Bruce Pemberton-Billing
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Verified Writer
5(351)
10 Guests Max
3 hrs
Flexible TravelFew cities in the world do food like Florence. Voted the world's best food destination in 2023, Florence specializes in la cucina povera (poor cuisine), a style of cooking that favours flavours and simplicity above all else — both in sourcing the ingredients and the methods of cooking.
When planning your trip, you're bound to be asking yourself where to eat in Florence. Luckily for you, we've broken down a list of the best restaurants in Florence so you can save time planning and steer well clear of the tourist traps. From Florentine staples to classic Italian cuisine, you'll find food from all over the Renaissance city, and get a taste of the kind of flavours you should seek out in Florence or can taste as part of our indulgent Florence food tour.
Open: Daily, 12:00 - 10:30 pm
Website: sanpaolino-ristorante.com
If you're looking for a place to stay in Florence as well as somewhere that serves up amazing cuisine, your best bet is to start here. The San Paolino is part of the 25 Hours Hotel, and the food is brilliant. It can be a touch busy for some people, but if you are with a group of people, this can add to a lively, atmospheric meal together.
Restaurant San Paolino's sleek and stylish interior
Their menu is made up of a wide range of Tuscan classics, though you'll also find international choices you might not find elsewhere in the city. Bistecca alla Fiorentina (Florentine steak) ranks highly on the menu, so if you're a big meat-eater we suggest you see for yourself what all of the fuss is about.
Open: Tuesday-Saturday, 12 - 2:30 pm, 7:30-10:30 pm
Website: N/A
Some people can find that Tuscan cities and restaurants can be a bit too heavy on steak selections. If you're looking for Tuscan cuisine that is not based on steak as the main option, Dalla Lola should be high up on your list as their menu is among the most interesting that you'll find in Florence.
The rustic, shabby-chic interior of Restaurant Dalla Lola
There are many intriguing options to try here especially if you're feeling adventurous (cervello fritto, fried brain, is a particular favourite of ours). The food is pretty different from what you find elsewhere, but the recipes and concepts have served the city and region very well for a long, long time — making this the perfect place for something different.
As well as being a brilliant place to try the cucina povera that forms the centrepiece of our Florence food tour, Dalla Lolla is also very reasonable: with pasta dishes costing around €8 and mains and sides a total of €15.
Open: Daily, except Sunday, 12-2:30pm, 7-10:30pm
Website: cibreo.com
If you want a more high-end dining experience (outside of August, when the restaurant is closed all month), be sure to book a table at Cibreo. As well as Florence’s most famous restaurants, Cibreo is an institution, and the food here is incredible. It often comes recommended by tour guides and locals alike, so our advice is to reserve as early as you can as it's usually very busy.
The food here is again a classic blend of Tuscan classics, and you also will find one of the most diverse wine selections in the city. The food is tremendous, with a great range to select from. You should have no problem finding something on the menu list, as they are so extensive, they suit almost any palate.
There is much to enjoy here, and the atmosphere is great. If you fancy a few drinks afterward, nearby Enoteca dei Macci is perfect for an after-dinner nightcap.
Open: Daily, 7am-12am
Website: lungarnocollection.com
If you are looking for a local treasure, look no further than this tremendous, little hotspot. This is known for having a very calm and friendly ambiance. You will feel like you have met the staff before because they treat you like family the minute you walk in the door!
If you are looking for a lunch or evening experience, make this a priority to come and check out. The food is matched only by the views you have all around you. Perfect for a romantic evening, and with a very diverse menu to pick from, you should have no issue finding a favorite - though the pappardelle al cinghiale (flat pasta with a wild-boar ragu sauce) is especially delicious.
Situated along the River Arno, Caffe dell'Oro is one of the most atmospheric places for al fresco dining
Indeed, it is even recommended by the Michelin guide for food in Florence. It is somewhat expensive, but the food and the setting are of such a high standard that it can feel worth every penny you pay.
What a fantastic place to visit, offering amazing food from 7.30 pm until midnight. It is arguably one of the best pizza restaurants in all of Florence. The pizza is quite simply divine, using that vintage Neapolitan style that is almost impossible to enjoy outside of Italy.
The toppings are diverse and varied, and you get to pick from a wonderful selection of cheeses from across the local area. Just be sure to keep an eye out for the sauceless pizzas; unless it tells you specifically it has sauce, it does not!
The wine and beer selections are tremendous too. Perfect for anyone looking for a top-class eating experience based very much on quality pizza. Pretty good value for money, too, if you are looking to save!
Open: Daily, except Sunday 8 am - 3 pm
Website: N/A
If you are looking for one of the best places to find classic food in Florence, look no further than De Nerbone. This superb little venue is perfect for lunch (it will be closed for dinner), serving traditional Florentine food you might not find elsewhere.
De Nerbone's stall inside Florence's Mercato Centrale
People love this little venue because it is very classically Florentine. It might seem a touch rough and ready upon approach, and some say the staff can be a touch stand-offish, but the food is worth any awkwardness along the way. This is a fantastic way to experience a classic Florentine luncheon experience, complete with that awesome cafeteria-inspired seating and the general theme.
Oh, and if you'd like a recommendation, be sure to try out the lampredotto sandwich.
Open: Daily, 10am-10pm
Website: allanticovinaio.com
What a place to eat! If you are looking for the vintage Florentine lunch experience, come here. This opens at 10.30 am and is open until 11 pm so you can still fetch dinner here. It is, though, among the most famed spots in Florence for lunch. It is loved by locals and tourists alike for its wonderful menu range.
If you are looking for a top-class lunch experience, be sure to try out their panini. The sheer range of options for toppings and cheeses makes it very easy to make the panini of your dreams. Everything is locally sourced, too, so you know it is going to be of a high standard indeed.
Our advice, though? Get here early. This is a constantly busy place, so do not expect to be served within less than 20 to 30 minutes.
Learn more about must-try Florentine food here
Open: Daily, 12 - 3 pm, 7 - 10:30 pm
Website: ilgustodixinge.com
The first location on our list is not an Italian restaurant but a Chinese restaurant. If you want to try some extremely high-end Chinese food made by Xin Ge Liu, you should look no further.
The food is brilliant, as is the refreshments menu. You can easily sit here for most of the evening and enjoy a top-class atmosphere, experience, and food selection. It would be hard to pick one food to try, but we are massive fans of the bao buns. Definitely worth a trip to this part of town to try out some of the most enjoyable Chinese food you will find anywhere in Italy.
The standard is tremendous, and the prices are fair. Ideal or an evening’s entertainment.
Open: Wednesday to Sunday, 12 - 3 pm, 6:30 - 11pm
Website: goldenview.it
Last but by no means least is the restaurant with arguably the finest views in Florence. Here, the name lives up to its reputation. First things first – the food here is very expensive but worth every Euro you pay. More important, though, is the amazing setting.
You will find yourself looking out across the Arno River, with a fabulous view of the Ponte Vecchio as you eat. On top of that, you will find that the food range is as diverse as you would hope for. The food here ranges from vintage oysters to more specific choices like liver crostini.
View of the Ponte Vecchio from the Golden View Restaurant
If you are on a romantic trip to Florence, as many are, paying the money to get booked here would be highly recommended. The quality of the food, location, and service is beyond reproach. If you want to get that vintage Florentine restaurant experience, look no further than this paradisial restaurant.
Food in Florence is a feast of flavours, and the restaurants we've listed are some of the finest places you'll find.
If you're looking to discover the cultural as well as culinary highlights of Florence, check out our Florence Tours. Whether you want to immerse yourself in the culture, cuisine, or nightlife of the Renaissance capital, our tours have something for everyone.
Book up one of the many small group tours Italy has to offer with Carpe Diem Tours and you can guarantee that you'll make memories to take back home with you. We can't wait to welcome you! 🇮🇹
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Enjoy Traditional Drinks and Scandalous Stories in the Heart of the Renaissance City.
This isn’t your typical tour. The Tipsy Tour in Florence is the perfect blend of fascinating history, tasty drinks, and making memories with newfound friends. Explore the vibrant nightlife of the Renaissance City and sample signature Italian cocktails, wine, and shots. Along the way you’ll hear about Florence’s less savoury past with some saucy stories and dark history, all the while getting tipsy of course! This tour is all about bringing people together so if alcohol isn’t your thing, not to worry! We’ve got some alcohol-free options for travellers who want the social experience without the hangover.
Your fun-loving guide will wow you with scandals from Florence’s history. Sip away as you learn the life stories of some of Florence’s most notorious figures. The Medici are a great starting point – specifically, Catherine de Medici, believed by many to have had a penchant for poison and a dabble in the dark arts.
As we travel from bar to bar, tracing the steps of prisoners and sex workers alike, your guide will immerse you in the bloody tale of the Pazzi Conspiracy, where Lorenzo de Medici and his entourage were attacked in Florence’s cathedral during High Mass on Easter Sunday. Then you’ll find out what happened to the Pazzi family, too.
Spoiler alert – it was way worse.
During the experience, we’ll visit at least two vibrant bars and enjoy drink stops outside famous sights. Plus, we’ll order shots from a wine window on the street, like a true Florentine. You might wonder why wine from a window never became a worldwide phenomenon, and trust us – we don’t know either.
When the Tipsy Tour is over, the night out officially begins. We’ll enjoy the city long into the night, making unforgettable memories with our Tipsy besties.
Spaces fill up fast, so book your Florence Tipsy Tour today!
4.96(1077)
Florence’s Accademia Gallery houses one of Europe’s richest collections of art and sculpture. Hone in on its highlights on a tailored tour and come face to face with the world’s most famous sculpture: Michelangelo’s David.
This private Accademia tour is perfect for art enthusiasts looking to broaden their knowledge and fill in the gaps. It covers the evolution of western art from the Giotto’s gilt gold of the Florentine Gothic to Botticelli and Lippi’s humanist masterpieces the High Renaissance.
See for yourself why the statue of David is considered one of the most life-like sculptures ever carved and learn the historical context that saw the Florentines adopt the biblical David as the symbol of their city.
Learn about the artists behind the work, their history and the techniques they used. Gain insider knowledge of lesser-known works like Michelangelo’s Prisoners or Slaves, and enjoy free time at the end of the tour to wander through the museum at your own pace.
5(93)
Most people are familiar with the Uffizi’s international reputation as a gallery. Its halls house masterpieces by the likes of Botticelli, Leonardo, Raphael, and Caravaggio. But the Uffizi didn’t start life as a gallery. Deriving its name from the Middle Italian for ‘the Offices’, this 16th-century complex constitutes the most beautiful and architecturally innovative administrative office complex ever designed. And while going into the office isn’t something you typically associate with being on holiday, here you must make an exception.
The Uffizi was designed by the architect and biographer Giorgio Vasari, under the patronage of Cosimo I. After Cosimo died, his heirs lost interest in politics. His eldest son, Francesco I, brought his private collection of artworks and made the Uffizi his private museum. The collection they accumulated over the coming centuries is what you see today.
And our private tour of the Uffizi brings you face to face with its highlights.
5(211)
Every cobble in Florence tells a story. Its 14th-century walls contain such a wealth of archaeological and artistic treasures that the city centre itself is a UNESCO site – a global centre of cultural importance. This private walking tour of Florence tells the story of Renaissance city through the monuments it leaves behind.
Accompanied by your expert, licensed guide, you’ll explore Florence’s streets and discover its attractions, being transported through its illustrious history – from its founding as a Roman colony through to its patronage by medieval Europe’s most powerful bankers and merchants (not least the infamous Medici).
Your private walking tour takes you through Florence’s world-famous sites. Gaze up at Brunelleschi’s 15th-century Duomo – the dome of Florence’s Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore – and the Golden Doors of Paradise on its adjacent Baptistery. Learn to decipher the symbols and reliefs that adorn the Tower of Giotto beside the Duomo and learn why the Florentine’s chose them and what they said about their city.
Stroll past Piazza della Repubblica, Italy’s most important square in the mid 1800s when Florence was the country’s capital, and admire the statues that line the niches of the nearby Church of Orsanmichele. Florence’s most picturesque piazza lies just a short stroll away: Piazza della Signoria, in the background of which loom the medieval fortress of Palazzo Vecchio and the Renaissance offices converted into the world’s most famous gallery: the Uffizi.
Head through the vaulted arches of the Uffizi and you arrive at Ponte Vecchio, Florence’s most famous bridge, which dates back in its current form to the days of the Medici. Absorb its rich history, and some of its seldom shared secrets, as your expert guide shares their expertise and answers all your questions.
5(16)