Tuscany's most famous butcher opens a restaurant in central Florence
Dario Cecchini, the master of steak, has arrived in the center of Florence with Cecchini in Città. Following the success of his butcher shop and restaurant in Panzano in Chianti, he now has a restaurant in the Tuscan capital within the 25hours Hotel.
"The Divine Comedy meets the Divine Meat" is the slogan that dominates the website introducing Dario Cecchini's new venture. The renowned butcher from Panzano in Chianti has arrived in Florence. At the end of September, he opened his first restaurant in the heart of the city, inside the 25hours Hotel in Piazza San Paolino. Thus was born "Cecchini in Città," a place that invites you to discover the authentic flavors of Tuscany—the real ones, not just those served to tourists. Dario, known as the "Dante of Meat," has so far attracted people from all over the world to experience his cuisine in Panzano in Chianti. All this for his art as a butcher, which became famous after an entire episode of Chef's Table dedicated to him, airing on Netflix.
The menu at this Florentine restaurant pays homage to meat and offers a succulent experience. Among the offerings, the "Cecchini Griglia" menu stands out, designed for grilled meat lovers. It's available daily from 1 pm to 8 pm, with a set menu that includes meat, wine, and a convivial table-style seating. For those who prefer a more varied option, there's the "Famiglia" menu, an à la carte option that includes not only meat dishes but also vegetarian options, featuring Tuscan recipes such as the Cecchini family's homemade fresh pasta sauces. Nestled in the picturesque spaces of the 25hours Hotel, the restaurant offers a true spectacle: a large grill dominates the central fireplace, transforming the entire space into a veritable meat theater, where grilled meats take center stage.
The story of Dario Cecchini
But where did the butcher from Panzano in Chianti start? He's one of those men who manages to transform an ancient craft into a true art. A world-renowned figure, Cecchini is not just a meat craftsman, but a passionate guardian of Tuscan gastronomic tradition and an ambassador of Italian culture abroad.
Born and raised in Panzano in Chianti, in the heart of Tuscany, into a family of butchers. An area famous not only for its vineyards and olive groves, but also for its rustic, authentic cuisine, in which meat has always played a central role. Dario's story is unique: at a young age, he decided to leave the family business to study veterinary medicine at the University of Pisa, but the lure of tradition and his family legacy brought him back to the butcher shop, where he would soon revolutionize the way we think about meat.
In 1976, upon his father's death, Dario took over the family's historic butcher shop, Antica Macelleria Cecchini, which dates back eight generations. Here, he embarked on a journey of innovation, combining ancient knowledge with new ideas, while always maintaining integrity and respect for the raw materials.
A skilled butcher, he has also earned acclaim for the way he conceives and describes his work. For him, every cut of meat has its own dignity, and every part of the animal deserves to be valued. One of his fundamental principles is the complete use of the animal: nothing should be wasted. This respect for the raw material is a philosophy of life that is reflected in every aspect of his work.
Cecchini in the City. Via Palazzuolo 9, Florence. Facebook, Instagram. Antica Macelleria Cecchini. Via XX Luglio 11, Panzano in Chianti (FI). Tel. 055 852020. Facebook, Instagram.