16 July 2026
Florence
There is a time of day in Florence when even the hottest days begin to cool down. The air becomes gentler, the stone walls release their stored heat, and the first scents of evening drift in from the garden: rosemary crushed between your fingers, warm bread, gin slowly poured over ice. It is at that moment that our garden ceases to be merely a beautiful place and becomes something more: a space where the day shifts its rhythm, where lunch lingers, where dinner begins calmly after a lovely aperitif.
For those who choose us as their base in Florence, and even for those who are simply passing through, the garden of Palazzo Castri 1874 during the warmer months is an experience in its own right. We don’t want to be the city’s trendy restaurant, and we aren’t: we want to be a place where you can eat and drink well, outdoors, surrounded by greenery, in the right kind of weather.
The Garden and the Limonaia: The Setting for a Season
Our historic garden is one of the elements that best tells our story. It retains its 19th-century character, with the Limonaia—a century-old —serving as a natural backdrop: a bright structure, built to house citrus trees during the cold months and to open up, in summer, like a large outdoor room. All around, tall trees provide shade even during the midday hours, and the noise of Florentine traffic fades away, replaced by peace and quiet.
From May to September, this is where our hotel’s most delightful culinary moments take place. A few tables set beneath the trees, lights that come on as the sun begins to set, and a menu that changes with the seasons.
Breakfast outdoors: start the day right
Let’s start with the morning. Our breakfast “ ” moves outdoors to the garden starting in late spring. It’s not just about the temperature: it’s the best way to start a Florentine day, calmly, with steaming coffee and warm croissants, as light filters through the trees. The cakes are homemade, the juices are fresh, and there’s everything you need—sweet and savory—to tackle a day at the museum, a stroll through the city center, or the business meeting awaiting you.
It’s a detail that guests often mention as one of the highlights of their stay. Sometimes it’s the simple things that make all the difference.
Lunches in the garden: a break that’s already part of the vacation
Visiting Florence in the height of summer can be intense. The lines at the Uffizi, the staircases of historic buildings, the pavement burning underfoot. Returning to the hotel for lunch in the garden is, for many of our guests, a way to break up the day without having to go out again to find a restaurant.
Our lunch menu is designed to be:
- Light and Mediterranean: cold dishes, hearty salads, pasta of the day, and a few vegetarian options.
- Quick when needed: for those who only have an hour to spare between visits.
- Private: the garden is not a walk-in restaurant, which creates a more peaceful atmosphere.
Even if you’re not staying with us, you can reserve a table: just email or call us in advance, especially on weekends.
Aperitivo at sunset: the most Florentine moment of the day
The aperitif, in Florence, is a bit of an institution. Here, it takes the form of a leisurely hour, between six and eight, when the garden fills with hushed voices, ice in glasses, and small plates making the rounds among the tables. The drink menu at our Florentia Cafe features carefully crafted classics—Negroni, Spritz, Americano—and a selection of signature cocktails designed to complement the season.
We pair them with frequently changing appetizers: warm focaccia, platters of Tuscan cold cuts and pecorino cheeses, and a few more creative offerings from the kitchen. It’s a moment many guests choose as an alternative to a full dinner, especially when the days are long and they’re tired of formal dining.
Dinners in the garden: evenings stretching out beneath the trees
When the weather permits, dinners take place entirely outdoors. Spotlights on the foliage, candles on the tables, and a culinary offering that blends Tuscan tradition with a contemporary touch: fresh homemade pasta, grilled meats, fish on days when the market allows, and seasonal desserts.
A dinner in our garden isn’t a social event, and that’s exactly what we’re looking for. These are dinners where you chat, take your time, and enjoy an extra glass without rushing. For those who want to celebrate a special occasion—a birthday, an anniversary, a proposal—we can organize custom setups: just let our staff know in advance.
Private Events: The Custom-Made Garden
In addition to our daily dining service, our garden is a space well-suited for private events: corporate dinners, family gatherings, presentations, small civil weddings, or post-ceremony celebrations. Its intimate setting and the backdrop of the Limonaia make it particularly suitable for events with up to one hundred guests, with the option to customize the menu, floral arrangements, and musical accompaniment. For those interested in learning more about our dedicated offerings, we have a specific page on for .
This is one of the aspects that sets us apart from many city hotels: being able to offer a green space in the heart of Florence, in a historic setting, with in-house cuisine and the flexibility of a boutique hotel. For operational details and quotes, it’s always best to contact us directly via the page contacts .
One season, one place, a thousand ways to experience it
What we love about our garden, after all, is its ability to transform throughout the day and the seasons. A peaceful morning breakfast, a quick lunch in the shade, an aperitif that turns into an evening, a dinner that stretches into the night. It’s the same space, yet different every time, and for our guests, it’s one of the most direct ways to feel like you’re in Florence without having to go out and come back in every time.
For those who wish to plan a stay centered around this experience, we suggest checking out our seasonal offers at and booking a few days in advance directly through the booking engine on our website. To learn more about our property, its history, and our approach to hospitality, we invite you to visit our welcome page at .
For additional tips on how to enjoy Florence during the warmer months, you may also want to check out the official portal Visit Tuscany , a great starting point for exploring the region beyond the capital.
We look forward to seeing you in the garden. There’s always a table worth sitting at.
