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Exploring the Best Restaurants in Florence, Italy

Updated: Apr 24, 2023


Ponte santa Trinita during Free Walking Tour of Florence

Each year, Florence gets an average of 10-16 million tourists. There are all kinds of things to do in Florence, and if there's one thing that Italy is known for, it's the cuisine. When you visit Florence, you won't be able to try every establishment, so knowing what options you have beforehand can help you decide where to eat while you're there. For a rundown of some of the best restaurants in Florence, keep reading.


Cibreo Opening Hours: 09:00-23:30 (closed throughout August) Address: Via Andrea del Verrocchio, 2r, 50122 Firenze Website: https://www.cibreo.com/en/ Cibero is one of the most well-known restaurants in Florence, Italy. Most lists similar to this one will mention Cibero due to its popularity. It's an absolute must for anyone on their first trip to the city. You'll want to make a reservation to get in here. You should do it the day before - if you don't speak Italian or you can ask your hotel/Airbnb host to do it for you. On top of the main restaurant, they also have a trattoria right next door. This is similar to a restaurant but more casual, so you can head here for a more relaxed environment. The trattoria and restaurant both have various classic Tuscan dishes and a selection of delicious wines.


Trattoria Bordino Opening Hours: 12:00-14:30 and 19:00-22:30 Address: Via Stracciatella, 9r, 50125 Firenze Website: https://www.trattoriabordino.it/en/home-english/ This is a beautiful place to eat - it feels like traveling back to medieval Italy. They serve a very famous dish known as Crespelle. It was a personal favorite of Caterina de' Medici, a Florentine Noblewoman who went on to become the Queen of France. On top of Florentine cuisine, you can also enjoy Mediterranean, Tuscan, and other Italian dishes. The service is attentive and the food options are delicious, making this a great option whether going for lunch or dinner.


Fermento 1889 Opening Hours: 18:00-24:00 Address: Borgo S. Frediano, 42r, 50124 Firenze Website: http://www.fermento1889.com/ Located in downtown Florence, Fermento 1889 is known for its delicious pizza. This puts you in a great location, so you can easily head here after a day in the city. You'll be able to choose from a selection of beers and wines that you can enjoy with your food. They also run cooking classes, so if you want to learn how to make authentic Italian pizza yourself, this can be a great addition to your trip.


Trattoria Mario Opening Hours: 12:00-15:00 Monday to Saturday, 12:00-15:00, and 19:30-23:00 Thursday and Friday Address: Via Rosina, 2r, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy Website: http://www.trattoriamario.com/index-en.html Trattoria Mario is open for lunch from Monday to Saturday, and they also do dinners on Thursday and Friday. It sits just behind the Central Market in the historic district of San Lorenzo They serve a variety of dishes such as Tuscan Pot Roast and Baked Rabbit. Note that they offer a different menu every day, so you should look at this ahead of time so that you can decide which day will be best for you.


Osteria All’antico Vinaio Opening Hours: 10:30-23:00 Address: Via dei Neri, 65r, 50122 Firenze Website: https://www.allanticovinaio.com/il-menu-firenze_en/ If you're looking for lunch or a light dinner you might not want to go to a fancy restaurant. This is one of the most highly recommended places for sandwiches in Florence among locals and visitors alike. When walking by, you're likely to see a line of people that goes around the corner, showing just how popular it is. Paninis are among the most popular choices here. They use a variety of local meats and cheeses, and the bread is freshly baked every day. You may have to wait a bit (usually around 20-30 minutes) to get in here, so don't wait until you're already hungry - get there with some time to spare. Antico Vinaio has several locations, but the one at the address above is the most famous. It's very close to the Accademia, home of Michelangelo's David.


Simbiosi Opening Hours: 12:00-23:00 Address: Via Andrea del Verrocchio, 2r, 50122 Firenze Website: https://www.cibreo.com/en/ This place has a wide selection of food including pizza, various types of meat, and fresh homemade pasta so it's perfect for anyone. These come with some delicious sauces, and the meat in the pasta dishes is always cooked to perfection. You can choose from a range of wines that (along with the food) are bio which is what we would call organic. It's only a short walk from the Duomo and the food is incredible for the price. The staff are also very helpful, so you're sure to have a good experience. One thing to note is that the entrance can be a bit confusing as there are multiple restaurants with outdoor seating nearby. You'll find the entrance for Simbiosi on Via de’ Ginori.


Osteria Pastella Opening Hours: 12:00-15:00 and 19:30-23:00 Address: Via della Scala, 17 R, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy Website: https://osteriapastella.it/ As enjoyable as it is, you probably don't want to eat pizza and pasta for your entire trip. Osteria Pastella is one of the best spots in Florence to find Bistecca Fiorentina (Florentine steak). It goes incredibly well with bread, potatoes, and a glass of wine. Unlike many restaurants, you won't tell your waiter how you want your steak cooked. They only cook it one way here - medium rare. Steaks can often be very expensive, but the prices here are reasonable for the portion sizes. It's also not the only thing they serve. You can still find a variety of pasta and pizza dishes here too.


Trattoria Da Rocco Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday 12:00-14:30 Address: Piazza Lorenzo Ghiberti, 50122 Firenze Website: https://trattoriadarocco.business.site/ Trattoria Da Rocco is a popular trattoria that exclusively serves lunch. It's fairly small but serves up some seriously good food. It can be found inside Mercato of Sant Ambrogio, a local Florentine market. You can get the famous Lampredotto (Florentine tripe sandwich), although that's not for everyone. Another popular choice is Coccoli (fried bread) which you can dip into some stracchino (a local cheese). They also have a selection of other sandwiches made using local meats.


Visiting the Best Restaurants in Florence There are plenty of restaurants in Florence, so you'll never be short of choices. When you visit Florence, Tuscany or Italy, you're sure to have a good time, and the restaurants on this list are all great options whenever you want something delicious to eat. If you're coming to Florence for places to visit, there are plenty of options beyond restaurants. One of the best ways to see what's around is to take a walking tour. You can book one with Free Walking Tours Florence. Take a look at the free tours we offer in Florence today.

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