Florence's Wine Windows — and Where to Find the Ones Still Open
Somewhere between the Uffizi and your third espresso, you might notice something odd set into the wall of an old palazzo. A tiny stone arch, barely bigger than a letterbox, with a small wooden shutter. These are the buchette del vino — Florence's wine windows — and once you know what they are, you'll start seeing them everywhere.
Osteria Belle Donne: one of Florence's few still-active wine windows, on one of the city's most atmospheric side streets.
Four centuries of history, passed through a hole in a wall
First introduced in the mid-16th century under Medici rule, the small openings were carved into the facades of noble palaces and townhouses. They allowed the great wine-growing families of Tuscany to sell directly from their estates, bypassing taverns and middlemen. A knock on the shutter, a flask extended, wine poured straight from the cellar.
During the plague, the same windows became contactless trade routes. During Covid, several quietly reopened for the same reason. The idea was four hundred years old and it still made perfect sense.
The Associazione Buchette del Vino has documented nearly 200 wine windows across Florence and the surrounding area. Most are bricked up or easy to miss. Only a handful are open — and those are the ones worth finding. Today some serve not only wine, but espresso, cocktails, and even gelato.
What is a Buchetta del Vino?
Florence's buchette del vino, "little wine-holes," are small, arched windows set into the walls of Renaissance palaces and townhouses. First introduced under Medici rule in the 16th century, they allowed noble families to sell wine directly from their estates to the public.
Flasks were passed out, coins were passed in, and during times of plague the windows provided a safe way to trade without contact.
Nearly 200 have been documented across Florence and the surrounding area today. Many are bricked up, others carefully restored, and few remain in use — offering everything from Chianti Classico to cocktails and gelato.
The Associazione Buchette del Vino has documented nearly 200 wine windows across Florence and the surrounding area.
The ones actually serving today
Only a handful are actively serving. These are the ones I've confirmed myself, verified as of 2025/2026.
→ Babae — Via di Santo Spirito, 21r
The first establishment to reopen its wine window in 2019. Located in Oltrarno, it's perfect for aperitivo hour. Ring the bell, order through the window, receive your glass of Chianti.
→ Osteria Belle Donne — Via delle Belle Donne, 16R
A classic Tuscan osteria on one of Florence's most atmospheric side streets. Wine by the glass, passed through the window to pair with the terrace.
→ Osteria San Fiorenzo — Borgo dei Greci, 1R
Near Piazza Santa Croce. Red and white Tuscan wines, Aperol Spritz. The Basilica of Santa Croce — where Michelangelo is buried — is right across the square.
→ De'Bardi Enoteca Buchetta del Vino — Via de' Bardi, 25R
Officially recognised by the Association in January 2025. Steps from Ponte Vecchio. Wine, Negroni, Americano, Prosecco.
→ Vivoli Gelateria — Via Isole delle Stinche, 7r
Not wine — gelato. Florence's most beloved gelateria, served through a 16th-century stone arch. Try the affogato.
Know one that's still open and serving? Send me the details @jessicahayha or through the contact page — and I'll update the list.
How it works
Walk up. Knock on the small wooden shutter or ring the bell. A menu is sometimes posted on the wall — if not, ask what they're serving. Most offer house wine, prosecco, and seasonal drinks. Your drink arrives in a real glass — stay and return it, or ask for a takeaway cup. Prices range from €5–10.
Today some serve not only wine, but espresso, cocktails and even gelato.
Beyond Florence
The story has travelled far. Wine windows have been featured on Stanley Tucci's Searching for Italy, been recreated in New York and inspired similar concepts in cities around the world. But they remain at their most authentic here in Florence, where the walls are older and the wine better.
The complete map
The Associazione Buchette del Vino maintains the definitive record — and the official book, which is worth buying if you want to go deeper.
The map below shows all documented windows in Florence. Most are historical features no longer in use. The few confirmed serving windows are listed above.
Florence keeps its best secrets at street level.
