Bursting with masterful art and architecture, Florence, Italy, also now offers cutting-edge culinary experiences that reflect the city’s growing cultural diversity.
A prime example is the 38-room Hotel Calimala and its signature restaurant, Angel Roofbar & Dining. Opened in 2019 and relaunched after COVID-19 restrictions, Angel Roofbar & Dining operates outdoors in spring, summer and fall and moves indoors during winter. Since reopening, it has become a notable contributor to Florence’s elevated dining scene.
With unobstructed 360-degree views of Florence’s skyline, Angel Roofbar & Dining offers an urban oasis to sample refined Mediterranean cuisine, making it a destination for locals and visitors alike.
© Hotel Calimala
Head chef Mor Micheli curates adventurous brunch, aperitivo and dinner menus. Drawing on Italian foundations with influences from the Middle East, Japan and Nordic regions, Chef Micheli emphasizes fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Each dish is paired with a carefully chosen cocktail and wine list. For many travelers, a meal at Angel Roofbar & Dining is an essential part of a Florence visit.
The restaurant is designed to accommodate a range of occasions: intimate dinners, sunset aperitivos, weddings and business gatherings. London-based architect and designer Alex Meitlis created both indoor and outdoor spaces centered around a floral garden patio and a plunge pool, delivering a distinctive Italian atmosphere.
Breakfast is available on the rooftop or indoors, depending on the weather. Morning offerings include pastries, cookies, muffins, yogurt, an assortment of cheeses and cold cuts, fresh bread and eggs. Guests often choose the hotel’s celebrated quiche of the day, typically served with fresh juice and a frothy cappuccino.
© Hotel Calimala
Sample dinner dishes from Chef Micheli include daily sashimi served with yellow cherry tomato, chilled gazpacho with fermented chili, seared octopus on a goat yogurt base with semi-spicy tomato cream and mixed greens, and a local pork pluma served with potatoes, rösti, green salad, sour cream and herb-infused olive oil.
The rooftop’s landscaped elements were developed in collaboration with Vieri Torrigiani of the Torrigiani family, inspired by Florence’s historic Giardino di Boboli. The result is a garden-in-the-sky concept that stands apart in the city.
Guest rooms at Calimala feature high ceilings, exposed stone and tricolor terrazzo floors paired with modern furnishings accented in velvet, brass and marble. All 38 rooms offer comfortable, individually styled interiors and thoughtful amenities.
© Hotel Calimala
Located in Florence’s Centro Storico, the hotel places guests within easy reach of major attractions such as the Duomo (Santa Maria del Fiore), the Uffizi Gallery and Palazzo Vecchio.
East of the Duomo, the Sant’Ambrogio neighborhood retains a village-like charm and a lively daily market in Piazza Lorenzo Ghiberti. From early morning, vendors display seasonal fruits and vegetables outside, while inside the wrought-iron market building an extensive selection of meats and cheeses is presented behind glass counters.
Another neighborhood to explore is San Frediano, where recent revitalization has brought craft cocktail bars, traditional Tuscan cuisine and new restaurants that complement venues like Angel Roofbar & Dining, keeping Florence’s food lovers well satisfied.
Winter rates at Hotel Calimala start at $185 per night for double occupancy, with spring and summer rates beginning around $340 and $366 respectively. Buffet breakfast is included.