This was an excellent choice for anyone, but we particularly loved it as a family of vegetarians that we could order half the things on the menu and have tasty food made with love and care. There were salads, pasta dishes, egg dishes, truffles, and white beans. The service was welcoming and friendly. We were able to walk in without a reservation. read more

This was the best food in Italy. It was clean, friendly and the food was amazing. We had such a great time I forgot my purse. I got it back the next day everything intact. So these guys are honest good people that make amazing food. Literally Chef's kiss read more

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This is a great bistro that served Tuscan food in a new and wonderful style. Everything from the service, food and dessert was amazing! Their wild boar stew with prunes, chestnuts, fried polenta and rosemary is amazing. Dinner for four people was 100€ and included entrees, wine, one shared dessert and complimentary limoncello. read more

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I really don't post negative reviews often, but our dinner at Culinaria was hilariously bad. Food took 1.5 hours to arrive, waiter was totally unaware of basics like filling water or wine glasses, and the food was very amateur. Completely overdone steak (gray), underflavored veggie cous cous, and did I mention an hour and a half from order to food? I was super bummed because we were on our honeymoon and I read great reviews about the food and ambience. And to be fair the appetizers were great and arrived promptly. But overall, big disappointment and I would recommend steering clear. read more

Culinaria bistro is the best restaurant that I have been to in Florence. If you are looking for an authentic Florence dining experience with amazing food, and even better staff, then this is the right place for you. The pasta selection is spectacular and if you are looking to try the Florentine steak then this is the place. You won't be disappointed! read more

This new restaurant opened in January 2015 and I have been wanting to try it, so I created a Yelp event so that our group could set out to taste most of the menu :). This was an excellent way to get a sense of the variety of dishes offered, and also to taste a few that I probably would not have chosen. The place already promised well since it is run by a group of people I already know through a long-running enogastronomical association called De Gustibus, though the restaurant is a business rather than an "associazione". The associazione organizes dinners as well as tours and activities, mostly at cost. There is crossover though: De Gustibus partners with local producers of all things good, from wine to salami and cheeses, not only in Tuscany but also further north (one of the partners is from Alto Adige and brings back the best apple juice ever). I was happy to find many of these products on the menu and for sale in the restaurant. On our taster menu: a wonderful hummus with vegetables (they made it without garlic for me, so it's the first time I've been able to actually eat hummus!); a very tasty "tortino" with scarola and leeks; platters of meats and cheese; artchokes sliced finely and topped with tartufo; cooked spinach rendered delicious with sesame oil; and then their "tajine", terracotta containers with either vegetables or meat slow-cooked inside - we had lentils and zucca, which was interesting. I was impressed that by using all very natural ingredients (including no commercial broth, which crops up in more restaurants than you'd think), everything was extremely flavourful. The atmosphere of the place is also adorable - it's quite small and intimate, so I'd recommend reserving to make sure you get a seat. read more

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Although the amazing company may had affected my opinion, I have to say, not only this place is very nicely furnished and attention to details is pretty evident - when you see the entrance gate or you hear background music in the outdoor threshold -, the food itself is spectacular. Paintings and pictures hanging in each corner, plants, vintage hangers, wooden furnishings and warm red bricks following the curvy walls. Dishes are served on a blackboard, bread straw baskets, lil plates . We had this deal where we got to taste a bit of everything: from the homemade hummus to sesame oil fresh spinach, to a breathtaking cous cous served with pumpkin and lentils, trimmed with caramelized oranges, cooked in a tajine to the truffled artichoke carpaccio that was unbelievable. Food is fresh, tasty, light and the ambiance invites you to relax and enjoy the beauty of this experience. Bravo to the staff! read more

Culinaria - Contorno di luci e mousse al cioccolato - Bistros Near Me - Florence, FI

My friend and I made dinner reservations here on our last day in Florence. It was a bit out of the way from the heart of downtown Florence, but boy was it worth it. We joked between ourselves during the trip that we were but a pair of "dirty foreigners" gallivanting through Italy; the owner Andre, however, could not have made us feel more at home in his restaurant. Andre patiently took the time to translate each item in the menu, as well as give us a brief history of the origins and influences of Italian food. We ordered several courses to share: starting with cheese and jam and a plate of prosciutto and cold cuts, then tortellacci with ham, followed by spinach and sesame sauce, with a main course of tajine, and ending with a slice of strawberry cheesecake. The different courses thrusted these new interesting combinations of taste that I never before imagined. I did think that the salad was underwhelming compared to the other dishes, but overall the food was simply delectable. In total, we stayed in the restaurant for almost 3 hours. Andre regularly came back to check on us even when the business started to pick up, which we appreciated immensely. Our bill ended up around a reasonable €35 pp. Out of everywhere else I had eaten on that trip, I no doubt had the best experience here! One final note: the hours listed here are not entirely accurate. When we went, the restaurant was open on Tuesdays (and closed Sundays). When we asked Andre about the discrepancy, he explained that the hours can vary depending on the month. Make sure to double-check the hours before going. read more

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Our hotel recommended this delightful restaurant that is slightly off the beaten path and a true local restaurant. The owner/chef was extremely knowledgeable with his wine pairings. The filet of beef was divine and my husband enjoyed the salmon. We also shared the spaghetti and it was fabulous! Honestly it was much better than it looked. Not that it looked bad, but as an American it was deceiving...one bite and WOW! The sauce was incredibly flavorful but not overpowering. Simply perfection! We felt very welcome and comfortable in this quaint Italian restaurant. Highly recommend it! Chao!! read more

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Culinaria is one of the best places to eat in Florence! I have eaten here many times and I always enjoy my meals. The carrot "spaghetti" is wonderful as well as the gnudi! The dishes are presented so nicely and look amazing every time! This is a must if you are traveling to Florence. read more

Culinaria - Bistros Near Me - Florence, FI

My wife and I have dined twice at Culinaria on two different trips to Florence. It has become one of our two favorite "must dine" restaurnts. Andrea is wonderful owner and friendly host. Food is locally sourced and seasonal menu. We are foodies and consider this to be a gem of an experience. read more

Just finished dinner and I cannot rave enough about the restaurant. They were so friendly and gracious and went out of their way to please. I had the pasta with tomato cream sauce and my husband had the carrot "spaghetti" and both were so flavorful and fresh. The dessert special (panacotta) was so light and tasty! But I cannot stress how great they were making sure we had a great experience. And when I realized halfway back to the apartment that I had left my purse, they told me not to worry and they'd stay until I got back to pick it up. Great people, great food. read more

Local gem in this neighbourhood. My husband and I plus 2 friends dropped by on a Monday evening. I had the zucchini pasta and hubby had the tajine chicken. The other couple had the tajine meatballs and tortelli. Excellent food and service. Menu changes based on the season. read more

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I don't often write reviews but this place is definitely worthy of 5 stars. They do things slightly different than typical Tuscan cooking and it's incredible. Our host was very nice and suggested us the sharing meal option where we could try different dishes along with wines pairings. The food variety was amazing from hummus, cured meats, vegetable spaghetti, fish and rice, cheesy beets, to Moroccan meat balls. Highly recommend going here if you want to try a different flare of Tuscan cooking. FYI: the address in Yelp is incorrect. Make sure to type the location into google for the correct location. read more

This is my first five-star review, and what an experience it was. The restaurant is about a 10 minute walk off the Arno (on the south side) in a less-touristy section of the city. The interior was full of beautiful exposed brick, with an eclectic selection of music playing. The menu itself is a mix of Tuscan, Moroccan, and Mediterranean, with a dedicated section for pastas, tagines, and specialties. We ordered the cold cut platter with cheese (16 Euros), artichoke souffle (9 Euros), mixed artichoke salad (6 Euros), Taglieri with Bottarga (12 Euros), Slow-cooked Octopus Tagine (16 Euros), and Cantucci with Vin Santo (4 Euros). The artichoke souffle was a unique dish of a mix of fresh artichoke, cream, and egg that was baked until it puffed. It was served with this addicting creamy sauce on the side that provided a nice contrast to the vegetal richness of the souffle. The cold cut platter was, full stop, the best showcase of Italian charcuterie I've had in my life. It was heaped with local cuts of meats and two types of pecorino cheese, easily enough to feed four. The primi we ordered, the Taglieri with Bottarga, was a heaping mound of al-dente eggy Taglieri, mixed with some of the freshest olive oil we've had and a dusting of Bottarga (fish eggs). The contrast of the frutty grassiness of the olive oil contrasted with the umami of Bottarga was a delight for the tastebuds. Our side salad of fresh artichoke provided a nice side contrast to the richness of the pasta. Our secondi, the octopus in tagine, was slow-cooked for 4 hours in a rich, satiny sauce and was paired with couscous. The octopus was absolutely perfect in a tangy red wine sauce and was among the top 3 octopus dishes I've had in my life. By this point, we were absolutely stuffed, but I made room for the Cantucci with Vin Santo. Vin Santo wasn't quite our thing, but the Cantucci (biscotti) was among the best I've ever had. To end the meal, we had a complimentary digestif of the owner's Limoncello--it was amazingly smooth. The restaurant also does wine pairings by the glass (approximately ~5 Euros per glass), customized to your whims and the dish you are eating. I wish every restaurant did this! We had dinner at a Michelin Star restaurant earlier in the week, and the wine pairings here outshone the ones there! The owners are incredibly dedicated to showcasing local Tuscan producers of food and wine and were immensely hospitable. I felt like I was dining at their own private home and was frequently given complimentary pours of wine and their Limoncello. The food, while delicious and hearty, also felt nourishing. Flavors were simple and clean, yet robust and leaving you yearning for more. Any visitor to Florence should take it upon themselves to eat here! read more

Got an excellent wine and cheese pairing from our very nice waiter. Unfortunately didn't stay for a full meal, so I can't comment on the food. Very much into organic, local food. read more

This small and informal place provided us with great service and fantastic food for a reasonable cost. All recommendations made by our waiter was excellent. read more

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This is by far the best meal I had in 2 cities 9 days in Italy. Wine pairings, suggestions, and passionate stories behind the menu can all be found here. You're making a mistake if you miss it. read more

Culinaria was our favorite meal during our whole two-week trip to Italy. We stumbled upon this place while waiting for our AirBnB to be ready and it turned out to be amazing! We had the artichoke flan and then a homemade pasta and an amazing vegetable "pasta" dish that was both gluten free and vegan. The service was warm and kind and the food was outstanding. So good that we came back the next night for dinner. They were so helpful with my gluten allergy and there were plenty of options for me without sacrificing taste. Highly recommend this place and the people who work there are just so wonderful! read more

The owners of this place need to update their Yelp profile. After researching restaurants, and reading their wonderful reviews, I knew this was where I wanted to have dinner. I walked three quarters of a mile to find it closed, despite this profile saying it was open. False advertising is not good. read more

A group of us were craving some tagine in Florence. So glad we found this place. Incredibly nice staff. Amazing food. The smells were incredible. I will go back for sure before I leave Florence. Grazie mille!! read more

Exceptionally good, new, nouvelle cuisine restaurant, seemingly chef-owned and run. We stumbled upon this place after we discovered that the restaurant in which we intended to eat was closed, probably for a family holiday. Now called simply Culinaria, we found the chef friendly, helpful and eager to please. Dishes were beautifully prepared and beautifully presented. We were given an amuse bouche to start, a tiny cheese soufflé-like dish with a peel of mushroom on top. For our first course, we split a cod mousse, served with little toasts and peppers. I had a sea bass "sandwich," two pieces of sea bass, between which was sautéed spinach and black sesame seeds. My husband had a fried octopus dish. We had a 1/2 liter of house wine. For dessert, we split a dish consisting of whipped ricotta, marmalade and something crunchy on top. Each course was far more reasonably sized, polished, artistic and subtle than the deliciously simple but filling tavern food we've been eating this week. The crowd was hip and young. It seemed to be very popular with the locals and we were the only tourists present. The bill totaled 65€ which seemed very reasonable. I wouldn't hesitate to return or to recommend a friend. read more