Dining & Gastronomy
Three Tables, One Florence
A trilogy of dining experiences — intimate, vibrant, and al fresco — celebrating the extraordinary larder of Tuscany in the heart of Renaissance Florence.
Our Dining Concept
Where Tuscan Craft Meets Florentine Elegance
At Relais La Capricciosa, dining is not a single destination but a journey through three carefully conceived spaces. From the drawing-room warmth of Il Salotto del Capriccio to the convivial energy of Bistrot L'Alchimista and the secret beauty of La Corte Segreta, each venue honours the produce, traditions, and creative spirit of Tuscany in its own register. Our Executive Chef sources ingredients from the Florentine countryside, the Chianti hills, the Maremma coast, and the truffle grounds of San Miniato — bringing the full breadth of Tuscan gastronomy to your table.
Il Salotto del Capriccio
The Art of the Afternoon
Florence's long tradition of the salon — where artists, merchants, and thinkers gathered over wine and conversation — lives on in Il Salotto del Capriccio. Our lobby lounge is an all-day retreat: morning coffee served with Florentine pastries, a celebrated afternoon tea from 15:00 to 18:00, and signature cocktails inspired by Renaissance botanicals. The interior draws on the city's Renaissance heritage — pietra serena stonework, boiserie panelling, and deep velvet seating that invites you to linger.
Afternoon Tea · 15:00–18:00 · Cocktails from 10:00
Bistrot L'Alchimista
The Alchemist's Table
Named for the great alchemists who once populated Florence's botteghe — transforming base materials into brilliance — L'Alchimista applies the same transformative philosophy to every plate. Breakfast runs from 07:00 to 10:30 and showcases a lavish Florentine spread: schiacciata still warm from the oven, local cold cuts and DOP cheeses, organic eggs, and fresh-pressed seasonal juices. From early evening, the Bistrot pivots to aperitivo and Tapas Toscane: bite-sized expressions of Tuscan genius — crostini di fegatini, lardo di Colonnata, ribollita bites, and bruschetta with Frantoio olive oil pressed in the hills above Impruneta.
Breakfast 07:00–10:30 · Aperitivo from 18:00 · Tapas Toscane all evening
La Corte Segreta
The Secret Courtyard
Hidden behind the hotel's Renaissance façade lies our most treasured dining space: a walled garden courtyard of jasmine, lemon trees, and climbing wisteria, lit by lantern light as dusk falls over the city. La Corte Segreta serves lunch and dinner throughout the warmer months — a seasonal Tuscan menu built around what the day's market brings: Chianina beef from the Valdichiana, freshwater fish from Lago di Bolsena, black truffles from San Miniato, and aged Pecorino from the Crete Senesi. In cooler months, the courtyard opens for aperitivo only, as the kitchen moves inside.
Lunch 12:30–15:00 · Dinner 19:30–22:30 · Seasonal · Reservations required
Our Philosophy
Tuscany on the Plate
Territory First
Every ingredient is sourced from producers we know by name — farmers in the Chianti hills, olive millers in Impruneta, truffle hunters near San Miniato, and fishermen from the Tyrrhenian coast. Distance and anonymity have no place at our tables.
Seasonal by Design
Our menus change with the Tuscan seasons. Wild asparagus in spring, late-summer tomatoes from the Mugello valley, porcini in autumn, and slow-braised winter legumes from the Garfagnana — no ingredient is used out of its natural rhythm.
Florentine Craft
Florence has always been a city that prizes excellence of execution over extravagance of gesture. Our kitchens honour this tradition — classical technique, restraint, and an unwavering commitment to letting the finest Tuscan ingredients speak for themselves.
The Wine List
The Finest Cellars of Tuscany and Beyond
Our sommelier has assembled a cellar rooted in the great appellations of Tuscany — Brunello di Montalcino, Chianti Classico Gran Selezione, Vernaccia di San Gimignano, and Morellino di Scansano — alongside the landmark estates of Piedmont, Burgundy, and Champagne. Expect rare verticals, producer-direct natural wines, and a Vin Santo trolley that arrives at the table with a cantucci that has been baked in-house since opening day.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Our Dining
- Do I need to reserve a table at La Corte Segreta?
- Yes. Reservations are essential for La Corte Segreta, which operates on a limited number of covers to preserve the intimacy of the garden experience. We recommend booking at least 48 hours in advance. Hotel guests receive priority allocation — please contact us at dining@relaislacapricciosa.it or speak to your concierge at check-in.
- Is a reservation required for Bistrot L'Alchimista?
- Breakfast is included for hotel guests and requires no reservation. For evening Tapas Toscane and aperitivo, walk-ins are welcome, though we recommend reserving during high season (April–October) to secure a table.
- What does the afternoon tea at Il Salotto del Capriccio include?
- Our Florentine Afternoon Tea features a tiered selection of finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and fig jam, miniature pastries inspired by Florentine confectionery, and a pot of single-origin tea or tisane. A Prosecco or Champagne upgrade is available. Served daily 15:00–18:00; advance booking recommended.
- Can the restaurants accommodate dietary requirements?
- Yes. Each of our three venues is experienced in accommodating vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and other dietary requirements. Please notify us when booking — for La Corte Segreta, we ask for at least 24 hours notice for complex dietary adaptations to the seasonal menu.
- Are the restaurants open to non-hotel guests?
- Bistrot L'Alchimista is open to non-hotel guests for walk-in aperitivo and Tapas Toscane — subject to availability during high season. Il Salotto del Capriccio welcomes guests staying at the hotel and those who contact us in advance. La Corte Segreta is reserved exclusively for hotel guests and guests with a prior reservation; external bookings are considered subject to availability. Contact us at dining@relaislacapricciosa.it.
- What is the dress code?
- Smart casual is welcomed throughout. For dinner at La Corte Segreta, we invite guests to dress with the same care they would apply to any fine Florentine evening. Sportswear is kindly reserved for casual daytime use outside the dining areas.
Relais La Capricciosa
Reserve Your Table
Contact our dining team to secure your table at any of our three venues. For La Corte Segreta, we recommend booking at least 48 hours in advance.