Restaurants
The food scene in Florence is excellent, much like the rest of Italy. The city is full of characterful trattorias serving up delicious pizza, pasta and meat dishes, washed down with delicious, reasonably priced wine. You won’t want to miss the famous Florentine specialty Bistecca alla Fiorentina. A T-bone steak, no less than one kilogram is grilled over an open flame and served rare. Other Florentine specialties include lampredotto (tripe, often served in a sandwich) or ribollita (a vegetable and bread soup).
Nobile Bistro
Piazza di Madonna degli Aldobrandini, 13, 50123 Firenze Fl
In the Piazza di Madonna Degli Aldobrandini, next to the Medici Chapels, you will find one of the best paninis in Florence. For about €5 you can sit in the beautiful square and enjoy a panini with freshly baked focaccia style bread and fresh, delicious ingredients such as prosciutto and brie with truffle sauce, or salami, mozzarella and basil. The owners are friendly and ensure that Nobile Bistro will be one of the cheapest and most satisfying dining experiences you can have in Florence.
Mangia Pizza Firenze
Via Lambertesca, 24/26/R, 50122 Firenze Fl
Mangia Pizza Firenze specialises in ‘ciabatte’, a Tuscan type of pizza with a crispy rectangular crust. Each pizza is made to order from fresh delicious ingredients such as homemade pesto, sundried tomatoes, truffles, as well as Tuscan cured meats. The restaurant is set on a lovely street not far from Ponte Vecchio and has a casual atmosphere with about 6 tables and some stools at the bar. The service is friendly and prices are excellent for the central location. There are a few Italian craft beers as well as wine to choose from, all of which are reasonably priced. What a great option for a quick and tasty lunch or dinner during your time in Florence!
Trattoria San Lorenzo
Borgo S. Lorenze, 53R, 50123 Firenze Fl
On the quiet San Lorenzo Piazza, overlooking the beautiful Basilica di San Lorenzo, you will find the lovely Trattoria San Lorenzo. Serving up classic Tuscan dishes such as wild boar pappardelle, veal ossobuco and Fiorentina steak, the restaurant is a great spot to sample some traditional food in authentic surroundings. Inside you can expect timber floors, exposed brick and wine boxes on the walls, while outside you can sit at a table on the cobblestones and take in the full majesty of the Basilica. There is also an extensive wine list featuring wines from all over Tuscany. Both the food and wine are reasonably priced, and the service is excellent.
Fuoco Matto
Via Ventisette Aprile, 16, 50129 Firenze Fl
Just around the corner from Independence Square, lies Fuoco Matto, an excellent restaurant serving up great Tuscan and Italian food. Fuoco Matto is a great all-rounder, with excellent pizza, pasta and steak. Though, they are particularly proud of their Fiorentina steak and Maremma beef, cooked rare and by the kilo. Inside the decoration is modern and relaxed, though there is still plenty of character. The staff here are friendly and attentive, providing excellent service. There is also a good wine list and dessert menu – don’t miss the house made tiramisu! With good reason the restaurant is very popular with locals, so try to book a table to ensure you don’t miss out!
Osteria dell’Enoteca
Via Romana, 70/r, 50125 Firenze Fl
For a special lunch or dinner, venture across the Arno to the Oltrarno neighbourhood where you’ll find Osteria dell’Enoteca, just a block from the Boboli Gardens. Past the modest entrance on a quiet street you will enter what looks to be an old cellar, with exposed brick walls, dark tiled floors and timber beams. This is offset by spaced out tables with crisp linen tablecloths and fine glassware. Osteria dell’Enoteca serves up seasonal Tuscan food with a modern twist; think chicken liver terrine, tagliatelle with slow cooked rabbit and of course bistecca alla Fiorentina. For wine, you venture to the wine wall where, with the help of a wine waiter, you choose from the dozens of options of bottles or wine by the glass. The staff here are friendly, professional and helpful and ensure your dining experience is one to remember!
