Sunday, January 31, 2016

Where To Go In Florence, Italy

Abutting Florence’s main train station, San Lorenzo is a maze of mostly dingy streets that locals typically avoided, especially after dark. But since the district’s historic Mercato Centrale opened its gorgeous upper floor  a gleaming space filled with vendors of Tuscany’s finest artisanal foodstuffs in 2014, the entire neighborhood has been looking better. By day, the streets surrounding Mercato Centrale are still packed with stalls peddling leather goods, cheap scarves and kitschy souvenirs to tourists. But at night,new spots with style and international flair are now attracting legions of foreigners and Florentines alike.
  1. Photo
    CreditAndrea Wyner for The New York Times
    La Ménagère
    The rambling old building that housed one of Florence’s oldest housewares stores reopened last June as a genre-busting gathering place. Still called La Ménagère and spanning over 16,000 square feet, it is a cosmopolitan complex with a coffee bar, flower shop, restaurant, cocktail bar and, in a nod to the previous tenant, a retail area with handmade ceramics and housewares.
    Via de’ Ginori 8r; 39-055-075-0600; lamenagere­.it
  2. Photo
    CreditAndrea Wyner for The New York Times
    Lo Sverso
    This convivial bar threw open its doors last May with live music, domestic craft beers on tap and creative cocktails mixed with house-made syrups and tonics.­
    Via Panicale 7/9r
  3. Photo
    CreditAndrea Wyner for The New York Times
    Polpa
    A trend that began in Milan is evident in this “burger trattoria” opposite Mercato Centrale. It focuses on quality ingredients, like a Chianina beef burger topped with pancetta, herbs and pecorino.
    Piazza del Mercato Centrale 22r; 39-055-286-770;polpa.it/it/firenze
  4. Photo
    CreditAndrea Wyner for The New York Times
    Sabor Cubano
    The heady scent of mint and a call of “Hola!” from behind the bar welcome visitors to this intimate cocktail bar, which was opened by a Cuban bartender. The house specialty is the mojito, best sipped at an alfresco table.
    Via Sant’Antonino 64r; 39-331-773-1536; saborcubanofirenze­.com
  5. Photo
    CreditAndrea Wyner for The New York Times
    My Sugar
    Immediately after opening last July, this tiny artisanal gelateria catapulted to the top of best-gelato lists thanks to scrumptious flavors like melacotta (ricotta, apple, cinnamon and honey), which are made by hand daily on site. 
    Via de’ Ginori 49r; 39-393-069-6042

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