The craziest tavern in Florence

The secret of Florence's craziest osteria?

There isn't!

If you've landed on this page, you're probably wondering how it's possible that just steps from Florence's Duomo there's a place where you can sing along to the guitar, party, and feel at home in no time. To figure it out, I had to do the only sensible thing: sit down at a table with the owner, pour myself a glass of wine, and listen to him tell his story.

And there I discovered Uncle Gigi's secret. Our "Uncle" is a pure-blooded Calabrian (or rather, a friend), now Florentine by adoption. For twenty years he has been singing, dancing, eating, playing music, and cooking for anyone who enters this place. He is a genuine soul who brings a smile to everyone's face simply by being who he is: a genuine, unfiltered man, who has brought his warmth to the heart of Florence.

While we were talking, Uncle became serious for a moment—a rare thing for someone like him—and confessed something beautiful to me.

The idea of opening a tavern based on total sharing did not arise from childhood memories.

Gigi's mother's house was known to everyone as "The Big House." And not because it was a palace, but because on Sundays it opened its doors to everyone. Around that table sat children, grandchildren, friends, neighbors, and, why not, even passersby who happened to be there.

There was always a plate of pasta ready, a glass of wine to pour, and a chair to add. Seriously.

Twenty years ago, he decided to open his own restaurant in Florence, with only that memory in mind.

He wanted to recreate his own "Great House" in the shadow of the Duomo. That's why formality is broken here.

That's why Uncle Gigi starts singing his folk songs and forces you to smile even if you've had a bad day. It's not a tourist attraction: it's Uncle Gigi's way of life and hospitality.

For him, feeding people means first of all making them come together happily.

Leave your heavy thoughts at home, come ready to shake hands with the person sitting next to you at the table and sing with Uncle Gigi.

The door is open, the guitar is tuned.

The uvula can't wait.

Every day is a celebration.

Now do you understand why I tell you this isn't a normal site? Because this isn't a normal place.

Want to check out the day's bulletin boards or secure your table before they fill up?

(And they run out right away, I guarantee it.)