I absolutely LOVE this market. They had everything you could want and all of the food was…read moredelicious. We tried the famous Lampredotto and loved it so much. We also stopped at the truffle counter and had some apps. There is something for everyone and its wonderful that its open late.

Located in the San Lorenzo district, just a few minutes' walk from the main train station of Santa…read moreMaria Novella), Mercato Centrale is a vibrant food hall experience housed in a historic market building (very similar to the Time Out Market franchise across Europe). From the outside, it looks like a grand, iron-and-glass structure typical of European markets; inside, it opens into a bustling, multi-level space filled with food vendors, communal tables, and constant movement. The vibe is energetic, social, and slightly chaotic in a fun way - perfect for grazing, group dining, or trying multiple cuisines in one visit (from Italian to American to Mexican!). We stopped in for a quick lunch at around 2pm on a Wednesday; there was plenty of seating at high-top tables, and QR codes on paper menus make it easy to explore all the different food vendor options. It's also a fun activity to peruse the market, taking in different sights, smells, and flavors. All of us ended up opting for Schiacciatas (large Italian sandwiches that are a staple in Florence) from Massimiliano Parri, which all ended up ranging from €10-12, depending on toppings - yes, it's more expensive than what you'd get from a traditional schiacciateria, but you're also paying for the market's location and convenience. We appreciated the fact that they shave the meat right in front of you! My schiacciata came with freshly shaved ham atop crusty white bread, slathered with burrata cheese, and sprinkled with arugula and figs (I opted for no additional olive oil, since I found the ham quite rich already). I loved the contrast of textures and flavors, though I will say that the bread ended up cutting the roof of my mouth! All in all, Mercato Centrale is a bit touristy, but still miles better (and cheaper) than most "Italian" sandwich places you'd find in the US (pro tip: save your receipt for free use of their bathrooms). The variety can't be beaten, prices are reasonable for a central market, and it's steps from some of Florence's most iconic spots.

Looking for a place to eat, found this gem and realized I wanted to try it. Everyone had told us…read moredinner reservations were a MUST here, but didn't think about it. Not many places actually have yelp reviews, but this one had so many with great feedback. The food looked amazing. When we arrived we thought they were closed, but that is because they moved to a bigger restaurant a few doors down. When we arrived at the front, the gentleman asked if we had reservations, which we didn't. He directed us to the line with no reservations. The line was a bit long, but doubled in size almost immediately. It also started pouring rain during this time and we were ALL getting drenched even with an umbrella. The non reservation line was not really moving unless people left the line. We waited a good hour. As we inched closer and closer, the lines were now both outrageous and getting seated seemed like a distant memory. The staff came out and gave out Sangria and Bread bites to help those in line feel welcome. We did finally get seated and we were so glad we waited, it was worth it! We ordered the Spaghetti Carbonara, the lobster spaghettini and the chicken breast with roasted potatoes. We also ordered sangria. Everything was so good and our total was 83 €. Prices were unbelievable! We were amazed at the quality, the service and how large the restaurant they relocated to was. It was like a well oiled machine. The food coming out quickly and efficiently. I will 100% be back if I return to Florence!

What a maze of a restaurant, super interesting decor and set up. Such a cute restaurant with so…read moremany "rooms". Definitely can tell the old building and maybe they had expanded over the years. The service was amazing and the food delicious. This is one of the places that friends recommended and it's also on the list of many influencers. Tourist trappy, maybe. But the food was totally worth it. We were in the area around 4:30PM and decided to stop in, totally not expecting much as we didn't make a reservation but figured if they're open and not busy, why not give them a try. The most memorable dish we had was the appetizer we order - fried polenta with mushrooms and chicken liver pate, the polenta fried crispy, the mushrooms creamy and the chicken liver pate so smooth and savory. We also ordered 2 pasta dishes - wild boar sauce pappardelle and spaghetti alla carbonara. So tasty and with depth of flavors. Paired well with the house white wine we ordered as well. Definitely a spot you don't want to miss when in Florence.

Everything we had the chance to try here was outstanding…read more I got a €25 bruschetta and bistecca deal, which allowed me to get the amazing bruschetta and the super tender and flavorful steak. The risotto was another special that was packed with flavor. We tried to figure out the exact ingredients, but the language barrier with the waiter held us back. It definitely tastes like an offal flavored broth.

Trattoria Antellesi is tucked into a side street off Florence's historic center with a classic,…read moreunderstated exterior that blends into the surrounding stone streets. Inside, it feels like a traditional Tuscan dining room: warm lighting, warm yellow-painted walls, rustic wood furnishings, and a cozy, intimate layout. The vibe is relaxed and authentically local, with a slower-paced, sit-down dining experience that encourages lingering. At around 8pm on a Wednesday night, the restaurant was mostly full, but our party of five was able to be seated immediately. The menu is extensive, with both Italian and English versions; there's also a daily special menu that's quite fairly priced, and has some more traditional Italian dishes. They offer some more familiar options like bruschetta and meatballs with tomato sauce, as well as the classic Bistecca alla Fiorentina. Each table comes with complementary bread service, which was a bit stale, but it's free; what more could you ask for? It was also paired with a rich, earthy olive oil and tangy balsamic vinegar. Four members of our party ordered Aperol Spritzes (€8) - these were tangy, refreshing, and with just the right amount of sweetness countering the fizzy Prosecco and citrusy, herbal Aperol. For entrees, two members of our party ordered the Spaghetti Fiaccheraia (€13), which is spaghetti in garlic and oil with chili pepper, bacon, and ricotta. While this seems like quite a simple dish, there's so much complexity in the variety of flavors and textures. The spaghetti was al dente, and soaked up the addictive, slightly-spicy garlic oil; they were also more than willing to exclude the bacon for my vegetarian friend. Another friend opted for the Pappardelle Coniglio (€13) on the special menu - a tomato-based pasta with rabbit. Certainly a dish you couldn't get at most Italian places in the States, and the wide noodles paired nicely with the acidic tomatoes and gamey rabbit. The Ravioli Burro Salvia (€15) was a traditional Florentine ravioli with ricotta cheese, spinach, butter, and sage; while the portion was a bit small, this dish was truly made with care. The filling let the earthy flavor of the spinach shine while being further elevated by the sage and rich, tangy ricotta cheese. Lastly, my Spaghetti alla Carbonara Fiorentina Tartufata (€17) was an indulgent take on the classic spaghetti carbonara, with egg, pecorino cheese, bacon, and freshly-shaved black truffle. While this was a tasty dish with a large portion, the sauce had partially clotted, and I found it to be missing some component of acidity or brightness to liven the dish up and contrast the richness. I was stuffed by the end of my meal, but some members of my party opted for their Tiramisu (€7) - this is an elevated take on the classic Italian dessert, with whipped mascarpone and coffee-soaked ladyfingers served in a parfait-like glass and sprinkled with a light dusting of cocoa powder. It was neither too sweet nor too rich; the perfect amount of decadence to end a meal. We had a lovely time during our dinner at Trattoria Antellesi, prices are more than reasonable for a traditional trattoria experience with delicious food and a lovely ambience. It may not be as flashy as some of the more touristy restaurants in the city, but certainly a great stop for traditional Florentine food if you're in the area!

November 7, 2024 7:30PM…read more The Osteria was really close to the duomo and the ambiance looked so cozy from the outside. We decided to stop in for some seafood items and white wine. This is the place where I ordered my first vermentino of my life and have forever changed since. I thought I was just a sauvignon blanc girlie but I think I love vermentino more. I didn't get a chance to take a photo of the mussels we ordered but both the mussels and the spaghetti alle vongole (Spaghetti with Clams) were so tasty. Met some new friends from England while were were here that's from similar area as my partner's ancestors... The service was amazing, the restrooms were clean. Definitely a nice pitstop before moving on to sightseeing near the Duomo for the evening. Really love their seafood dishes that we tried. I thought they were very reasonably priced but maybe it's because I'm from a landlocked state. :)

We decided to stop at this restaurant on a whim. Wow! We were blown away by the food and service…read more We started with the bruschetta, which was served with fresh tomatoes, olives and arugula. It was delicious and so light! We also ordered wine. We got the Rosso di Montalcino 2024 and it was definitely one of the best glasses of wine I ever had. The steak we had was also amazing. It was tender and so flavorful. The potatoes were also fantastic! At the end of the meal, we had Vin Santo (dessert wine that you dip biscotti in). Very delicious, but very strong. Lastly, the server (maybe manager or owner) brought us out complimentary limoncello. It was also delicious. We definitely had to walk (or try to walk) it off after all that! I can't say enough about the food and service. We went to another steak place a few days before at Trattoria Dalloste. It was a couple of doors away from this place. The service and food didn't even compare to this place. We spent a lot more money for rubbery and fatty steak. They also tried to overcharge us. So, do yourself a favor and try La Cantinetta Osteria con Cucina. You won't be disappointed! If we ever go back to Firenze, we would go back to this restaurant in a heartbeat.

Apparently, this is a popular and trending restaurant on instagram. I did not know that. We stayed…read moreat the Grand Minerva so it was a few doors down from the hotel. I highly suggest making a reservation. Luckily, we were there in April so it wasn't too busy. They open for dinner at 7pm, so we got in line a little after 7:30pm. I think we were seated in about 30 minutes. We got the cheese wheel pasta (Flambé tagliatelle with fresh truffle in Grana Padano cheese wheel) that everyone is talking about. It's amazing! Definitely worth stopping by. The meal came with an aperitif. I got the Alcohol free gin tonic with aromatic essences, wild fruits basil and lemon--it was great! Also came with two types of bread and a limoncello after dinner.

A really great dining experience. Booked weeks in advance and for our time a lot 7-9pm, people were…read morelined up 10 minutes early to be let in. They brought us all in as a group (checking reso names) and sat us at individually tables. Then the "show" began with welcome prosecco, wine orders, etc. We got the squid and pork screwers as a starter and thought the flavors were just okay. The complimentary cheese bread ball and regular bread was super tasty. For mains, we got the truffle pasta (with the famous cheese wheel) which was fun to watch. The pasta itself was very solid, but not best ever. Also got the beef/boar pasta and it was better than the truffle pasta in my opinion and cheaper. The deconstructed tiramisu was yummy. Overall a good dinner with good service and pretty good food! An easy spot to recommend to others!

Wonderful little shop near Porta Romana specializing in fresh pasta made by hand. Many shapes and…read moretypes to choose from and amazing fillings for the ravioli, tortellini, etc. They even offer a few delicious homemade sauces to go with the pasta if you prefer not to make your own. They also carry top quality dried (as in store-bought) pasta, canned tomatoes, etc. All the best!

Wow definitely coming back before I leave Definitely try the Spaghetti with tomato and basil, the…read morebruschetta and the pizza with spicy pepperoni (diavola) I ate everything it it was delicious , The host or owner is hilarious as well such a great 1st experience here in Florence

came here based on the yelp reviews. Location is in a weird parking lot adjacent area. lots of cars…read moredriving by. this was upsetting for my mother. she asked to sit more inside away from cars driving by, her concern was for dirt/pollution. the outside area was cute, elevated, great breeze. the wait staff were welcoming and nice. Only got an eh face when we unordered the fanta. the margherita pizza was GREAT. crust beats Eataly. a little stingy on the basil rigatoni with ragu: red sauce, yummy the fettucine with ragu: different sauce. also yummy bruschetta, fresh, slightly burnt bread, would've liked more basil. not sure if there was any basil or if it was supposed to have basil... would definitely eat here again.

Great pasta! Super cheap and good portions. Great for a quick bite when out wondering around.read more

La Pasta Fresca is located inside Mercado Centrale in Florence…read more For some reason, rigatoni with meat sauce was €1 cheaper than spaghetti without meat sauce. Anyways, wanting meat with my pasta, I got the rigatoni. I didn't mind that it came on a paper plate, all the places in the mercado served their food on the same paper plates. It was the fact that it was served already cold on the paper plate. I feel the rigatoni could've used another thirty seconds or so in the water to make it al dente and warmer, and the meat sauce, aside from having more meat, could've had more flavoring and thicker. It's not that I thought the food was bad, I just expected more from a Mercado, based off food establishments located in markets like this (Central Market in LA and La Boqueria in Barcelona).

Osteria Santo Spirito is an intimate little Italian restaurant tucked away in a corner of Centro…read moreStorico in Florence and I cannot recommend it enough! We spent three days in Florence and ate here twice, and cut our tour of the Acedemia out of our schedule to make sure we could make it for lunch before heading on to Rome, that's how awesome the food was! The people running the restaurant are so amazing, they truly treat you like family while you are there. They were always attentive, but never lingering. Unlike restaurants in the US where you are expected to eat and leave as soon as possible, in Italy food is mean to be enjoyed over conversation and camaraderie, which means unless you wave someone over or your glasses are empty you are left to enjoy yourselves. Osteria Santo Spirito is no exception to this rule. You'll be warmly greeted and well cared for but never hovered over. You will absolutely want to make a reservation, a wait for a table inside can take a bit to get if you just plan to stroll in off the street, but the seating outside is just as beautiful and a bit more plentiful. If you visit Florence and are looking for a place that doesn't take advantage of the tourists, and serves up amazing food, this is your spot for

After seeing lines night after night at this lovely little corner gem, we managed to secure a…read morereservation for 5 people & let's just say, it did not disappoint! We each got a primi and shared the Florentine Steak which was divine!!! The corner establishment looks tiny but not only is there outdoor seating and a small first floor dining but a second floor dining room with domed ceilings! Quaint!

This was, without question, one of the best meals of our entire life--possibly the best of the…read moretrip! We ate here on our first night in Florence and spent the rest of our trip talking about it. In fact, we came back to Florence a night early from Cortona and tried our luck at getting another table. They were completely packed and couldn't fit us in, which honestly tells you everything you need to know. If you want to eat here, make a reservation. You might get lucky if you show up right when they open, but Florence seems to get busier every year and I wouldn't count on it. The atmosphere is exactly what you hope for when you picture a fun night in Florence--great music, laughter, conversation, shared tables, excellent wine, and people genuinely enjoying themselves. It's lively without feeling touristy and somehow manages to feel both energetic and intimate at the same time. Our server, Lorenzo, was phenomenal. He helped us select a bottle of 2021 Vigna del Sorbo Chianti Classico, which ended up being my favorite wine of the entire trip. We started with buttered toast and anchovies. It sounds incredibly simple, but it was one of the most memorable bites we had in Italy. We shared the duck ragù pasta, lasagna, osso buco, and lamb chop. Every dish was excellent, but the duck ragù and lamb were standouts. We finished with a raspberry tiramisu that was the perfect ending to the meal. The food was fantastic, the wine was fantastic, the service was fantastic, and the ambiance was everything you could want. P.S. If you can't get in, don't panic--the restaurant across the street is also very good. But if you can get a table here, do it.

One of the best dining experiences I've ever had. No wonder it's always fully booked here!!The…read moreowner is so welcoming and kind, taking the time to introduce himself, the menu, and provide personal recommendations. The servers check in frequently and are quick to help with anything you need. The ambiance is lively with popular music, laughter, and conversation. We chatted with the table next to us on the way out and met some fellow Texans! On our way out, the owner also remembered my name and started introducing me to other tables to make friends. What a fun place to be! The food was absolutely amazing. When we saw them slicing the salami right in front of us, we decided to order the salami plate and we were so glad we did! The zucchini flower and saffron pasta was bursting with flavor and the pasta was so perfectly cooked. I couldn't get enough! The duck ragu pasta was also hearty, rich, and delicious. The sauce was so good, my family soaked up every last bit with our bread. The ricotta spinach ravioli was also amazing!! Again the sauce was such a standout. The ravioli was so fresh with the perfect amount of bite. The green pepper sauce steak was soooo good. Cooked perfectly, with such a unique sauce that the whole peppercorns added perfectly to in texture and spice. Finally, the raspberry tiramisu. We were so full, but when they set these down our dessert stomachs were ready. They were amazing! Not the strongest raspberry flavor, but still such a delicious end to the meal. Side note, you MUST have a reservation to eat here, and they only take reservations by call. Because I didn't have a way to call them, I asked my Airbnb hosts who did it for me (also amazing people). While we were eating, there was a crowd forming outside of people waiting to get in but unable to. It's so worth it to visit Vini e Vecchi Sappori! I'll definitely have to come back next time I'm in Florence.