The possibilities seem endless in a city like Florence; from true Sicilian recipes that delight the palate and bring the sea to land to deep red Bistecca Fiorentina, Florence offers any lover of Italian food as many options as you can imagine.
We have traveled across Italy for over forty years. Some of our old favorites in the city have gone, and many new exceptional restaurants and trattorias have opened.
Get off the beaten path and enjoy some of these, our first ‘go-to’ places for a fairly priced, well served meal.
Salute!
Ristorante Ara: e Sud
A new comer to Florence. Go!
Chef Carmello Pennachietti brought with him his great success (including Michelin stars) from Sicily to Florence. His preparations, especially the fresh sea food, invoke views of the Ionian coast, of verdant hillsides and of the unique Sicilian culture. His incredible recipes astound with their bursts of flavor, their savory after-bite and their luscious freshness.
Reservations strongly recommended.
The Dining Room, Ara e Sud
Via della Vigna Vecchia, 4, 50122 Firenze FI,
Italy
HOURS:
Closed Tuesday
Monday – Sunday: 12:00 Noon – 11:00PM
Tel: +39. 331.21.70.926
Trattoria Anita
Located directly behind the Palazzo Vecchio (the city “hall” of Florence), and down a narrow medieval alleyway, this lovely and simple trattoria serves very good food, traditionally Tuscan, at an incredible price (good, that is!). If there are more than four together for dinner, I would call ahead for reservations.
Via del Parlascio, 2
50122 Firenze, Italy
Phone: +39.055.218.8698
Hours:
Monday-Saturday 12:00PM – 2:30PM, 7:00PM – 10:15PM
Sunday Closed
Il Latini
If there is any restaurant in Florence that personifies the insane cacophonous atmosphere of the true Italian trattoria, Il Latini is it. GO EARLY at opening to get in, otherwise you will have to wait, sometimes for more than an hour. You can call ahead for reservations. You often sit at long tables with other diners. The ceiling is covered in hanging prosciutto hams. This place is great fun and has great food. A Florentine tradition.
Via dei Palchetti, 6R
50123 Firenze, Italy
Phone: +39.055.210.916
Hours:
Tuesday – Sunday 12:30PM – 2:30PM, 7:30PM – 10:30PM
Monday Closed
Il Latini, Firenze
Trattoria San Gallo
Trattoria San Gallo
Located just off the intersection of Via San Gallo and Via Guelfa, this small and unassuming trattoria offers good meals at reasonable prices. Don’t expect fancy or superb levels of service. This is a place where the locals dine, so you know it is consistent and fairly priced.
Via San Gallo, 4
50122 Firenze, Italy
Phone: +39.055.239.9893
Hours
Monday – Friday 12:00PM – 3:00PM, 7:00PM – 11:30PM
Saturday 7:00PM – 11:30PM (no Lunch)
Sunday 12:00PM – 3:00PM, 7:00PM – 11:30PM
Trattoria Bibe
This is a wonderful place with exceptional food and service. If you wish to get out of the city and into a nearby suburb (Galluzzo) you can take a taxi for about € 20.00 each way and have a memorable meal with some of the best food in Tuscany.
Trattoria Bibe, Garden Terrace
The family that owns the trattoria is in their fifth generation of ownership. Families from the Frescobaldi’s to the Antinori’s to the common folks of Florence love this place. In summer, reserve on the lovely garden terrace and in cooler days, the interior offers the kind of warmth only an Italian home can offer.
Via delle Bagnese, 1
50124 Firenze, Italy
Phone: +39.055.204.9085
Hours:
Mon-Friday Dinner only 7:30PM –9:30PM
Saturday/Sunday 12:30PM – 2:30PPM, 7:30PM – 9:30PM
Wednesday Closed
La Ménagére
A newcomer to the Florence dining scene, this is a trendy and fun place to enjoy very good food in a modern/quirky atmosphere. Love the design of this place and the food offers unique twists on Tuscan traditional recipes.
La Ménagére , Florence
You will find good service, fair prices and a welcoming comfortable atmosphere. If you are interested, they often have jazz in the evenings in the lower cantina. You can check at the restaurant welcome desk about time and performers.
Via de’Ginori, 8
Firenze, Italy
Phone: +39.055.075.0600
Hours:
Monday – Sunday 12:00PM – 11:00PM
Ristorante Cafaggi
The entire family works together at Cafaggi!
This fourth generation family run restaurant attracts local Florentines, as well as the knowledgeable visitor. You may see the occasional large group here, but the main dining room is reserved for tables of from two to six diners.
I recommend calling for a reservation for dinner. Famous for Beefsteak Florentine…and it is GOOD!
Via Guelfa, 35/R
50129 Firenze, Italy
Phone: +39.055.294.989
Hours:
Monday – Saturday 12:30PM – 3:00PM, 7:00PM – 10:00PM
Sunday Closed
Osteria Santo Spirito
Interior of Osteria Santo Spirito
Located directly on the Piazza that fronts the church of Santo Spirito in the Oltrarno, the south side of the Arno River, this place is relaxing, fun, flavorful and memorable. You should make reservations for dinner.
Depending on weather, you can sit outside on the raised wooden platform. Clear “plastic” walls help keep the weather out. I recommend upstairs inside for a quieter table and, if you are fortunate, a view of the Piazza.
Piazza Santo Spirito, 16/R
50125 Firenze, Italy
Phone: +39.055.238.2383
Hours:
Monday – Sunday 12:00PM – 11:30PM
Cibreo
A word of explanation: Cibreo and the Teatro del Sale, across from each other in the Sant’Ambrogio neighborhood of Florence, are owned by the same family – the Picchi’s. The chef’s wife at Cibreo opened the Teatro del Sale as a dinner/performance venue several years ago. These two restaurants are listed separately so that you can consider options about style of meal, type of atmosphere, etc. Either way, you will not be disappointed with either place.
Cibreo, Main Dining Room
Much has been written about the amazing food prepared here by Chef and owner Fabio Picchi. A Florentine attraction in and of himself, the restaurant is rated one of the very best in Italy. Yes, it is pricey, yet you will never regret your meal if you dine here. Call for reservations.
Via Andrea del Verrocchio, 8/R
50128 Firenze, Italy
Phone: +39.055.234.1100
Hours:
Tuesday –Sunday 12:50PM – 2:30PM, 7:00PM – 11:15PM
Monday Closed
Teatro del Sale
Florentine Chef Fabio Picchi is one of Florence’s living treasures who steals the Sant’Ambrogio show with this eccentric, good value members-only club located inside an old theater. (Everyone welcome, annual membership € 7.00 per person at entrance.) He cooks up weekend brunch, lunch and dinner, culminating at 9:30PM in a live performance of drama, music or comedy arranged by his wife, artistic director and comic actress Maria Cassi. Dinners are hectic: grab a chair, serve yourself water, wine and antipasti and wait for the chef to yell out what’s about to be served. You line up at the open kitchen’s counter for your first and second course. Dessert and coffee are laid out buffet-style just prior to the performance. FUN!
Dinner hour at Teatro del Sale
Via de` Macci, 118
50122 Firenze, Italy
Phone: +39.055.200.1492
Hours:
Tuesday – Friday 12:00PM – 2:30PM (Brunch)
7:30PM – 11:00PM
Saturday 11:30AM – 3:00PM
7:30PM – 11:00PM
Sunday 11:30AM – 3:00PM (Brunch Only)
Monday Closed
Mercato Nuovo (San Lorenzo Food Market)
A typical summer crowd at the Mercato
The ground floor of this building is where the locals shop for the best of Tuscan and Italian goods; from meats to cheeses to vegetables and seasonings this is the place for best prices on fresh products.
In April 2014, the second floor became a kind of open Tuscan food ‘court’ where only the finest Tuscan items are prepared. There is a high degree of attention paid to the quality and preparation of dishes available. Open daily for a unique experience, offering leisure, authenticity, spontaneity and tradition.
Piazza del Mercato Centrale, 26
Firenze, Italy
Hours:
Monday – Sunday 11:00AM – 11:00PM
Phone: +39.055.239.9798
Hours:
Monday – Sunday 10:00AM – 12:01AM
Trattoria Za Za
Since 1977 this delightful little trattoria, steps from the Mercato Nuovo (see #10), has been serving excellent food with good service and fair prices. Inside is cozy, with warm colors and multi-faceted artwork.
A welcoming evening view at Osteria Santo Spirito
Depending on weather, you can sit outside on their covered wooden deck. Well worth the trip for a good meal.
If you plan on dinner, I recommend called for a reservation.