text Martina Olivieri

December 12, 2023

Food

Christmas and New Year in the best hotels and restaurants in Florence

Where to spend the holidays amidst beautiful locations and excellent cuisine

From Christmas Eve Dinner to Epiphany brunch, here are all the culinary proposals celebrating the most magical time of year in Florence.

FOUR SEASONS HOTEL FIRENZE

An enchanting setting of timeless beauty, the perfect place to celebrate and to enjoy food by award-winning chef Paolo Lavezzini at Il Palagio restaurant.

24 December - Christmas Eve Dinner, €190 (excluding drinks)

25 December - Christmas Brunch, €170 (bottomless Laurent Perrier Brut champagne and selected wines)

26 December - Boxing Day Brunch, €120 (selected wines)

31 December - New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner, five-course menu and musical entertainment, €485 (includes a glass of Krug champagne and entry to the Midnight Bacco’s Party in the lobby)

1 January - New Year’s Day Brunch, €140 (includes a glass of Spumante Ferrari and selected wines)

PALAZZO PORTINARI SALVIATI

In a unique place, chef Vito Mollica awaits with a festive atmosphere to enjoy with friends and family.

ATTO DI VITO MOLLICA

The one-Michelin-starred fine-dining restaurant in the Emperors’ Court.

24 December - Christmas Eve Dinner, €190 (excluding drinks)

25 December - Christmas Lunch, €190 (excluding drinks)

31 December - New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner with DJ set, €400 (excluding drinks)

SALOTTO PORTINARI BISTROT

A lounge bar in the heart of the city offering delicious food and creative cocktails

24 December - Christmas Eve Dinner, €130 (excluding drinks)

25 December - Christmas Lunch, €130 (excluding drinks)

31 December - New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner with DJ set, €250 (excluding drinks)

ENOTECA PINCHIORRI

The exclusivity of three Michelin stars and a cellar to make your head spin. Open during the festive season for the New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner with a special menu, €590 (excluding drinks)

SAPORIUM FIRENZE

From the contemporary reinterpretation of traditional fish dishes, to capon stuffed with chestnuts and the finale with Borgo panettone and zabaglione, Christmas and New Year's Eve at Saporium have a special flavour.

25 December - Christmas lunch, euro 170 (excluding wine). Menu also available from 19 to 23 December.

31 December - New Year's Eve Gala, euro 220 (excluding wines)

THE WESTIN EXCELSIOR FLORENCE

In the historic five-star hotel overlooking the Arno, you can enjoy wonderful views and lively flavours at SE·STO on Arno.

31 December - New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner with entertainment by the Luxury Theater Live Band and a DJ set after midnight, €450 (excluding wines)

THE ST. REGIS FLORENCE

Bring the whole family to enjoy the warm festive spirit of the Winter Garden Restaurant, in the elegant setting of The St. Regis Florence.

25 December - Christmas Buffet Brunch with musical entertainment, €220 (selected wines included)

31 December - New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner with musical entertainment and DJ set after midnight, €500 (excluding wines)

BORGO SAN JACOPO

Flavours, colours and shapes are combined by chef Claudio Mengoni to become unforgettable dishes.

24 December - Christmas Eve Dinner, €270 (wine pairing €160, includes a flûte of Blanc de Blancs 2010 Billecart Salmon champagne)

31 December - New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner, €350 (wine pairing €220, includes a flûte of Dom Perignon)

PICTEAU

An elegant bistro on the banks of the Arno for a warm and friendly Christmas experience, just like home.

25 December - Christmas Lunch, €90

CAFFÈ DELL’ORO

A contemporary Italian café with a 50s mood and romantic views of Ponte Vecchio. The kitchen is headed by chef Antonio Minichiello.

31 December - New Year’s Eve Banquet, €250 (wine pairing €120, includes a flûte of Blanc de Blancs Henriot champagne)

THE FUSION BAR & RESTAURANT

Cocktail and raw food bar. The fusion cuisine will take you to a new world of unexpected pairings and spicy flavours.

31 December - Cocktail and traditional sweets, €50; A bottle of champagne per couple and traditional sweets, €80 per person, with DJ set from 10 pm to 2 am

LA TERRAZZA

At the top of the medieval Torre dei Consorti, the rooftop bar of Hotel Continentale delivers unforgettable evenings.

31 December - Midnight Toast with a bottle of champagne per couple, caviar and traditional sweets, €90 per person

CIBRÈO RISTORANTE & COCKTAIL BAR

At the Helvetia & Bristol in the heart of Florence, excellence extends to the table. The Cibrèo Ristorante & Cocktail Bar is the perfect place to enjoy Italian specialities and celebrate in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

24 December - Christmas Eve Dinner with concert by contemporary violinist Gabriele Savarese, €165 (wine pairing €40). Vegetarian menu € 125 (wine pairing €35).

31 December - New Year’s Eve Banquet with DJ set, €215 (wine pairing €50). Vegetarian menu €165 (wine pairing €50).

TEATRO DEL SALE

A unique venue where you can listen to music of all kinds and enjoy fabulous food, with numerous magical Christmas events for adults and children alike.

24 December - Christmas Eve Dinner with special menu and performance by Maria Cassi,€100 (excluding wines)

31 December - New Year’s Eve Banquet with performance by Ragazzi Scimmia and DJ set, €120 (excluding wines)

1 January - Befana Edition Big Brunch with afternoon children’s show

GIARDINO 25

The café and cocktail bar of award-winning restaurant Gucci Garden is a magical place, somewhere between a Tuscan deli and a French bistro. For 31 December it’s offering a four-course menu designed for the occasion in collaboration with Antonio Iacoviello, chef at Gucci Osteria Tokyo, €65.

LA GEMMA HOTEL

Located in the heart of the city, La Gemma is steeped in history and culture, giving a very special atmosphere. For the festive season, gourmet restaurant Luca’s, headed by chef Paulo Airaudo, is offering some mouthwatering menus.

24 December - Christmas Eve Dinner, €115 (excluding drinks)

25 December - Christmas Lunch, €115 (excluding drinks)

31 December - New Year’s Dinner, €180 (excluding drinks)

HOTEL SAVOY

If you want to toast Christmas and the New Year in ultra-glamorous style, Irene restaurant offers the menu of chef Fulvio Pierangelini.

24 December - Christmas Eve Dinner, €95 (excluding drinks)

25 December - Christmas Lunch, €150 (excluding drinks)

31 December - New Year’s Eve Banquet with musical entertainment, €385

(excluding drinks)

1 January - New Year’s Brunch, €125

VILLA CORA

A sumptuous Tuscan residence in the hills a stone’s throw from Florence, surrounded by ancient gardens.

25 December - Christmas Brunch, €150 (including wines)

31 December - New Year’s Eve Banquet in the Mirror Room €290 (includes a bottle of champagne per couple), in the Moresque Room €260 (includes a bottle of champagne per couple)

HARRY’S BAR THE GARDEN

In the five-star luxury of Sina Villa Medici, the tradition and innovation of Harry’s Bar is the perfect way to enjoy the magic of the festive season.

31 December - New Year’s Eve Banquet, €250 (excluding drinks)

HOTEL REGENCY

At Christmas, treat yourselves to the traditional cooking at Ristorante Relais Le Jardin of Hotel Regency.

24 December - Christmas Eve Dinner, €98

31 December - New Year’s Eve Banquet, €260

1 January - New Year’s Day Buffet, €105

25HOURS HOTEL PIAZZA SAN PAOLINO

If you want to spend the holiday season in hotel, choose the magical atmosphere of Ristorante San Paolino at the 25hours Hotel Piazza San Paolino.

25 December - Christmas Lunch with à la carte menu and traditional extras

31 December -New Year’s Eve Banquet, six-course menu and Lounge Bar Party, €190 (excluding drinks).

GOLDEN VIEW

The festive season is upon us and Golden View is preparing to celebrate it with its guests every day.This year, in fact, the restaurant is open continuously from 20 December to 1 January for both lunch and dinner at the usual times.

25 December - Christmas Lunch, Chef Andrea Candito and Pastry Chef Caterina Saraò have created dedicated proposals to enrich the menu of Golden View on 25 December.

31 December -New Year's Eve dinner with three tasting courses to choose from Sea, Earth and Vegetarian, accompanying guests into the New Year, euro 250 (wines excluded)