9 Best Restaurants in Florence

While its pivotal role in the Renaissance and long-lasting influence on European culture put it on the map, Florence’s gastronomic landscape does enough to earn it a place alongside some of Italy’s other foodie cities, like Rome and Naples.

It only took me a handful of visits here before I started running my Florence food tours, and I’ve fallen even more in love with Florentine fare ever since!

If you’re anywhat passionate about food, visiting some of the best restaurants in Florence should be a top priority on your list. On paper, seeking these places out may sound complicated, but with this complete guide, you’ll be eating your way around here in no time.

Trattoria Mario

More often than not, it’s the most nonchalant restaurants that boast the best food, and that’s certainly true for Trattoria Mario, located near Mercato Centrale.

When I first walked by its newspaper and leaflet-covered door, I had no idea what to expect. Once inside, the wholesome ambiance and simplistic decor instantly won me over.

This spot is known for its bistecca alla fiorentina, and its take on this local delicacy is among the best Florentine steaks I’ve ever had. Cooked in the traditional way over hot coals, the steak arrived off the grill looking lightly charred and perfectly juicy.

The flavors were extraordinary, and every mouthful was an explosion of rich, savory notes. It was prepared rare, as any authentic Florentine steak should be, giving it a pink center and super tender texture.

Trattoria Mario (€) – Via Rosina, 2r, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy – Open every Monday to Wednesday and Saturday from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm, Thursday and Friday from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm and from 7:30 pm to 10:00 pm, closed every Sunday

Ristorante Lorenzo de’ Medici

Photo credit: Ristorante Lorenzo de’ Medici

San Lorenzo is home to a myriad of terrific restaurants, but Ristorante Lorenzo de’ Medici is a seriously top-drawer eatery.

It’s somewhere between an elegant ristorante and a casual pizzeria, and I love how this gives it an upmarket but relaxed vibe. Inside, the tall, wood beam ceiling and yellow-toned walls make it feel like an old house in the Tuscan countryside.

Before I even set eyes on the menu, I had a craving for pasta I just couldn’t kick. I was contemplating going for the spinach and ricotta crespelle, but the waiter sold me the idea of the truffle ravioli.

The doughy pieces of ravioli were smothered in a creamy, meaty sauce that made the musty, umami flavors of the truffle filling more indulgent.

Ristorante Lorenzo de’ Medici (€€) – Via del Giglio, 49/51 r, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy – Open every day from 11:00 am to 11:30 pm

Trattoria Giovanni

Photo credit: Trattoria Giovanni

Santo Spirito’s Trattoria Giovanni is one of the hottest spots in the neighborhood for Florentine steak. Yet, I think the rest of the menu doesn’t get half as much recognition as it deserves.

From the moment I arrived until the second I left, the attentive staff and the bright, rustic dining area charmed me. It was classy and refined without sacrificing its Tuscany-style features, like the tiled tables and chunky wooden shelving.

I started things off with the liver pâté crostini and opted for the pasta with porcini mushrooms for my main course. With a consistency as smooth as butter and a mild yet gamey flavor, the pâté was luxurious without feeling too heavy.

Even more impressive was the porcini tagliatelle. Simple but flavorful, the combination of soft, fresh pasta and nutty mushrooms is something I’ll never tire of. Adding sharp garlic and citrusy white wine gave the dish a gentle lift.

Trattoria Giovanni (€€) – Via Sant’Agostino, 38 Rosso, 50124 Firenze FI, Italy – Open every day from 12:00 pm to 10:30 pm

La Buchetta Food & Wine Restaurant

It took me far too many visits to Florence to discover La Buchetta Food & Wine Restaurant. It has two Santa Croce locations, but I’ve only reached their branch just north of the Arno River so far.

Nowadays, it’s widely considered one of the best restaurants in Florence, so don’t make the mistake I did the first time around, and be sure to make a reservation! Its quirky decor consists of twinkling fairy lights and artwork made from old wine corks.

Their thick pici pasta looked increasingly delicious each time I spotted it coming out of the kitchen. However, seeing as it was my first time here, I had to try their signature gnocchi.

I’m not often left speechless, but this dish was divine. Blending silky stracciatella, spicy sauce, and succulent, crispy pork cheek may sound like an overload of flavors, but they came together seamlessly. The gnocchi had a gorgeous, pillowy texture.

La Buchetta Food & Wine Restaurant (€€) – Via dei Benci, 3, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy – Open every Monday to Thursday from 12:00 pm to 2:30 pm and 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm and Friday to Sunday from 12:00 pm to 11:00 pm

Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura

Photo credit: Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura

Few places in the city compare to Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura for a fine dining experience with a twist. Situated in the Piazza della Signoria, this Michelin-starred restaurant was inspired by the Italian fashion house with which it shares its name.

There’s a lovely little terrace out front, but if you’ve never visited before, you have to check out the opulent indoor dining room. Between the bright green archways and ornate cabinets showcasing fine China, I could have spent hours admiring the decor alone.

I decided to stick to the a la carte offerings rather than the tasting menu as I wasn’t feeling overly hungry. The unconventional pairing of spaghetti with a classic melon and prosciutto appetizer sounded incredible, meaning I made my mind up pretty quickly.

It’s not often I’d describe pasta as refreshing, but the sweet melon and salty prosciutto turned the spaghetti into a zingy dish full of fruity flavors. What I loved more was the contrast in textures between the al dente pasta, crisp melon, and springy prosciutto.

Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura (€€€€) – P.za della Signoria, 10, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy – Open every day from 12:30 pm to 3:00 pm and 7:30 pm to 10:00 pm

Ristorante dei Rossi

Photo credit: Ristorante dei Rossi

Ristorante dei Rossi in Oltrarno is the perfect place for a low-key dinner after spending the day wandering between nearby hotspots like Palazzo Pitti and Ponte Vecchio.

I was getting peckish when I noticed the collection of tables out on the streetside, so I decided to take advantage of the few remaining seats.

The menu has a fantastic mix of regional and national specialties, and I had to ask the waitress for some suggestions as I just couldn’t decide. Eventually, I settled on the beef tartare before following it with the wild boar ragu.

Accompanied by milky burrata cheese and tart tomatoes, the beef tartare had an exquisite flavor palette that boosted the subtle tanginess of the meat.

As delicious as it was, the highlight of the meal was the teaming of firm pappardelle, robust wild boar, and intense tomato-filled sauce. With such intense flavors and dreamy textures, this dish felt so hearty.

Ristorante dei Rossi (€€) – Piazza dei Rossi, 1, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy – Open every day from 12:00 pm to 10:30 pm

Osteria La Dolce Vita Firenze

Photo credit: Osteria La Dolce Vita Firenze

Just a few streets south of the Florence Duomo is the delightful Osteria La Dolce Vita Firenze, one of Florence’s best pasta restaurants.

Before I even looked at the menu, I was enticed inside by the cute chequered tablecloths, soaring Chianti-filled wine walls, and vivid green plants.

Their pasta is what they’re best known for, but they have plenty of other options like Florentine tripe and seafood risotto if you’ve overdone it on the pasta by the time you make it here! I usually stick to ordering carbonara in Rome, but it looked too good not to try it here.

There’s something about fatty guanciale, earthy pecorino, and buttery egg yolk that just never fails. This is a dish I’ve been fanatical about for as long as I can remember, but the velvety spaghetti here took it to the next level.

Osteria La Dolce Vita Firenze (€€) – Via dei Tavolini, 3r, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy – Open every day from 11:00 am to 10:30 pm

Osteria Antica Casa Torre

Photo credit: Osteria Antica Casa Torre

I came upon Osteria Antica Casa Torre when I was on my way to Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio and have been recommending it to friends ever since.

Like many of my favorite Florence restaurants, it’s got a quaint and cozy dining area, a stellar wine list, and a menu full of superb, diverse dishes.

One dish that immediately caught my attention was the lampredotto caponata. A mix of a Florentine street food staple and a Sicilian classic, it was a dish I knew I had to try.

Lampredotto, a herbaceous, umami tripe from a cow’s fourth stomach, is typically stuffed in a bread roll. Instead, it added a unique punch and chewy texture to the medley of sweet and sour notes from this eggplant stew’s blend of onion, tomato, and capers.

Osteria Antica Casa Torre (€€) – Piazza Di San Pier Maggiore 7, R, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy – Open every day from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm and 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm

La Petite

Photo credit: La Petite

La Petite in the city center is a stylish bistro that’s as popular for its aperitivos as it is for its delectable fare. To avoid the late-evening rush, I chose to visit early in the afternoon instead.

This contemporary haunt is as sophisticated as any upscale restaurant in Florence, thanks to its polished wooden decor, neutral color scheme, and high ceilings.

Despite La Petite’s French-inspired name, the menu boasts traditional Tuscan dishes and various other Italian offerings. I fancied some pizza and ordered the arugula, mozzarella, and parmesan version.

The base of thin, crusty dough and fresh, bright tomatoes were topped with floral and moist mozzarella. As mouthwatering as these components were, the peppery arugula and pungent parmesan gave the pizza an extra kick of bold flavors.

La Petite (€€) – Via Pellicceria, 30/R, 50121 Firenze FI, Italy – Open every day from 10:00 am to 2:00 am

Conclusion

There’s no taking away from the diversity of restaurants in Florence; I’ve had meals from casual enotecas that were just as tasty as those in fine dining establishments. When you come here, you’ll see it for yourself; it’s a whole new side of Italian food with depth, creativity, and incomparable flavor.