The 5 Best Healthy Restaurants in Florence

On paper, finding a nutritious bite to eat in Florence in most places in Tuscany may seem like a challenge for those on a wellness buzz, especially when you’re met by steakhouses and cafes serving up batches of Schiacciata loaded with carbs on every corner.

However, if you look in the right places, you’d be surprised that you’ll find so many wonderful healthy options. I was like you at first; I didn’t think there were that many until I had to spend extended time in the city making our Eating Europe Florence food tours.

But after some searching, I found there to be quite a number of establishments serving nourishing bites that contribute to a healthy diet. I know these places can be hard to find if you don’t know the city that well, so I’ve written this list of the best healthy restaurants in Florence to act as your cheat sheet.

Ristorante Quinoa

Photo credit: Ristorante Quinoa

Beside Chiesa di Santa Maria Maggiore lies the first ever 100% gluten-free restaurant to ever open in Florence, Ristorante Quinoa. What started as a small venture in 2014 has since become a fan favorite among those looking for some wholesome food that goes down well with gluten intolerants.

Ristorante Quinoa is actually certified by the National Celiac Association and its unique menu with dishes tailored toward people who avoid gluten shows that. I really liked how the interiors were bright and green, representing that plant-based vibe so many healthy eaters crave.

After my first homemade potato gnocchi with tomato sauce here, I can’t count the number of times I’ve had it. This dish is that good. The gnocchi is soft and perfectly soaks up the sweet tomato sauce. Yes, I will admit it’s a little tangy and rich, but that’s what I liked about it.

When I first saw it come in the bowl, I didn’t think the portion was overly sizable, but the richness sure did make it more filling than expected.

Ristorante Quinoa (€€€) – Vicolo di Santa Maria Maggiore, 1, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy – Open every day, 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm, and 7:00 pm to 10:30 pm

Il Vegano – Firenze

Photo credit: Il Vegano – Firenze

Il Vegano – Firenze is only around the corner from Cenacolo di Sant’Apollonia, and it’s one healthy restaurant that all Florentine veggies love. It’s quite informal, which I like, and they’ve got a lot of organic, vegan, and cruelty-free food options for a fair price.

This is quite a small restaurant. When I was there, the tables filled up fast in the main building. The atmosphere is nice inside, with all the ornaments hanging on the walls and the dim lights. If you can grab one of the small tables at the front, you can enjoy great people-watching on a summer’s day.

My order here was the velvet soup of organic chickpeas, potatoes, and carrots since I came around lunchtime. I couldn’t fault the amount of soup they gave me, but I had to have some bread with it for dipping.

The soup was quite creamy with a nutty element to it, while the carrots gave it a tinge of sweetness. They were very generous with the amount of potatoes, too, which provided some earthiness to the overall flavor profile.

Il Vegano – Firenze (€€) – 43, Via S. Gallo, 75 Rosso, 50129 Firenze FI, Italy – Open every Monday to Saturday, 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm and 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm, and closed every Sunday

Base V Juicery Healthy Food Juice & Smoothie Store

Photo credit: Base V Juicery Healthy Food Juice & Smoothie Store

Not too far from the banks of the Arno River is Base V Juicery Healthy Food Juice & Smoothie Store. If you love food with a healthy twist, you won’t be able to get enough of this juice bar; all their meals are plant-based, non-processed, and rich in nutrients.

Immediately when I went inside this vegetarian restaurant for brunch, I thought it was super cool. Between the aqua-colored ceilings, funky wallpaper, and plants on all the tables, you won’t find anywhere like it in Florence.

While you can get delivery from here, their in-store dishes are where it’s located. I urge you to try one of the acai bowls like I did. They come in plastic tubs, but they pack them right to the top with colorful fruits that will have you drooling.

I got the acai bowl with acai, banana, soy milk, red fruits, granola, banana, and mango, and it didn’t disappoint. Every bite provided a sweet burst with earthy undertones, a creamy texture, and a tropical burst that made me feel like I was in paradise.

Base V Juicery Healthy food Juice & Smoothie store (€) – Via dei Neri, 46r, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy – Open every day, 8:30 am to 9:00 pm

Rosalia Salad Gourmet

Photo credit: Rosalia Salad Gourmet

Seconds from the Duomo is Rosalia Salad Gourmet. I found this place after hearing a couple of people talking about it at the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore; it was the best bit of eavesdropping I’ve ever done.

If you’re lucky enough to sit on one of the chairs outside, you can see the Duomo while enjoying your meal. The menu is amazing, they had lots on offer including wraps, smoothies, healthy juices, salads, if it’s good for you, they have it.

When I saw the woman behind the counter making the vegan wrap to put into the glass cabinet for customers to see, I knew straight away that’s what I was going to order. It was filled with lamb’s lettuce, cherry tomatoes, onion, tofu, and purple cabbage, which provided the perfect crunch.

The first bite of the wrap took me aback at how flavorful it was, from the sharpness of the onion to the sourness of the tofu. The purple cabbage added a peppery side, which I wasn’t expecting, but I also wasn’t complaining at the same time; it was that good.

Rosalia Salad Gourmet (€€) – Via dei Servi, 37, 50121 Firenze FI, Italy – Open every day, 8:00 am to 8:00 pm

Carduccio – Il Salotto Bio

Photo credit: Carduccio – Il Salotto Bio

Quaint, intimate, and as friendly as it gets, Carduccio – Il Salotto Bio near the Art Gallery and Auction House Pananti should be on everyone’s list of healthy eats in Florence to visit.

I haven’t stopped raving about this place to my vegan friends since I got back from Florence. The staff were so welcoming and genuinely cared about each customer, including myself; they were very knowledgeable and knew so much about all the items on the menu; it was great to see a team so passionate about food.

Carduccio – Il Salotto Bio is fantastic for a light bite of good food when you need a break from hearty Italian and Tuscan dishes. They’ve got all the classics like light salads, chickpea bowls, and avocado on bread, but the vegan burger sounded more up my alley on the day.

It came out served on top of a small salad, which was a great start. The patty itself tasted quite nutty. I prefer these types of vegan burgers anyway, which was another big bonus. They gave me this vegan mayo that had such a burst of zestiness that paired nicely with the mild crisp from the lettuce and the umami flavors from the burger.

Carduccio – Il Salotto Bio (€€) – Sdrucciolo de’ Pitti, 10 R, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy – Open every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday, 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, every Thursday and Friday, 8:00 am to 11:55 pm, and every Sunday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Conclusion

Who said finding a healthy restaurant in Florence was hard? You can see from this list of the ones I’ve visited that it’s not just all meat heavy dishes and fast food. You can dine at late-night salad bars and fancy fine dining spots with nutritious menus regardless of the time of day.