Looking for delicious places to eat in Florence, Italy? You’ll have a delicious meal or snack during your time in Florence at these mouthwatering spots.
Whenever Italy comes up in conversation, we always end up talking about all the amazing places to eat in Florence, Italy that has become our favorites. Some of the best dishes I’ve ever had are from Italy… especially the city of Florence.
That’s why I always want to go back. But with limited vacation time, I do try to travel to other places in the world.
Friends and family traveling to Itay always ask us… what are your favorite places to eat in Florence? So I’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite Florence eats for everyone to enjoy. I hope this list will help you eat your way through Firenze as we do every time we are there.
Who doesn’t love pasta? Or pizza? Or any dish prepared by Nonna? Well in this post we cover delicious quick bites to eat as well as some of our favorite restaurants in Florence. You’ll wonder at a few of these if nonna is actually cooking in the back.
A few tips…
Always ask what’s in season. Usually what’s on special is what’s in season. We are in Florence during the mushroom season a lot of the time. The mushrooms they serve are incredible and nothing like what we would eat back home. So I always recommend asking.
While ordering a bottle of wine is nice. Don’t be afraid to try the house wine. It’s almost as good or better than the next expensive bottle of wine. Note, the wine will most likely be cheaper than a can of soda.
Have gelato every day because the time is short and you never know when the next time you’ll be in Italy.
Places to Eat in Florence, Italy
-Restaurants in Florence we love-
Trattoria Sostanza
Two words: BUTTERED CHICKEN!
Melt-in-your-mouth buttered chicken. It sounds like a simple dish, but the process they use to make it wouldn’t be as easy to replicate at home. The chicken is pan-fried in this frothy buttery sauce. The chicken comes out delicately crispy and it’s so tender that it melts in your mouth.
They are also known for their Florentine steak and artichoke pie.
I can’t visit Florence and not have Trattoria Sostanza one night for dinner. It is excellent! Absolutely, one of our favorite places to eat in Florence.
The family running Trattoria Sostanza are welcoming and invite you into the back of the kitchen and demonstrate how they make their favorite dishes over an antique stove. Don’t dare leave anything on your plate, they expect you to mangia-mangia!
Leave room for dessert! Their Meringue Wild Raspberry Cake is amazing.
Via del Porcellana, 25/R, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy (Google Map It) | Tripadvisor
Cash only. Communal dining. Reservations recommended.
Acquacotta Trattoria
Italian comfort food at its finest and one of the best places to eat in Florence, Italy. The combination of the ambiance, the food, and the service makes me feel like I’m at nonna’s having a home-cooked meal here at Acquacotta Trattoria.
I initially thought nonna was in the kitchen cooking, but then I found out it’s a husband and wife operation. The wife is waitressing and running the front, while the husband works his magic in the kitchen. An excellent duo, serving dishes that warm the soul after the first bite.
Check to see if the wild boar is on the menu; it’s a local delicacy, and Acquacotta is the place to try it.
Acquacotta Trattoria | Via dei Pilastri, 51/R, 50121 Firenze FI, Italy (Google Map It) | Tripadvisor
Reservations recommended.
Ristorante del Fagioli
This cozy tavern is filled with locals and tourists feasting on traditional menu items like ribollita and Bistecca alla Fiorentina. This Florence restaurant came highly recommended by many locals we met during our first trip for an authentic Bistecca alla Fiorentina experience.
What makes a Florentine steak? A traditional Florentine steak comes from their local Chianina cattle (white cow). When you order the steak, they will bring out and present the cut of raw meat to your table for approval before they proceed to cook it in the kitchen. We were astonished but delighted all at the same time.
We paired our steak with sauteed white beans, spinach, and some of their house chianti. It is one of the best cuts of meat we’ve ever had. The meat is excellent, tender, and properly prepared. This is one of our favorite meals when we are in Firenze.
Corso dei Tintori, 47-red, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy (Google Map It) | Tripadvisor
Cash only. Reservations recommended.
The Best Things to do in Florence, Italy
It’s one of our favorite cities, of course, we have a full guide of the top things to do in Florence. Don’t miss all the best sites, tips, and day trips you can take from Florence. Google map included!
Osteria del Cinghiale Bianco
Osteria del Cinghiale Bianco is a popular and busy Tuscan restaurant in Florence on the South Side of the river closer to Palazzo Pitti. A short 3-minute walk from Ponte Vecchio. The restaurant is located on the ground floor of a 13th-century tower. You will definitely get the feeling of the medieval vibes upon sitting down.
The literal translation of Cinghiale Bianco translates into White Boar.
They serve many typical Tuscan dishes all fantastically amazing and delicious. It will be hard to choose. We ate there during truffle season and literally tried everything with truffle on the menu, including the pecorino and truffle chicken breast. They aren’t stingy with the truffle either as you’ll find they shave them right onto your dish.
What I loved are the large communal tables you will chair with other patrons. The restaurant is bustling and full of happy locals and tourists. This is by far one of the best places to eat in Florence. You will definitely want to make a reservation ahead of time to eat here.
Osteria del Cinghiale Bianco | Borgo S. Jacopo, 43, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy (Google Map It) | Menu | Tripadvisor
Reservations recommended.
-Quick and delicious Bites in Florence-
All’Antico Vinaio
Do you love savory sandwiches on homemade bread, local Italian cold cuts, and unique creamy sauces? Well, this is the place to grab one to-go.
There seems to always be a long line at All’Antico Vinaio but with reason. Don’t let the line scare you.
Sandwiches are made to order on fresh focaccia bread. Order from their menu board, pick your own fillings, or be surprised and ask them to make you their favorite combination. All the meats and cheeses are hand-sliced.
Take your sandwiches to go, grab a bottle of wine with some plastic cups, and find a spot by the River Arno to enjoy it.
Via dei Neri, 76 R, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy (Google Map It) | Tripadvisor | Yelp
A Day Trip to Lucca, Italy
Rent a car or take the train and spend the day in Lucca. See what to do in the old city of Lucca behind the ancient Renaissance walls.
Gusta Pizza
You can’t visit Italy and not have at least a taste of pizza. Gusta Pizza is one of the best places for a quick and delicious pizza near Palazzo Pitti.
Gusta Pizza has also been featured on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives. Guy Fieri was not wrong about this place and it quickly became one of our favorite eats of Florence, Italy too! Order a classic Margherita and sprinkle on some of their special hot sauce to spice it up. Any of their combinations will satisfy any pizza lover. Cash Only.
Via Maggio, 46r, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy (Google Map It) | Tripadvisor | Yelp
Mercato Centrale
The central market is the farmer’s market in the city of Firenze. You can do some local food shopping here to prepare back at your Airbnb or you can eat at a number of their food stands.
Make a stop at the family-owned Conti Tuscany Flavour to buy some of their truffle honey or aged balsamic.
Then stop by da Nerbone, a food stand that’s been there as long as the market, and try a bollito (a boiled beef sandwich) with salsa verde.
The 2nd floor of this market has a trendy food court with a number of food stands open until 12 AM. It’s a great place to try a variety of foods at great prices. You should absolutely try to visit if only to just look around. See where the locals shop. Learn about their traditional local foods.
Piazza del Mercato Centrale, Via dell’Ariento, 50123 (Google Map It) | Website
Perche No!
When you’re in Florence, you must have some GELATO! We can’t have a list of our favorite eats of Florence without mentioning gelato, right?
We were introduced to Perche No! by Florence For Foodies (I highly recommend this food tour with Nat and Samanta). We had tried other gelato places before being introduced to Perche No! and I can say, this is one of the best in town. All the gelato is made fresh, in-house daily.
Don’t forget to top off your gelato with some Panna (whipped cream)!
Via dei Tavolini, 19r, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy (Google Map It) | Tripadvisor
Cafe Rivoire
Located right across from the copy of Michelangelo’s David in Piazza della Signoria, you will find one of the best hot chocolates in Florence at Cafe Rivoire. The hot chocolate is thick, rich, smooth, and creamy. Make sure to ask for panna (whip cream). I personally couldn’t drink it all it was so rich, but it was definitely worth the many sips I did get to have.
Cafe Rivoire has been producing some of the finest Italian chocolates for 150 years. So it is worth the stop even if it’s just to purchase a few chocolates and have an espresso.
Our favorite thing to do is take a seat outside of the cafe, order some hot chocolate and espresso, admire the main square, Piazza della Signoria.
Cafe Rivoire | P.za della Signoria, 5/R, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy | (Google Map It) | Website | Tripadvisor
Don’t Miss the Wine!
Florence is known for its Chianti. You can’t visit Italy without trying one of the many things they are known for. Order the house wine or ask your server what their favorite bottle is to discover a local favorite.
We discovered our favorite wine this way: Nipozzano Riserva. You can actually visit the Frescobaldi winery in Tuscany.
Only have one day in Florence? Without a doubt lunch at All’Antico Vinaio and dinner at El Fagiole.
Anytime I revisit this list, I long to book a trip just to revisit them all and eat my heart out. This is one of my favorite cities in the world. I’m sure that you will enjoy eating your way through it as much as I have.
Which place are you looking forward to eating at?
Have you been to Florence, Italy? What are your favorite places to eat in Florence?
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Great post full of amazing tips. It made me long to be in Italy eating good food and drinking good wine in the outdoors!
Thanks so much! I didn’t mention wine a whole lot and you just proved my theory… that most people know to drink the wine when in Italy! 😉
Buttered chicken?! Yumm!! I may have to travel to Florence just for that!! The pizza sounds pretty great, too!!
Absolutely worth the trip. Promise.
I simply adore Italian food, everything about it. Thank you for sharing and ”Perché no uno gelato?” for the first day of summer? I’ll take your advice and try that pizza too first chance I get. Very nicely put and described great tips. Thanks again
That combination sounds so good to me right now! Thanks for the sweet comments. Appreciate it.
OMG all of these places look amazing!! YUM!!
All so good! I seriously dream about these places all the time. Can’t wait to go back.