The 6 Best Vegetarian Restaurants In Florence

For all its meat-centered dishes and specialties, you’d be surprised at the hefty line-up of vegetarian restaurants in Florence there is.

Until a few years ago, when I kicked off my Florence food tours, I had no idea how incredible Tuscany’s vegetarian food scene was. Between fully meat-free eateries with extensive vegetarian menus and Italian trattorias with quality veggie options, finding plant-based food is easier than ever.

Recently, I’ve made an effort to discover more of Florence’s vegetarian restaurants each time I visit, and these are the all-time favorites I’ve come across so far.

5ecinque

Photo credit: 5ecinque

The delightful 5ecinque is a vegetarian restaurant in Oltrarno, less than a five-minute stroll from Palazzo Pitti. It’s also worth checking out if you’re looking for somewhere entirely animal-free, as I also spotted some lovely vegan dishes on the menu.

I love how chic but cozy 5ecinque is. Even with its high ceiling and sage green paneling, the red brick features and endless framed photos make it feel like you’ve stepped inside somebody’s house. The host showed me to a quiet corner table where I could soak up the homely ambiance.

5ecinque’s menu seriously impressed me. In addition to its all-vegetarian options, the chefs here stick to locally sourced Tuscan ingredients as much as possible. It’d been a while since I had a meatless pasta dish, so I decided to try the zucchini linguine.

This dish was a prime example of how it takes just a few quality components to create something so tasty. Each flavor was delicate yet noticeable, from the al dente pasta to the sweet zucchini and garlic. On top was the most intense element, the sharp, smokey pecorino.

5ecinque (€€) – Piazza della Passera, 1, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy – Closed every Monday and Tuesday, open every Wednesday to Thursday from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm and 7:30 pm to 10:00 pm

Brac

Perched along a narrow street between the Basilica of Santa Croce and Piazza della Signoria is the adorable Brac. A cross between a restaurant, a cafe, and a bookshop, Brac has garnered a solid reputation for its vegetarian dishes and desserts.

Brac had been on my radar for a few months by the time I made it here. The wine and booked-covered shelves, warm lighting, and elegant wooden seating won me over instantly. When I arrived, the tables inside were full, but I was quite happy to sit in the courtyard instead.

You can never go too far wrong with a lasagna, vegetarian or otherwise, so when I saw the spinach and ricotta version, I swiftly made up my mind. Not long after ordering, a cheesy and decadent slice of lasagna arrived in front of me.

It had everything I love in a lasagna: firm pasta, a rich tomato sauce, a generous amount of cheese, and a satisfying filling. What I enjoyed the most was the creaminess of the ricotta and the hint of earthiness from the spinach, yet they still complemented the other ingredients.

Brac (€€) – Via dei Vagellai, 18/R, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy – Open every day from 10:00 am to 12:00 am

Il Vegetariano

Photo credit: Il Vegetariano

I was on my way to the Botanical Gardens near San Marco when I came across Il Vegetariano and decided to make a pit stop. Even though it’s a little away from the main tourist hotspots, it’s worth making the short stroll here to sample the fare.

It had just opened for lunch service, but it was buzzing inside. Seats were at a premium in both the traditionally decorated indoor area and the bamboo-filled patio. After around ten minutes, I managed to secure a seat.

Once I saw how many people were eating here, my expectations were high, but the menu excited me even more. My waiter informed me that the menu changes frequently, but on this occasion, it was filled with mushroom and chickpea soups, hummus, risotto, and seitan paella.

This was one of the only times I’ve eaten paella in Italy and certainly the first time with seitan, but it was delicious. The arborio rice was perfectly starchy and creamy, and the paprika and turmeric coating the seitan gave the dish a touch of heat and some peppery notes.

Il Vegetariano (€) – Via delle Ruote, 30 r, 50129 Firenze FI, Italy – Open every Monday from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm, every Tuesday to Friday from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm and 7:30 pm to 10:30 pm and every Saturday and Sunday from 7:30 pm to 10:30 pm

Veg & Veg

Photo credit: Veg & Veg

Positioned in the Mercato Centrale close to Basilica di San Lorenzo is Veg & Veg, a popular veggie eatery for Florentines and visitors alike. It’s one of the many stands in this bustling marketplace but easily the best for vegetarian and vegan dishes.

Finding your way around the Mercato Centrale can be tricky, but look for the stall with wooden panels and a pine-colored covering, and you’ll know you’ve arrived at the right place. Chances are, there’ll be a lengthy queue forming nearby, as was the case when I stopped by.

The menu Veg&Veg focuses on burgers, poke bowls, and brunch-style offerings like pancake stacks. I noticed most people seemed to be ordering burgers, so I thought I’d try the halloumi option.

From the first bite, the soybean patty had a slightly spicy taste that complemented the honey-tasting caramelized onion and tangy halloumi. All those ingredients paired together beautifully, but the dense and nutty avocado tied the whole burger together.

Veg & Veg | Mercato Centrale Firenze (€€) – Piazza del Mercato Centrale, 4/1° piano, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy – Open every Sunday to Thursday from 10:00 am to 11:00 pm and every Friday and Saturday from 10:00 am to 12:00 am

ORA – Ristorante Vegetariano

Photo credit: ORA – Ristorante Vegetariano

Ora isn’t just one of the top vegetarian restaurants in Florence; it’s also a fantastic spot for gluten-free and dairy-free grub. This quirky bistro is just north of the city center and is typically frequented by locals.

Somewhere between classic and eclectic, the decor here is unlike anywhere else in the area. My eyes didn’t know where to look when I stepped inside. You’ve got bold blue and pink wall art sitting next to neutral-toned decor and old-school velvet chairs.

Everything on the menu is organic, vegetarian, and made from raw, local ingredients. I really had no idea what to order as everything sounded amazing, but the staff was incredibly helpful in describing the menu items in detail.

I decided on the burrata ravioli, which I’m very pleased I chose. Each piece was stuffed with milky, gooey burrata, which softened the zesty and juicy tomato sauce. Ravioli can often be quite heavy, but the pasta was surprisingly light and super silky.

ORA – Ristorante Vegetariano (€€) – Via S. Zanobi, 126R, 50129 Firenze FI, Italy – Open every Monday to Friday from 12:00 pm to 2:30 pm and 7:00 pm to 10:30 pm, every Saturday from 7:30 pm to 10:00 pm, and closed every Sunday

Carduccio – Il Salotto Bio

Photo credit: Carduccio – Il Salotto Bio

When you’re in need of a hearty, healthy feed, there are few better places in Florence than Carduccio, a bustling vegetarian restaurant near Piazza del Pitti. After far too much gelato and pizza, I found myself coming here to get some much-needed nourishment!

Walking inside feels like strolling into a farmer’s market. There are rows of fresh fruits and seasonal vegetables, brown wooden furniture, and vibrant green plants. It’s pretty small and compact, but that’s what makes it so inviting and charming.

Before I even thought about what food to order, I needed a quick pick-me-up, so I got myself an almond cappuccino. The warm, gently sweet froth was so comforting and paired well with the coffee’s bitter and fragrant notes.

I was eager to load up on nutrient-packed foods, so going for one of the organic lunch bowls was a natural choice. They had a couple of different varieties, and I adored the sound of the quinoa and pumpkin bowl, which came with avocado, apple, and hummus.

Bursting with color, flavor, and texture, this bowl had the perfect blend of ingredients. Each pumpkin chunk was seasoned with musky turmeric, giving the mild quinoa and buttery avocado a subtle kick. The crunchy, tart apple slices and citrussy hummus brought a lightness to the dish.

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

Conclusion

Contrary to popular belief, Florence isn’t only a city for meat-eating foodies. All it takes is some patience to dig a little deeper, and you’ll uncover a host of superb vegetarian restaurants scattered throughout the city.

Next time you hit this Tuscan hotspot, add these restaurants to your itinerary and enjoy another side of Florence’s culinary landscape!