Where to eat in Florence

Since Florence is one of the best places in the world, it’s only natural that I publish a super comprehensive guide to all of the best places to eat there…the places I’ve dreamed about daily since leaving my beloved Firenze, and the ones I will immediately head back to the next time I find myself in la bella citta (January!!!!).

I’ve broken down this guide into categories–cafes, lunch spots, best aperitivos, cozy and delicious dinner joints, pizza, and last but not least, gelato. You may not think so now, but you WILL have room for at least one piccolo cono after dinner…

This may be the most extensive list I’ve made, but I want everyone to be able experience the beauty that is eating well in Italy. Buon appetito!

CAFES

Absolutely nothing compares to the experience of taking a shot of espresso at an Italian bar. The craziness in the morning, as porcelain cups are slammed down on the marble countertops, the exchange of euro coins at the cash register. Don’t be intimidated, just walk up to the bar and shout ‘un caffe’ or ‘un capuccino’ then prepare to quickly savor what comes your way.

Ditta Artigianale Via dei Neri, 32r or Via Dello Sprone, 5r

Very hip place with three locations in Florence (the Oltrarno one is biggest and has outdoor seating out back), really good artisan coffee, and delicious pancakes…big breakfast menu!

La Ménagère Via de’ Ginori, 8

I went here at least once a week. The best croissants with crème, and lots of coffee choices including American coffee (although the espresso is sooo good).

Mama’s Bakery Via della Chiesa, 34R

American bakery on the other side of the river (the Oltrarno) that has bagels if you’re craving something a little more American. Okay, very American.

Caffetteria La Loggia Via Pietrapiana, 12

This spot was near my apartment and was packed every morning with locals. They have the best plain cornetto in Florence!

Cibrèo Caffè Via Andrea del Verrocchio, 5R

The best option if you want to sit with your espresso in a luxurious velvet chair and take in the beautiful interior of one of Florence’s most established family chain of restaurants.

Chiaroscuro Via del Corso, 36r

Really good espresso and pretty close to the Duomo. A nice lunch spread too!

Caffè la Cattedrale Via dell’ Oriuolo, 61

This place has the BEST espresso in Florence (according to me) and is right outside the Duomo, but the espresso still costs only one euro.

Le Murate Caffè Letterario Piazza delle Murate

If you are looking for a spot to meet friends, or sit outside and enjoy the weather with a drink, this is the place. Le Murate is actually in a space that used to be a jail, but now boasts a quiet, spacious courtyard and plenty of tables for locals and visitors to sit back and take it all in (which I like to do with a pen and journal in hand). This is also the place where I learned Italians don’t stop talking even when they’re doing homework, and I love them for it.

LUNCH // PRANZO

Many Italians go home for lunch, where they’ll have pasta or another kind of ‘primo piatto.’ Others grab a panino and often a glass of wine or beer at their favorite spot. While I was studying abroad, I tried to limit eating out at lunch, but I often did if I wanted to meet a friend, or didn’t want to return to my apartment just yet. Due Sorsi (now La Officina) was my absolute favorite, and I would usually grab my panino then head to the nearest piazza (which became one of my favorites in Florence), Piazza Santissima Annunziata. Most days there would be kids from school groups taking their lunch break, wearing matching bright yellow baseball caps. It made my day every time! Plus, what a privilege to eat lunch while staring at one of the first examples of Renaissance architecture, Brunelleschi’s Foundling Hospital.

La Officina Via Degli Alfani, 105R

My absolute favorite place to get a sandwich (it used to be called Due Sorsi & Un Boccone), four euro sandwiches on schiacciate (amazing bread) and you can choose the four items you want on your panino. My favorite combination is stracchino, salsa di tartufo, tomato and lettuce.

All’Antico Vinao Via dei Neri, 76R

The most famous sandwich shop in Florence…go early when they open or later with the locals around 1:30 or late at night! Word on the street is that the city has banned eating paninis on Via dei Neri, where this shop is located. We’ll see how long that lasts!

Natalino Enoteca Panino Borgo degli Albizi, 22

Natalino’s is another perfect spot for a lunch panini. Lots of choices and very kind sandwich makers who always helped us through our rough Italian and answered questions!

Il Mercato Centrale Piazza del Mercato Centrale, Via dell’Ariento

The central market in Florence (located right by the San Lorenzo leather market) has an awesome food court on the second floor. It’s open until 10 p.m. every day and has a wide variety of food! Gluten free and vegan options as well.

#RAW Via Sant’Agostino, 11R

A small, vegan place across the river if you’re craving some vegetables among all the carbs. Really cool design!

Mame Via dei Serragli, 114R

Greek street food. Good for lunch, right by Piazza Santo Spirito so you can take your gyro to a nice spot in the square. Be prepared to wait if you go at prime lunch hour, this is a one-woman show!

APERITIVO

For aperitivo (Italian happy hour) in Florence, there are quite a few options, ranging from places that offer small snacks to full-on buffets that could easily count as dinner. Aperitivo is one of the best parts about being in Italy, so make sure you do it at least once (or everyday!) while you are there.

Oibò Borgo dei Greci, 1

Oibò, a trendy spot near Santa Croce, has one of the best aperitivo buffets, with delicious new options coming up every few minutes, and reasonable drink prices.

Volume Piazza Santo Spirito, 5/red

Volume has the best bang for your buck and is in a local part of town, the Oltrarno. It’s located right in Piazza Santo Spirito, which makes for great people watching as you devour the delicious snacks they bring to your table by the tray.

Tamerò Piazza Santo Spirito, 7

This place is a pasta bar and so delicious if you want dinner-sized portions for aperitivo…also in Piazza Santo Spirito, down the way from Volume.

Moyo Via dei Benci, 23/r

If you’re looking for a place that’s a little more upscale, head to Moyo. Also located in Santa Croce (a hub for bars and brewpubs), Moyo does it right with a large drink menu and very reasonable prices for the high quality concoctions. Not to mention their buffet, you’ll want to visit it at least twice. Be sure to book a table here, it gets popular as the night goes on.

Signorvino Via de’ Bardi, 46R

This spot wins the award for aperitivo with the best view, as it’s located right over the Arno river. You may have to pay more for a table with a view, or you can choose to cozy up next to a wine barrel-turned table and take your pick of an endless wine list, as it’s also a wine shoppe.

DINNER // CENA

I typically made dinner at my apartment while living in Florence. Since I was doing a lot of weekend travel, it was nice to eat at home during the week! But, I managed to make it out for special occasions or when I was too tired to cook and wanted a good meal.

Simbiosi Via de’ Ginori, 58/red

They have two separate restaurants, a pizza side and a pasta side. I’ve only ate on the pizza side, but have heard wonderful things about both choices.

I Bastioni di San Niccolò Trattoria & Pizzeria Via dei Bastioni, 9R

I went here for my birthday dinner with friends! It is located across the river in the San Niccolo neighborhood, a cute area to check out near Piazzale Michelangelo.

La Buchetta Via dei Benci, 3

If you’re looking to spend more money and have a nicer dinner, La Buchetta has amazing options and there’s a TV screen so you can watch what the chef is doing. Really friendly service, too, as the menu was all in Italian and we needed a little help translating!

Gusto Leo Via del Proconsolo, 10

The first dinner I had in Florence, jetlagged but so, so happy. A great place for dinner any night of the week.

PIZZA

Because obviously it deserves its own category! What’s Italy without pizza? Though Florence is outside of the Neapolitan region, it still has some of the best pizzas to boot. The following places were my go-to’s. And remember, Neapolitan pizzas aren’t meant to be shared, so don’t feel bad about finishing the whole thing.

Il Pizzaiuolo Via dei Macci, 113r

If you want a decent house wine to accompany your pizza and a spot where you’re rubbing elbows with the Italians at the table next to you, go to Il Pizzaiuolo in the Sant’Ambrogio neighborhood. Though Kim K has eaten here, the place doesn’t put on any airs.

Il Mercato Centrale Piazza del Mercato Centrale, Via dell’Ariento

For the best margherita, head to Il Mercato Centrale’s second floor, a food haven that’s open everyday with plenty of options to satisfy every taste. Ignore all of the other stands and head straight to the pizza for one of the best pies of your life.

Simbiosi Via de’ Ginori, 58/red

If you’re looking for more of a specialty pizza experience, head to Simbiosi in the San Lorenzo neighborhood. They’ve got delicious combinations that will have you drooling, and gluten-free crust can be ordered if you put in a request one day before.

Gusta Pizza Via Maggio, 46

Finally, if you’re looking for pizza “across the river” in the Oltrarno, you have to go to Gusta Pizza. Order the pesto pizza (it’s a secret pizza not on the menu), or if you’re trying to impress someone, request a heart-shaped pizza.

Mister Pizza Via Pietrapiana, 82 or Piazza del Duomo, 5r

The place to go when it’s three a.m. and you’re leaving the club hungry. I only give you the truth here!

GELATO 

No trip to Florence is complete without a gelato and a passeggiata (a slow stroll) around the city at night. In fact, it’s the perfect time of day to soak in the wonders of the Renaissance city with less crowds, while still feeling the vitality that seeps out of its every pore. Avoid the tourist traps with their high piles of gelato covered in toppings. Opt instead for any shop that serves its gelato out of low rectangular pans.

Gelateria Santa Trinita Piazza Dei Frescobaldi, 8/red

Gelateria Santa Trinita is a steadfast favorite, and their peanut chocolate is the best in Florence! And mango…can’t forget the fruit flavors because they’re equally as delicious.

Gelateria dei Neri Via dei Neri, 9

Gelateria dei Neri is time and again named the best in Florence, and it is truly delicious! It is also close to the Arno River and Piazza Signoria, both great places for a stroll with your gelato.

Gelateria Vivaldi Via dei Renai, 15/R

Vivaldi has great dairy free options, including the best banana flavor, and is right on the way to Piazzale Michelangelo.

Il Procopio Via Pietrapiana, 60R

Il Procopio is tucked in the quiet Sant’Ambrogio neighborhood and has the most interesting flavors and combinations, for those who want to get adventurous with their gelato. I discovered this place way too late, but that’s probably a good thing! It’s only open seasonally, so check before you go.

Arà: è Sicilia Via Degli Alfani, 127

I recommend this place for another kind of sweet that’s not gelato, cannoli!! Ara is one of the few places that does a proper Sicilian cannolo in Florence. It is not to be missed! If you go earlier in the day, get an arancini as well.

La Milkeria Borgo degli Albizi, 87

Good gelato but even better crepes!! The interior is as cute as can be, the perfect place to post up and enjoy a crepe on a cold day. Also a good spot to enjoy an espresso drink with almond milk or another dairy-free substitute.