is great for a drink but the view is less sweeping that all the way up at the piazza.

Assuming you come up through Porta San Miniato and not along the river there are a ton of food places just before you get to Porta San Miniato and I can't imagine you'll have any trouble finding a place to grab an sprtiz. Just picking one at random that looks good check out the back patio for Rifrullo Firenze basically looking at Porta San Miniato. I'd happily have a drink there every night.

Florence is amazing, have a great trip,
=Tod

Posted by Robert

Colorado Springs

12/23/24 07:16 PM

3057 posts

Vip's Bar is indeed the place to go. It's located a few steps down from the Piazza itself but features a Belvedere view across the city. Nice ambiance, and pretty fair pricing for food and drink all things considered. We liked it so much that we went there twice for lunch on our most recent trip . Here's their Website if you'd like to check it out.

Posted by Paul-of-the-Frozen-North

Sioux Falls, SD, USA

12/27/24 12:38 AM

3113 posts

If you want a premier dinner, go to Zeb Restaurant. It is very small, so probably reservations - we went on sunday and just waited for about 1 hour standing in the front. The food is first-rate. I have no idea of multiple hundred million different Italian wines, so I told the Chef (who is also front of house) to pick for us. When you are done, you just walk up the hill to Piazza Mike.

https://www.zebgastronomia.com/1148-2/

Posted by Johnny Boy OP

Fort Worth, Texas, USA

12/27/24 04:05 PM

14 posts

Many thanks for the suggestions. Vip's seems an excellent combination of view and aperitivo. Rifrullo Firenze appears to be nice stop along the way. With our focus on the Oltarno this trip we may do both!

Zeb has been on our radar for awhile now. We have never visited but this may be the perfect time to do so.

Again, thanks!