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ByPetra Udomprasert Updated on

Where to Eat in Florence: My Favorite Foodie Spots

Everything is so pretty in Florence that it’s easy to go, “Oh, this place looks so nice! I bet they make amazing food!” and sit right down at the most touristy restaurant just off Piazza del Duomo.

I felt an urge to do that multiple times, too. But it’s very important that we do NOT.

I’m not discounting every restaurant off touristy squares as irrelevant. But imagine being in your own city. If a restaurant is next to a main tourist sight and is packed with tourists, would you go?

Probably not, right? Places like that cater more to foreigners, and are usually a cultural foodie’s worst nightmare.

Luckily, yours truly has dedicated 10 days and over 30 meals (Yes, over. I nearly died 😂) trying different foodie spots across the Florence historical Center.

And I now have a shortlist of places I’ll always go back to for breakfast coffee, meals, and gelato, plus a few standout menus I’d recommend at each.

Get ready to note down my top tips on where to eat in Florence. I bet you’ll like at least half of these places!

What You’ll Find On This List

I structured this shortlist like how you’d actually go about your day.

Up first, you’ll find coffee bars where you can enjoy a good Italian breakfast, most of them I found accidentally while walking around the city.

After the coffee bars, I have eight restaurants I genuinely enjoyed. At the end of the list are three gelato places approved by my local food tour guide, and of course, myself.

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⏰ Activities to book ASAP in Florence (or they sell out!)

Cozy cellar seating area at Osteria Nuvoli in Florence, with rustic wooden furniture and shelves lined with Tuscan wine bottles and vintage decor. The intimate setting reflects the authentic charm of traditional places to eat in Florence.

How to Navigate Foodie Spots in Italy

Before we dive into the list, here are three short sections introducing you to how things work in coffee bars, restaurants, and gelaterias, so you don’t walk in as confused as an average tourist.

And no, you do not tip in Italy. It is not a thing!

How Coffee Bars Work

If you’re coming from most other countries in the world, this order of business might confuse you.

First, look into the pastry case and ask for what you want. Take the pastry to the register, tell the staff which coffee you want with the pastry, and pay. They will always ask: “Al banco o al tavolo?”

  • Al banco means standing at the bar like a local.
  • Al tavolo means sitting at a table, usually with a small extra charge.

After paying, you’ll get a receipt (scontrino), which you then bring to the bar and hand to the barista, who’ll look at the receipt and make your coffee for you.

How Restaurants Work

Restaurants in Italy are like Starbucks. No, not the coffee quality (😂), but the amount of time you can spend at your table.

No matter how many courses you order, no one will ever come to rush you to the next step.

Brick-walled dining room with neatly set, empty tables showing how reserved tables at restaurants are fiercely guarded in Italy, where turning tables are not standard practice.

And because they don’t turn tables like in the US, so even if you look in and can see fifteen empty seats, they might be fully booked for the day.

Always make a reservation if you can, even just a few days (hours if you have to) in advance.

That’s enough to get you acquainted, but restaurant culture is a world of its own in Italy. If you’re interested in knowing everything, check out my Italian cultural guide.

How to Deal with the Tuscan Bread

You wouldn’t think that could become a heading in a travel guide, but here we are.

Many of us are used to being served bread on the house, whether at Italian restaurants or Outback Steakhouse or otherwise.

The problem with Tuscan bread is that they’re baked with zero salt, so they taste like cardboard.

Here’s what to do: Always ask for a plate, extra virgin olive oil, and salt. Drip a generous amount (I repeat: a generous amount) of olive oil on the bread, followed by salt. That’s how the locals eat them!

Slice of Tuscan bread dipped in vibrant green olive oil on a branded Cambi plate, illustrating a simple yet classic way to enjoy local flavors in Florence.

How Gelaterias Work

Just like coffee bars, things work a little different in Italy than in other countries.

In the US, customers crowd in around the glass case, trying to read flavor signs, as five more of them stand in everyone’s way, tasting flavors.

Then they’d order their cup, and move out of the way to pay at the register, right?

In Italy, there’s no such commotion. You head to the register first, tell them what cup (or cone) size you want, pay for that, and then move over to the case with your receipt.

There are always a massive flavor list up on the wall in gelaterias. This is how you’re going to decide which flavor(s) interest you. Some places will let you have a taste, so ask if you want, but it’s not common to do so.

My Favorite Breakfast Spots in Florence

Now that you know exactly how things work, let’s look at the best places for you to have breakfast, the Italian way!

1. Caffetteria delle Oblate

Powdered sugar–dusted brioche alla crema, served alongside a cappuccino in a Segafredo cup at Caffetteria delle Oblate in Florence.

Dude… this place was so hard to find. I got it from an Italian friend as a recommendation. She did tell me that it’s a bit tricky to get to, but man.

I literally spent 15 minutes lost inside the Oblate Library trying to find the place. But the view you get is worth the effort!

Once you enter the front courtyard of the library, enter past the reception and get yourself to its inner courtyard, then find the stairs to get up to the 3rd floor. It’ll be in a corner.

Yes, the coffee tastes amazing. Yes, the brioches (local name for cornetto, but it’s the same pastry) are delicious. But what sets this place at the top of my list is the view! I’ll let you see for yourself 👇

Iconic view of Florence’s Duomo seen through a large café window at Caffetteria delle Oblate, one of the best places to have breakfast in Florence with a scenic backdrop.

What I appreciate about this place is they don’t let people work or study here, so the few tables they have in the main dining room are reserved for customers who are there to eat.

What to try: Cappuccino, Brioche alla crema

2. Caffè del Borgo

I accidentally walked by this place after grabbing a souvenir for my dad from Signum. It’s pretty close to Palazzo Vecchio, but on a quiet street no one would think to explore.

The lady there works at the counter alone, but it’s insane how efficient she is.

Between making coffee, ringing up customers, grabbing pastries from the case, it must be stressful, but she was so nice to everyone.

I wasn’t in the mood for brioches that morning, so I grabbed a tart-like thing, topped with almond. Can’t remember the name to save my life, sorry about that, but here’s a picture of it for when you go.

Cappuccino and almond-topped pastry dusted with powdered sugar served on a wooden table at Caffè del Borgo, a local breakfast spot in Florence.

It was crazy delicious, not too sweet, and very smooth on the inside. It paired super well with cappuccino.

What to try: Cappuccino, almond tart (can’t remember what it’s called 😭)

3. Rivoire

Cafe number three is inarguably the most touristy option on this list.

Considering it’s right off Piazza della signoria (I know I told you to ignore the places off main squares, but…), everybody and their mother goes in here for a cup of their hot chocolate.

Rich Italian hot chocolate at Rivoire in Florence, topped with a swirl of whipped cream and dusted with cocoa, served in a porcelain cup with a gold spoon.

Which brings me to the point.

This cafe, officially a chocolate shop, opened in Florence in 1782, right in the same spot it is standing now, by Enrico Rivoire, the official chocolatier of the Italian royal family.

He had followed the court from Turin when Florence became the new capital of Italy.

Elegant Italian breakfast at Rivoire in Florence featuring a glossy croissant and a cappuccino in a porcelain cup with the Rivoire logo.

Their cappuccino and bioche vuota (plain) are both delicious, but never, ever, leave without trying a cup of their hot chocolate. Whipped cream on top, if you will.

What to try: Hot chocolate, cappuccino, brioche vuota

4. Caffè Ricchi

If you crave a quiet morning far from all the other tourists, and an insanely good brioche vuota (Again?! Yeah, I am quite traditional. Sorry about that…), then this place is your go-to.

I never expected to go in here, but I had a bit of time to spare before entering Basilica di Santo Spirito, so I went in just to try it.

This explains why, unfortunately, I had completely forgotten to take a photo of my heavenly brioche… 💀

ront window of Caffè Ricchi with gold lettering and various food and payment stickers, highlighting its identity as a café, gelateria, and yogurt shop in Florence.
Hey, at least I realized my mistake and got a shot of the storefront… right? 😂

The cafe is right off Piazza Santo Spirito, where you’ll also find a very small local market on a Saturday. Literally nobody thinks to wander this far into Oltrarno, so it’ll just be you and the locals.

What to try: Cappuccino, brioche

Best Restaurants in Florence for Lunch and Dinner

The following are my absolute favorite restaurants to have full meals.

The first one is open only for lunch. Some are open all day, and some are only open for dinner. But they have one thing in common, is I’d love to go back to every one of them.

Don’t be alarmed by the price range for some of these restaurants. That is mostly due to the Florentine steak, usually at least €50 per kg. If a place doesn’t have that massive price range, they don’t serve the steak.

Important Note: Make reservations! Many of these places, you’ll never get in without!

5. Trattoria Sergio Gozzi

This family-run spot only opens for three hours each day and does not take reservation, so be ready to line up about 15 minutes before it opens to make sure you get in. Because it’s worth the wait.

The place is barely noticeable when it’s closed, just a small plaque above a small door across from Basilica di San Lorenzo. But when it opens, you’ll notice the line before the restaurant itself.

Looking up at the vintage sign of Trattoria Sergio Gozzi in Florence, a classic local spot known for authentic Tuscan cuisine and a must-visit among places to eat in Florence.
Traditional Tuscan lampredotto stew with greens and potatoes served on a white plate, accompanied by rustic bread slices at Trattoria Sergio Gozzi
Partially eaten zuccotto dessert revealing layers of whipped cream, chocolate, and sponge cake dusted with cocoa powder at Trattoria Sergio Gozzi.

The menu is super limited and is handwritten (love this). The folks move fast so they can seem a bit intense, but speak a bit of Italian with them, and they’ll light up!

This is also one of the few places I’ve found that serves Lampredotto as a secondo, and not as a street sandwich. I’d recommend it highly.

Zuccotto was to die for, so don’t skip that either!

What to try: Lampredotto, Zuccotto

6. Osteria Nuvoli

If you have to choose just ONE place to try Pappardelle al Cinghiale, make it this one.

This place is almost right off Piazza del Duomo, but I can see why no tourist goes in here. It looks like a very small bar, but the restaurant is hidden in the cellar downstairs.

I actually got it as a recommendation from an Italian friend. The cellar mood may have made me slightly biased for this place. 😅

Exterior of Osteria Nuvoli with signage reading “Fiaschetteria” and “Restaurant in wine cellar,” showcasing one of the hidden gem places to eat in Florence.
Steep staircase leading to Osteria Nuvoli’s wine cellar dining area, lined with framed photos and red-painted walls, emphasizing its rustic underground charm.
Plate of fresh pappardelle pasta topped with wild boar ragù, a signature Tuscan dish served at Osteria Nuvoli, one of the best places to eat in Florence.

You don’t need a reservation to have lunch here. I never had dinner here so I’m not sure how busy it gets, but you can always pop over and ask, since it’s so close to the Duomo.

What to try: Pappardelle al Cinghiale

7. Trattoria Zà Zà

Tourists love this place, but the locals do just as much.

The menu is massive (which is usually a red flag) but food is surprisingly solid, which explains why Florentines like to go here for special celebrations. Recommended to me by my walking tour guide.

They have a handful of truffle specialty menus, the popular Tagliolini al tartufo is one of them. When you follow the concierge inside, truffle is the first thing you’ll smell. I have quite a fond memory of that.

Plate of pappardelle pasta topped with rich wild boar ragù, served at Trattoria Za Za, a beloved place to eat in Florence for traditional Tuscan cuisine.

Pappardelle al cinghiale was fantastic, with the pasta cooked perfectly al dente.

Tris di minestre is also a good option if you’d like to try Florentine Cucina Povera menus but aren’t sure about the texture. They serve you three things in equally small portions.

Possible to get in without a reservation if you’re willing to wait.

What to try: Pappardelle al cinghiale, Tagliolini al tartufo, Tris di minestre (Pappa al pomodoro, Ribollita, and Fagioli con farro)

8. Trattoria del Pennello

This hidden trattoria is far too quiet for how long its been around. First started in the early 16th century by painter Mariotto Albertinelli and frequented by his colleagues, including Michelangelo.

The place has since passed through many hands, becoming the place you see today in 1886.

Today, you can enjoy perfectly crunchy and aromatic Crostini Toscani with chicken liver, and spicy Peposo alla fornacina.

Brick and stone interior of Trattoria del Pennello with framed vintage photos and white tablecloths, reflecting traditional Tuscan ambiance in Florence.
Slow-cooked Tuscan beef stew in red wine sauce, known as Peposo alla Fornacina, served with roasted potatoes at Trattoria del Pennello in Florence.

Again, I found this place by accident, deciding to walk “a little further” into an alleyway where I had bought gelato. Of course, most people stopped at the gelateria before making a u-turn straight back out.

What to try: Crostini Toscani, Peposo alla fornacina

9. Antico Ristoro di Cambi

This place has the best Florentine steak in town, and I’ll willingly die on this hill any day.

Exterior of Antico Ristoro di Cambi in Florence, featuring a striped yellow awning, Christmas greenery, and traditional signage highlighting its local charm.
Rustic interior of Antico Ristoro di Cambi with brick arches, yellow walls, hanging prosciutto, and neatly set tables ready for lunch in Florence.
Juicy Bistecca alla Fiorentina served rare on a wooden board with coarse salt and rosemary at Antico Ristoro di Cambi, a top place to eat in Florence for steak lovers.

I initially got this name off an Italian-language list during my research. The list told me to have Bistecca alla Fiorentina here, and when an Italian tells me something about Italy, I listen. 🤣

It’s a bit of a walk if you’re only exploring the more popular parts of town, but I promise you won’t regret walking just a bit further to San Frediano. If anything, you’ll want to come back for more.

I have plans to go back for more steak in a month as I’m writing this guide. (Now that my March 2nd flight with a layover in Abu Dhabi was cancelled… I’m going in November instead)

What to try: Bistecca alla Fiorentina

10. La Giostra

This rather high-end spot is… not off a main square, but very touristy. And for a good reason.

The ambience alone gets you so ready for a good meal. We’re talking classic arches, bare bricks, twinkling lights, and insanely good service.

Warmly lit dining room at La Giostra with brick arches, wood-beamed ceiling, and twinkling fairy lights, setting a romantic atmosphere for dining in Florence.

I had my very first dinner in Florence here, so my experience may have been blown out of proportions by my excitement.

But I’m definitely not exaggerating about the Taglierini with white truffle because I went back for more on my last night. Pure heaven.

Rich and creamy taglierini pasta topped with generous shavings of white truffle, served at La Giostra, wihch is one of the most indulgent places to eat in Florence for truffle lovers.
Massive tomahawk steak cooked rare and sliced on a black slate board, served with roasted carrots, potatoes, and greens at La Giostra in Florence.

Small tip from my server, the Tomahawk steak is actually better than the Florentine steak here. So I tried that, too. I can highly recommend both!

What to try: Taglierini alla carbonara con tartufo bianco, Bistecca Tomahawk

11. Buca Mario

A bit about the Florentine “buca.” This word literally means “hole,” referring to underground cellars of noble family homes, where, at some point in time, they were converted from cellars into spaces for social gatherings.

Buca Mario, around since 1886, is one of the oldest “buca” restaurants in the city.

Being led down the stairs into this historic restaurant felt so special.

I was the first one in for the evening, so at least fifteen staff members were lined up in the main hallway, waiting to take people to their dining rooms. They all greeted me very enthusiastically.

Bright neon sign over the ivy-framed entrance of Buca Mario, a classic Florentine restaurant known for its historic ambiance and traditional Tuscan cuisine.
Spacious dining room at Buca Mario featuring white tablecloths, vintage wall art, and a wrought iron chandelier, offering a timeless setting to eat in Florence.
Rich taglierini pasta topped with shaved white truffle and cheese at Buca Mario, a historic buca-style restaurant and must-visit place to eat in Florence.

They have maybe a hundred table across several different dining rooms, but somehow, every single table was occupied within half an hour.

I had the truffle pasta (again) because you can never have too much truffle. It was delicious.

Also, 10/10 for service. Everyone was so amazingly trained and courteous!

What to try: Taglierini al tartufo

12. Buca dell’Orafo

Closing the list of restaurant with another buca that has my heart. Run by a family of four since 1945, this super cozy restaurant is tiny, barely bigger than an average living room, seating like 20 people max.

Festively decorated entrance of Buca dell’Orafo with a glowing sign, holiday garlands, and two nutcracker statues welcoming diners in Florence.
Cozy dining nook at Buca dell’Orafo with exposed stone walls, simple white tablecloths, and a lovely piece of framed clothing.
Hearty bowl of ribollita, a traditional Tuscan bread and vegetable soup, garnished with a sage leaf and served at Buca dell’Orafo in Florence.

I loved how warm everything felt. From the moment I opened the door and peeked downstairs to let them know I had a reservation, I was greeted as if I was part of the family.

Because the place was so small, someone was always walking by and politely looking to make sure I had everything I needed.

I was there at the end of November, so the Christmas decorations made everything felt so much cozier, too!

What to try: Tortino di carciofi, Ribollita

The Best Gelaterias in Florence

When in the birthplace of gelato, it would be a crime to not have a bit of it.

And knowing where to find good gelato is of the utmost importance! I have below my top three favorite shops, but if you want to deviate from these, just promise me never to go into shops with mountains of gelato.

Don’t leave the city without trying Crema Buontalenti, a specifically Florentine flavor recreated to honor the architect Bernado Buontalenti, who was credited with inventing the original gelato back in the 16th century.

13. Badiani

Starting with a legendary Florence brand. Badiani is the gelato shop that invented the Florentine flavor, Buontalenti.

Of course, being in Florence, I had to try the flavor. It’s basically just milk, cream, sugar, and egg, but absolutely heavenly. Light, and just the perfect level of sweetness.

Cup of creamy Buontalenti gelato with a waffle cookie, held in front of Badiani’s sleek counter. This shop is the home of the original Florentine gelato flavor.

One extra point for this place is their gluten-free cone option. Several of my friends are celiac, so that really won my heart, even though I’m real tight with gluten.

Recommended flavors: Buontalenti

14. Perché No

I have no idea why nobody really talks about this gelateria.

There weren’t any foreigners in there, even though it was quite literally across the street from Orsanmichele, and on most people’s way from the Duomo to Palazzo Vecchio.

Petra's hand holding a small cup of gelato with white and purple scoops at Perché No!

My food tour guide was the one who told me to try it out. I found out that it’s a family-run little shop that’s been around since 1939, and they have some of the less conventional flavors like Lavender.

I always related gelato flavors like that with LA… (Really quick shoutout to Salt & Straw 🩵)

Missing LA at that time, I went straight for Lavender, mixed with Fior di latte because that’s my favorite. I can recommend both with my whole chest.

They sometimes close on certain dates. So check for the updates on their Facebook.

Recommended flavors: Lavender, Fior di latte

15. RivaReno

Okay, this one is actually a Bolognese gelato, but I love Bologna, too, so why not. The irony was that I didn’t found the place when I was there! 😂💀

For their shop in Florence, they have Crema Buontalenti as one of the special flavors, with very subtle hints of orange and lemon added to the usual sweet cream. I loved it.

Cup of creamy yellow gelato held in front of the counter at RivaReno Gelato in Florence, with the shop’s blackboard menu blurred in the background.

I also tried Contessa, which was another strange flavor I hadn’t seen before. It smelled way too strong of Almond for me. Not a big fan. But if you’re crazy about almonds, by all means!

Recommended flavor: Crema Buontalenti

Before You Go…

One last friendly reminder: If you ever want to find a restaurant for yourself, look for places with shorter menus and off on some side streets. Big menus, 99% of the time, means reheated food.

Looking for a food tour to join, too? I can’t tell you which one is perfect for you, but I can tell you how I feel about the tour I took. Read my review before making your decision!

Here are other Florence guides that might interest you:

Check out my Italy Cultural Travel page for guides on Bologna if you’re going.

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Pinterest graphic featuring two cozy Florence restaurant interiors, one with candlelit tables beneath brick arches and framed photos on the wall, the other showing a rustic wine cellar dining room at Osteria Nuvoli. Text overlay reads “Italy Cultural Travel: Where to Eat in Florence” with the blog URL polyglotpetra.com.

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Petra Udomprasert is a career immersive travel blogger and the founder of Polyglot Petra. Believing in travel as a force that inspires empathy and respect in our world, she writes travel guides that deeply explore the history and culture of every destination she visits, leveraging her fluency in five different languages to access the local perspective. Through her immersive guides and localized language tips, she has helped tens of thousands of travelers enjoy trips that leave lasting positive impacts on their lives.