Florence Restaurants: Reviews & Recommendations

[Megan Blocker]

Hey, guys! I'm (finally) heading to Italy for the first time in May. We'll be in Florence for five or six days, and I can't wait to sample all the culinary delights. Any more up to date recommendations for can't-miss lunches, dinners, gelato, cafes, pastry, etc.?

[Catherine Iino]

I will be leaving for Florence in a couple of days, for a couple of days. Restaurant and other foodie recommendations--anyone?

[Harters]

Catherine/Megan

 

Look forward to hearing about where you've eaten. Just started to think about restaurants for a 4 night trip in May - particularly interested in dinners.

[Steve R.]

I will be leaving for Florence in a couple of days, for a couple of days. Restaurant and other foodie recommendations--anyone?

 

Might've already missed you on this but here's my 2 cents (we were there for a month last summer):

 

Garga: we really liked some of the chef's takes on traditional dishes, adding some fresh ideas but staying grounded (with his mother still in the kitchen enough to ensure it) 

Zeb: a modernistic "sit at the counter watching" type operation with a mother/son team.  We had a very good meal there

Il Santo Bevitore: nice rooms, very nice food & wine.

 

These are in addition to the more well known places to go (Nerbone in Central Market, for example or Casalinga behind Santo Spirito or Sostanza).  Just a couple of sight seeing tips: the Monks do Gregorian chanting every evening in the church that sits above Piazza Michelangelo (Basilica di San Miniato al Monte) & this is even a better view of all of Florence then from the tourist filled Michelangelo below it… very haunting, beautiful way to end the day/start the evening.  Also, there's a mosaic workshop in Santa Croce on a side street (I Mosaici Di Lastrucci - Via dei Macci,9 just off Santa Croce's plaza) that is totally open to just go in and view the work being done & a back room full of their work that they love to display.  Aint many of these places left.  The church there (Santa Croce) has a leather school in back that's also worth seeing (& shopping at).  They ship and are reliable.

 

Have fun.

Edited March 12, 2014 by Steve R. (log)

[Catherine Iino]

Thank you so much for all those recommendations, Steve. We arrived this afternoon and are staying in Fiesole. It's been really hard to track down advice like yours, so I'm very grateful.

[Steve R.]

Have a great time.  Any last minute questions, feel free to ask… you can pm me.