Florence Food-Restaurants

Florence Food-Restaurants information

Trattoria

Angiolino ** Via San Spirito, 36 Tel: +39 055-239-8976 Typical Florentine trattoria, complete with vaulted ceilings, old tables and antique cast-iron stove. The balanced menu includes a range of local specialities, and there's a good choice of wine. Trattoria da Benvenuto * Via della Mosca, 16 Tel: +39 055-214-833 Old-fashioned family-style trattoria where the chef uses fresh ingredients from his own vegetable garden. Local dishes include bollito misto - mixed boiled meats, and cappallacci al tartufo - pasta with a truffle sauce. There's a good wine list too. Sergio Gozzi * Piazza San Lorenzo, 8 Tel: +39 055-281-941 Family-run, traditional trattoria which specialises in local dishes, including an excellent bistecca alla Fiorentina, and fish. Their zuppa di farro (wheat and bean soup) is particularly good. Sostanza detto "Il Troia" ** Via del Porcellana, 25 Tel: +39 055-212-691 This curiously-named trattoria ("troia" means "slut") opened in 1869 and maintains its old-fashioned ambience - lots of marble and antique chairs. The menu includes a superb artichoke pie and excellent baccala (salt cod). You'll need to book. Da Ganino ** Piazza dei Cimatori, 4 Tel: +39 055-214-125 This is the place for superb homemade pasta and a wide range of scrumptious desserts. Gets very busy in the summer, when it's essential to book. Osteria Belle Donne ** Via Belle Donne, 16 Tel: +39 055-238-2609 Small, friendly restaurant, with a great selection of traditional pasta dishes and delicious desserts.

Pizzeria

Dante * Piazza Nazario Sauro, 12 Tel: +39 055-219-219 Oltrarno pizzeria that's very popular with locals and tourists alike. A selection of pasta dishes breaks up the predominantly pizza oriented menu.

Florentine/Tuscan Specialities

Buca dell'Orafo ** Via dei Girolami, 28 Tel: +39 055-213-617 Open since 1945, this popular restaurant is located in the cellar of a former palace of the aristocracy. Dishes include such delightful local specialities as fried brains, or if you're a bit squeamish, try the beef stew or the superb bistecca alla Fiorentina. Il Latini ** Via dei Palchetti, 6 Tel: +39 055-210-916 Established as winery/grocers in 1898 was later transformed into a restaurant, and has kept much of its original features. Il Latini serves simple traditional Tuscan cuisine and has a fine selection of Italian wines. Enoteca Pinchiorri *** Via Ghibellina, 87 Tel: +39 055-242-757 Excellent, elegant restaurant with a slightly French flavour to many of the dishes, even the local and regional ones. There's a delightful garden where you can dine al fresco in the summer. Expect to pay around EUR75 for a three-course meal, excluding wine. Pane e Vino *** Via San Niccolo, 60 Tel: +39 055-247-6956 Friendly, informal restaurant that started life as a wine bar serving cold buffets 20 years ago but has of late gained an excellent reputation for its "new Florentine" cuisine. Cantinetta Antinori ** Piazza Antinori, 3 Tel: +39 055-292-234 This traditional, elegant restaurant serves regional cuisine to a predominantly local clientele. The ingredients and the fine wines are sourced from the Antinori farm thereby ensuring impeccable quality and freshness.

Bars

Florence boasts the usual Italian mix of cafés and bars too numerous to mention. The centre of all social activities, the bars are buzzing all day but peak in the late evening. Drinking or eating al fresco and watching the world go by is the number one evening entertainment and you'll be spoiled for choice of venues. Here are just a few favourites. Hemingway Piazza Piattellina, 9 Tel: +39 055-284-781 A fantastic café done out with a flair for English upper-class elegance. Hemingway's cakes have won international renown, and their Sunday brunch menu is perfect for lazing the day away. Caffé Richi Piazza Santo Spirito Tel: +39 055-215-864 The Caffé Richi is one of the most charming cafés in Florence. A favourite with tourists and locals, the outside tables are in great demand. When the antique market is on in the square (every second Sunday of the month) Caffé Richi is the place to take a break. Giacosa Via Tornabuoni, 83 Long established hangout that gave birth to the negroni cocktail - equal parts Campari, sweet Martini and gin. I Visacci Borgo Albizi, 80 Tel: +39 055-200-1956 Vibrant pop-art inspired bar, offering an array of cocktails and tasty bar snacks. Happy hour is until 22h00 every night, with DJs playing a good mix of music at weekends. La Capocaccia Lugarno Corsini, 12-14 Tel: +39 055-210-751 Trendy wine bar popular with designer-clad Florentines. With great views over the River Arno, La Capocaccia is the perfect place to spend a summer evening. Rifrullo Via San Niccolo, 53-57 Rifrullo is an extremely pleasant bar with a garden where you can sit and drink al fresco in the summer months. Homemade pastries complement afternoon coffees while in the evening aperitifs and beer dominate. Enoteca Boccadama Piazza Santa Croce, 25-26 Small, cosy wine bar overlooking the Church of Santa Croce. Boccadama has a large selection of Italian wines to choose from, which can be accompanied by light snacks or dinner. Tiratoio Piazza de' Nerli A large establishment with relaxed ambience, good range of food and music from a couple of video jukeboxes.