Florence still has the ability to surprise even those who think they know it well. Beyond its famous monuments and busy streets lies another city, one made up of hidden gardens, historic spaces and authentic experiences. One of these places is Orto San Frediano, a 3,500-square-metre garden tucked away on via Pisana, just a short walk from Porta San Frediano.
Once home to the historic Torrini Nursery, the site has recently been restored while preserving its original character. Visitors can stroll among historic olive trees and a hillside partly formed with debris from Florence’s ancient walls after the city became the Capital of Italy. Rather than becoming another restaurant, Orto San Frediano has been reimagined as an exclusive venue for private experiences. Every activity takes place by reservation only, with the entire garden reserved for a single group. Its signature experience is the private cooking class, where guests prepare fresh pasta, pizza, traditional desserts and seasonal Tuscan recipes alongside Chef Emmanuel Rivera. Whenever the season allows, herbs and vegetables are picked directly from the garden just before cooking, creating what the team likes to call “metre-zero cuisine.”
The venue also hosts private dinners, weddings, corporate meetings, team-building activities, book presentations and cultural events, always with exclusive use of the property. Chef Emmanuel Rivera‘s cuisine celebrates seasonal ingredients, local producers and authentic Italian recipes, offering guests a genuine taste of Tuscany in an intimate setting. Still largely undiscovered, Orto San Frediano offers a quieter side of Florence, away from the city’s busiest tourist routes. It’s a place where history, nature, food and hospitality come together, proving that some of Florence’s most memorable experiences are found not in its museums or famous piazzas, but behind an ordinary gate waiting to be opened.
