Introducing Innocenti Wine Bar & Restaurant

 

The historic palazzo at via del Proconsolo 16/r has reopened its doors as a refined destination for wine, food, and culture lovers.  It now hosts Innocenti Wine Experiences, a wine bar and restaurant created by brothers Gianni and Francesco Innocenti.

The inauguration on March 6 marks the revival of a building that conserves traces of ancient Roman Florence while embracing modern-day culinary innovation. The space features the first known fresco of Dante Alighieri and was once the seat of the Guild of Judges and Notaries. 

This new venture establishes the Palazzo as a key landmark in Florence’s ever-evolving gastronomic scene, with a wine list that boasts over 1,200 labels and a seasonal menu carefully crafted to highlight both local produce and inventive culinary techniques. Guests will taste freshly baked bread, pasta, and a range of dishes designed with seasonality and research at their core. The three thoughtfully designed menus, curated by young professionals and led by the talented chef Thomas Palmieri, bring together creativity and authenticity in every dish. 

Palmieri, whose experience in Michelin-starred kitchens includes working with chefs Gaetano Trovato and Maurizio Bardotti, brings innovation to Florence’s culinary landscape. Guests can indulge in small plates ideal for an aperitivo or savour gourmet choices for lunch and dinner. 

‘We come to the Piazza with great respect for the food and wine tradition that has made the city famous,’ says Francesco Innocenti. ‘We are aware of the diversity of guests that a restaurant in the historic centre can attract, and we present ourselves for what we are – with simplicity, seriousness, and the values we believe in.’

The establishment, which spans three levels and seats 60, offers an experience that blends the historic richness of the building with a modern focus on high-quality, seasonally inspired food and wines. The décor is a respectful homage to the building’s Roman roots, with the added allure of the 14th century frescoes uncovered during restorations in the early 21st century. 

Open daily from 11 am to 11 pm, the venue offers a full range of experiences from aperitifs to dinner. Aperitifs are served on the ground floor, with a menu that changes daily and features a selection of cold meats, cheeses, vegetable quiches, and pan brioche. For lunch and dinner, guests can dine in rooms where ancient Roman architectural remains have been unearthed, or in the mezzanine adorned with stunning frescoes that take visitors back to Florence’s artistic past. 

The lunch menu ‘today’s cuisine proposes’, emphasises authenticity with a focus on fish and vegetables, sourced from the best local producers. Meat dishes, too, reflect Florence’s rich agricultural heritage. The kitchen team prepares fresh pasta, bread, and schiacciata daily. 

For dinner, three tasting menus (40/55/75 euros) and à la carte option offer dishes such as the signature Spaghetti with Octopus Genovese. Each dish is thoughtfully paired with wines selected by sommelier Ivan Sepora, whose expert guidance ensures a memorable dining experience. The Innocenti brothers’ commitment to exceptional wine is reflected in their selection of labels, the result of 15 years of careful research in wineries and producers across Italy, France, Germany, and Austria.

The brothers’ passion for wine began in Poggibonsi in 2008. Starting as importers and distributors, they quickly expanded their expertise, founding Innocenti Wine Experiences in 2018, which has since earned recognition from the Michelin guide and two prestigious Gambero Rosso ‘Three Bottles’ awards in 2024 and 2025. Their new Florence venture continues this tradition of excellence and innovation. 

‘Wine is for everyone,’ say the brothers, who ensure that guests can taste any wine by the glass, with bottles priced the same for both in-house service and takeaway. This accessibility, along with a carefully curated ‘for every moment’ menu designed for aperitifs, cements the establishment’s mission to foster conviviality and celebrate the timeless pleasure of sharing good food and drink. (Mina Lozanova)