In Florence, Il Santo Bevitore has been one of the city’s most beloved “safe havens” for over 20 years, a restaurant and wine bar that combines the charm of the Oltrarno with the atmosphere of a candlelit French bar à vin.
The name of the place is inspired by the book “The Legend of the Holy Drinker” (1939) by Joseph Roth, which tells the story of the life of Andreas Kartak, a Polish homeless man in Paris, and which therefore captures all the charm of the place, from the name of the street where it is located, Via Santo Spirito, to the reference to the love of good drinking, up to the bohemian atmosphere.
This is really me. Bad, drunk, but smart.
(Joseph Roth, The Legend of the Holy Drinker)
The story of three friends and their ideal place
Il Santo Bevitore was founded in 2002 by Marco and Martina Baldesi and Stefano Sebastiani, who brought their dream bar to life, creating one of those magical, timeless places where you can find artists, locals, tourists, and Hollywood actors sitting side by side.
– The design: soft lighting, candles dripping on solid wood tables, dark wood paneling, and walls lined with bottles that seem to hold age-old secrets. The atmosphere is that of a Parisian bistro, adorned with the colors of the Tuscan countryside.
– The cuisine: dishes that celebrate the region and Tuscany with creative twists: from chicken liver terrine with brioche bread to handmade tortelli, and a selection of cheese and meat platters that showcase the biodiversity of the local pastures.
Il Santino: the art of the aperitivo
Right next to the restaurant, in what was once a tiny stable, stands Il Santino, a wine bar perfect for an aperitivo or a quick break featuring artisanal cured meats and gourmet crostoni.
A few stools, a marble counter, and a chalkboard that changes daily. Il Santino is the place for Florentine cicchetti: small, carefully crafted dishes paired with glasses of natural wines or fine Tuscan labels.
S.forno: the scent of ancient grain bread
A few steps away, on Via de’ Monaldi, the journey continues at S.forno. If Il Santo Bevitore is dinner and Il Santino is aperitif, S.forno is the everyday soul, the awakening of the city.
– The history: this space was an old neighborhood bakery, renovated and transformed into a deli-shop with an industrial, retro design.
– What to try: the bread, like the ancient grain loaf, the warm schiacciata fiorentina, the desserts, and a selection of niche products—from jams to organic juices—that make it a fantastic grocery store from another era.
Il Santo Bevitore is an authentic, honest, and sincere place, where you can always eat and drink very well.
The Secret
The premises that house Il Santo Bevitore were once an old tavern called Cecco Beppe and, before that, an old horse stable.
Useful Info
Il Santo Bevitore
Via Santo Spirito 64r
50125 Firenze
Tel. +39 055 211264
Platters: from 8 euros
Pasta: from 9 euros
Main courses: from 10 euros
