If you are going to pass a holiday in Florence, or if you simply are passing a day sightseeing or shopping in this wonderful Renaissance town, you may find this list of the best places and restaurants to eat very useful.
A great vacation must always be accompanied with great food and wine 🙂
La Giostra
Located in Borgo Pinti, in the very heart of Florence’s historical center, la Giostra is characterized by a friendly atmosphere, the restaurant is frequented not only by locals by also by famous people like John Travolta, for instance.
The place is named after a carousel of the 18th century that used to be stored here during winter time. The food is great, the motto of la Giostra is “In food we trust”. I recommend the Ravioli with William’s pear and Pecorino cheese, the Chianina flatten with aromatic herbs, and the fabulous Sacher Chocolate Torte.
Enoteca Pinchiorri
This famous restaurant in Florence is characterized by a very elegant and luxurious ambience, in perfect tune with the high prices. The dishes are extraordinary, especially
the monk fish filled with goose liver, broccoli sauce and squid ink dash, the hand made taglierini (pasta), and the “zuccotto”, a typical and delicious Tuscan cake!
The wine cellar of the restaurant boasts really prestigious labels and wines of the greatest quality.
Il Latini
Run by the Latini family, this trattoria has a lively and convivial atmosphere, with hams hanging from the ceiling. It serves typical Florentine specialties, like the ribollita, the pappa al pomodoro, and the trippa alla fiorentina, and the stracotto. The wines are superb as well.
Giannino in San Lorenzo
Giannino is a trattoria in Borgo San Lorenzo, a typical Florentine restaurant where you can try classic Italian and Tuscan recipes, like various types of soups or the beef fillet with red Chianti sauce. The upstairs room is dominated by an antique painting.
Ristorante del Fagioli
Near the Basilica of Santa Croce, this nice family-run trattoria takes its name from Il Fagioli, chef and poet to the family of the Medici. The restaurant follows the Florentine culinary traditions, with great local specialties. Do order the bistecca fiorentina (steak) and wash it down with the red wine of the house!
All’Antico Ristoro di Cambi
Set in the characteristic quarter of Oltrarno, this traditional trattoria has an informal and friendly atmosphere and again serves great and delicious Tuscan and Florentine dishes, like the prosciutto di Cinta Senese (ham), the tagliolini al tartufo (pasta with truffle), ribollita (typical Tuscan soup), tagliatelle al cinghiale (pasta with wild boar).
Buca Lapi
Situated in Via del Trebbio, on the corner with Vià Tornabuoni, this restaurant has a very ancient history; in the 15th century the Antinori family started to sell their wine right here. The vaulted ceiling is covered by travel posters from all over the world, and the here you can taste traditional Tuscan dishes, such as the zuppa di cipolle (onions’ soup), the wild boar, home made pasta, and the bistecca alla fiorentina. The cellar offers many great wines, and of course the Antinori label.
Needless to say that Florence is so incredibly full of restaurants, wine bars, trattorie, osterie, that I’ll need to come back to update the list.
Enjoy your meal in Florence 🙂
Which restaurant is pictured at the beginning of this article? Thank you!
Hi Shannon,
It’s Restaurant La Giostra, the first on the list,
ciao from Florence,
elena