Santa Elisabetta

The story

Santa Elisabetta, Florence: Michelin Two-Star Dining in a 1500-Year-Old Tower

A Story Rooted in Stone

Some adventures find you. For Santa Elisabetta, that adventure began in the Torre della Pagliazza, a cylindrical stone tower that has stood in the heart of Florence for over fifteen centuries. The building has reinvented itself across the ages while always remaining itself. The restaurant, set within its walls, became a place where history and fine dining converged. The setting alone tells a story—one of 1,500 years of life in an ancient tower, now home to a kitchen that earned two Michelin stars for its excellent cooking.

The Philosophy of Reconstruction

The restaurant’s approach to Mediterranean cuisine was defined by a simple but powerful idea: “We start with a traditional idea for the dishes and reconstruct them, trying to evoke a memory, but improve them because tradition done well is innovation.” This philosophy guided Executive Chef Rocco De Santis, a young boy from the south who grew up to curate culinary journeys that respected the past while pushing forward. The result was a series of seasonal tasting menus that changed with the seasons, each built around the finest regional ingredients.

A Menu That Tells a Story

The dining experience at Santa Elisabetta was never just about the food or the wine—it was about stories. The story of a tomato, of a glass of wine, of a flavorful medley no one would have imagined. Guests could choose from tasting menus like the nine-course Chef Experience or the shorter Traces of Innovation, each complemented by a curated wine selection. The menus were designed to be shared, a journey through flavor and craft that reflected the richness of the Mediterranean. The restaurant catered to adults and children over twelve, maintaining a refined atmosphere suitable for its Michelin-starred status.

The Next Chapter

At the time of writing, Santa Elisabetta has temporarily closed its doors. The team describes it as an unexpected project that gave them far more than awards or recognition—it gave them perspective. They have decided to take a moment to listen, think, and plan, believing that the Torre della Pagliazza still has stories to tell. “We think the next one might be the best yet,” they say. That spirit of quiet ambition, rooted in a place that has stood for centuries, is what made Santa Elisabetta a singular destination in Florence—and what makes its return something to watch for.