Antico Ristorante Paoli 1827, Florence

Antico Ristorante Paoli 1827 is one of Florence's historic dining establishments, with a history dating back to 1827. Located on Via dei Tavolini in the heart of the historic center, the restaurant describes itself as the oldest restaurant in Florence. Its long history and tradition of Tuscan cuisine have made it a meeting place associated with prominent figures from the worlds of literature, music and the arts.

The restaurant acquired its present appearance during a 1909 renovation in Neo-Gothic style, creating the richly decorated interior seen today. In 1916, artist Carlo Coppedè painted the lunettes in the dining room, drawing inspiration from Boccaccio's Decameron. The walls are decorated with Cantagalli ceramics bearing the coats of arms of Tuscan municipalities, adding to the distinctly historic character of the restaurant.

The artistic decoration continued in 1919, when Galileo Chini frescoed the famous Saletta delle Rose (or Rose Room in English), alongside works associated with Annigoni and Guarnieri. Historical documents preserved by the restaurant record visits by prominent cultural figures including composers Ruggero Leoncavallo and Giacomo Puccini, writers Filippo Tommaso Marinetti and Giuseppe Ungaretti, and actor Charlie Chaplin.

Today, Paoli combines its historic setting with traditional Tuscan cuisine, offering visitors the opportunity to dine in an interior that reflects more than a century of Florence’s artistic and cultural history. The menu celebrates Tuscan cuisine, featuring traditional dishes, such as “ribollita” - a Tuscan bread and vegetable soup; a tomato and bread soup known as “pappa al pomodoro,” pici - which is a thick, hand-rolled Tuscan pasta; and wide ribbon pasta with wild-boar ragù, called “pappardelle.” Meat lovers can try Chianina beef and the classic Florentine style steak - called “bistecca alla Fiorentina,” while seasonal truffle dishes and a selection of seafood provide additional choices.