Florence is fertile ground for restaurants that offer more formal but at the same time authentic hospitality.
Below are our suggestions for lunch or dinner.
- REGINA BISTECCA. Via Ricasoli 14r. A stone’s throw from the Duomo, the temple of the “Bistecca alla fiorentina”, it also serves traditional Florentine and Tuscan specialties in a refined setting. Excellent selection of wines.
- ATTO di Vito Mollica. Via del Corso 6. One Michelin star restaurant by the famous chef Vito Mollica. Even the setting is an experience in addition to the excellence of the food.
- BUCA MARIO. Piazza Ottaviani 16r. Historic restaurant in one of the famous Florentine “holes”. Traditional menu.
- CAMMILLO. Borgo San Jacopo 57r. Very extensive menu with selected and top quality raw materials. Historic address in the city.
- CANTINETTA ANTINORI. Piazza Antinori 3. Restaurant of the renowned winery of the same name. Refined environment in the historic Palazzo Antinori.
- SALOTTO PORTINARI. Via del Corso 6. Inside the splendid Palazzo Portinari, managed by the talented “starred” chef Vito Mollica.
- LA MENAGERE. Via Ginori 8r. Large and very refined environment in which to lose yourself in modern cuisine and a different menu at any time of the day, from breakfast to after-dinner.
- TOSCANINO RINASCENTE. Piazza della Repubblica. Located on the panoramic terrace of the Rinascente, it offers a traditional local menu with a breathtaking view.
- GUCCI GARDEN. Piazza della Signoria 10. One Michelin star restaurant of the famous fashion house.
- SAPORIUM. Lungarno Cellini 63r. Restaurant boasting one Michelin star that serves a 0 km menu from the private garden of the splendid Borgo Santo Pietro resort.
- CAFAGGI. Via Guelfa 35r. Traditional atmosphere and menu for a historic family-run restaurant.
- IL SANTO BEVITORE. Via Santo Spirito 64r. In one of the most elegant streets of the city, “il Santo” has been offering modern cuisine tied to tradition for over 20 years. Young and cheerful atmosphere. A point of reference for Florentines too.
- CIBLEO. Via del Verrocchio 2r. “Fusion” offer between Japan and Tuscany in a place with very few seats. Seats at the counter are recommended.
- CUCINA. Via Giano della Bella 3r. Far from the center in an elegant street on the slopes of the Bellosguardo hill, it serves a “radical” menu with the utmost attention to the quality of the products and their seasonality.
The Florentine gastronomic tradition has its roots in a handful of trattorias that are still active and that conserve, enhance, preserve and pass on the typical recipes of the area and the informal and jovial atmospheres.
Often still family-run, they are the best place to stop to appreciate the typical dishes.
These are the addresses known to us that we can certainly recommend.
- SOSTANZA. Via del Porcellana 25r. Florentine monument to catering. Artichoke pie and butter chicken are their iconic dishes. As in the typical trattorias of the past, they do not serve coffee. Reservations required.
- ALLA VECCHIA BETTOLA. Viale Pratolini 3/5/7. Slightly outside the center, a place loved by Florentines. Informal and convivial atmosphere. Try the “penne alla bettola”
- AL TRANVAI. Piazza Tasso 14r. Small trattoria bastion of Florentine cuisine. Must try if on the menu at the moment, the “rognone trifolato”.
- B.o.R.G.O. Borgo San Frediano 145r. Few tables for a menu that varies with the seasons. Organic garden and eclectic menu with a spasmodic attention to the quality of the raw materials.
- COCO LEZZONE. Via parioncino 26r. One of the city’s historic trattorias that still retains its charm of simplicity and originality. Typical local cuisine and four large communal tables where you can share the table with other diners.
- VINI E VECCHI SAPORI. Via dei Magazzini 3r. Small restaurant behind Piazza della Signoria where you can enjoy the simplicity and flavors of Florentine cuisine.
- SERGIO GOZZI. Piazza San Lorenzo 8r. Open only for lunch next to the Basilica of San Lorenzo, it is as Florentine as the basilica, the favorite church of the Medici.
- LE MOSSACCE. Via del Proconsolo 55r. Once a destination for a tasty business lunch in the center, it is now a popular destination for its simple atmosphere and reasonable prices.
- DA RUGGERO. Via Senese 89r. Outside the center, this trattoria has been a “classic” for Florentines for over 50 years. Spaghetti alla carrettiera and roast pork loin, if one is undecided.
- 5 e CINQUE. Piazza della Passera 1. Entirely vegetarian menu from the Ligurian tradition. Intimate and refined atmosphere.
- DA ROCCO. Inside the Sant’Ambrogio market. Among the market stalls for over 30 years, “Paolino” always smiling, offers a quick and fun lunch at reasonable prices.
- SABATINO. Via Pisana 2r. Large restaurant with an extensive menu at almost “political” prices. Family management is the essence of this beautiful and solid reality.
- UQBAR. Via dei Fossi 15r. Inside the unique and much-loved TODO MODO bookshop by Pietro and Maddalena, it offers a menu of few but consistent and refined dishes. Careful selection of wines.