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Restaurants in Florence can fall into two categories: a waste of money or a religious experience.

But where then, can religion be found?

If you’re like me, you associate Italy with eating stellar meals. But you can’t expect that to be a sure thing in restaurants in Florence   because anywhere the tourists outnumber the locals — the odds are stacked against you.

Don’t waste your precious time wandering around saying, “Where should we eat?”

There are literally HUNDREDS of restaurants in Florence. But you don’t need hundreds; you just need a few awesome spots for your stay.

I’ve got your back! I’ve listed 20 Florentine addresses that will bring you dangerously close to dinner nirvana.

Stick to your budget

You can spend between 8 and 800 euros at restaurants in Florence. Sometimes you wanna splurge. Other times you just wanna go where the local builders eat — they don’t want to spend more than 15 euros to do that, including a glass of house hooch. So here’s the deal:

If you don’t find a restaurant in Florence from my list below that will bring you to tears with joy — then you simply cannot be helped.

At least not today.

The 5 Best Restaurants in Florence: Trip Advisor

Whether you love or hate Trip Advisor is irrelevant. It is still the largest source of travel related opinion on the web. Sure, some are fakes posted by jealous business owners, but you can’t deny that there are tons of legitimate travelers who converge on Trip Advisor to dish the good the bad and the downright nasty.

Here are the top pics for restaurants in Florence from that audience. I left gelaterias, bakeries and pizzerias off this list.

1. Osteria  Vini e Vecchi Sapori  (no website)

This spot is a stones throw from Palazzo Vecchio and serves traditional fare from a blackboard menu under wood beamed ceilings. Not only is it rated by hordes of Trip Advisor fans, I must note that it is also recommended in a very Italian, very unpretentious food guide Il Mangiarozzo (more listings from this guide below). Reservations are mandatory.

Address: Via dei Magazzini 3r | Hours: Tues-Sat 9am -11pm; Sun noon-2:30pm | Phone: 055 293045 | Spend: First course €6 – 8; main course €10 – 14

2. Brown Sugar (no website)

Located in the heart of town, overlooking Piazza San Firenze and via della Condotta, 100 metres from Piazza Signoria is a cocktail lounge and eatery that peeps rave about.

Address: Piazza di San Firenze 5 | Hours: Mon-Sun 11:30am-3:30pm; 7pm-11pm | Phone: 055 217031 | Spend: €20 – 32

3. Enoteca Pitti Gola e Cantina

This place served fresh pastas, local cheeses with charcuterie and pops the cork on great wines, all within view of the Pitti Palace.

Address: Piazza Pitti 16 | Hours: From 1pm to Midnight | Phone: 005 212704 | Spend: €41 – 69

4. Zeb

Zeb gets a hella lotta love from the Trip Advisor gang. Their dedicated clientele love to eat whatever this mom and son team have on the stove.  They also run a food shop next door.

Via San Miniato 2 Rosso/r | Hours: Mon-Tue 9:30 am-8 pm; Thu-Sat 9:30 am-10:30 pm; Sun 9:30 am-5 pm | Phone: 055 2342864 | Spend: €20 – 25

5. Trattoria da Ginone (no website)

Traditional Tuscan trattoria in a casual setting that is praised for being warm and welcoming.

Via dei Serragli 35r | Hours: Closed Sunday | Phone: 055 218758 | Prices: €20 – 35

The 5 Best Restaurants in Florence: Michelin Guides

The Michelin guides are the oldest and most famous food and hotel guides in Europe and the Michelin star ratings are like the Academy Awards of the food world.

Every new edition brings tons of speculation from foodies worldwide (especially in France where it is based) on who will be stripped of their stars or awarded one. Their food  inspectors go to ridiculous lengths to remain completely anonymous — they can’t even tell their own families what they do for a living.

Getting a Michelin star at your restaurant gives you massive brag rites: it was picked by the snobbiest, most cultured, most professional food critics in the world.

The Michelin star rating is between 1 and 3. Getting 3 Michelin stars is fantastically impossible: only 9 restaurants were given that designation in all of Italy in the latest edition. Worldwide — there are around 130 that hold 3 star prestige. Expect to set your credit card in flames after dining at these following spots, but you can always douse it with a little Chianti to cool it off.

1. Enoteca Pinchiorri

This is the only 3 Michelin starred restaurant in Florence. The wine list is epic and they feature a tasting menu: 15 small plates starting at 200 euro/person.

Address: Via Ghibellina 87 | Hours: Thursday to Saturday for dinner only| Phone: 055 242757 | Spend: €155-225

2. Ristorante Ora d’Aria

This is a 1 starred restaurant inside the city. It’s co-owner and head chef, Marco Stabile has honed his skills in the top restaurants in Italy and he is an executive chef at a new project in Miami.  The prices are incredibly reasonable for this type of fame and the interior is sleek and sexy. I will be making a pilgrimage to this place on my upcoming trip to Italy.

Address:Via dei Georgofili 11R | Hours:Tues – Sat 12:30 – 14:30/Mon – Sat 19:30 – 22:00 | Phone: 055 2001699 | Spend: €50 – 64

3. Il Palagio

This spot is located in the posh Four Seasons Hotel Firenze and is awarded 1 Michelin star. Inside has vaulted ceilings with garden views and you can eat al fresco in the good months. Multi-course tasting menu by exec Chef Vito Mollica and wine pairings make this a fun evening out.

Address: Borgo Pinti, 99 | Hours: Breakfast and dinner everyday | Phone: 055 2626450 | Spend: €70 – 90

4. La Tenda Rossa

You’ll have to travel outside of the city to reach this spot. But you will eat at a restaurant maintained by 3 families. And for that the Michelin guides says it’s 3 times as good.

Address: Piazza del Monumento 9/14 I – 50020 Cerbaia | Hours: Monday to Saturday lunch and dinner/closed lunchtime Monday | Phone: 055 826132 | €Spend: 60 -110

5. Osteria di Passignano

This restaurant isn’t inside the city, but halfway between Siena and Florence in chianti classico (picture rolling hills and cypress lined roads in the most famous region in Tuscany). You could stay at the Agriturismo Fonte de’ Medici — it takes incredible willpower not to board a plane instantly to do just that. I could be there by tomorrow, poolside, with a wine cellar visit and reservation at Osteria di Passignano. Perfection.

Address: Via Passignano 33 I – 50028 Passignano | Hours: 12:15 – 14:15 / 19:30 – 22:00 | Phone: 055 807 1278 | Price: €55-65

The 5 Best Restaurants in Florence: Locals Pick

Locals and seasoned travelers to Florence love to boss you around and tell you where to eat. Let them do it.

1. L’Osteria di Giovanni (my recommendation)

The lovely Freya suggested I go check out this place. It’s ran by a famous family in the Florentine dining scene and has lots of fans. Caterina, Giovanni’s daughter, made us feel very welcome and I’ll look forward to going back — probably with 12 women in tow on one of my trips. This osteria has a charcoal grill where you can order your Bistecca alla Fiorentina. You can also order something different from what you might be used to: Braised rabbit with Vernaccia wine and green olives. Of course I would recommend a side of fried zucchini blossoms.

Address:  Via del Moro 22, Florence | Hours: 12:30pm-3pm ; 7pm-11pm | Phone: 055 284897 | Spend: €30 – 45

2. Il Santo Bevitore (my recommendation)

I spent a fab girls weekend in Florence with my friends last spring. We were coming off the high from the success of the group trip that I hosted in the Cinque Terre. Of course, since I work in Italy,  a trip to Florence is incomplete without researching the hot restaurants and hotels for my tours and new content on this blog. The interior is really beautiful but intimate and low-key. The tables were packed with local shopkeepers and neighbours for lunch. Don’t miss the adorable deli “Il Santino” beside Il Santo — it’s owned by the same people.

Address: Via Santo Spirito 64/66, Florence | Hours: 12:30pm-2:30pm ; 19:30pm-23:30pm | Phone: 055 211264 |
Spend: €15 – 50

3. Hostaria Il Desco (Rosa’s recommendation)

This place will save your life! Picture the pulsating waves of people that converge around the Ponte Vechio. Now imagine escaping, slipping down a tiny alleyway of a street, and finding a shady sanctuary that serves awesome food at the best prices your gonna get in this town (lunch is a deal!). They also have gluten free menu options. Seeing a rice cake in Italy is like a rainbow of alternative grain love in wheat-land. I ate soup and it was fantastic. Rosa recommends their sublime gorgonzola and pear gnocchi and the most light and fluffy cheese cake you’ve ever tasted. Reservations are recommended cause during the nights the locals take over.

Address: Via delle Terme 23/R | Hours: Closed on Monday at dinner | Phone: 055 294882 | Prices: €15 – 40

4. Ristorante Accademia (Freya’s recommendation)

Ristorante Accademia is situated in the historical San Marco square, just a stone’s throw away from Michelangelo’s David. After you pound the pavement at a morning Accademia session with Freya, just  pull up a chair and take a load off. Take several loads off (and go to bed after) with the ‘wine and dine’ menu. It’s a four course meal, with each course paired with a wine carefully selected by sommelier Gianni.

Address: Piazza San Marco 7/R | Hours: 12pm-3pm; 7pm-11pm |  Phone: 055 217343 | Spend: €20 – 40

5. Trattoria la Casalinga (my suggestion)

It is no secret that I love the Oltrarno (across the Arno) district of Florence. If you can locate Piazza Santo Spirito then head in that direction —  La Casalinga is just a few paces away. It’s inexpensive, it’s cozy and it is packed with people. I like eating lunch there, but like most eateries in Florence it closes between lunch and dinner so get there at “Italian working people’s lunch time” not “wandering around Florence and damn it’s already 4pm” lunch time or you’ll miss the boat — or the steak.

Address: Via Michelozzi 9/R | Hours: Monday-Saturday. 12 – 2:30; 7-10|  Phone: 055 2679243 | Spend: €12-20

P.S. Want our local guides to show you the best food in Florence, up close and personal?

Book our Florence tours and you’ll be able to choose from a handful of our curated experiences and experience Florence (and the restaurants) the way you would with a friend!

The 5 Best Restaurants in Florence: Il Mangiarozzo

I picked up the latest edition of Il Mangiarozzo in Italy. The coolest thing about this guide is that every restaurant listed costs 45 euros or much less for a multi-course meal (not including wine) per person. It also features only typical Italian trattoria and osteria, usually family run and historically significant to a region.

You won’t find any fusion or any hip in the below selections — just regionally specific Italian food how it’s been made for generations. In Il mangiarozzo 2012, they review over 1000 osteria and trattoria in Italy “that you must eat at once in your lifetime”. If you will be travelling Italy for any length of time and you are really into food, I suggest you buy this book at a local bookstore once you land. Even if it is in Italian it will do 2 things: give you names and addresses of great eats in every region and also serve you up a deal — many restaurants will give you a little treat, like a drink on the house or a discount on your bill, when you have the book on you. Here is a sampling of 5 in no particular order from the 2012 edition.

1. Antica Trattoria “Da Tito” dal 1913

I quote the owner: ” Sai, io voglio fare solo il ristorante di una volta: pochi piatti, ma eseguiti benissimo”. I’ll translate: “You know, I want to have a restaurant like in the past: very little menu choice but each of those choices exquisite.” You will eat artisan cheese from Bagno a Ripoli, fresh pasta made in house with mushrooms, or with a sausage sauce with lardo di Colonatta (have you ever tried that?). You’ll also find cabbage and bean soup, wild boar pasta (le pappardelle al cinghiale), and desserts which are heavy on the chocolate and cream. Don’t miss the artisanal cantuccini — the dried biscuit you eat with the fortified wine in Tuscany called vin santo.

Address: Via San gallo 112/r | Hours: Closed Sundays | Phone: 055 472475 | Spend: €35- 40

2. Da Nerbone Due (no website)

The book says: “We are in the region of lampredotto (the original peasant food, a Florentine meat made of boiled cow stomach) , we are in the region of half of the population of Florence, we are in the San Lorenzo market”. This stall at the San Lorenzo market is their top solution for a quick, economical and delish lunch. Yes, you can just grab a sandwich  but you can also find warm meals and spend a respectable 15 euro. They serve pappa al pomodoro, pasta with wild boar or deer or duck, bean and pasta soup, mushroom risotto, ribollita, Florentine tripe, beef and potatoes. They also have fish options like baccala (salted cod) and seafood risotto. You can buy a glass of Chianti Classico  for 1.50 € to wash it all down. Expect to wait in line and get there early, they close at 2pm.

Address: Mercato Centrale di San Lorenzo | Hours: Closed Sundays, open till 2pm | Spend: €12 – 15 euro

3. Il Latini

Il Latini is a Florence institution and they have a virtual guidebook filled with many love letters about the food. It has loyal foreign clientele that visit every time they are in Florence and for that reason you will hear a lot of buzz about this place. This restaurant is related, family wise, to L’Osteria di Giovanni (above). Anyways, it’s not just the foreigners you’ll find, as there are many Italians in love with the Latini family: both their food and their company.

Address: Via dei Palchetti 6/r | Hours: Phone: 055 289794 | 12pm-12am, closed on Monday | Spend: €40 – 45

4. Al Tranvai

I’ve included this restaurant from Il Mangiarozzo because it is likely you’ll find yourself in Florence, near the Ponte Vecchio, and be suddenly famished and exhausted and looking for salvation from crowds and heat and art. Take a chill pill, cross the bridge and head to my favourite neighbourhood in Florence, San Frediano — in Oltrarno near Piazza Santo Spirito. Al Tranvai serves “casalinga” food, unpretentious home cooked nosh. They also serve gluten fee meals.

Address: Piazza Torquato Tasso 14/r | Hours: closed Sundays and Monday for lunch | Phone: 055 225197 | Spend: €25 – 30

5. Trattoria Lo Stracotto

Run by two very pleasant cousins from Tuscany, Tomamaso e Francesco, you’ll find this eatery in the San Leonardo di Firenze neighbourhood. You’ll eat Tuscan specialties like you’ve heard of before: pappa col pomodoro (tomato and bread soup), tripe, bistecca all Fiorentina (steak), ribollita (stew) as well as cheeses with jam, veg risotto, mixed Tuscan salami, pasta with beef and balsamic vinegar and stuffed chicken.

Address: Piazza Madonna degli Aldobrandini 17/r | Hours: never closed | Phone: 055 2302062 | Spend: €25 – 35

*****

So, there you have it: 20 ideas for Restaurants in Florence to steal.

Print it off and throw it in your bag.

Note: all phone numbers must affix +39 if dialing from outside Italy. Obviously all prices are approximate and they don’t include vino. Nice try though.

Now be a buddy and forward this to a friend who wants to go to Italy.

Better yet: you can join us in person by booking our Florence tours –– where you’ll get insider intel from our local experts, make the most of your stay and sample the best food this incredible city has to offer!

Looking for more about Florence? Check out some of our other blog posts, dedicated city guides and private tours:

Image credit top to bottom: Leela Cyd for Italian Fix, Enoteca Pitti Gola e Cantina, Ristorante Ora d’Ariastringbot, Il Latini

Please comment, we want to hear from you!

What is your best restaurant recommendation in Florence?

Which place have I inspired you to go?

95 Responses

    1. Leela,

      I think you could be in luck. A little birdy told me Florence is in your future. I gotta get us a table at Ora d’Aria.

    1. Oh, that is great to know Suzi. Thanks. Looking forward to hitting both spots this spring with my tour group (a.k.a: group of hungry ladies looking for wine). Thanks Suzi. xx B

  1. Now I’m confused.. haha 😛 I’ve seen and read a lot of the best restaurants in Italy and now all I want to do is to go and see it for myself. But thanks for this wonderful list, I have a lot of reasons to travel and discover more of Italy. 🙂

    Cheers!

  2. Very useful your page , thank you.
    Which one would you sugest for an anniversary dinner?

    1. Hi Nelson,

      That’s a great question.

      If you want to splash out for a fancy pants anniversary dinner then try Ora d’Aria (listed under the Michelin section above). It’s calling me. xx

  3. I am in Florence right now. I went to L’Osteria di Giovanni tonight because of your website. I just wanted to say, thank you! It was amazing!!!!!!!!!!!

  4. Hi Bianca,
    it is a great great help for I cannot speak italian! It could be a great idea to add the best wines with fair price from the restaurants as well…thank you for your amazing report! love it!

  5. I just moved to Florence and I cam’t wait to try all of the restaurants you are recommending! Thank you so much for this amazing guide!!!

  6. Grazie, Bianca, for compiling a thorough and thoughtful list of recommended restaurants in Florence. I’m looking for a good place (nice atmosphere with great Tuscan food that’s not too expensive) for a Sunday night in July. This is the same night we arrive from our transatlantic flight, so we may be pretty tired. Thanks to your list, I’m down to L’Osteria di Giovanni and Hosteria il Desco. Any thoughts as to which may be better? Thanks again!

      1. I am also looking for a good restaurant for Sunday night in August. I will be going with my family and it will be my 25 birthday – so we were looking for something delicious (not so much pizza).

  7. just want everyone to know that Il Latini was a great dinner that I shared with strangers that became new friends but the local Italian clientel were offendedq by how loud we were and what a good time we. were having. Four tables got up and left because of the noise and we got dirty looks from all around us. Check the website and see that our kind of behavior is encouraged and expected but the owner came and asked us to quiet it down a bit. The ultimate insult occurred when an Italian group of 8 applauded when our new friends got up to leave. When my wife and I were the lone diners at the table they sat us at the noise level was just as loud as any time during our meal. It’s obvious that the locals were offended by people speaking English and having a good time doing it.

    1. I doubt the owner would have asked you to quiet down if your behavior was encouraged and expected, nor would people get up and leave. Perhaps you aren’t aware that being encouraged to have a good time doesn’t remove all limits on behavior. It seems more likely that your group took it way too far. I live in Florence and eat in restaurants frequented by the locals on a regular basis. When I take English-speaking friends, no one has EVER been offended.

    1. Hey Christine,

      Have a wonderful time! Make sure to print the page — I’ve given you a pdf download link near the top.

      xx Bianca

  8. My favourites – Osteria de Benci, Vini e Vecchi Sapori, La Posta, I Raddi and Antica Restori di Cambi….go try.

  9. As someone who lived in Firenze for 4 years (’95-’99), in the Oltrarno district ( near Piazza Santo Spirito) one of my favorite places was Trattoria Quattro Leoni. It’s a bit difficult to get to but worth it. Casalinga is a great place too. Miss Florence with all my heart!

    1. Ciao Marteen,

      Yes, you are so right! Quattro Leoni is wonderful and is in my favourite piazza in Florence (piazza della passera). Thanks for the reminder — great for summertime eating out in that gorgeous tiny piazza.

      Grazie, Bianca

  10. My friend said I we must dine at La Giostra. I did not see it on your recommendation of restaurants in Florence however it’s supposed to be one of the best. Thank you!

    1. Hi Fran,

      Thanks for your recommendation. I feel like it’s safe to say that every person who lives in that city would have a “favourite” spot. I’ve curated a list of the best restaurants, as voted by certain schools of foodies: travellers on Trip Advisor, food critics writing the Michelen guides, and the folks who write an Italian language guide for excellent TRADITIONAL Italian meals for under 45 euro. Of course I’ve gotta get my two cents in and so I’ve added the “locals” section too.

      Saying that, I really appreciate people adding to the list here so thank you kindly for your comment.

      With food love, Bianca

  11. Many of these were on my list.. if you only had two dinners to choose from, on weeknights (a thursday and a tuesday), which would you choose? I was thinking either Ai Tranvai OR Casalinga and Sostanza… but then there’s also Fagioli, Cipolla Rossa, and all’antico ristoro di cambi.. I have 3 lunches so could maybe add some to the lunch list… Thanks in advance!

    1. Hi Jessica,

      Ok, this is absolutely what I would suggest.

      1) Eat at Trattoria La Casalinga for lunch. It absolutely fun at lunch, and you get caught up in the whirlwind of the locals eating on their break. But go early, like noon, cause even a half an hour later could land you in a long line up. Although that’s kinda fun too as you get to watch the antics of the staff.

      2) Eat at L’Osteria Giovanni for dinner. It’s old school Tuscan. Very traditional with good value.

      3) Have your final last hurrah Florence dinner at Il Santo Bevitore but you’ve gotta reserve. Phone number is above. What I love about this place is that it serves excellent Italian food, not “world food”, but it does so in a very modern way. And the ambience is, I believe, the best in the city. I like dark restaurants, cozy restaurants and places you feel you can dress up and celebrate. You can do that there. It’s an event, not just a dinner. Cause heck — you’re in Florence woman. 🙂

      Have a smashing time. I’d love to hear from you when you return.

      Bianca

  12. ciao bianca, mi presento, mi chiamo alfredo e sono proprietario di una piccola pizzeria nel centro storico di firenze.
    esattamente mi trovo nello splendido rione di san niccolò.
    ho notato con piacere il tuo lavoro come blogger dove recensisci i ristoranti fiorentini.
    la tua scelta di ristoranti è eccezionale, tra tanti vedo con piacere ZEB che è praticamente accanto alla mia pizzeria.
    Il mio locale è piccolo, molto alla mano, ma faccio una delle migliori pizze di firenze. controlla tu stessa su tripadvisor, siamo in zona san niccolò il ristorante più gradito, al momento in classifica 36 posizione.
    sarebbe per me un’onore poter essere inserito nel tuo blog in modo che i turisti europei, americani o altro trovino un posto dove poter mangiare la “PIZZA NAPOLETANA” fatta ad arte, con buone birre e senza spendere troppo.
    se sei interessata a inserirmi, contattami pure via mail.
    un gran saluto

    Alfredo Ceccarelli
    by I’PIZZACCHIERE
    http://www.pizzacchiere.com

  13. Il Cinghiale Bianco,.

    Borgo San Iacopo, 43, 50125 Firenze, Italy
    +39 055 215706

    Trust me. One of the best and traditional Florentine.

    1. Fred is correct.

      I noticed that this little gem didn’t make the cut (with so many restaurants in Firenze, I get it (it could have made the honorable mentioned list!).

      I spent 13 days in Firenze recently and this was my go-to place. The staff friendly and the food, well, inspired and prepared to perfection.

      There is a pleasant mix of patrons. You have the locals that live around the corner or across the bridge. You have the local businessman entertaining his guest from Kuwait. You have two tables of tourists (from outside of Italy). And lastly, you have Italians from outside of Firenze.

      I visit ‘Latini’ but, the last couple of times it seems that their service has been less than stellar and their food less-orgasmic than I remember. A few traveller and I discussed what “fame and fortune” has wrought of this once spectacular kitchen.

      Great list, overall, and I applaud it.

      (Listen to Fred, he seems to know what he is talking about too.)

  14. Hi,

    This list has been really helpful having not been to Florence previously ive done my own research and it does match to your list here.

    Ive got a first wedding anniversary meal to plan in Florence in March and i wonder what you recommend for a romantic saturday evening that isnt going to break the bank?

    the 3 in my shortlist would be –

    La Giostra

    Il Santo Bevitore

    L’osteria di giovanni

    Best one of the 3?

    Thanks

  15. Dear Bianca,
    At the end of the month i’m going to Florence. I want to book a table at Ora d’Aria for my birthday on Thursday the 27th is it hard to get a table? at the moment the restaurant is closed. Can you also recommend some bars or nightlife spots? Thanks in advance and thanks for the PDF link we defenitley are going to try out some restaurants. Greets from Haarlem, holland Chayenne

  16. I am so thankful i found this website! I myself take hours and hours reading up on the best restaurants in every city I go to and my rome-florence-milan trip is coming up and everything you post is SO relevant. I love all your posts. Thank you so much!!

  17. Hi Bianca,
    I have read some of your articles and they are very helpful and have this personal insight that immediately convinces you. Congrats on that!
    Now, I will be traveling for a week in Tuscany with my wife and my little girl (Ema, 14 months) in april and we’ve never been on a trip before with her. What would you suggest in this case?
    Many thnx!

  18. vorrei ricevere comunicazioni FUTURI EVENTI a FIRENZE
    INAUGURAZIONI LOCALI dato che alcuni amici sono informati e mi riferiscono sempre il giorno dopo che si sono verificati

  19. love love love this list…you have done exactly as described…eliminated many hours of google searching and reading!!
    Thanks, CC

  20. We had lunch at Trattoria la Casalinga today and can’t speak a word of Italian. It was the best! A carafe of vino dela casa was all we needed to get started. We were treated like we belonged there and the food was great. If I ever get back to Florence I will find it again!
    Thanks Paolo and staff! Thanks Bianca!

  21. Il francescano, largo Bargellini 16, serves food like my husbands Italian aunt used to prepare it for us. Amazingly wonderfull vitello tonato and great pasta etc. We all tried something else (our family contains 4 Persons) and every dish was perfect. And we are criticalls. So this restaurant is highly recommended!

  22. I can’t thank you enough for the amazing recommendations!! We went to L’Osteria di Giovanni’s twice, once for lunch and once for dinner. The sea bass carpaccio is something we will not forget anytime soon. I’ll eat in their basement any day with food like that! I’m so glad I stumbled upon your blog, you helped make our trip delicious and memorable 🙂

    Sincerely,

    Sam
    theeyetravels.blogspot.com

  23. Hi, I’ve spent the last 3 summer breaks with my wife and kids in Tuscany. We have really fallen in love with the place. Every year we take the kids to Florence and have a great experience but struggle finding great food so really appreciate the list you have put together. I love the view at night from Michelangelo Point. Can you recommend any where i can take the family for an evening meal with a view of Florence that’s reasonably priced?

  24. Hi Bianca

    Great list, looking forward to trying some of these when we travel of Florence later this week. I would like to book somewhere romantic with a great (maybe rooftop) view for Friday night dinner with my girlfriend? Any thoughts would be really welcomed, thanks.

    Ryan

  25. Florence is famous for its many restaurants and trattorias found in the streets and squares of the historic center of the city, these restaurants are served Florentine and Tuscan dishes like the Bistecca, tripe Florentine, ribollita, the famous Tuscan appetizers and many other dishes, along with these dishes you can drink the best wines of Tuscany famous throughout the world for their unique flavor.

  26. Hi Bianca,
    I will be visiting Florence this fall with my husband, sister and brother in-law in October. My sister and brother inlaw will be celebrating their 40th wedding Anniversary
    While we are there. We are looking for somewhere special to have dinner. We were thinking La Loggia villa san Michele Fiesole. I read that it is very expensive , my question, is it worth it? Maybe you can recommend another place with great ambience and food. Looking forward to your reply
    Thank you

    1. We love Villa San Michelle. Third time back. It is on the expensive side but the view, location and grounds of the hotel are gorgeous. The staff is wonderful and aim to please. Treat yourself.

      1. Hi Todd,

        I so agree with you! It’s worth it just to go up and see the grounds. Even if you just order coffee and tiramisu! Thanks for your comment. xx Bianca

  27. Hi Bianca
    I’m organizing a dinner in Florence in November for about 25 people . I’m looking for local food, reasonable price/good value, and somewhere where we will be looked after nicely so it is a lovely experience. Your list is wonderful but I’d appreciate some suggestions – it is a big group!
    thanks

  28. Im going to Florence and Venice for my honeymoon next week. Do you have a list like this for Venice as well?
    That would be amazing.

  29. Hi Bianca, just stumbled upon this as I’m planning a trip to Florence at the end of this year. Very comprehensive list – thank you very much! Btw, I also did a trip to Cinque Terre in summer this year and totally loved it!

  30. Hello off to Florence on Friday morning for the weekend and have so far booked/planned:-
    Friday night: Buca dell Orafo
    Saturday lunch: Alla Vecchia Bettola
    Saturday night: Vini e Vecchi Sapori (old favourite)
    Sunday lunch: ?
    Sunday night Osteria de Giovanni or Ruggero?
    Monday lunch: Sostanza/Coco Lezzone? Or Mario? off to Bologna by train to catch train home and suffer from chronic indigestion….gelati in between

    Last year October 2013:
    Friday pm: Tito (good, but cliché but ok)
    Saturday lunch: Trattoria dell Orto (very good)
    Saturday night: Vini e Vecchi Sapori (very good as ever)
    Sunday Lunch: Osteria de Benci (not as good was before)
    Sunday night: Il Santo Bevitore (very good)

    1. Hi Charlotte,

      Great ideas! Thanks for sharing. Consider Sunday lunch at Il Latini (same family as Giovanni’s). Also, have you tried Il Cinghiale Bianco in Oltrarno? For traditional Tuscan — it’s so tasty!

      Le me know how it goes,
      Bianca

  31. OMG!!!!! Thank you sooo much…. I recently visited Florence this was my third trip to this lovely city, but I never really had any memorable meals there. I realize now that there are too many resturants and too little time. We visited 3 of the 5 LOCAL recommendation you listed and OMG they were all fantastic.
    Sat – Dinner Giovanni’s
    Sun- Lunch IlDesco
    Sun – Dinner Giovanni’s
    Mon – Dinner CasaLinga
    I wish I had more time to hit the the other 2. Thank you again I can’t wait to plan my next trip back.
    Oh by the way Casalinga was exceptional and the desserts were amazing…

    1. Hi Donald,

      This is fantastic news — I so appreciate you following up here! Next time you’re there check out my new favorite “old world” Tuscan in Oltrarno: Il Cinghiale Bianco (The White Wild Boar). 🙂

      To more good food and good trips,
      Bianca

  32. What a great list!! I am visiting Florence in May as part of my partners 60th birthday celebrations as he wants to eat bistecca alla Fiorentina. Where would you recommend?

    1. Michelle,
      Great idea! So many places to choose from. Try Giovanni’s. 🙂 The last time I ate bistecca in Florence was at “Il Pandemonio” in Oltrarno neighbourhood. It was amazing, and the owner “mama” is a riot!
      Bianca

  33. Grazie Bianca!

    Two recommendations: 1st is Acqua Al Due. I’ve been there five times over the span of a decade; it never disappoints, despite its having gained so much fanfare in that span. 2nd is Osteria dell Caffe Italiano–the name sounds awfully ubiquitously boring, but the place is fantastic for romantic dining.

    Now a request: I’m taking a group of 25 high school students to Florence and am on the hunt for a restaurant that can handle such a big group. We did the same trip in 2012, had reservations and ate at Il Latini, and that worked out incredibly well–one whole room all to ourselves, family-style dining, fixed price. We’ll try to get a reservation there again, but ideally I’d like to try one more restaurant with similar capacity and price range. Any suggestions?

    If not, we don’t mind splitting up into smaller groups if there are several restaurants within earshot; the best area I can think of for this is the piazza della Repubblica. Any other areas of town you can think of where we could split up into smaller groups, and head to restaurants that are close to eachother?

  34. We really enjoyed “13 Gobi” when we were in Florence in 2013. Great atmosphere and the best eggplant I think I’ve ever tried. But I’m grateful for this list of other choices. Thanks for posting.

  35. Hi Bianca,
    My husband and I will be in Florence for about 5 hours on a Tues in April from 11:30 to 5 p.m.before departing for Pisa via the train. What would be your recommendation for lunch? During this time we will also be taking in the Accademia, Ponte Vechio and the Piazzale Michelangelo.
    Thank you.

  36. What are your thoughts on Trattoria Angiolino? I’ve heard good food at very reasonable prices? Has anyone been or want to share a comment?

  37. My wife and I will be in Italy in three weeks. I’m looking forward to checking out your recommendations.

    Thank you

    1. Hi Cindy,
      I’ve neglected to mention 99% of the restaurants in Florence on this list. I’ve never heard of Camillo. But there’s Florence for you — so many tasty places to eat.

      Best,
      Bianca

  38. L’Osteria di Giovanni was everything you said and more.five star service and food.you must book ahead. We didn’t and were lucky to get a table for two.
    All three courses were excellent.maureen had sea food pasta, I had succulent pig, fantastic!!!

  39. Trattoria la capalinga was excellent.service brilliant, lovely girl seen to all our needs and made translation of menu simple.leg of chicken lovely also rump steak perfect. Portions enough to gorge yourself.pasta to start super. Deserts creme caramel and semifreddo lovely.
    Great atmosphere place full.

  40. Hi Bianca just loved your advice. We are looking for the most memorable night possible. We are eloping and marrying in florence and will have our best friend couple with us to celebrate. Cost doesn’t matter… we want an absolute experience for the 4 of us
    :)) well be there end of July
    thanks Bianca… I promise to send pics xx

  41. Hi Bianca, you recommended I Limone Di Thule where I stayed (and loved!) back in June, Christina is wonderful! Thank you! I’m now planning to spend 25-28 September in Florence, do you have any recommendations for cheap, nice accommodation there at all please? Ideally a self contained apartment or b&b, not to far from the city? Would be super grateful if so! Thank you xx

  42. Hi ! This is a great site – but a touch overwhelming with all the great recommendations –

    I’ll be in Florence for 2.5 days and need one nice restaurant and the rest budget friendly.

    Recommendations?

  43. Hi Bianca, my partner and I are travelling to Florence for four days over the New Year and will be spending NYE there. Can you recommend a restaurant for NYE where we might get to see the Fireworks if we are there that late? Thank you x

  44. Hi, Bianka, –
    Thank you very much. Very useful list. We visited all the restaurants marked as local picks during our weekly stay in Florence. All of them are very good. But L’Osteria di Giovanny is the best!

    From Russia with love

  45. Anyone recommending and making suggestions about
    Italy should at least know how to spell correctly:
    please check your spelling on Ponte Vecchio
    and the city of Siena!
    I suppose Americans assume it is the same spelling as
    Sienna Miller, the actress!

  46. Un grand Merci for the recommandation ;we had a delicious dinner at Accademia, a perfect gastronomic moment.We are french, pretty obsessive about good food ,cooking ,and deeply curious.Accademia is a very simple and authentic place,not pretentious at all, with nice people and tasty, light and excellent food generouslly served,with smile!

  47. Wonderful list, Bianca! Thanks so much.

    My wife, 15 year old daughter and I will be visiting Florence for a week in early April, and your posts are greatly appreciated!

  48. Not that I’m partial or anything 😉 , but you missed out on one of the rising stars of Florence’s finer dining scene: La Bottega del Buon Caffè, Michelin star for the past 2 years, in the picturesque San Niccolò area. Come visit!

  49. There are many restaurants in Florence inspired by Tuscan dishes and Florentine traditional recipes, including one of the most popular dish known all over the world – the Florentine steak

  50. Outstanding blog about restaurants in Florences!
    We are planning to visit Italy But did not think about the food! Thanks for the list! And keep it up..

  51. Thank you for a nice guide..

    We will try the Acadamia with the wine and dine..

    I will write the experience back to you,

    Thanks again.

    Bo D.

  52. Amazing list, so so many wonderful sounding places. I am taking my partner for our anniversary and is our first time in florence. Any specific choice for a romantic memorable meal (possible tasting menu) with a great atmosphere or view? Am sure most places in Florence come under that but any advice to show her a memorable time would be appreciated!

  53. Hi!
    When did you post this list? I’m going to Florence next week, so if the list is ”up to date”, I’m definetly using it.
    /Kajsa

  54. Great list! I’m traveling with 12 family members in July. Is it necessary to have reservations for restaurants. Is it foolish to think we can just walk around a pop in to any restaurants and get a table for this large group?

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