Long before the neighborhood of San Niccolo’ in Florence became trendy with the opening of restaurants like Zeb, and Fuori di Porta there was Antica Mescita di San Niccolò. This venerable place is part of the Florentine tradition of vinai – wine sellers – and despite its casual and simple atmosphere the wine list here is superb, both by the bottle and by the glass.
If you’re just looking for a light bite, the platters of crostini and cheese and salame go perfectly well with a Tuscan red. But what I really love are their Florentine classics, like Pappa al Pomodoro, Ribollita and Trippa alla Fiorentina. And since I can never decide which one to order, I just order all three in their special tasting portions: three small bowls full of piping hot soup.
The vinai is located on the foundations of a tenth century church, and in fact the main dining room downstairs is located within the crypt. Pretty cool. (actually nicely cool in summer). But what I really love is settling in at one of the tables outside on the terrace, watching the world go by in what is still very much a neighborhood and as much off the beaten tourist track in Florence as you’re going to get.
Antica Mescita di San Nicolò
Via San Niccolo 60r, Florence
+39.055.234.2836
Open daily, from Noon to 12:30am.
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Love this restaurant, it’s one of my favourites for lighter meals in Florence, we’re there regularly. Curiously, I have always been put off the lower dining room in the crypt preferring to sit on the ground floor near the counter (though there are fewer tables here now since they introduced the buffet-style spread) when it’s too cold to sit outside. However, your photographs prompt me to explore the downstairs room more closely, thanks for that. Certainly one of the best things I ate in all of April was a spelt tagliatelle with zucchini and radicchio. It was so good, I could have eaten a second!
You should have posted this a year ago May…love the look of the place…I can see myself sitting outside too! What a great idea, being able to order small portions of a few things…gotta love that!
Is this wonderful-looking restaurant open in August?
I’m not sure, you would have to phone to find out.