In Florence, on Via Senese where some of the oldest buildings in the city are located, Podere 39 combines the charm of sixteenth-century inns with a rustic-chic charm that smells of countryside and freshly picked seasonal products.

A stone’s throw from the fourteenth-century Porta Romana, the southernmost of the city walls, this romantic restaurant was born from a family history spanning at least three generations. Today wonderfully managed by Giusy, it is the result of the transformation of an old building into a place devoted to charm and hospitality.

This long street that led to Siena, hence the name, is dotted with artisanal laboratories, groceries and food shops, some owned by Giusy’s family, making it a lively thoroughfare just outside the historical center.

Every piece of the interior decoration is part of my family’s history, so I aimed to create a place with that special sense of home.

(Giusy Laganga, owner)

The property, with its vaulted ceiling and walls chiseled by time, is just beautiful, and Giusy, who directly took care of all the interior design with great taste, was able to enhance its authentic soul thanks, for instance, to the use of natural materials and the recovery of old floors of country houses.

The entrance is marked by a leaded glass French door which leads to the main room characterized by stone walls and wooden tables. The rooms are softened by compositions of dried flowers and memorabilia of bucolic life, from scales to vintage colanders up to peasant tools.

The second room, with two cosy tables and a large bottle rack on the wall, leads to the beautiful flower shop which occupies the adjacent building, also part of the property. Seasonal bouquets, dried flower arrangements and botanical-themed artistic creations are made here.

The excellent fruit and vegetable and dairy production from the family farm is used in the kitchen and the menu, made up of delicious recipes that nod to tradition with a gourmet eye, is based on seasonal raw materials.

Among the proposed recipes we find the the excellent appetizers, including the Silano caciocavallo flan or the steamed bao stuffed with pork belly, to the first courses such as the fabulous ricotta and spinach gnudi on savory zabaglione, up to the exquisite meat second courses.

The wine list is extensive and well thought out, offering classic alternatives and a good selection of natural wines that ranges from Tuscany to abroad. A stop here, for a cozy lunch or a candlelit dinner, is undoubtedly an excellent choice, perhaps carving out some time to browse through the beautiful creations of Flower Art Creation.

The Secret

The beautiful backrests, positioned on the stone walls of the main room, were made by recovering various pieces of fabric from Giusy’s grandmother who was a professional seamstress and loved to keep the scraps of her favorite fabrics.

Flower Art Creation

Located inside an ancient adjacent property internally connected to Podere 39, and owned by the same family, this beautiful flower shop is a true creative hub where fresh bouquets and original compositions of dried flowers are created.

In the shop you can also find interesting home decor objects such as vases, textiles and candlesticks, and, in season, Christmas decorations or party items. The shop’s team of flower stylists also periodically organizes floral workshops to create objects and accessories with dried flowers.

Useful Info

Podere 39
Via Senese 39r
50125 Firenze
Tel. +39 345 2376137

Entrées: from 14 to 16 euro
First courses: 16 euro
Main courses: from 26 to 28 euro