The Old Stove Irish Pub — Restaurant in Florence

We were in Florence for 5 nights, after visiting Venice for 4. Anywhere we go we seek out an Irish Pub. Not once have I felt unwanted anywhere we have visited in Italy but this was by far the most disappointing place. We were offered to “pick a table”, so we did. About 2 min after we sat, we were told to move because of the football game coming on. They moved us to a corner. At first that was a little off putting but we did as we were told.

We ordered our drinks and dinner, both came and just after she sat our food down, she also set the check on the table and asked us to pay (hadn’t even begun to eat). My husband paid the tab, we finished our dinner and left.

In the meantime, we watched as they ran off a group of 6 ladies wanting to sit for dinner and drinks.

In ALL of the places we’ve enjoyed in Italy, not to mention Pubs, this was just awful.

Go to The Fiddler’s Elbow if you are looking for an authentic and friendly place for a beer. Hands down the best in Florence. The entire staff was fun to sit and talk with, especially if you speak broken Italian like me!

Now we are in Rome!

In response to the owner who commented on my review… unfortunately once I have made the review, the system doesn’t allow another: I did not get paid from anyone to make this review. Sadly though, we did spend a lot of money to visit the beautiful country of Italy. My husband is Italian, and besides that, the people are amazing! It wasn’t just us who didn’t feel welcomed at your Pub. There were other groups driven away because of the soccer game playing for those you chose to seat at your tables. The Fiddlers Elbow did not send anyone away, regardless of where they were from. We truly enjoyed our time in Florence. Wish the experience with your Pub had been more than an...

We ordered two drinks inside. The drinks arrived. Then a young, tall member of staff walked up to us and placed a piece of paper on the table and stared at us without saying a word. It was quite intimidating and confusing. It was the bill. I jokingly asked the guy, "Have you got a gun?", (to cause an even more menacing atmosphere) but he didn't understand. Anyhow, they kept changing the music from dance music to another tape of rock music, then again back to dance music. I asked the friendlier looking waitress where the name Old Stove came from. She wasn't remotely interested and said she didn't know and walked back to chat with the menacing one. I was going to ask the freindlier looking guy with a baseball cap who was pulling the pints but after a few minutes, he had disappeared. When I went to single communal toilet, I noticed he was sitting on his back with his legs up in the air playing on his phone in the back room, which was blocked off by some chairs. Maybe this was the coolest part of the bar?? The inside looked quite nice, tidy and modern but the bank / bench seats against the wall all had a big rip down the entire length of them with the stuffing showing. This looked very unseamly and gave the place a rough look. We sat inside as it was cooler than the outside night temperature. There was no air-conditioning but the numerous fans made it a bit cooler to enjoy our drinks. There was only one other couple inside when we arrived who left soon after we got there so there was no atmosphere. The tables outside seemed almost full, where maybe there was more of a vibe. We left after our first round as the atmosphere was weird...

If you're looking for an unforgettable dining experience, The Old Stove Irish Pub in Florence is the place to be! This cozy pub not only serves up delicious traditional Irish fare but also boasts an outstanding staff, especially the incredible Caroline.

From the moment we walked in, Caroline greeted us with a warm smile that made us feel right at home. Her friendly demeanor and attentive service set the tone for a fantastic evening. She was knowledgeable about the menu, offering great recommendations and ensuring we found the perfect dishes to suit our tastes.

What really stood out was her genuine care for our experience. She checked in frequently, making sure our drinks were full and that we had everything we needed without being intrusive. Caroline’s passion for her job and her customers shines through, making every visit feel special.

The food itself was fantastic! The atmosphere of the pub, combined with Caroline's exceptional service, made for a perfect night out.

If you find yourself in Florence, don’t miss out on The Old Stove Irish Pub, and definitely ask for Caroline. She truly is the best server in the world, and I can’t wait to return for another...