If you are visiting Florence and have an interest in what the Italians call "typical of the region" food, Osteria Armada 1926, serves absolutely authentic Firenze food. And it's wonderful. This is not a tourist spot, so the menu isn't littered with tourist pleasing dishes never usually found in Tuscany. It's also not expensive. I went with a friend for lunch, started with cocktails, and old fashioned and a Bloody Mary. Both were excellent and in my option the Bloody Mary was one of the best I can remember having. We were served bread, and it too was excellent. My meal was a "farmers plate", basically 4 pieces of Bruschetta, one tomato, one white beans, one chicken liver pate and one garlic bread - all delicious. You might think white beans on toast sounds boring but you would be surprised how great it was. My friend had a spicy pasta dish which she loved.
Service was absolutely first rate, and we were a bit extra work because my friend is Vegan and that's usually quite a few questions and answers to be sure the meal has no meat, fish or dairy. They couldn't have been nicer and a perfect vegan meal was found in no time.
We plan to return for dinner, tomorrow, that's how great it was. If you are looking for a authentic Tuscan experience in a perfectly beautiful building from the 1300's in the Florence city center at local, not tourist prices this should be your first choice.
Tip- ask for the Armada 1926 tour. It's downstairs and they love showing off the restaurant's history.
Tip- if you are a large group reserve the private dining room in the cellar. It's lovely read more