Ora d’Aria

Ora d'Aria is the restaurant of the Florentine chef Marco Stabile, who trained at hotel school in Florence and worked in a number of kitchens before opening his own place. The name, which means the hour of fresh air allowed to prisoners, is a reference to Le Murate, the historic Florentine prison. Today it sits on Via dei Georgofili, a quiet lane running behind the Uffizi towards the Arno.

The cooking is contemporary Tuscan: seasonal local ingredients treated with modern technique and creativity, with both meat and fish on the menu. You can order à la carte or choose a tasting menu, with matching wines from a carefully chosen cellar. One of the restaurant's features is the open kitchen, visible through a large window, and guests are encouraged to interact with the kitchen team. The small main dining room has a ceiling decorated with gold leaf, and there is a private room for groups and private dinners.

It is a polished but not stiff place to eat, well suited to couples and food lovers who want a refined evening without the formality of the grandest dining rooms. Ora d'Aria opens for dinner only, on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, and is closed on Thursday and Sunday. Booking is recommended, especially at weekends, and reservations can be made by phone or by email. Prices are in the upper range, so check the current menus before you go.

As with most restaurants of this level, dietary requirements can usually be accommodated with notice, so mention allergies when you book. Allow around two and a half hours for a tasting menu. Gift vouchers are also sold, which makes it a popular present for visitors planning a trip.

The restaurant is a two-minute walk from the Uffizi and Piazza della Signoria and about three minutes from the Ponte Vecchio, so it is easy to combine with an afternoon of sightseeing. After dinner, a walk along the river to the Ponte Vecchio or across to the Oltrarno for a drink completes the evening. Taxis can also be called to the nearby riverside for the journey back to your hotel.