It’s a way of life in Italy to eat delicious high-quality food while sipping wine that comes from a vineyard just a few kilometers away, needless to say, the restaurants in Florence don’t disappoint.
The city has endless options of restaurants, but not all are created equal.
During the five years living in Florence, when friends would come to visit me in Florence, they’d inevitably always ask me what I do for fun in the city. Without skipping a beat I’d say “Well, I eat good food and I drink good wine.”
With that being established as my pass time, you can bet I know which Florence restaurants will have you licking every last drop of sauce from the plate, and which ones are simply geared toward attracting tourists.
Il Santo Bevitore
With wine bottles lining the walls and the aroma of garlic coming from the kitchen, Il Santo Bevitore is a restaurant in Florence where you can get comfortable quickly.
The menu covers everything from artisanal cheese plates with honey and jam and homemade pasta, to roasted veggies fondue and beef tartare.
The dishes are beautifully presented, and the prices are reasonable. Be sure to leave some space for “dolce” — their dessert menu is extensive.
Be warned though, it is no secret in the Florence restaurant scene that this place is one of the best. Make sure to call and reserve ahead of time if you want to secure a table.
Also, be sure to check out their wine bar and bakery which are equally as beautiful and delicious. Plus at the wine bar, which is just a few doors down, they offer a couple of small dishes that are made at the restaurant.
Gordulu
While I don’t go here as much since I’ve started eating a plant-based diet, I couldn’t leave Gordulu off the list. It’s hands down one of the best Florence Restaurants, and you’ll likely be pointed here if you ask locals for their favorite spots.
This Florence Restaurant is tucked around the corner from the bustling Santo Spirito Piazza. From the chic decor and the beautifully plated dishes to the in-house deli, this place has it all.
The food is always high quality and made with local ingredients. Their dishes are unique, not the typical Florentine dishes — but you definitely won’t be left disappointed.
From their selection of cold cuts to their risotto ai pepperoni gialla (yellow pepper risotto) — it’s all divine.
La Giostra
This place is pretty famous in the Florence restaurant scene, but it’s worth every bit of its hype. From the romantic ambiance of the fairy lights and cozy tables to the complementary tasting plate, they bring when you sit. This place is special.
If you’re a wine lover it has one of the most impressive wine lists I’ve come across in Florence, but be warned some can be pretty pricey so don’t forget to check the price before ordering (Some are listed at over 1000 euros). While their wine is great, it’s nothing compared to their food. Everything on their menu is absolutely divine. Be sure to make a reservation before showing up because this place is always busy.
Trattoria 4 Leoni
Two words: Pear. Ravioli.
My writeup on the restaurants in Florence could be left at this, but this place is so much more than its decadent flavors. They make their pasta fresh daily, using only organic grains— and it shows. Even the most basic of dishes like my personal favorite, vegetable minestrone, are bursting with flavor and cooked to perfection.
Their menu does change daily, since they are focused on using predominantly local ingredients, but don’t fret the pear ravioli tends to be a staple. You’ll also catch a glimpse of the more local side of the city without wandering too far from the Pitti Palace.
Osteria Tripperia Il Magazzino
The great thing about Florence is that if one restaurant is full, you’re only a stone’s throw away from another renowned Florence restaurant.
That’s surely the Case with Osteria Tripperia il Magazzino. I stumbled into this place because 4Leoni was fully packed and I noticed that this quiet Osteria had a lot of local florentines finishing up their meals.
I wasn’t disappointed when I was greeted with their warm hospitality and perfectly executed Florentine classics. Of course, their Tripe is the main draw, but if you’re not into eating inners, their gnocchi Pomodoro e Basilico is melt-in-your-mouth good.
La Beppa Fioraia
Imagine twirling your fork in a freshly made Tagliatelle pasta sitting in a lush green garden— that’s the everyday reality at La Beppa Fioraia.
It’s one of those restaurants in Florence that you need to know, to know. The Osteria is located in the San Niccolo neighborhood, below the stairs that take you to Piazzale Michelangelo, which comes in handy after dinner, when you’re stuffed to the brim.
It has a large garden that when weather permits, becomes the dining room. If it’s rainy, don’t worry they have a large atrium-covered dining area as well that is extra cozy when the weather is somber.
Locale
When you walk into Locale you’ll find yourself being transported back in time. The building itself dates back to the 1200s, and the main floor’s ambiance gives you a glimpse of the aristocratic lifestyle in the Medici era.
If you head down to the cellars you’ll continue back in time to the 1200s, Making this one of the most beautiful and unique restaurants in Florence.
The menu is as decadent as the decor. You can choose from selecting your meals ala carte, or opt for one of three tasting menus. While this restaurant will set you back a pretty penny, it’s a one-in-a-lifetime experience.
If you can’t stretch your budget for a €30 risotto, don’t fret, you can grab a drink at the bar. If you go during the aperitivo hours, you’ll be joined by a sophisticated crowd and equally sophisticated small bites.
Essenziale
This Florentine restaurant pegs itself as casual fine dining and it couldn’t be more spot on.
The setting feels welcoming and down-to-earth, but the food is far from average. The menu is constantly changing to use the freshest and local ingredients.
They always offer 3 vegetarian, 3 fish, and 3 meat-based dishes each night, which can be ordered ala carte or in a tasting menu of 4 items.
You’ll find Tuscan-inspired dishes, but also unique things like a potato, apple, and vanilla dish that came to the head chef, Simone Cipriani, on a trip to America while seeing a kid eat ice cream and french fries (a staple in my childhood).
La Ménagère
With flower arrangements hanging from high ceilings, exposed brick, and candle stick lighting, La Ménagère is heaven for design lovers. While you can come to this concept destination for home goods and flowers, a light lunch, or an afternoon pick-me-up, the restaurant is the star of the show.
The menu changes with the season and the dishes are creative and unique as the space you’ll enjoy them in. If you’re on a trip to Italy for your honeymoon, or a special occasion, this is the go-to romantic dinner restaurant in Florence.
Liberia Brac
Part bookstore, part restaurant Liberia Brac is a hidden oasis in the middle of the bustling touristic center. I wrote about this Florence restaurant in my article about Vegan and vegetarian restaurants in Florence, so I won’t repeat myself too much here.
What I will say is that you shouldn’t let the fact that it’s a vegetarian restaurant scare you away if you’re a carnivore. This restaurant will turn you into a veggie lover with their experimental take on plants. Plus their garden is perfect for when the summer heat has taken over the city.
Simbiosi Florence
This low-key spot is serving up some of the best pizza and pasta in Florence. It’s two separate restaurants located directly next to each other, one focused on pasta and the other stone-fired oven pizza.
Both locations use purely organic and natural ingredients which is why the name is simBIOosi, Bio in Italian is equivalent to organic in English. While the pasta is yummy, I have to say their pizza takes the cake. If you love a good pie, you’ll know that the crust is what makes or breaks it. I can confidently say that theirs is in my top five— plus they fire it to perfection with the ideal balance between doughy and crunchy.
Trattoria Marione
On the surface, this looks like your average old-school restaurant in Florence. You might even wonder why the prices are a little higher than the usual tourist restaurants— but once you have one bite of the zucchini flowers you’ll know this is a restaurant that takes what they do very seriously.
While the food is no joke, the service is delightful, warm, and humorous. They’ll make you feel right at home as soon as you step foot in the door. If you’ve got your heart set on trying the Bistecca Alla Fiorentina while you’re in Florence, this is the place to do it.
Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura
Massimo Bottura is one of the best chefs in the world. While Osteria Francescana, which is his Modena-based restaurant, brought him recognition, he also has recently dipped into the Florence Restaurant scene as well with the Gucci Osteria.
Located on the bottom floor of the Gucci Museum in Piazza della Signoria — the lavishly decorated restaurant is every bit worth the price.
Gunè San Frediano
A sucker for good design, I found myself with my nose pressed up to the window of a corner restaurant in the San Frediano neighborhood that I hadn’t discovered yet. It was the emerald velvet booths that first caught my eye. With the window starting to fog from my breath, I could see that this was a place that paid attention to every detail.
The place looked like art. While that day it was closed, I’d soon learn their food also came to the table in the form of a masterpiece. This isn’t a casual dining experience, they have an extensive 8-course tasting menu as their signature offering— along with a cocktail or wine pairing. The service is beyond exceptional. Making this place a truly unique culinary experience that you’ll remember long after you’ve left the Tuscan Capital.
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