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Florentine has carved out its place within Forum Marbella on the Golden Mile, where warm Mediterranean light filters through the plaza and evenings unfold with an easy sense of theatre. More than a restaurant, it is a stage for considered design, confident cooking, and an atmosphere that lingers long after the final course.
The first impression is one of relaxed glamour. Warm tones, polished details, and a gentle hum in the room make it instantly welcoming, while the soundtrack and soft lighting strike a balance between lively and unforced. Whether you arrive for a long lunch or settle in for an evening that stretches towards midnight, Florentine holds your attention effortlessly. Its blend of vintage Italian character and Marbella’s social rhythm gives it a style all its own, with a clear nod to the glamour of 1970s Italy.
A Setting with Retro Charm
The interiors lean confidently into that retro spirit. Terracotta hues, brass accents, and soft greenery create a space that feels both nostalgic and current, while plush seating invites you to linger. Lighting is carefully considered, casting a flattering glow that shifts subtly as the day turns to evening.
Above the main restaurant, the experience extends to Cielo by Florentine, the rooftop concept that comes into its own as the sun sets. Here, the mood becomes more elevated, with views over the Golden Mile and a livelier energy that builds into the evening. It is a distinct yet complementary space, adding another dimension to Florentine’s overall appeal.
A Celebration of Italy’s Culinary Soul
The menu is rooted in Italian tradition, brought to life with a confident, contemporary touch. It begins, as it should, with sharing plates that set the tone for the meal. The Antipasto Grande brings together carefully selected charcuterie, cheeses, stracciatella and olives, while individual antipasti such as vitello tonnato, tuna tartare with avocado mousse, and grilled carabineros with lime butter highlight both land and sea with clarity and restraint.
There is a strong emphasis on craftsmanship across the board. Freshly prepared pasta sits at the heart of the offering, from truffle tagliatelle finished with beurre blanc and shaved truffle to lobster spaghetti enriched with bisque and cherry tomatoes. The Holy Carbonara, served in a pecorino wheel, adds a sense of theatre while remaining grounded in classic technique.
Pizza follows a similarly thoughtful approach, with a 48-hour-fermented dough forming the base for combinations such as mortadella with pistachio and burrata or the richer tartufata with porcini cream and truffle. Each feels indulgent without becoming excessive.
Beyond pasta and pizza, the kitchen gives equal attention to its secondi. Dishes such as seared sea bass with piquillo pepper sauce, grilled octopus with mojo rojo, and Galician beef tenderloin with red wine jus show a clear respect for ingredients, allowing them to speak without unnecessary complication. Larger cuts, including bistecca alla Fiorentina, reinforce the restaurant’s more generous and convivial side.
Desserts maintain that balance between indulgence and restraint. The Lavamisù offers a playful take on a classic, while hazelnut panna cotta, Florentine’s profiterole with warm chocolate, and a seasonal fruit platter provide a satisfying close. It is a menu that knows when to be expressive and when to keep things simple.
The Bar and Wine Cellar
Florentine’s bar is not an afterthought but a defining part of the experience. The cocktail programme draws directly from the glamour of Italy’s 1970s party scene, with drinks built around house-made cordials, infusions, and a sense of occasion that runs throughout the menu.
Classics sit comfortably alongside more expressive signatures. The Capresse Highball, with tomato, basil and mozzarella notes, leans into a savoury and almost culinary profile, while the barrel-aged Negroni offers depth and structure. Lighter options such as the Amalfi Spritz and Veneziano Spritz keep things effortlessly in tune with the setting.
The wine list is equally considered, blending Italian and Spanish producers with a focus on quality and character. By the glass, options range from Prosecco and Cava to Albariño, Pinot Grigio, and Barolo, while the wider cellar extends into fine and rare bottles, including prestigious Champagnes and standout Italian vintages. It is a collection designed not just to accompany the food, but to shape the experience of the meal itself.
Hospitality with Ease
Service at Florentine carries a natural polish. Staff guide you through the menu and wine list with confidence, offering suggestions that feel considered rather than rehearsed. There is an ease to the rhythm of the room, even at its busiest, that reflects a well-rehearsed team.
As the evening progresses, the atmosphere shifts almost imperceptibly. Music remains present but unobtrusive in the main dining room, while upstairs at Cielo, the tone lifts with DJ sets and a more energetic crowd. The transition feels seamless, allowing guests to choose their pace without ever feeling out of place.
Dining That Leaves an Impression
Florentine brings Italian dining to Marbella with personality and poise. Set within Forum Marbella, it is atmospheric, refined, and designed to turn a simple meal into an occasion. Whether it is a long lunch, a celebratory dinner, or an evening that continues upstairs under the lights of Cielo, the experience feels cohesive from start to finish.
Here, dining is about more than what arrives on the plate. It is the setting, the rhythm, and the sense of occasion that come together to create something lasting, the kind of place you return to not just for the food, but for how it makes the evening feel.
Location: BV Príncipe Alfonso Hohenlohe 7 Edificio Forum Mall, Marbella
