Cantinetta da Verrazzano in Florence's Via dei Tavolini is the wine-and-forno bar of the Castello da Verrazzano estate in Chianti, with wood-fired schiacciata served alongside the estate Chianti by the glass.
Must order: Schiacciata calda con prosciutto, a glass of Verrazzano Chianti Classico, the daily focaccia.
Food program: Schiacciata, salumi, pasta
Tip: Closed Sunday. Standing-room counter; the wine-by-the-glass list goes deep into Tuscan estates.
Address: Via dei Tavolini 18r, 50122 Firenze, Florence
Procacci in Florence's Via Tornabuoni is the 1885 truffle-panini standing bar, owned today by Marchesi Antinori, with a Tuscan estate wine list, the panino tartufato and a Prosecco glass for €5.
Signature pour: Antinori Bianco di Cervaro
Wine focus: Antinori-owned, Tuscan family wines
Food: Truffle panini, salumi
Order: Truffle panino (€7), Antinori Prosecco at the bar, a tagliere of Tuscan salumi.
Tip: Closed Sunday. Counter only; standing-room two-deep at 18:00 aperitivo.
Le Volpi e l'Uva in Florence's Oltrarno is the 1999 wine bar tucked behind Ponte Vecchio, with a hand-curated list of Tuscan small growers, 30 wines by the glass and the famous crostino board.
Signature pour: Sangiovese di Toscana from a small grower
Wine focus: Tuscan natural growers, small producers
Food: Tagliere of salumi and cheese
Order: Crostino del giorno, salumi flight, a glass of Sangiovese from a single-vineyard producer.
Tip: Closed Sunday. The 12-seat bar has no bookings; arrive at 17:30 for aperitivo seating.
Casa del Vino in Florence's San Lorenzo has been the 1898 wine shop and standing bar behind Mercato Centrale, with a daily crostini and panino programme and a 200-strong by-the-glass list at counter prices.
Signature pour: Chianti Classico by the glass
Wine focus: Tuscan and Italian classics
Food: Crostini and panini
Order: Crostino di lardo di Colonnata, panino with finocchiona, a glass of Chianti Classico.
Tip: Closed Sunday. Standing room only; counter wine €3 a glass, panini €5 each.
Pitti Gola e Cantina in Florence's Oltrarno sits across from Palazzo Pitti, with a 600-bottle natural-and-biodynamic list, charcuterie boards and a daily-changing seasonal small-plates programme.
Signature pour: Brunello di Montalcino from a small estate
Wine focus: Italian natural and biodynamic growers
Food: Charcuterie and small plates
Order: Salumi flight, the daily seasonal plate, a Brunello pour from a single-vineyard estate.
Tip: Closed Sunday. The 20-seat dining room books out two weeks ahead.
Il Santino in Florence's Oltrarno is the wine-bar annex of Il Santo Bevitore next door, with a 200-bottle natural-wine list, small plates from the same kitchen and a 12-seat standing-room counter.
Signature pour: Sangiovese di Romagna, low-intervention
Wine focus: Natural Tuscan wines, small producers
Food: Snacks and small plates from Il Santo Bevitore
Order: The daily small plates from Il Santo Bevitore, salumi, a natural-wine pour by the glass.
Tip: Open daily until 23:00; first-come standing room. The bigger dining room next door takes bookings.
Cantinetta Antinori in Florence's Palazzo Antinori is the 26-generation Antinori family's wine bar and restaurant on Via Tornabuoni, with a 150-bottle list focused on Marchesi Antinori estate Tuscan reds.
Signature pour: Tignanello by the glass
Wine focus: Marchesi Antinori estate Tuscan reds
Food: Tuscan small plates and tagliere
Order: Crostini misti, tagliere di salumi, a glass of Tignanello.
Tip: Closed Saturday and Sunday. Book the cellar tasting flight (€45) two weeks ahead.
