Walls covered in bottles and a talented Chef. A new spot to watch opens in Florence

by Leonardo Tozzi

Innocenti Wine Experiences Enoteca Ristorante Alle Murate—a rather long name, but perhaps a fitting one for this new venue that promises to become a key reference point in Florence’s dining scene. The wine cellar boasts no less than 1,200 labels, while the menu offers three tasting journeys focused on seasonality and research, with homemade bread and pasta. Located on Via del Proconsolo, the venue was for years home to the renowned Florentine restaurant Alle Murate and still preserves a 14th-century fresco featuring what many critics believe to be the first portrait of Dante Alighieri. Today, the restaurant has 60 seats spread over three levels, making it a versatile spot perfect for an aperitif (with small, ever-changing dishes), lunch, or dinner. The establishment is run by a young team led by chef Thomas Palmieri, trained under Gaetano Trovato (Arnolfo) and Maurizio Bardotti (Al 43), and previously in the kitchen at Innocenti Wines in Poggibonsi. Supporting him is Skender Hazizaj, born in 2001.

Innocenti Wine in Firenze

What’s on the wine list?

At the heart of the project are brothers Gianni and Francesco Innocenti from Poggibonsi, who first made their name as importers and distributors before founding Innocenti Wine Experiences in 2018. Their wine bar and restaurant, featured in the Michelin Guide, was awarded Tre Bottiglie by Gambero Rosso in both 2024 and 2025, a prestigious recognition for top wine bars. And wine is undoubtedly the star here—you notice it immediately upon entering, with the walls lined with bottles, the result of years of research as the brothers explored wineries in Italy, France, Germany, and Austria. The selection includes many small producers with unique stories to tell, as well as more established wineries, offering a mix of traditional and natural wines.

Photo by Andrea Lisi

Bottles at the table

In the dining room, three expert sommeliers—Giacomo Machetti, Ivan Sapora, and Riikka-Sofia Liukkonen—guide guests in pairing wines with their meals. Everything can be sampled by the glass, and bottles served at the table are priced the same as for takeaway.
"We believe even the most well-known wine regions can still surprise," say the brothers. "For example, our list includes Curvone Toscana IGT, a high-altitude Sangiovese from Monte Amiata, grown in a vineyard of just two hectares. Or, from France, we’ve selected La Belle Vie, a characterful Champagne from an ancient vineyard."

What’s on the Menu?

Lunch and dinner are served both in the room where ancient Roman architectural structures from the 1st century AD were discovered and in the grand mezzanine areas just inches from the 14th-century frescoes.
"Oggi la cucina propone" (Today’s kitchen selection) is the lunch menu, featuring dishes such as steamed white fish with stracciatella and citronette or Florentine-style crêpe with ricotta, spinach, and nutmeg.
For dinner, there are three tasting menus (€40/€55/€75) as well as an à la carte selection, offering more elaborate dishes like spaghetti with octopus Genovese or beef cheek with celeriac, Jerusalem artichoke chips, and rainbow chard.

In a historic centre increasingly dominated by tourist-oriented dining, this exciting new addition stands out as a refreshing exception. It’s a welcome change—one that we can only hope will be recognised and appreciated by the public.

Opening to the public from Thursday, 6th March.

Innocenti Wine Experiences Enoteca ristorante Alle Murate – Firenze - via del Proconsolo 16r – 055 8893394