As the largest city in Tuscany, Florence is well known for its vibrant Italian food culture and centuries-old dining traditions. This includes some amazing lunch options at every level from casual cafes to traditional osterias, and even upscale fine-dining restaurants.

So, it only makes sense to add a few different lunch stops to your next Florence food tour, like one of the following.

Best Restaurants for Lunch in Florence

Florence has some of the best restaurants offering authentic Tuscan dining experiences at every level.

Trattoria Mario

Nestled near Florence’s vibrant San Lorenzo Market, Trattoria Mario has been serving authentic Tuscan fare since 1953. Being so close to major attractions like the Basilica di San Lorenzo and the Medici Chapels makes it a great lunch stop on a walking tour.

Trattoria Mario’s ambiance is lively and bustling, with no-frills décor that gives the dining room a homey feel. Much of the seating is at shared communal tables which encourages you to meet and get to know fellow diners.

The lunch menu at Trattoria Mario changes daily based on seasonal ingredients available in the market. However, they are known for their Bistecca alla Fiorentina, Crostini Toscani, and Pappa al Pomodoro.

Yet the thing I like best about Trattoria Mario is that their lunch menu prices remain reasonable no matter how popular they get the tourists and locals.

Trattoria Mario (€€) – Via Rosina, 2r, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy – Open Monday to Saturday for lunch from 12:00 to 3:00 PM, with dinner from 7:30 to 10:00 PM.

Mercato Centrale

Mercato_Centrale_Florence

Photo credit: Mercato Centrale

Mercato Centrale is situated in the heart of Florence near the iconic Basilica di San Lorenzo. Yet it’s more than just a marketplace where you can get a taste of authentic Tuscan ingredients. It’s also a vibrant culinary hub with tons of vendors and street food stalls offering a staggering array of lunch options.

The ambiance at Mercato Centrale is electric and dynamic. Perfectly blending the charm of a traditional Italian market with a contemporary food hall vibe. The ground floor is mostly fresh produce stalls, butcher shops, and artisanal goods.

The upper floor features a sprawling food court with a wide array of lunch options. Long communal tables give you the opportunity to get to know locals and other tourists while you enjoy lunch.

The lunch menu at Mercato Centrale has something for everyone. However, one of the more adventurous standout dishes to try is the Lampredotto. It’s a Florentine Street food classic made from slow-cooked sections of a cow’s fourth stomach, served in a soft roll with a choice of green or spicy sauces.

Mercato Centrale (€) – Piazza del Mercato Centrale, Via dell’Ariento, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy.

Osteria Vini e Vecchi Sapori

You can find Osteria Vini e Vecchi Sapori near the Piazza della Signoria and Florence’s iconic Uffizi Gallery. They offer a quintessential Tuscan dining experience that is perfect for lunch before or after touring the local sites.

The ambiance at Osteria Vini e Vecchi Sapori is warm with rustic wooden furniture, cozy lighting, and walls adorned with vintage wine bottles. The small space ensures a personal dining experience that’s great for enjoying an intimate lunch with an old friend or someone special.

The lunch menu celebrates Tuscan simplicity, by focusing on seasonal ingredients and classic recipes like Crostini Toscani. One of my favorites is their Pappardelle al Cinghiale, featuring wide ribbons of fresh, tender pasta tossed in a rich wild boar ragu. It has a staggeringly rich depth of flavor, that the fresh pasta soaks up, coming through in every bite.

Osteria Vini e Vecchi Sapori (€€) – Via dei Magazzini, 3/r, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy.

La Ménagère

La_Ménagère_Florence

Photo credit: La Ménagère

La Ménagère sits in the vibrant San Lorenzo neighborhood of Florence near the Mercato Centrale, the Medici Chapels, and Santa Maria Novella. Making it a convenient location for a stimulating lunch during a full day of sightseeing.

The chic ambiance of La Ménagère leans heavily on industrial-inspired decor. It has both a modern and old-world flair with exposed brick walls, eclectic modern furniture, and large windows that flood the dining room with natural light.

La Ménagère’s lunch menu reflects their commitment to seasonal ingredients and innovative takes on traditional Italian cuisine. This includes several takes on Tuscan classics recreated using avant-garde techniques.  

Their Ravioli di Burrata is one of my favorite lunch dishes. The delicate pasta is filled with creamy burrata cheese that’s sauced with a bright tomato confit and garnished with verdantly green fresh basil.

La Ménagère (€€€) – Via de’ Ginori, 8/R, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy.

Traditional Dishes to Try at Lunch

Tuscan lunch dishes that you’ll typically find on the menu in Florence can change with the season. The following are some common staples that are sure to please.

ribollita_Florence

Ribollita is a hearty vegetable soup that’s thickened with day-old bread. It’s a quintessential winter Tuscan dish made with cannellini beans, kale, and carrots.

pappa_al_pomodoro_Florence

Pappa al Pomodoro is a simple yet flavorful tomato and bread soup that’s common in the summer. It highlights ripe tomatoes, garlic, and olive oil. The way it’s thickened with day-old bread gives it a consistency that is thick and velvety.

panzanella_Florence

Panzanella is another summer favorite on most Florence lunch menus. It’s essentially a bread salad that’s combined with fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and basil. Then dressed lightly with olive oil and vinegar.

bistecca_alla_fiorentina_Florence

Bistecca alla Fiorentina is the crown jewel of Tuscan cuisine and something multiple people can share for a Florentine lunch. It’s a massive porterhouse steak from Chianina cattle and grilled over high heat to a rare- or medium-rare finish. Served simply with salt, pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil, it’s a must-try for meat lovers.

tagliatelle_al_cinghiale_Florence

Tagliatelle al Cinghiale is a rich wild boar ragu, tossed with freshly made pasta. It reflects Tuscany’s love of game meat and is great for a filling lunch on a slow day. The sauce is so good, you’ll want extra bread to sop it up.

fagioli_all’uccelletto_Florence

Fagioli all’Uccelletto is sometimes treated as a side dish, that you can also eat as a light lunch. It’s made from cannellini beans cooked with tomatoes, garlic, sage, and olive oil.

Street Food and Quick Lunches in Florence

Florence is dotted with markets, osterias, and food courts offering a wide range of street foods that are more than suitable for lunch on the go.

panini_Florence

Panini is a common street food sandwich you find throughout Florence. These lightly pressed and toasted sandwiches can have a wide range of fillings. Though most have some sort of salumi as the primary protein. You might also see them listed on lunch menus as schiacciata or panino.

close_up_of_a_porchetta_sandwich

Porchetta is a roast pork sandwich that many Florentine people enjoy for lunch. The pork is roasted and heavily herbed, then sliced thin and served in a luxuriously soft bun. The bread soaks up some of the meat’s natural juices keeping it from being dry.

lampredotto_sandwich_Florence

Lampredotto sandwiches are popular for lunch with Florentine locals. It’s made from slowly stewed cow stomach until delicately tender. Most street food vendors offer an array of sauces to let you customize the lampredotto to suit your tastes.

Cultural Tips for Enjoying Lunch in Florence

In Florence, lunchtime usually lasts from 12:30 to 2:30 PM, with many restaurants closing afterward until dinner service. So, it’s best to plan your food tour itinerary around these hours, as Florentines value structured mealtimes. You don’t want to show up for lunch too early or too late.

If you’re considering a popular restaurant for lunch, you might want to consider making reservations, especially for restaurants near popular tourist attractions.  

Lunch is taken at a leisurely pace in Florence. So, take the time to enjoy it and connect with friends, family, or fellow travelers. It’s also a prime opportunity to refresh your itinerary for the day.

Sources:

La Ménagère. (n.d.). Retrieved December 5, 2024, from http://www.lamenagere.it/

Instagram. (n.d.). Vini e Vecchi Sapori. Retrieved December 5, 2024, from https://www.instagram.com/vini_e_vecchi_sapori/?hl=en

Mercato Centrale Florence. (n.d.). Retrieved December 5, 2024, from https://www.mercatocentrale.com/florence/

Trattoria Mario. (n.d.). Retrieved December 5, 2024, from http://www.trattoriamario.com/

Eating Europe. (n.d.). Best restaurants in Florence. Retrieved December 5, 2024, from https://www.eatingeurope.com/blog/best-restaurants-in-florence/

Eating Europe. (n.d.). Florence. Retrieved December 5, 2024, from https://www.eatingeurope.com/florence/

Eating Europe. (n.d.). Best food in Italy. Retrieved December 5, 2024, from https://www.eatingeurope.com/guides/best-food-in-italy/

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