Florence, the Tuscan capital and birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, is a food lover’s paradise. Tuscan specialties like ribollita, a bread-based soup with black cabbage and beans, bistecca alla fiorentina, a large and juicy T-bone steak, and lampredotto, the cow’s fourth stomach traditionally sandwiched in a bread roll, can be found at various eateries across the city.
Although Florence is brimming with thousands of restaurants, not all of them are worth your time. The city is, after all, a major tourist destination and as such is prone to tourist traps, those pesky establishments that often sell expensive, low-quality food. That’s why America Domani has compiled a brief list of the best eateries in the city. From intimate osterias, family-run trattorias, and street food hubs, these five establishments can satisfy a wide range of tastes and are suitable to various budgets. Buon appetito!
Trattoria Cammillo
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(Photo Credit: flawless.life)
Located in the Oltrarno neighborhood, Trattoria Cammillo is an old-school establishment spiced with a touch of elegance. Although slightly pricier than regular trattorias, the family-run eatery serves traditional Tuscan dishes like ribollita and bistecca alla fiorentina that are worth the extra few euro.
La Fettunta
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(Photo Credit: La Fettunta via Facebook)
This quaint, wood-accented restaurant located in the heart of the historic center is known for serving up Tuscan classics. Renowned for its generous portions and reasonable prices, it is favorite among tourists and diners alike. While La Fettunta is primarily known for serving up meat and pasta dishes, it also sells sandwiches that make for great grab-and-go options.
La Giostra
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(Photo Credit: La Giostra via Facebook)
La Giostra, meaning “the ride” in English, is housed in what was once a 18th-century winter storage facility for a carousel. Today, the restaurant’s interior features 16th-century brick vaults decorated with strings of twinkling fairy lights. Serving revisited Tuscan dishes (although the classic bistecca alla fiorentina is a popular choice) and offering an extensive wine list, La Giostra is an ideal pick for those seeking a romantic dinner.
Trattoria Sostanza
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(Photo Credit: jetsetreport.com)
This tiny restaurant only has six tables and is a favorite among locals. Menu highlights include a lightly cooked artichoke omelet and a butter chicken dish, arguably the trattoria’s most popular meal. Sample traditional Tuscan fare, the bistecca alla fiorentina is, of course, on the menu here, beneath family photo-lined walls and experiencing a slice of local life.
Osteria Santo Spirito
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(Photo Credit: orizzonteitalia.com)
Located in the piazza of the Church of Santo Spirito, this rustic osteria is particularly known for its gnocchi. The restaurant has two floors as well as outdoor seating for views of the busy piazza. Four cheese truffle gnocchi and walnut ravioli stuffed with spinach and ricotta cheese are fan favorites. Make sure to call ahead for reservations, especially in the summer, as tables.
Asia London Palomba
Asia London Palomba is a trilingual freelance journalist from Rome, Italy. In the past, her work on culture, travel, and history has been published in The Boston Globe, Atlas Obscura,The Christian Science Monitor and Grub Street, New York Magazine's food section. In her free time, Asia enjoys traveling home to Italy to spend time with family and friends, drinking Hugo Spritzes, and making her nonna's homemade cavatelli.