Most of the town's evening life takes place in and around the Piazza della Repubblica and Piazza Signorelli, where the cafes spill onto the squares from late afternoon. Wine bars are a Cortona specialty — small, candle-lit places serving glasses of the local Syrah and platters of cheese and salumi.
A morning espresso at one of the cafes facing the steps of the old town hall is one of Cortona's defining small pleasures.