Overlooking the Arno, the Ferragamo family’s Michelin-starred address enters a refined new chapter. Borgo San Jacopo blends restyled mid-century design and 20th-century masterpieces with Florence’s second-largest wine cellar and Executive Chef Claudio Mengoni’s evolved cuisine—while Picteau Bistrot & Bar introduces the panoramic new River Room.
Borgo San Jacopo, the Michelin-starred restaurant set within the Ferragamo family’s Hotel Lungarno in Florence, enters a renewed chapter in its gastronomic journey. Overlooking the Arno River with privileged views of Ponte Vecchio, the dining destination unveils a refined evolution of its culinary vision and interiors, presenting a harmonious identity rooted in Italian haute cuisine.
Since opening in 2004 and earning a Michelin star in 2015—consistently retained ever since—Borgo San Jacopo has established itself as one of the city’s most sophisticated addresses. Here, meticulous ingredient sourcing and an intimate atmosphere come together in a setting conceived as a private residence suspended over the water.
Rigor, Memory, and High Technique
At the helm since 2018, Executive Chef Claudio Mengoni continues to shape a culinary philosophy defined by precision, rigor, and continuous research. Born in 1984, Mengoni honed his craft across major Michelin-starred kitchens in Italy, including Andrea Berton at Trussardi alla Scala, Gaetano Trovato at Arnolfo, Andrea Migliaccio at L’Olivo at Capri Palace, and the team at Enoteca Pinchiorri in Florence. Prior to joining Borgo San Jacopo, he led the kitchen of Assaje at Hotel Aldrovandi Villa Borghese in Rome, earning his first Michelin star in 2016.
Mengoni’s cuisine is direct, sincere, and expressive, rooted in exceptional ingredients, refined technique, and a clear sense of purpose. His dishes balance creativity with restraint, combining contemporary precision with a deep respect for tradition, memory, and flavor. Personal taste and memories shape every plate, where flavors, colors, and forms remain clean and instantly recognizable. In particular, his formative years alongside Chef Migliaccio in Capri instilled a profound mastery in handling seafood—seamlessly blending creative flair with technical discipline.
Three Gastronomic Itineraries and a Collector’s Cellar
The dining experience unfolds through three distinct tasting paths. While The Experience Menu brings together Mengoni’s signature creations, a seasonal itinerary highlights peak ingredients throughout the year, and a dedicated plant-based menu explores contemporary vegetarian cooking with depth and balance. For a more tailored experience, a flexible format allows guests to curate a bespoke two-course sequence with dessert or three courses selected directly from the tasting creations.
Housing Florence’s second-largest wine selection, the cellar brings extraordinary depth to the dining narrative. Curated by Corporate Beverage Manager & Head Sommelier Salvatore Biscotti, the 1,000-label list spans prestigious Italian and international houses alongside smaller independent producers. Biscotti brings a personal approach built on direct relationships with winemakers, structuring pairings that follow the precise rhythm of the table.
1950s Aesthetics and the River Room
The aesthetic environment reflects a design conceived by Florentine architect Michele Bönan, drawing inspiration from 1950s Italian style and the heritage of Salvatore Ferragamo—the ultimate emblem of elegance and craftsmanship. Fashion sketches, iconic photography, and portraits of the era’s legendary figures adorn the walls, while the restaurant’s signature arched window frames sweeping views of the Arno. Cinematographic lighting creates an intimate and sophisticated atmosphere, elevated by crisp white linen, fine crystal and porcelain, walnut parquet, and rich fabrics in shades of grey and blue.
The culinary narrative extends to Picteau Bistrot & Bar within Hotel Lungarno, presenting Mengoni’s cuisine in an informal setting throughout the day. Enhancing the venue is the newly redesigned River Room, a light-filled space framed by floor-to-ceiling windows over the Arno and Ponte Vecchio. Hosting breakfast in the morning, the room transitions into an extension of Picteau for lunch and dinner.
A Living Gallery of 20th-Century Masterpieces
For over half a century, Hotel Lungarno has stood as a cornerstone of Florentine hospitality. With 66 rooms featuring nautical blue-and-white accents, the hotel feels like a private collector’s home, housing an extraordinary gallery of over 400 twentieth-century artworks. Original pieces by Picasso, Cocteau, and Bueno, alongside Italian masters such as Cassinari, Guidi, Morlotti, Rosai, Sironi, and Tosi, line the corridors, living areas, and suites, becoming a living presence within the space.
Through the evolution of Borgo San Jacopo and the addition of the River Room at Picteau Bistrot & Bar, Lungarno Collection reaffirms a philosophy where haute cuisine, art, design, and service excellence merge with the authentic soul of Florence.