In this column, we highlight the month’s new restaurant and wine bar openings throughout Italy. These are not reviews, but previews of venues that have recently opened or are about to open. It’s a snapshot of the sector’s vibrancy, featuring culinary innovations and new spots to enjoy a drink. Here are July’s new openings.
Despite the difficulties the restaurant industry continues to face, especially on the staffing front, the Italian scene remains vibrant, with numerous new openings ranging from gourmet restaurants to trattorias, from pizzerias to ethnic eateries.
The price range is also wide: ranging from more accessible proposals related to traditional cuisine and pizza to high-end restaurants, often placed in luxury hotel settings. The success of a restaurant depends on many factors: from the experience of the person who leads it to the quality of the cuisine and the professionalism of the chef; from the location to the wine list (an element, the latter, always central for us). Only the public will tell who has hit the mark.
To you the pleasure of discovering new addresses: article is updated regularly with openings we learn about.
Column edited by Iolanda Maggio.
“Il Girellone,” Girone’s historic restaurant, is being given a new lease on life
Before reaching Florence from the south, the Arno River takes a wide curve to the left and then continues toward the city. It is precisely this geographical feature that gave the area its name: Il Girone, a small hamlet in the municipality of Fiesole. As early as the late 1950s, a family-run restaurant was already in business here, known for its rotisserie specialties: “Il Girone da Fiorenzo, ” a simple and popular local institution deeply rooted in the life of the neighborhood.
After a long period of inactivity, this historic venue is now coming back to life under a new name: “Il Girellone.” Rafael Demoliner and Davide Samà have chosen to revive a business that has been in the Girone neighborhood since the 1950s, having gone through various owners and experienced mixed fortunes over the years. The space has been completely renovated: the first floor houses a pub and brewery with a wide selection of beers, while the second floor, overlooking a garden, features a restaurant serving Tuscan cuisine. Enstablishment is family-friendly, with reasonable prices and a fenced-in outdoor area where children can play safely.
Il Girellone
Via del Girone, 38
Tel. +39 055 760 9625
Chiosco Vittorio Is Reborn in the Esquilino
The Esquilino Square comes back to life with Chiosco Vittorio. More than just a summer reopening, it’s a statement. This follows the arson fire last summer that forced an abrupt shutdown—a setback overcome in just one week thanks to the timely intervention and extraordinary support of the Lazio Region. The concept created by Vinificio is now back in its rightful place at the heart of the capital’s most multicultural neighborhood.
The counter menu is quick and designed for sharing, ideal for the aperitif hour and extending into dinner. Menu combines summer classics with new creations. Options range from pan y tomate to crostone topped with buffalo mozzarella, marinated zucchini, anchovies, and lemon. It even includes hummus, the season’s true novelty. The project’s more casual, street-food-inspired spirit comes to life thanks to a dedicated counter machine for making hot dogs on the spot, served in both classic and vegan versions. When it comes to drinks, the selection is clear-cut and uncompromising. A rigorous selection of natural wines sourced directly from the Vinificio winery, complemented by a drink menu focused on great classic cocktails.
Chiosco Vittorio
Piazza Vittorio Emanuele – Rome
www.instagram.com/chiosco.
Open daily from 5:00 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
Bartolomeo: A New Space Opens in Milan Where You Can Experience the City All Day Long
There’s a new establishment set to become part of the daily rhythm of summer in Milan. It’s called Bartolomeo, named after the street and neighborhood of Via Bartolomeo Eustachi, and from the very beginning, it has chosen to take root in the urban fabric and its most authentic dimension: that of a place that is lived in, traversed, and shared.
More than just a coffee shop, Bartolomeo was conceived as a contemporary space—informal yet refined—designed to accompany the city throughout the day: from breakfast to lunch, from aperitifs to the evening. A neighborhood spot that combines a distinctive character with a precise aesthetic, where you can stop for a coffee, work for a few hours, enjoy a simple yet delicious meal, or meet up in a relaxed atmosphere.
Bartolomeo
Via Bartolomeo Eustachi 25, Milan
Summer HoursMonday–Saturday: 9:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m.
Tuesday and Sunday: Closed
Starting in September
Wednesday–Sunday: 9:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m.
Monday: 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Tuesday: Closed
