Taste the flavors of Florence, Italy, where culinary traditions emerge with each bite,
captivating your senses and weaving stories of flavors that stay in your heart.
Florence is Europe’s cultural center and one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations. This is due to a combination of favorable factors, however, many would argue that the majority of visitors are drawn in by the local cuisine and restaurants. Which is more important, the Venus Birth or the Bistecca Fiorentina? Fortunately, you don’t have to choose; you can have both! The following are the 10 best restaurants in Florence Italy.
It pays to listen to locals before deciding where to eat in Florence. Millions of visitors flock to the city each year, and far too many restaurants are satisfied to serve delicious food to people who don’t know any better.
The greatest local restaurants in Florence Italy range from modest pizzerias and packed grab-and-go sandwich shops to bustling marketplaces and lovely trattorias. While you’re guaranteed to smell freshly made coffee everywhere you go in the city center, these restaurants stand out as some of the most popular.
There are many great restaurants to pick from in Florence, whether you’re searching for an economical and quick lunch in between museum tours or if you want to spend a romantic evening savoring freshly made pasta and incredible Tuscan wine.
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Table of Contents
Where to eat in Florence Italy?
Planning your meals in Italy should take a few factors into account. In comparison to other countries, Italy starts eating dinner significantly later. The majority of restaurants don’t even start serving food until after 8 o’clock.
You’ll be prepared to have dinner with the locals by around 8 or 9 p.m. after having a few drinks and some meat and cheese.
If a restaurant is open and bustling at 6 p.m., it is probably only open to serving visitors and may not be as nice as some of the other establishments that serve more local Italians.
Pro Tip | Stick to your budget
Dining out in Florence might cost anywhere from 8 to 700 Euros. At times, you want to treat yourself. Sometimes all you want to do is dine, which won’t cost you more than 15 Euros.
These restaurants may rank equally in terms of flavor even though they are at opposite ends of the pricing level. If you look at our list of the top best restaurants in Florence Italy you’ll see that gourmet dining is placed next to pizza and street cuisine and that beauty and the beast are seated right next to one another. Do you want to eat at one of the top restaurants in Florence Italy close to its most popular sights and monuments?
Gune San Frediano
Guné is a chic yet relaxed restaurant with a retro-glam ambiance that is situated in San Frediano, Florence’s hippest neighborhood and is quickly earning a reputation as one of the city’s most unique restaurants in Florence Italy.
People gather here to enjoy good food and drink. With distinctive concoctions like Basil Instincts (gin, basil, and mandarin) and Artemide (flavors of porcini mushroom and wild fennel), award-winning barman Eleonora Romolini has a strong local following in Florence’s cocktail scene.
A smart combination of two regional cuisines brings together the chefs’ Florentine heritage and the owners’ roots in southern Italy. The characteristic Valdarno pigeon three ways (which includes a great small savory liver crème brulée) is pure Tuscany, while dishes like paccheri pasta with Francesca (meat sauce), Moliterno cheese, and “chutney” prepared from crusco (dried sweet red peppers) have a Basilicata influence.
Cuisines
Italian, Mediterranean, Healthy, Tuscan, Central-Italian, Contemporary
Special Diets
Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free Options, Vegan Options
Location
Via del Drago d’Oro 1r incrocio Via Borgo San Frediano, 50124, Florence Italy
Open Hours
Tuesday – Saturday from 7:00 PM to 12:00 AM
Sunday from 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM and from 7:00 PM to 12:00 AM (closed on Monday)
Phone
+39 055 493 9902
For Menu Check Website
https://gunesanfrediano.it/
Reviews & Ratings
5 Star rating with 243 reviews
Regina Bistecca
If you are a meat lover and love steaks then this next pick is for you Regina Bistecca one of the best restaurants in Florence Italy for serving the tastiest steaks. Regina Bistecca delivers the best of Florentine gourmet tradition, with a focus on Florentine steak.
The word has spread. Since it launched in September 2018, dedicated carnivores, local gourmets, and travelers have flocked to this location. Regina Bistecca serves Florence’s most famous signature dish, the bistecca alla Fiorentina, a massive T-bone priced by weight.
You can select the breed of your steak here, ranging from a generic European Selection to the highly valued (and expensive) Tuscan Chianina. The previous occupant of this wonderful property, just north of the Duomo, was a revered 140-year-old antiquarian bookseller, and the new owners have wisely opted to keep the character of the place.
Regina Bistecca’s main dining room now boasts vaulted ceilings, dark grey walls covered with paintings and prints in gilded frames, and a gallery running around the top.
The preparation, serving, and consumption of a bistecca is serious business, and it is treated with reverence here, from being delivered to the table uncooked for the client’s approval to the flourishing presentation of a bone-handled knife with which to cut it.
Cuisines
Italian, Steakhouse, Mediterranean, Barbecue, Tuscan, Central-Italian
Special Diets
Gluten-Free Options
Location
Via Ricasoli 6 Davanti al Teatro Niccolini, a 30 metri dal Duomo., 50122, Florence Italy
Open Hours
Monday – Thursday from 7.00 PM to 11.30 PM
Friday – Sunday from 12.00 PM to 3:00 PM and 7:00 PM to 11:30 PM
Phone
+39 055 269 3772
For Menu Check Website
http://www.reginabistecca.com/
Reviews & Ratings
5 Star rating with 410 reviews
Gusta Pizza
Gusta Pizza is one busiest pizzeria restaurants in Florence Italy, because of its superb Neapolitan-style pizzas. This pizzeria, just two streets from the Palazzo Pitti, frequently has a queue out the door, but service is rapid.
The menu includes classic pizzas such as Margherita (tomato, mozzarella, basil, parmesan, and olive oil), Calabrese (tomatoes, spicy salami, basil, and mozzarella), and Napoli (tomato, mozzarella, oregano, anchovies, capers, and olive oil). If you want a heart-shaped pizza, ask the staff to cook it for you.
Cuisines
Italian, Pizza
Special Diets
Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options
Location
Via Maggio 46R, 50125, Florence Italy
Open Hours
Tuesday – Sunday from 11:30 PM to 3:00 PM and from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM (closed on Mondays)
Phone
+39 055 285068
For Menu Check Website
https://www.gustapizza.co/
Reviews & Ratings
4.5 Star rating with 3957 reviews
L’Angolo Del Mare
Many local experts agree that L’Angolo del Mare, a modest restaurant on the northeastern outskirts of Florence, has some of the greatest fish and shellfish in town. Mirco and Carmelo used to own a restaurant on the Tuscan coast, and they continue to rely on local suppliers for daily supplies of hopping fresh seafood.
L’Angolo del Mare was ranked fourth on our list of the best restaurants in Florence Italy due to the variety of fresh fish, it offers. The small menu, which is updated frequently, includes dishes like seared tuna with soy, a fantastic lobster tagliolini, spaghetti with clams and salty bottarga, and a magnificent full sea bass baked in a salt crust. (The fish is sealed with salt, which also preserves it wonderfully moist when cooking.)
A delicious Champagne-strawberry tiramisu is served for dessert. While perusing the menu, order a glass of dry Franciacorta fizz, and then pick from the compact but thoughtful list of reasonably priced, primarily white wines from Italy and other countries. Carmelo is in charge of the front of the home, and he and his small staff are happy to offer advice.
Cuisines
Italian, Seafood, Mediterranean, and European
Special Diets
Gluten-Free Options
Location
1/Red Edmondo de Amicis Street, 50137, Florence Italy
Open Hours
Tuesday – Saturday from 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM and from 7:30 PM to 11:00 PM
Monday from 7:30 PM to 11:00 PM (closed on Sunday)
Phone
+39 055 626 6019
For Menu Check Website
https://www.langolodelmare.com/
Reviews & Ratings
4.5 Star rating with 512 reviews
Osteria dell’Enoteca
Osteria dell’Enoteca, a contemporary facility inside the backdrop of an antique Oltrarno townhouse, excels at seasonal Tuscan dishes with a modern twist. This location is owned by the same people as Pitti Gola e Cantina, a fantastic local wine bar.
Prepared with local, fresh ingredients and paired with a well curated wine list, a Refined Tuscan Menu” The staff at Enoteca Pitti Goal e Cantina brings this to you. We began our excursion with food and wine at the Enoteca. The Osteria is a development along that line.
In the summer, expect chicken liver terrine with a vin santo reduction, potato soup with spicy octopus, and gazpacho topped with burrata cheese, and in the winter, pappardelle with venison sauce and braised wild pig. Order a T-bone from a variety of breeds, including the highly coveted (and pricey) Fassona from Piedmont and Chianina from Tuscany. The cut is grilled over an open fire and served rarely; if you prefer your meat well done, look elsewhere.
Cuisines
Italian, Mediterranean, Tuscan, Central-Italian, Grill
Special Diets
Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free Options
Location
Via Romana 70/R, 50125, Florence Italy
Open Hours
Monday – Thursday from 7:00 PM to 10:30 PM
Friday – Saturday from 12:00 PM to 2:30 PM and from 7:00 PM to 10:30 PM (closed on Tuesday)
Phone:
+39 055 228 6018
For Menu Check Website
https://www.osteriadellenoteca.com/
Reviews & Ratings
4.5 Star rating with 486 reviews
Melaleuca Bistrot
Florence is famous for its gastronomic delights, which include bistecca alla Fiorentina, hearty ribollita, and savory lampredotto sandwiches. While it respects its Tuscan traditions, it also offers a remarkably modern eating scene given its size in comparison to places like Milan and Rome. Melaleuca is one of my favorite examples.
Melaleuca is an open-air cafe known for its coffee, brunch menu, and pastries. Set beside the Arno in the Santa Croce neighborhood, it is slightly off the beaten path for tourists, but it is often packed with Florentine inhabitants.
The only open-air café listed among our 10 best restaurants in Florence Italy run by an Australian/Italian-American couple, and the modern design and food reflect their cosmopolitan sensibilities. Chloé and Marco met in Cairns and then migrated to London, where they worked and opened Aussie cafes before settling in Florence and showering us with Melaleuca.
Classic eggs Benedict, strawberry ricotta pancakes, and ‘Nduja chili eggs are among the standout offerings. Because the cafe does not accept bookings, arrive early. If you don’t have time for a full brunch but still want to treat yourself, walk to the front and order some great coffee and pastries to go.
Cuisines
American
Special Diets
American, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options
Location
Lungarno delle Grazie, 18, 50122, Florence Italy
Open Hours
Monday – Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Saturday – Sunday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Phone
+39 055 614 6894
For Menu Check Website
https://www.gucciosteria.com/it/florence
Reviews & Ratings
4.5 Star rating with 307 reviews
La Prosciutteria Firenze
La Proscuitteria is a hidden gem in the heart of Florence, with just a handful of little tables outside and a gorgeous array of fresh food and antipasti within. A neighborhood favorite for sandwiches, meats, and cheeses, this salumeria (Italian deli) is situated on the same street as Antico Vinaio, a few blocks southeast of Palazzo Vecchio.
100 meters from the Uffizi Gallery and midway between Piazza della Signoria and Piazza Santa Croce, this building is situated in a genuinely important and suggestive area. All of Florence’s major attractions are close by and are easily accessible by taking a short, enjoyable stroll through the narrow alleyways of the city’s old pedestrian zone.
La Proscuitteria is known for its exquisitely designed charcuterie boards and mouthwatering regional wines. A delightful dinner can be enjoyed on one of their little tables on the charming Florentine Street.
Cuisines
Street Food, Italian, Mediterranean, Tuscan, Central-Italian
Special Diets
Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free
Location
Via De’ Neri 54 Rosso, 50122, Florence Italy
Open Hours
Monday – Sunday from 11:45 AM to 11:30 PM
Saturday – Sunday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Phone
+39 055 265 4472
For Menu Check Website
https://www.laprosciutteria.com/ristorante-firenze/
Reviews & Ratings
4.5 Star rating with 6066 reviews
Osteria Santo Spirito
Osteria Santo Spirito is a tiny restaurant known for its wonderful handmade pasta and reasonably priced house wine. The Piazza Santo Spirito location of this popular local restaurant is frequently crowded during prime meal times.
A Florentine steak and risotto with zucchini and parmesan heart are two examples of the typical Tuscan fare on the menu. Gnocchi cooked in a truffle cream sauce and presented warmly bubbling on a tray is the restaurant’s most well-known dish. For a great spread, get a few half servings of pasta and antipasti if you want to sample several different dishes.
Cuisines
Italian, Mediterranean, Tuscan, Central-Italian
Special Diets
Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options
Location
Piazza Santo Spirito 16R 50125 Florence Italy.
Open Hours
Wednesday – Monday from 12:30 PM to 2:15 PM and from 7:30 PM o 10:00 PM (closed on Tuesdays).
Phone
+39 348 346 7804
For Menu Check Website
https://www.osteriasantospirito.it/
Reviews & Ratings
4.0 Star rating with 2940 reviews
La Menagere
One of Florence’s most exquisite dining establishments is La Ménagère. During the day, it functions as a flower store and cafe, and at night, it transforms into a classy restaurant. Many locals frequent this restaurant, which is a short distance from the Galleria dell’Accademia, because of its chic ambiance, sophisticated menu, freshly prepared coffee, and inventive cocktails.
It is a garden, a shop filled with lovely goods, and a library with more than a thousand books with botanical themes. It is a maze of hidden nooks, quiet areas, and private rooms where you can have quiet moments or large gatherings.
It’s never too late to treat yourself to a fine dining experience at La Ménagère. Let our chef’s ingenuity enhance a work lunch in the bistro, a special dinner in the restaurant, or a well-earned aperitif break with everything from a delectable breakfast to an after-dinner cocktail.
La Ménagère store creates a vibrant and contemporary retail environment while paying attention to Florence’s heritage. All of this is available at our emporium, where you can buy the ideal present, valuable books, or dishware sets.
Cuisines:
Italian, Bar, Cafe, Mediterranean, European, Central European
Special Diets:
Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten-Free Options
Location:
Via De’ Ginori 8r, 50123, Florence Italy
Open Hours:
Monday – Sunday from 7:00 AM to 2:00 AM
Phone:
+39 055 228 6018
For Menu Check Website
https://www.lamenagere.it/
Reviews & Ratings
4.0 Star rating with 3510 reviews
Gucci Osteria Da Massimo Bottura
At the Gucci Osteria, we don’t have the desire to reinvent ourselves as gardeners or to establish a rooftop or rural vegetable garden like many other restaurants in Florence Italy. The foundation of my cooking is undoubtedly the best of Tuscan and Italian ingredients.
This restaurant is a jewel box of forest green velvet, pea green boiserie, and specially produced Ginori china in the brand’s charming floral Herbarium pattern. It is a part of Gucci creative director Alessandro Michele’s wonderful mystery tour which is the Gucci Garden museum and retail shop.
Despite having Massimo Bottura’s name on the menu, Mexican chef Karine Lopez is in control of the kitchen. Her creations are a palate-teasing blend of updated versions of international and Emilian classics, as well as elements from Lopez’s upbringing.
The citrusy risotto “Come to Noto With Us” with almonds and red Sicilian prawns, “Taka Bun” (a miraculously light steamed bun encasing a slab of sticky pork belly overflowing with spicy sauce), and Bottura’s famous tortellini in a decadent parmesan cream sauce are some of the highlights.
Cuisines:
Italian, International, Contemporary
Special Diets:
Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten-Free Options
Location:
Piazza della Signoria, 10, 50122, Florence Italy
Open Hours:
Monday – Sunday from 12:30 PM to 3:00 PM and from 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM
Phone:
+39 055 062 1744
For Menu Check Website
https://www.gucciosteria.com/it/florence
Reviews & Ratings
4.0 Star rating with 1060 reviews
Final Words: Restaurants in Florence Italy
Discover the top restaurants in Florence Italy where culinary experiences go beyond simply eating.
Allow the warmth of Italian hospitality to embrace you as you savor wonderful foods, creating memories that merge flavors, feelings, and the delight of shared meals. Florence’s culinary riches invite you to partake in a gastronomic trip that will leave an everlasting impact on your palette and emotions.
This wraps up our list of the best restaurants in Florence Italy. Don’t forget to read our other posts about the things to do in Florence Italy.
FAQs:
What is the most popular food in Florence Italy?
The Florentine steak is undoubtedly Florence’s most famous local cuisine, with the prestigious label of bistecca alla Fiorentina requiring very exacting guidelines.
What is the name of a typical kind of street food in Florence?
Lampredotto – By far Florence’s most famous street dish is the lampredotto. when the concept may not sound appealing, it is a must-try when in Florence.
What are meal times in Florence?
In Italy, we eat colazione (breakfast) as soon as we wake up, pranzo (lunch) between 12.30 and 2 pm, merenda (afternoon snack) between 4 and 5 pm, and cena (dinner) between 7 and 8.30 pm.
What time is dinner in Florence?
Italian dinner, or la cena, is another time when Italians like sitting down together and socializing, usually between 8:00 and 10:00 p.m.
What meat is Florence known for?
T-bone steak, also known as bistecca alla Fiorentina, is one of the most famous dishes found practically everywhere in Florence.
