Bar San Frediano, Florence

Bar San Frediano is a lively neighbourhood bar in the San Frediano quarter of the Oltrarno, the artisan district on the south bank of the Arno that has become one of the most characterful and authentic parts of Florence. Located on Borgo San Frediano, the bar follows the classic Italian model of a place that serves the whole day, from early-morning coffee to a late-evening drink, and functions as a social hub for the residents of one of the city's most genuinely local neighbourhoods. In the morning it is a breakfast spot, with excellent espresso and cappuccino served at the counter alongside cornetti and other Florentine pastries, the standard Italian start to the day taken standing at the bar. As the day goes on it shifts into a café and meeting place, and in the evening it becomes an aperitivo venue, when a drink such as a spritz or a glass of wine is accompanied by a spread of snacks, crostini and nibbles in the Italian aperitivo tradition. The atmosphere is relaxed and unpretentious, frequented by local residents rather than tour groups, which makes it a good window onto everyday Florentine life away from the busier sights across the river. The San Frediano district around it is full of workshops, small trattorias and bars, and has gained a reputation as one of the city's most vibrant areas, particularly in the evening. Prices are low, in keeping with a neighbourhood bar, and there is no need to reserve; visitors simply order at the counter or grab a table. Open long hours from early in the morning until late, it is a flexible stop at almost any time of day. For travellers wanting to experience the rhythm of ordinary Florentine life, from a quick morning coffee to a sociable evening aperitivo, Bar San Frediano offers an easy, affordable and authentic taste of the Oltrarno, in a neighbourhood that has kept its local character even as the area's popularity has grown.