Head into the heart of Tuscany and explore all Florence has to offer. Whether you are in Florence on business or spending the weekend doing touristy things, you still have to eat and Florence is best known for amazing food.

Experience classic dishes such as maccheroncini, bistecca alla Fiorentina, ribollita, or Pappa al Pomodoro, and then finish your dining experience with gelato. Locals enjoy dishes that include organ meat, especially the lampredotto or the fourth stomach of the cow. 

Florence is brimming with authentic Tuscan cuisine with a smattering of international restaurants tossed into the mix. There are also plenty of street vendors and food trucks that can be found throughout the city. 

Get out and eat at one or two, or maybe ten of the best restaurants in Florence. Before making your reservations, as soon as you arrive in the city (most likely by train) drop your bags at a Florence Station luggage storage service so you do not have to worry about your things while you dine in style.

 

Trattoria Sabatino

This family-owned and run restaurant is truly unique. It opened in 1956 and offers humble Tuscan dishes that taste truly divine. The menu changes daily so you never know what to expect when you visit. 

Prices at Trattoria Sabatino are reasonable and you will not go home hungry after eating here. The home-style cooking and friendly service will make this eatery a favorite among locals and tourists. 

Trattoria Da Burde Firenze

Located just outside the historic district of Florence, Trattoria Da Burde Firenze is one of the best family-owned and run restaurants in the city. When you walk through the doors you will feel like you have come home. 

The old-world charm of a wine bar with the down-home feel of sitting around your family table, Da Burde, as the locals call this trattoria, is the place to be. The menu changes often so you never know what will be offered.

Family recipes are still used to create delicious and memorable dishes. You can be assured that whatever is on the menu will become a favorite and leave you wanting to bring the recipe home with you.

Essenziale

Head over to the Piazza del Cestello and visit Essenziale, one of the most innovative restaurants in Florence. With Chef Simone Cipriani in charge of the kitchen, you can be guaranteed a delicious and authentic Tuscan meal. 

Unique and fantastic dishes are found on the menu. You can choose between the chef’s choice, family-style, and a la carte. While still staying true to Florentine cuisine, Chef Cipriani also incorporates international flavors. 

Check out the menu before heading to Essenziale, you will be amazed by the traditional dishes as well as the more unique flavors that the chef and kitchen staff have cultivated. 

Osteria Tripperia Il Magazzino

This restaurant has brought Tuscan street food into the dining room. You will truly enjoy the experience of ordering typical street food such as lampredotto off the regular menu. Chef Luca Cai has brought unique flavors to Florentine dishes that you will love.

Be sure to try the lampredotto filled ravioli that is served with a Tropea onion sauce. Or maybe the lampredotto that is tempura fried and served as sushi is more your speed. If you are dining with a picky eater, you will not want to tell them what is in lampredotto. 

Lampredotto is a popular dish, especially with street vendors, and is one of the best selling organ meats in Florence. Check out Osteria Tripperia Il Magazzino’s Facebook page for hours and location.

Culinaria Bistro

If you are near the Piazza Tasso, give the Culinaria Bistro a try. It features dishes with a Moroccan and French flare. The restaurant chooses many locally sourced ingredients. Give the vegetable tartar or the couscous tagine a try.

If you are not sure what you are in the mood for, order a cured meat and cheese board while you peruse the menu. Save room for dessert—the wine-soaked biscotti tiramisu is divine!

Buca dell’Orafo

You do not want to miss the chance to dine at Buca dell’Orafo, the basement wine cellar that has been turned into an intimate restaurant. While it is a small restaurant, the flavors make up for the cramped quarters.

Start your dining experience with the ribollita soup and then give the maltagliati pasta, Panzanella, fried cow brain, or artichoke omelet a try. Add a flavorful wine to enhance your meal. 

Osteria dell’Enoteca

One of the newer restaurants on the list, Osteria dell’Enoteca is actually a spinoff of Enoteca Pitti Gola e Cantina. The osteria is an upscale steakhouse with flavorful dishes and an extensive wine list. 

Steaks are not the only thing on the menu, the chicken liver crostini or the marinated octopus gazpachos are fantastic dishes. The squash flan with a warm cheese fondue is a fun and interesting dish. Save room for dessert, the biscotti is superb.

Trattoria Mario

Easily one of the most popular restaurants in Florence, Trattoria Mario offers amazing Florentine soul food. Be prepared to wait for a table if you do not make a reservation. The menu is filled with authentic Tuscan dishes that are truly delicious. 

You will not be counting calories while at Trattoria Mario, you can get pretty much anything on the menu fried! Give the roasted pork loin with potato-filled tortelli with ragu a try. 

Trattoria Sergio Gozzi

One of the oldest trattorias in Florence, Trattoria Sergio Gozzi offers a quiet dining experience. The menu changes with the seasons, so if you are craving fried zucchini blossoms, you will want to visit in the summer. 

The peposo is flavorful and savory. Enjoy this wonderful slow-cooked beef stew, made with a wine base and whole peppercorns for flavor. Gozzi is only open for lunch, so check out their Facebook page for location and menu.

Le Volpi e L’Uva

This unique restaurant is part wine bar, part souvenir shop, and a popular hangout for the locals. While waiting for a table, you can do a little shopping or sample some of their wines. 

Sign up for one of their wine tastings and enjoy meat, such as wild boar and fennel salami, and cheese plates that come with warm crostini toasts. The asiago and largo cheeses are fantastic, especially with the cured duck breast. 

Grab a friend and spend a week eating your way through Florence. With several restaurants to choose from, you may want to check out the top 10 best eateries in Florence before deciding where you want to dine first.