Il Gusto di Xinge

The story

Il Gusto di Xinge: Contemporary Dim Sum in Florence – Michelin Recommended

A lantern on the streets of Florence

Il Gusto di Xinge is a restaurant and cocktail bar that embodies the soul of chef Xin Ge Liu. The space—warm brick reds derived from Chinese lacquers, bright china blue, seventies accents, and lanterns as light—creates an atmosphere that is both intimate and unmistakable.

From takeaway to recognition

Chef Liu transformed a small takeaway into an award-winning destination. Guided by the principles of love, courage, and perseverance, she challenges stereotypes about Chinese cuisine in Italy. As she puts it, “I compare myself to a ship facing stormy seas: subject to the winds and waves, but always capable of following its own course.” Her journey has earned her a place on Fortune’s 40 Under 40 in the food industry, the Gambero Rosso & Moët & Chandon “Future Tradition” Award, and a two-year Michelin recommendation (most recently 2026). She is also a United Nations FAO champion since 2025.

A menu built for sharing

The dishes are designed for discovery—courses often come in sets of three or four pieces. The menu centers on dim sum, the heart-warming ritual of shared bites. Steamed dumplings like Taro Lime (filled with turbot and prawns) and Har Gow (bamboo and prawns) are delicate, precisely crafted. The bao section stars Sheng Jian Bao, Shanghainese pan-fried buns that here become round ravioli with surprising fillings—Japanese curry, foie gras, Modena balsamic, Tuscan truffles. Each bao comes with instructions: bite a small hole, let the hot broth cool, then enjoy fully. Standouts include the Glu Glu Bao (turmeric, pork belly, mustard leaves) and the 3 Treasures Bao (scallops, soy noodles, two whole prawns).

A cocktail bar of its own

Adjacent to the dining room, Drinx Cocktail Bar (listed among the Top 500 bars) offers high mixology with ingredients like matcha, sake, katsuobushi, and sakura. Signatures such as the Bittersweet Dreams—a Negroni riff with lychee bitters, pandan gin, and cherry blossom vermouth—echo the kitchen’s blend of East and West.

Contemporary Asian cuisine in Florence

At Il Gusto di Xinge, Asian contemporary cooking is not a cliché. Every dish is conceived from emotion and memory, built with color and balance. It is a place where food becomes exploration, and the meal becomes a shared journey.