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An integral part of experiencing Florence is taking in the food and drink on offer, from trendy to authentic there is an abundance of choices and it can be overwhelming on deciding where to eat.
One thing I love to do while visiting Florence is to try different places to dine, and I am here to pass on my knowledge from having dined at many of these wonderful restaurants.
So, let’s take a closer look at some of the best restaurants in Florence, what they have to offer, and the ones that I personally recommend.
When to Go:
The Best Time To Visit Florence
Where to Stay:
What to Do:
TL;DR
In a rush? Don’t worry we got you covered, here is a quick breakdown of our favorites by type.
- Best Restaurant Overall – Vini e Vecchi Sapori
- Best Casual Restaurant – Le Cappele Medicee Ristorante Enoteca
- Best Vegan Restaurant – SandwiChic
- Best Authentic Pizza Restaurant – GUSTARIUM
The 14 Best Restaurants in Florence
1. GUSTARIUM
$ • Website • Google Map • Tel +39 055 283469
If it’s authentic Italian pizza that you’re after, GUSTARIUM in dei Cimatori is one of the highest-rated by tourists. The place is known to stay packed, and it can be hard to find a spot.
However, the prices are great, the staff is friendly, the food is fresh with fresh ingredients daily, and the wine is top-notch as well. For a locally owned Italian establishment, GUSTARIUM is known for treating tourists from abroad with the utmost respect.
2. La Buchetta Food & Wine Restaurant
$$ • Website • Google Map • Tel +39 055 217833
When it comes to steak, wine, and excellent Italian dining, La Buchetta Food & Wine Restaurant is one stop you don’ t want to miss.
A helpful and attentive staff, a full menu with an excellent selection, and talented cooks, not to mention the amazing wine selection, makes this food joint one of the best in Florence. The place stays busy, the service is good, and the food is most definitely tasty.
3. Trattoria Cammillo
$$ • Website • Google Map • Tel +39 055 212427
Ambiance, delicious food, and knowledgeable and caring staff make Trattoria Cammillo an excellent choice for a romantic date. That said, a quick lunch for two here can be just as enjoyable.
The standards of the kitchen are high, the menu choices are diverse, and the seating is comfy as well. If you plan to eat here, you may need to make reservations in advance to ensure a table.
4. Vini e Vecchi Sapori
$$ • Website • Google Map • Tel +39 055 293045
Pasta, desserts, meats and more are awaiting you at Vini e Vecchi Sapori, one of the most recommended places to eat in the entire city. Spaghetti, duck ragu, codfish, you name it, they make it. And, it will make your mouth water.
The menu is packed with options and the eating is comfortable with a friendly and authentic atmosphere about it. They are known for their extraordinary service.
5. Osteria dell’Enoteca
$$ • Website • Google Map • Tel +39 055 228 6018
If you happen to find yourself on Romana, in Florence, look for a sign reading “Osteria dell’Enoteca.” This little place strays away from the typical local cuisine, but it is well worth the try.
That said, you will also pay for the high-end food you’ll get here, as well as the classy atmosphere. Osteria dell’Enoteca is a great fine dining selection to mark some sort of special occasion (or just because!).
6. Il Nutino
$$ • Website • Google Map • Tel +39 349 453 6035
The environment, which is mellow and relaxing, is just as much a reason for II Nutino ending up on our list as their good food is. Quick and polite service, a relaxing environment, and a menu with plenty of classic Italian cuisine options are at your fingertips at this fine eatery.
One thing to note however is that like in Spain, you may need to ask for the check. All things considered, II Nutino is a great choice, especially for couples. That said, the price is a bit steep (but worth it!)
7. Panini Toscani
$ • Website • Google Map • Tel +39 335 572 5544
For paninis and sandwiches, among other succulent Italian menu options, Panini Toscani comes extremely highly rated. These guys really know how to make a sandwich you will love. They even let you sample the cheese and bread if you are not sure about it.
The staff all understand and speak English, and the place is frequented by just as many locals as tourists which is why the prices are so affordable compared to other places in Florence.
8. Trattoria Za Za
$$ • Website • Google Map • Tel +39 055 215411
Along Piazza del Mercato Centrale lies Trattoria Za Za, an elaborate little Tuscan restaurant with true charm and Italian ambiance.
Steak, fish, truffles, and just about anything else that could make your mouth water and be found in Italy are on the menu. And, for 40 euros a plate (give or take) you can only imagine how lovely these dishes are. Customers rave about the place and highly recommend setting up reservations for dinner.
Couples specifically will find Trattoria Za Za more suitable than families or solos. Despite the high prices, the setting, staff, and food, make this restaurant one of the very best in the region.
9. Trattoria Sabatino
$ • Website • Google Map • Tel +39 055 225955
An authentic Italian place that will make your tastebuds thank you later (for treating them to this tasty place) is Trattoria Sabatino. Not only is the food amazing, but the speed of service and quality is impressive as well, with most dishes taking only 5 to 10 minutes.
Authentic, affordable, Tuscan food and friendly staff who can translate the entire menu into English, and hold a conversation as well–this is exactly what you find at Trattoria Sabatino.
Keep in mind that it is a highly sought-after eating joint. So, either head there as soon as they open or be sure to make reservations and show up on time.
10. SandwiChic
$ • Website • Google Map • Tel +39 055 281157
Vegetarian? Vegan? Searching for a gluten-free menu amongst a sea of not-so-healthy food options? SandwiChic is a great option.
That said, most of the sandwiches here do revolve around one or more types of cured meats. However, the menu is great for both meat eaters and veggie lovers and vegans alike.
High-quality ingredients, good drinks, fast service from a friendly staff, and a sandwich you’ll never forget are all part of the SandwiChic experience. Oh, yeah, the prices are pretty dang awesome as well as far as eating in Florence goes.
11. Il Santo Bevitore
$$ • Website • Google Map • Tel +39 055 211264
High-quality food, a fun atmosphere, and plenty of selection are all part of the program at II Santo Bevitore. The menu is massive, and maybe a bit confusing on your first time ordering. However, the staff is totally patient and will help you get your order right the first time.
They also have quite the wine selection for those looking to sip something Italian before, during, or after having a bite. That said, seating in the place gets a bit packed out so you may want to come earlier than later in the day.
Fresh, delicious food, tasty wine, and friendly locals are standard with lunch or dinner at II Santo Bevitore.
12. Le Cappelle Medicee Ristorante Enoteca
$$ • Website • Google Map • Tel +39 055 628 7005
Le Cappele Medicee Ristorante Enoteca is yet another excellent eatery that comes highly recommended by tourists and locals alike.
Known for stand-out service and amazing food, this restaurant also has a laid-back and enjoyable atmosphere. You will feel right at home here. For families or couples, look no further for a great place to grab a bite during your trip to Florence at least once or twice.
From T-Bone steak and baked potatoes to cod in tomato soup, to a marvelous selection of fine wine, you’ll find it here (you’ll also pay a good price for it!)
13. Trattoria Sergio Gozzi
$ • Website • Google Map • Tel +39 055 281941
One of the highest-recommended eateries in Florence to grab lunch, especially in the di San Lorenzo area, is Trattoria Sergio Gozzi. Locals and tourists alike rave about the awesome staff and impressive food as well as the comfortable atmosphere.
The restaurant isn’t nearly as well known as other restaurants that have been around longer so it’s somewhat of a hidden treasure. Prices are moderate but well worth the high-end plates you receive.
Italian with a blend of European favorites makes Trattoria Sergio Gozzi a great place for those who want more than just standard Italian cuisine for lunch.
14. Trattoria La Casalinga
$$ • Website • Google Map • Tel +39 055 218624
Trattoria La Casalinga, situated in the dei Michelozzi neighborhood, is another moderately priced restaurant that locals and tourists alike find highly recommendable.
Bright lights, a crowded room bursting with energy, locals, and tourists mingling, and excellent food are all par for the course when dining at Trattoria La Casalingas. The restaurant is not exactly fancy-schmancy, but, you should consider making reservations anyhow just because of its immense popularity.
When it comes to four-course meals, steaks, lobster, and more, Trattoria La Casalinga is supposedly one of the most affordable in Florence.
FAQs Restaurants in Florence
What are the nicest restaurants in Florence?
- La Buchetta Food & Wine Restaurant - $$
- Il Santo Bevitore - $$
- La Giostra - $$$
What food is Florence known for?
In the heart of Tuscany, Florence is one of Italy’s foodie capitals. Its most famous dishes have left a mark on global cuisine and put Italy on the map as a culinary idol.
One of the most famous Florentine dishes is Bistecca alla Fiorentina: a two-inch thick grilled boned steak. There are several steakhouses in the city where you can sample this classic dish; just look for the sign “Bisteccheria.”
If you’re not lactose-intolerant, then crispelle are a must. These Italian crepes are served kind of like a lasgane or cannelloni, layered or rolled with fillings like ricotta cheese and spinach, and then topped with rich bechamel sauce.
Gelato in any Italian city should definitely be on your foodie bucket list, but Florence is said to be where the sweet treat originated from, so it’s doubly important to stop for at least one gelato while you’re here (via The Florentine).
Although you can get just about any kind, be sure to try those classic Italian flavors: fragola (strawberry), limone (lemon), and my personal favorite, nocciola (hazelnut). Gelateria dei Neri on Via dei Neri just to the north of the Ponte alle Grazie is a winner, and they also serve a selection of Italian cakes.
What is the national dish of Italy?
The national dish of Italy is ragu alla Bolognese. In other countries, it’s known simply as spaghetti Bolognese.
The traditional version, which stems from the region of Bologna, is made with fresh tagliatelle or a similar wide, flat kind of noodle. It features chopped carrot, celery, and onion in a rich beef tomato sauce.
Authentic recipes also include cream to balance the acidity of the tomatoes and a touch of pancetta to add a salty flavor. There are plenty of pasta dishes to sample in Florence, but given this is a Bolognese dish rather than a Tuscan one, you may not find it easily. And give up your hopes now of spotting spaghetti Bolognese in Italy!
How many restaurants are in Florence?
There are estimated to be over 800 restaurants in downtown Florence alone (via Florence Web Guide). You’ll never struggle with finding somewhere to eat in the Renaissance City!
How expensive is food in Florence?
Restaurants in the more touristy areas of Florence—including those directly outside major attractions—tend to attract sky-high prices. To avoid paying too much for food that isn’t always that good (though sometimes it is!), avoid restaurants that overlook landmarks, such as the Duomo.
Instead, venture a few streets back from the main piazzas and look for hole-in-the-wall trattorias. Often, eateries that cost less will offer smaller, less varied menus, but that doesn’t mean the food is of lower quality. Some of the best home-style meals are found in these smaller establishments!
Are there food tours in Florence?
Sometimes, the best way to experience the culinary spirit of a city is with a food tour. Florence has plenty of them, many incorporating the nearby wine regions of Tuscany.
The Florence: Chianti Wineries Tour with Food and Wine Tasting is one of the most highly-rated tours that spends half a day taking you to two wineries just outside of Florence in the Chianti region. Otherwise, another option is From Florence: Tuscany Wine & Food Tour with Guide.
If you want a more hands-on culinary experience, another great food tour is Florence: Pizza and Gelato Class at a Tuscan Farmhouse. The class is run by a professional Italian chef who will teach you everything you need to know about pizza and gelato-making.
For those interested in exploring the food options in Florence itself, the Florence: Flavors of Florence Food Tour may be for you. This guided tour takes a small group of just 10 participants to the best markets, food shops, and trattorias in Florence.
