Completely renovated in 2025, Cosimo is not only the highest private rooftop in Florence but also the only one with a 360° view of the city’s monumental symbols, where you can delight in the cuisine of chef Marco Migliorati and drinks designed by Antonino Di Girolamo.

Cosimo is the new rooftop bar and restaurant located on the sixth floor of the splendid 5-star The Excelsior, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Florence, overlooking the Arno River and Florence’s breathtaking skyline.

A tribute to the city’s artistic and gastronomic soul, Cosimo is named after Cosimo de’ Medici, an emblematic figure of the Renaissance, a symbol of power, patronage, and enlightened vision. Here, contemporary elegance blends with Florentine artisanal and culinary heritage, in an experience that celebrates beauty, flavor, and memory.

Seen from Fiesole on one side and from Bellosguardo on the other, Florence lies in the centre of the valley of hills, which is an artistic monument in its entirety.

(Guido Piovene)

Cosimo’s interiors are an expression of the creative vision of Martin Brudnizki, the internationally renowned interior designer known for iconic hospitality projects such as Annabel’s and The Connaught Bar in London, and The Beekman in New York.

For this project, Brudnizki drew inspiration from the rich Florentine tradition of craftsmanship, reinterpreting classic materials such as terracotta, leather, and stone through a contemporary lens.

The result is a space that combines history and sophistication with a warm aesthetic, enriched by subtle references to Tuscan craftsmanship and collaborations with local talents: Francesca Guicciardini, a Florentine artist and muralist, created frescoes inspired by Florence’s historic gardens, such as the Boboli Gardens; Giardino Torrigiani, the largest private garden in Europe, oversaw the landscaping; and Miscimasci by Marietta Fresco, a woven textile manufacturer, contributed creations that add depth, warmth, and a tactile dimension to the space.

The selection of materials also reflects the Tuscan roots: the hall floors and corridors are made with the prestigious Venetian terrazzo technique, cast on site, with inserts selected to evoke the colors and textures of the landscape.

The cuisine, led by Executive Chef Marco Migliorati, born and raised in Florence, is rooted in Tuscan tradition, interpreted with elegance and simplicity. Seasonal ingredients, artisanal techniques, and a passion for regional excellence bring to life dishes like Paccheri alla Trabaccolara with fish, seafood and tomato sauce or Cosimo’s Steak and the Catch of the Day, served tableside with guéridon table service.

The wine cellar reflects the same care: a wide selection of Tuscan labels, complemented by a select selection of excellent wines from other Italian regions. To complete the wide-ranging and refined wine selection, Champagne, Burgundy, and Bordeaux are also available.

As evening falls, when the sun sinks behind the hills and the sky glows with rosy hues, Cosimo and its scenic Rooftop Bar transform, perfect for an aperitif on the terrace suspended between the sky and the city.

Here, bar manager Antonino Di Girolamo showcases refined mixology, offering cocktails inspired by the legacy of the Medici women, with signature cocktails like the “Contessina” and “Clarice,” made with seasonal ingredients, native liqueurs, spices, and herbs that pay homage to Florence.

The Secret

At Cosimo’s, you can notice a charming decorative motif: the turtle with the sail, present in several rooms, which was the personal emblem of Cosimo de’ Medici and the symbol of the Renaissance motto “Festina lente” (make haste slowly), representing the balance between prudence and determination.

Useful Info

Cosimo Rooftop Restaurant e Bar
6th floor | The Excelsior, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Florence
Piazza Ognissanti 3
50123 Firenze
Tel. +39 055 27152783
reservations@cosimorestaurant.com

Appetizers: from €28
Raw fish and tartare: from €30
First courses: from €30
Second courses: from €42
Signature cocktails: €28
Wines: from €16 by the glass