Il Teatro del Sale

This combination restaurant-theater is run by the same family, headed by innovative chef Fabio Picchi, as the upscale Cibrèo across the street; in fact, when this space launched, some Cibrèo patrons grumbled that Picchi was spending all his time here. To eat at Teatro, you must buy an annual membership (€7), but this allows you to drop by any time during the day for breakfast, lunch or dinner. The tapas-style dishes are set out on a large buffet, course by course; once the chef has announced what is being served, patrons go up to fill their plates, continuing until the evening’s show, ranging from theater and dance to recitals, begins. All this makes Teatro a good choice for families traveling with older children, although Picchi’s menu can include such Florentine classics as tripe, which may not appeal to some younger palates. “Teatro del Sale is such a fun experience,” says Florence local Alessandro Grassi. “The food and entertainment are both fantastic.