Where to eat in Florence, and what to order when you get there
TLDR
- •Eat dinner in the Oltrarno, where the city still eats
- •Lunch can be a sandwich: All'Antico Vinaio on Via dei Neri
- •Trattoria Zà Zà by the central market has fed Florence since 1977
- •The bistecca is sold by weight and served rare; share one
- •Vivoli has made gelato since 1930
Eat dinner in the Oltrarno, have lunch standing up, and share a bistecca at least once. Florence's food is plain, generous and seasonal, and the best of it is found where Florentines eat rather than on the squares with the best views.
Dinner in the Oltrarno
Across the river, around Santo Spirito, is where the city still eats out on an ordinary night.
Il Santo Bevitore, on Via di Santo Spirito, is the one to book: Tuscan cooking done with care, in the heart of the quarter.
Osteria Santo Spirito is on Piazza Santo Spirito itself, and on a summer evening the piazza is the best place in Florence to be.
Near the central market
Trattoria Zà Zà, on Piazza del Mercato Centrale, has been feeding the city since 1977. Busy, cheerful and useful, especially after a morning at the market, which is worth the visit for its own sake.
Lunch can be a sandwich
All'Antico Vinaio, on Via dei Neri a few minutes from the Uffizi, makes the schiacciata sandwiches people queue for down the street. It is quicker than it looks, and it is the right lunch on a museum day.
Gelato
Vivoli, in a lane near Santa Croce, has been making gelato since 1930. The rule for gelato anywhere in Italy holds here too: if the colours are bright enough to glow, keep walking.
What to order
Bistecca alla fiorentina. The T-bone, sold by weight, served rare. One is enough for two or three people. If you ask for it well done, a good kitchen will gently suggest something else.
Ribollita and pappa al pomodoro. Bread soups, peasant food, and the best things on most menus in winter.
Lampredotto. Tripe, simmered and served in a roll from a street stall. A Florentine institution; try it once.
Crostini neri. Chicken liver on toast, the classic Tuscan start.
And the house wine. In an honest trattoria the jug of red is local and good.
What to avoid
Restaurants with photographs of the food and menus in six languages on the busiest squares. You will pay for the view and eat for the tourist. Walk one street back.
Book it
Food tours and cooking classes in Florence
The Cooking Lab - Authentic Food Experience
I have a real passion for quality food and I am impatient to share it with new people. Cooking and eating all together is such a good experience that I don't want to keep it just for me! I'm realy enthusiastic for the genuine italian cuisine since childhood and I look forward to meet new "lovers" every day!
Small group Expert-led Florence Foodie Tour
Ditch the generic big group tours and come experience a side of Florence most tourists miss! This small group tour (8max) takes you to 5 carefully picked stops with a local expert to discover hidden gems in the heart of Florence. Curious Appetite tours are designed by a sommelier food blogger and have been featured in Lonely Planet, Frommer's and Fodor's Fit for first timers and seasoned foodies alike, this culinary walk blends food and history between stunning piazzas and charming backstreets while gaining familiarity with key Florence sites. You'll meet artisan bakers, family-owned delis slicing up cured meat delicacies from their own farms, extra virgin olive oil producers, a truffle cafe, prized gelato parlors and more. Taste top quality Italian wine, Tuscan cheeses & wine, salami specialties (i.e. finocchiona), and learn Florentine's food history. You'll find places hard to find on your own and learn to pick out the highest quality Tuscan foods with a local guide in the know.
Florence San Lorenzo Food Tour by Secret Food Tours
Join us for an exclusive food tour in the heart of Florence’s vibrant San Lorenzo neighborhood. Escape the tourist crowds and immerse yourself in the authentic culinary treasures of this historic area. Discover the lively San Lorenzo area, indulge in hand-made pasta, and enjoy a curated selection of the finest local cheeses, cold cuts, and wines expertly paired to enhance your experience. Throughout this immersive journey, you’ll not only savor some of Florence’s most iconic dishes but also learn about the city’s rich cultural and culinary heritage from our expert guide. This experience goes beyond just tasting; you’ll gain insights into the flavors, history, and culture that make Florence a culinary capital. Our tour also includes a Secret Dish, adding a fun, surprise element to your day!
Pasta Cooking class in the countryside
We are new on Viator with no reviews but we have a lot of 5 stars reviews on Tripadvisor or Google , name Lovexfood. We will make pasta in a very friendly way exactly how we have learned from our grandmas on Sunday when we were kids, at home, in the most authentic way outside from the hustle and bustle of the city but at the same time just 20 minutes from Florence Our groups are small, max 12 people Part of the ingredients are from our land and we will use our fresh eggs You will taste our extra virgin olive oil You will taste 2 kinds of wine and traditional Italian snacks After the class, we will send you the recipes by email
PRIVATE Italian Home Cooking Class & Wine with Fabio & Christiane
This is not your typical Italian cooking class. This is a chance to immerse yourself in a private cooking class with a delightful man passionate about regional Italian cuisine and share an authentic meal with a couple that has been married for 30 years and are still crazy in love! Fabio lives on a hill in the countryside surrounded by olive trees. Fabio and Christiane (when she is home) welcome you into their colorful home with a refreshing drink. Fabio will explain how they pick olives and how olive oil is made. Next, join Fabio in his kitchen for a 2.5 hour hands-on cooking class. Learn to make fresh pasta, sauce, a main and dessert. Depending on the season, you might help Fabio make tagliatelle con ragù or squid risotto with wild fennel and orange peel, and cod with leeks and purple cabbage or pork chop with almonds. For dessert, enjoy castagnaccio, chestnut flour cake, a regional favorite or panna cotta with strawberry coulis in the summer over a pot of freshly brewed coffee.
Master the Art of Florentine Steak: A Unique Cooking Experience!
Enjoy an exclusive cooking class in the heart of Florence: learn the art of cooking a beefsteak Florentine style with the guidance of a local professional chef. Become the esteemed MasterSteak and dazzle your friends with a flawlessly cooked Fiorentina upon your return! This tour stands out as one of the few that offers such an experience: don't miss this incredible opportunity to unveil one of the secrets of Tuscan cuisine!
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where should I eat in Florence?
In the Oltrarno for dinner, around Santo Spirito, where Il Santo Bevitore and Osteria Santo Spirito are. Trattoria Zà Zà by the central market, and All'Antico Vinaio for a sandwich at lunch.
What food is Florence famous for?
Bistecca alla fiorentina, the T-bone sold by weight and served rare; bread soups like ribollita and pappa al pomodoro; lampredotto from street stalls; and crostini with chicken liver.
Is All'Antico Vinaio worth the queue?
Yes, if you want the classic Florentine schiacciata sandwich. The queue moves faster than it looks, and it is a good lunch on a museum day.
How do you order bistecca alla fiorentina?
It is priced by weight and served rare. One steak usually feeds two or three people, so share it.