Il Santino — Restaurant in Florence

If you’re lucky enough to be shown around Florence by a local, there’s a good chance you’ll find yourself outside Il Santino, a place that feels less like a wine bar and more like the city’s communal living room. Tucked into the Oltrarno district, this beloved little spot is where Florentines go to unwind after work—glass in hand, laughter spilling into the narrow street, plates of simple, exquisite food passed between friends.

I came here with a dear friend who lives in the city, and from the moment we arrived, it was clear: this is not a place you stumble into. This is a place you are brought to. A place where time slows down, conversations stretch, and wine flows freely.

The concept is beautifully simple. You order a glass (or bottle) of thoughtfully selected wine, and with it come small plates—not quite tapas, not quite aperitivo, but distinctly Italian in their richness and restraint. Think: slices of salami, silken prosciutto, crusty breads, local cheeses, and preserved vegetables that taste like they were jarred by someone’s grandmother that morning. Each bite is unfussy, yet perfectly composed to complement the wine in your glass.

The vibe? Effortlessly lively. The sidewalk fills quickly with regulars and newcomers alike, all of them weaving between conversation and bites. It’s bustling but never overwhelming—there’s a rhythm to it, a kind of social harmony. And in the midst of all this, the staff shines: warm, intuitive, always ready with a recommendation, and never too rushed to answer a question or tell you what makes that day’s pecorino extra special.

Il Santino is what happens when good food, great wine, and real community come together in one tiny, candle-lit, bottle-lined slice of the city. It’s where you come not just to drink, but to connect—to feel a little more alive.

I absolutely loved it, and I cannot...

My girlfriend and I found Il Santino on a rainy Thursday around noon, when it opened. We didn't have any major plans for the day as our car reservation had been cancelled and the day was not meant for walking. Luckily, we found Il Santino and I believe had more fun than we would have driving around Tuscany!

The locale is fantastic. We were welcomed by the staff who were all really fun and funny to be around. We communicated in Spanglish and they communicated back in Itanglish. Emiliano was very inviting and an awesome host! Their wine selection and charcuterie selections were fantastic! The music was awesome and Emiliano opened up the Spotify playlist to my old school hip-hop and rap recommendations. It was really nice to encounter such an inviting atmosphere. It felt very homey and familiar; there were even other people that would come in and mention how they had been going every day for the past few weeks while they were on vacation because of how awesome the experience was.

I ended up connecting with the famed Emiliano and told him I would be visiting very soon!

20/10 service and experience. Absolutely...

Unfortunately, my experience at this place was disappointing. The waitress Laura, who has tattoos and piercings and wears front bangs with her brown hair styled half up, had a rude attitude and very poor customer service. seemed to deliberately ignore us while giving attention and favors to other customers. During our visit, she was laughing and chatting so loudly that she was literally standing in the middle of the walkway, forcing other customers to wait for her to finish her conversation.

It seemed like she noticed something about me and my friend, and then started chatting in Italian with an elderly lady she was already talking to, making both her and another customer stare at us. It was extremely unprofessional and uncomfortable.

On top of that, the wine and other items were overpriced considering the terrible service we received. Laura needs to learn some manners and how to treat paying customers with respect.

I would not recommend this...