"Part of the Ferragamo-owned Hotel Lungarno, Borgo San Jacopo sits right on the south bank of the Arno. Mengoni’s cooking is intelligent, accomplished, and elegant but never over-fussy; perfect for a gourmet treat. A recent spring menu included calamarata pasta with scorpion fish, broccoli, and tarragon, and lobster with potatoes and provolone cheese. For meat eaters, there was roast suckling pig with salsify, port shallots, and Dijon mustard; and for dessert, an orange-soaked babà with mascarpone and lavender cream. BSJ, as it’s known, has made a name for itself among smart Florentine gourmets who come for the inventive cooking and enjoy the sophisticated yet relaxed surroundings. There’s a fair number of well-heeled visitors and guests of the Hotel Lungarno in the mix, too. Top tip: Try and bag a table on the tiny terrace, which has lovely views of the Ponte Vecchio." - Nicky Swallow