Neighborhood Restaurants
This is a wonderful neighborhood for "foodies". These are our recomendations within a 10 minute walk from the apartment.
Within a 5 minute walk from apartment
Osteria dell'Enoteca-Via Romana 76r Tel +39 055 2286018 http://www.osteriadellenoteca.com Ancient Florentine townhouse, just a 3 minute walk from the apartment, done in a contemporary fashion with the original exposed brick walls. The menu excels in very well done seasonal Tuscan with a modern twist. One chooses their wine from the well chosen selection on the wine wall(It is great fun). Moderate pricing
Olio-Via di Santo Spirito 4 Tel. 055.265.8198 http://www.oliorestaurant.it This is the way all Italian restaurants should look inside. The slow food ingredients are the freshest. Moderate prices
Rasputin-Borgo Tegolaio, 21/r(approximate, as the exact location is a secret) Tel +39 055 760 9957 https://rasputinsecretbar.com Just a three minute walkfrom the apartment is one of the most unique drinking experiences in Florence; a secret bar. Kind of like a "speakeasy', but Florence, of course, never had to suffer through a prohibition, but all the same you need to find a secret door, ring a bell for admission, sit in a lovely period interior and are waited upon by skilled "mixologists". This is really not a bar or club, but an event. A wonderful experience that you must try, but make reservations as it is very popular. Make reservationson the website and you will get instructions on how to get there. A real gem!
Alimentari del Chianti-Piazza Dei Pitti Tel +39 392 600 9459 Just a couple minutes from the apartment, this great little sanwich shop is one of the best of its kind in the city.
4 Leoni-Via dei Vellutini, 1r Tel +39 055 218562https://www.4leoni.it This trattoria on the Piazza della Passera has a nice big outdoor patio that gets lovelier as dusk falls. They serve Tuscan cuisine and are famous for their fiocchetti di pera (pasta with taleggio and pear), but the melon salad, veal chop and, for il dolci, the chocolate cake and cheesecake are real nice! Why choose when you can have them both? Moderate pricing
Borgo San Jacopo-Borgo San Jacopo 82r Tel 055.281.661 www.lungarnocollection.com/en/eat-drink-e-shop/restaurant-borgo-san-jacopo-florence/The Ferragamo’s Family’s fine dining restaurant in the Hotel Lungarno. This restaurant is very pretty, as is everyone who works there. The food is creative and/or a lighter version of Tuscan fare, and has earned one Michelin Star. There is also a wide choice of fish dishes, which is rare in Florence. Expensive
Trattoria Cammillo-Borgo San Jacopo 57/59 Tel +39 055 212427 Cammillo is an unpretentious old-school trattoria serving straightforward Tuscan fare with white-tablecloth service. The prices are above average for homestyle dining, but it’s worth the extra money for expertly prepared rustic classics like winter ribollita soup finished with proprietary olive oil, warm root vegetable salads, bistecca Fiorentina, and game meats. Moderate pricing.
Within a 10 minute walk of the apartment
Culinaria Bistro- Piazza Torquato Tasso, 13/r Tel +39 055 229494 https://www.de-gustibus.it/culinaria-bistrot/ Head to Piazza Tasso for a break from typical Tuscan fare: Culinaria Bitro features French and Moroccan flavors in dishes made with meticulously sourced ingredients. The restaurant is owned by De Gustibus, a slow-food organization hell-bent on promoting local producers that respect organic and traditional artisan practices. It’s easy to find something to like on the menu, which has everything from lemon and sesame chicken and couscous tagines to vegetable tartares to Tuscan cured meat and cheese boards, alongside rich desserts like wine-soaked biscotti tiramisu. Inexpensive to moderate pricing
Ristorante Il Guscio-Via dell'Orto, 49 Tel +39 055 224421 https://www.ristorante-ilguscio.it/i-piatti It may seem like one could throw a rock and find good food in Florence, but the real challenge is if that rock will land in an eatery whose wine offerings are also remarkable. Il Guscio has been around since 1986 and has a menu that takes homestyle Tuscan and Italian classics to gourmet status: gnudi dumplings made with scamorza and spinach pesto, Maldon-salted sliced sirloin with julienned vegetables, paccheri pasta with spicy Calabrian ’nduja and burrata, beet risotto. The wine list is also superb, rife with boutique, biodynamic and terroir-centered producers, heavy on Tuscan wines but also with an ample selection of crucial bottles from around the country, selections from France, and plenty of sparkling. Portions are hearty, so make sure you order to share, and save room for its desserts, which are very much on point.
Degusteria Italiana agli Uffizi-Via Lambertesca, 7 Tel +39 0554939867 https://www.degusteriaitalianafirenze.com Very good restaurant; food, service and atmosphere are all first rate, as is the Wine Spectator awarded wine list. Prices are quite reasonable for the value offered. As of this writing, Trip Advisor rates this as the second highest ranking restaurant in Florence. We wouldn't necesssarily go this far, but it should definately be on your list to try. Upper moderate pricing.
Osteria Tripperia Il Magazzino-Piazza della Passera 2-3 Tel +39 055 215969 Adventurous eaters should give this place a try. Set in one of Florence's prettiest squares only 300 meters from the apartment. Here you can sample gourmet versions of Florence’s street food lampredotto in a sit-down osteria setting. Dig into fried meatballs of the gutsy stuff, lampredotto-filled ravioli topped with Tropea onion sauce, and even tempura-fried lampredotto sushi, which nods to chef Luca Cai’s stint in Japan. Everything on the menu is pretty stellar, except the steak. Stick to the pastas and organ meats, and you’ll land a one-of-a-kind meal. (Dining with a squirmy eater or vegetarian? Have no fear — non-offal options are also here.) Inexpensive
Trattoria La Casalinga-Via dei Michelozzi, 9/R Tel +39 055 218624https://trattorialacasalinga.it They serve good home-cooking, Tuscan cuisine for fair prices with sometimes so so service. Definitely worth adding to the list though. Inexpensive pricing.
Le Volpi e l'Uva-Piazza dei Rossi, 1R Tel +39 055 239 8132 https://www.levolpieluva.com/home-english Tucked away off the Ponte Vecchio, about two minutes from the apartment, is one of the most revered wine bars in the country. Part shop, part bar and local hangout, Le Volpi pours and sells bottles that uniquely represent the Italian wine landscape, highlighting passionate producers. A crack team of winemakers, sommeliers, and wine educators staff the bar. The bar serves choice meat and cheese plates and warm crostini toasts to accompany tastings. If you see wild boar fennel salami, snag a plate. And you can’t leave without having the crostino with melted lardo and asiago or the finger panini with cured duck breast and butter. Inexpensive
Santo Bevitore-via Santo Spirito 64-66red Tel. 055.211.264 www.ilsantobevitore.com Very good trattoria. Food is creative, atmosphere informal, décor good, and prices are very reasonable. It is very popular, so make reservations. Inexpensive to moderate pricing.
Ora D’Aria- via de' Georgofili 11/13 r Tel. 552001699 www.oradariaristorante.com/en/odaprofile_en.htmlThe dining room at this one Star Michelin restaurant faces the open-view kitchen, allowing a continuous exchange of dialogue between chefs and diners. The cuisine focuses on mainly Tuscan produce served in dishes that blend traditional skill with contemporary style. Very creative. Our best dining experience in Florence during our recent trip. Expensive
Podere 39-Via Senese, 39r Tel +39 345 237 6137 Situated just outside the Porta Romana, this restaurant is attractive and beautifully kept despite its small size (there are plans for an extension). The decor features wooden tables, exposed red-brick walls and numerous other embellishments, including hams hanging from hooks and flowers on the tables. The food is very good and reasonably priced, and has just been listed in the Michelin Guide recognizing such. Moderate prices
Buca dell'Orafo-Via dei Girolami, 28/R Tel +39 055 213619 http://www.bucadellorafo.com/web/ Just over the Ponte Vecchio, the modest location and its entrance is almost hidden, below street level. All of Florence feels ancient, but there’s nowhere you’ll feel quite as outside of time as when you’re tucked away in the stone-lined cavern that is Buca dell’Orafo. The restaurant is built into a 13th-century stone castle that was once home to goldsmiths. It’s impossible not to feel the influence of the magical atmosphere that corners of Florence like this one can give. Once seated at the tables, you can experience authentic Florentine cuisine. Plunder he antipasti section before immediately jumping to the main course. Above all, we recommend the bruschetta of fegatini and those with lard. If, however, for the main course, you do not want the usual Florentine steak, try the fried lamb chops. Moderate prices
Caffè dell'Oro-Lungarno degli Acciaiuoli, 4 Tel +39 055 2726 8912 https://www.lungarnocollection.com/caffe-dell-oro/ Just accross the Ponte Vecchio from the apartment. Tuscan and Mediterranean dishes take pride of place in this contemporary bistro style restaurant with superb views of Ponte Vecchio. The elegant atmosphere is in the same style as the hotel next door. Moderate pricing.
Essenziale-Piazza di Cestello, 3, 50124 Tel. 055.2476956 http://essenziale.me/?lang=en The hottest new opening in Florence is without a doubt this restaurant headed by popular chef Simone Cipriani, formally of Santo Graal. Inside, you’ll find a contemporary, intimate atmosphere. With a small drawer at every table with your “tools” (forks, knives and spoons) to help you along what will certainly be an interesting gastronomic affair. The cuisine is inventive and creative, imagine a take on Tuscany’s classic “pappa al pomodoro” called “papa Mary” with bloody mary elements of horseradish gelato and a spritz of vodka. Also, a great Sunday brunch! Expensive
Other areas of Florence
Osteria Personale-Bogro San Frediano, 167red Tel 055.933.1341 www.io-osteriapersonale.it Very hot right now. Very creative food, casual atmosphere, nice décor. Choose a tasting menu. No pasta. Moderate prices
Ristorante Frescobaldi-Via del Magazzini 4r Tel. 055.284.724 www.deifrescobaldi.it Great place, right down town You can accompany your food with any of the Frescobaldi wines by the glass. The atmosphere is very nice, too. also, a wine bar at the location. Moderate prices
Coquinarius Wine Bar-Via delle Oche 15r TYel. 055. 23.02.153 www.coquinarius.com Quite a serious wine bar, very near the cathedral. Has some great pasta and salads, and is one of the few places in Florence that serves all day. Moderate prices
FISHING LAB alla Murate- via del Proconsolo 16 r. Tel: via del Proconsolo 16 r Tel+055240618 https://www.fishinglab.it/firenze/ This fine dining restaurant is open to visitors during the day and in the evening (upon request); an audio-guide provides information on the frescoes and archaeological ruins visible here. Simply one of the finest seafood restaurants in Florence. A unique experience! Expensive
Osteria Caffe Italiano- Via Isola delle Stinche 11 Tel. 055289368 www.osteriacaffeitaliano.com In the Sante Croce area. These fine premises are part of a historic building. Wood furnishings predominate in the three small dining halls where the cuisine is largely based on Tuscan recipes. There is a fine wine list. Moderate pricing
Enoteca Pinchiorri- via Ghibellina 87 Tel. 055242777 http://enotecapinchiorri.it/la-cantina/ Florence's temple of gourmet dining, this elegant Michelin 3 star restaurant boasts a legendary wine list that will delight wine enthusiasts. The chef uses Tuscan specialties as the inspiration for his highly skillful, imaginative and innovative cuisine. One must keep in mind that this is not just going out to dinner, but an actual experience, including fantastic food, unbelievable service, an unpanelled wine program, and a large dose of theatre. Be prepared to pay 500 Euro per person, and if everything is working in harmony, the experience is well worth it.
La Bottega Del Buon Café-Lungarno Bienvenuto Cellini 63/R Tel. 0555535677 https://www.borgointhecity.com/#0 Situated on the Lungarno, this elegant one Michelin Star restaurant with a charming outdoor area and open - view kitchen combines an urban - chic atmosphere with Florentine style. The dishes here focus on top - quality products from various regions and traditions, which are intelligently prepared with creativity, spontaneity and expertise. Excellent wine list with a choice of over 1 000 wines.
All’Antico Vinaio- Via dei Neri 65r 055 2382723 Great sandwich shop. Inexpensive
Boccadama- Piazza di Santa Croce 25R Tel. 055 243640 http://boccadama.com Nice informal place on Piazza Santa Croce. Good prices and good wine. Try the lasagna.
Furlin-via Giampaolo Orsini 113r 50125 Firenze Tel. +39 055 684931 http://www.fulin.it/contatti/ Here is something different fpr Florence, a Chinese restaurant, and a very very good one at that. It has even made it in Italy’s foodie magazine, Gambero Rosso. Fulin is out to make quality Chinese cuisine the way you would find in Hong Kong or Beijing, in a beautiful ambiance in a suburban (and easy to get to) neighborhood. This will no doubt impress even the Florentines. I had the chance to lunch there recently and wow, just wow. This is top notch on every level. Antipasti range around 7-8€ while larger courses 12-15€. I highly recommend sharing a variety of dim sum like dishes, especially the bamboo carrot involtini, a variety of freshly-made dumplings, rice noodles with chinese mushrooms, and cantonese pork, twice-fried with an orange sauce. Don’t skip dessert either! Moderate Prices
Irene- Tel. +39 055 27 35 891 https://www.roccofortehotels.com/hotels-and-resorts/hotel-savoy/restaurant-and-bar/irene/ Chef Fulvio Pierangelini shocked the culinary world when he shuttered his two-Michelin-star restaurant Gambero Rosso in 2009. Several years ago, after a brief hiatus from cooking, he became executive chef of Rocco Forte Hotels, and in April he opened the Irene restaurant at the regal Hotel Savoy in Florence. The Florentine bistro overlooks the vibrant Piazza della Repubblica and is named after the mother of Sir Rocco Forte, CEO of Rocco Forte Hotels. Irene was an accomplished cook and hostess, and the restaurant is a tribute to Italian mothers and grandmothers everywhere, says Pierangelini, who describes the restaurant as “mischievous, irreverent, and cheeky.” Very good food in a chic atmosphere and in good weather, a fantastic terrace on Piazza Republica, in the very heart of Florence's historic center. Expensive
Cantinetta Antinori-Piazza Antinori 3, Florence Tel. 055 292234 www.cantinetta-antinori.com/it/firenze/cantinetta-antinori-di-firenze Upscale retaurant and wine bar on the ground floor of the Antinori Palace, where the Antinori have lived for 600 years. The restaurant serves Tuscan food, mainly sourced from the Antinori estates. The real joy here is that you can order any Antinori wine by the glass, including bottles coating hundreds of Euro. Upper moderate-Expensive
Acqua Al 2-Via della Vigna Vecchia, 40r Tel +39 055284170 http://www.acquaal2.it Not far from Piazza SIgnoria. The traditional fod here is really good as is the atmosphere, but the reason for coming here,, in my opinion are the "sampler courses" or "Assaggio". The salad sampler, pasta sampler, main course sampler of grilled chicken, and steaks are amazing. In the salad sampler they give you 3 different kinds of salads and in the pasta sampler they give you 5 small portions of different pastas. They also have dessert and cheese samplers. This is reqlly a good way to experience a wide selection of their specialties and is a lot of fun. Moderate pricing.
Il Latini-Via dei Palchetti, 6R. Tel +39055210916 http://www.illatini.com/en/ This place is a meat lover’s paradise! You must make a reservation, because there is always a line outside. The choices are 7:30 and 9:30. Go on an empty stomach because there is so much food! Good for large parties. Friendly atmosphere. They feed you and feed you until you can’t breathe. It might be a bit touristy, but the locas like it to, as there is usually a line outside to get in. Always make reservations. It is a lot of fun to do once while you are in Florence. If you re a small party and they are crowded, they might have you share a large table with another party, which can be a fun experience, but might not be ideal for a romantic evening. The veal and lamb are really good, as is the Florentine steak. You are not given a menu but you can request certain things. They also continue to bring out wine throughout your meal. It feels like they never stop serving you and the price is good for what you get. Make friends with the waiter, and they are even nicer to you. Moderate
Ristorante La Giostra-Borgo Pinti 12/r Tel +039 055 241 341 https://www.ristorantelagiostra.com is a romantic hideaway within easy walking distance of the historical center of Florence. Prince Dimitri, the cooking Habsburgh prince, has now passed away, but his twin sons learned well and do an excellant job with both food and hospitality, and like their father, have a little eccentric edge. Candlelit tables are covered with white linen and sparkling wine glasses. A sample platter with appetizers and a glass of Prosecco are offered to all dinner guests while they wait for their orders. Try the crostini with chicken liver paste, a Tuscan specialty, or the little risotto balls. Chef Soldano D'Asburgo Lorena tries to advise diners personally and might recommend his handmade ravioli filled with Pecorino di Fossa and Pear William. Other first courses are the gnocchi with ricotta and spinach, and the spaghettini with lobster sauce. Tuscan veal osso buco is one of the restaurant’s signature dishes, but true to the owner´s Austrian heritage the kitchen also serves an authentic wiener schnitzel, which is so large it hangs off the plate. The wine list is quite extensive with choices from all the best wine regions of Italy, which are kept in perfect climate conditions in their own wine cellar. As desserts go, you might expect to see Sacher torte and a cheesecake, again demonstrating the Austrian heritage of the chef.
Beer House Club-Corso dei Tintori, 34r Tel +39 055 247 6763 https://www.beerhouseclub.eu Probably the best pub in Florence. Great selection of local grews on tap. Good atmosphere, nice people, good selection of pastas, and Chianina beef hamburghers. Live entertainment many evenings. Inexpensive.
Aroma-Via Ghibellina, 67/r Tel +39 055 226 0038 www.aroma-ristorante.it About a 12 minute walk from the apartment, this small seafood restaurant(only about 5 or 6 tables)is quite rare in Florence. Food and service are very good. Modearte prices.
Enoteca Bruni-Borgo Ognissanti, 25r Tel +39 0553880177 https://en.enotecabruni.it This is far more than a wine bar, more of a wine restaurant. There are over 2700 wines on the 185 page wine list, a good portion of them natural and organic. Also, mnay wines by the glass. You can eat anything from a cheese plate to a 6 course tasting menu accompanied by six wines. Its up to you. Nice decor, super knowlegable staff, and one of the best wine lists in the city. And don't miss the huge cheese cart! Upper moderate pricing.
Cestello Ristoclub-Piazza di Cestello Tel +39 055 2645364 www.cestelloristoclub.com Another of the new breed of upscale Florence seafood resyaurants. This one is unique in that it is set up as fish market where you chose your seafood and then discuss with the chef how you would like it cooked. It's a great concept and the stylish atmosphere and cocktail bar are also worth the trip. Expensive.
Locale- Via delle Seggiole, 12r Tel +39 055 9067188 http://www.localefirenze.it/?lang=en Just an all around excellent fine dining experience, from the beautiful atmosphere of the historic palace where it is located to the friendly staff, great food, and one of the best bar scenes in Florence. If you could ever justify spending 20-25 Euro on a cocktail, this would be the place! Very special. Expensive
Konnubio-Via dei Conti, 8r Tel +39 055 2381189http://www.konnubio.com Very unique operation for Florence featuring all day eating. Different options under one roof: a bar open from morning to evening, a wine bar in the cellar serving cold dishes and offering wine tastings, and a restaurant serving light, quick options at lunchtime and more elaborate, original fare in the evening. They even have a breakfat buffet. The food is all very good and the atmosphete is nice. Konnubio’s wine master, Simone Loguercio, was awarded Best Sommelier of Italy 2018 by the Italian sommelier association.
Trattoria Da Burde-via Pistoiese, 154 Tel +39055317207 If you are near the airport, this fantastic trattoria, is the place to go. About a 3 minute drive from the airport, this is one of the most authentic trattorie in the city, and one of the best. Local food, local friendly people, a really fantastic wine list, and all at unvbelievable reasonable prices. Don't miss it if you are in the area, especially if you are a wine lover.