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Recommended Reviews - Paoli
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The food here was great. The seafood pasta and the tomahawk steak stole the show. However, our waiter (wasn't wearing a name tag but looks like a walmart jake gyllenhal) was extremely rude. Whenever I asked questions about the menu, he would just give me this blank stare and sometimes even ignored my questions When i asked for wine recommendations, i ended up going for one of the bottles he recommended. it was the 2nd or 3rd most expensive from his recommendations, but he still made comments pointing that i didn't get the most expensive one. The rest of the staff were super helpful and nice, but this one waiter ruined the experience.
Paoli is a long standing restaurant in Florence that specializes in bistecca. It's one of the more popular places in terms of number of reviews, but every place in Florence were have a few bad reviews. Overall - I'm glad to have dined here. We got the bistecca 1.5kg rare. We thought about sampling a few different types but our server recommended sticking with the top two cuts so we double downed on the main cut. Was cooked really well and a high quality cut - tender and delicious. A little light on the seasoning (at least for US palate) but enjoyable. Veggies not bad too. It's a beautiful restaurant. We walked in at like 12:45 without reservation and there's plenty of space (while Florence is packed over the summer).
In Florence for a honeymoon and we were recommended this establishment by the concierge of our nearby hotel and we couldn't have been more impressed by our experience here! We liked it so much we visited it three times while in Florence. Our server Emanuel was truly amazing; so much so we asked for him every time we visited. He went above and beyond for us and was so knowledgeable about everything on the menu, helping us make choices, and provided us with a five star experience every single visit. With him it was always service with a smile and he went overboard to ensure we had the best time. He is a huge asset to this restaurant! Every dish we enjoyed was amazing and making choices on their extensive menu was tough. We especially enjoyed the beef tartare and carbonara pasta with truffle. It's a special place and the atmosphere is warm; the food is incredible and the portions are plentiful. I never felt rushed and the little touches went a long way. Inviting us to send free postcards to our loved ones back home and writing in their guest book. We will definitely be back and encourage everyone to have a meal or two with them!
Service, food, and ambiance were all fine for this restaurant. In fact, I really enjoyed the food. The dishes were well prepared and pretty delicious. But it has an absolutely disgusting restroom which totally ruined my appetite and my experience...i hope the management could look into it.
Dinner for 2. Our 50 anniversary. Delicious food, fun servers, & we were in our one little world.
This restaurant was recommended by our local tour guide and their food was fantastic! Inside of the restaurant was stunning with a painted wall and we loved the ambiance. We've tried dishes that our tour guide and server recommended: 1. T-bone steak (7/5) - my family is not a big fan of steak, but their steak was really soft and juicy (ordered medium rare). Paired perfectly with their mini red wine which was also very good. Portion was big too. 2. Carbonara (7/5) - they had the best carbonara I've tried in Italy! Love how rich and creamy their sauce was. 3. Home Pasta (5/5) - forgot the name of the pasta (it came with thick sauce with beef and diced veggies). This was recommended by our server - pasta tasted ok but don't think it was special. *most restaurants in Firenze were crowded but this place was nice and quiet. It gets a bit busier later in the evening. *they take reservations. *this would be a great place for a couple or family. If you are planning to visit Firenze, you must try this place. Absolutely amazing!
We were visiting and had heard about this fantastic steak dinner that we had to try well in Florence. It is called Bistecca Alla Fiorentina and it was honestly the best steak I've ever had in my life. My sister and I shared it and we're fighting over the last few pieces. Highly recommend!
We came here 21 years ago when it still was the original family owned restaurant and the food, service and ambiance was top notch. So we returned and the food was absolutely delicious. Never have we tasted porcini this delicious. It is the oldest restaurant in Florence! One thing to know is it has now been purchased and franchised so you may see others around the city but the original is the one you want to try because the gothic interior can't be replicated so we posted a photo of the front entrance. Make reservations at least one or more days in advance because it books up fast & ask for a table towards the back to get the best experience.
My friend and I went to dinner here for our last night in Florence. The overall ambiance is amazing. They have a great wine selection in all price ranges. The food was amazing. The service was a little slow but we were enjoying our amazing dinner. Definitely would go back.
Our Hotel Concierge recommended this spot for traditional Tuscan and also mentioned it was the oldest (opened 1827) restaurant in the area. I also saw that Puccini spent some time here. Okay, I'm in! Walked in around 7:45 and surprisingly tables were available. We booked for 8:30 but ended up returning around 8 after a short walk and not finding a bar close by for an Aperitif. Semi formal atmosphere but all were dressed casually. Beautiful frescos throughout with some Tuscan coat of arms from way back. We started with Aperitifs-Negroni and Aperol Spritz- both excellent. They had a dizzying amount of choices for Carpaccio. We decided to order the classic as well the Artichoke salad for Antipasti. Maybe being in Firenze added to the flavors of the Carpaccio but it was amazing. Artichoke salad was tasty also. Simple, quality ingredients compiled with care. Oh yes! For wine, it had to be Chianti tonight. Our server made a recommendation which didn't disappoint (Ricasoli-2019) A couple of pasta dishes for main-Tagliolini Al Funghi Porcini (light sauce with tasty mushrooms), Pappardelle Al Sugo Di Cinghiale (thicker noodles with wild Boar sauce) Both were delicious! Not much room for dessert but we couldn't pass up trying a traditional Tuscan Dolci. Cantucci e vin Santo. Dip the Cantucci (cookie with nuts similar to a Biscotti) in the Vin Santo (dessert wine) and wow! We found it was best to dip the cookie and let it sit so the wine soaks in and softens the cookie and blends in. A must try! Unexpectedly, music playing was European smooth jazz versions of hit songs like Hotel California, September, Livin on a Prayer and Satisfaction. (Might we suggest anything Italian) No outside seating and that's ok as the beautiful interior is not to be missed. Our servers took great care of us. So many great restaurants in the Duomo area, this one is a must stop!
Hey you with the pretty face Welcome to the human race A celebration, mister blue sky's up there waitin'.. And today is the day we've waited for.. Eating dinner at Paoli... We started w. a small bottle of delicious red Italian Wine.. The Misses enjoyed a plate of "Homemade Pappardelle Pasta w. a Wild Boar sauce", it was perfecto, from just the right thickness/al dente pasta w. a rich & delicious earthy sauce. The Lad enjoyed a plate of Fresh "Tagliolini Pasta w. Porcini Mushrooms", This was most scrumptious, taking you to an Italy farm, sitting w. family flavours, worth the airfare, pasta plate. Shared was a dessert plate of "Panna Cotta" w. nectarine, dark chocolate, biscotti crumbles and truffles, it was the perfect ending to dining in the est. 1827 historic Tuscan restaurant/meeting place for intellectuals such as Leoncavallo and Puccini. Hey there mister blue We're so pleased to be with you Look around see what you do Everybody smiles at you..:) Ciao mi Amicos, Avram ELO Jr.
My husband and I loved this place while on vacation in Florence. If you want to dine somewhere special for a lovely evening, this is your spot. It is such a beautiful restaurant that I didn't want to leave. The food is spectacular and to be honest, it was the first time in my two weeks in Italy that the coperto bread basket was actually good. If you are celebrating a special occasion or just want a nice relaxing evening, come here. This historical restaurant in Florence is not to be missed. The Gnudi I ordered was delicious with the pumpkin purée and truffle. The peppercorn sauce steak is melt in your mouth good. Next time in Florence, I am coming back.
This restaurant is an upscale restaurants which gets busy quickly, so reservations are recommended. I made reservations for an early lunch to avoid the crowds. The restaurant is romantic and beautiful. We ordered a bistecca alla fiorentina and some other side dishes. The star of the show was the steak, truly the best steak I've ever had. The steak comes out rare but you can cook it a little more in the hot plate they serve it In. I wouldn't over cook it though, it melts in your mouth soft when it's not overly cooked. I can't wait to go back one day!
2 months ago
Service was incredible and the food was great We got there early for our reservations and were handed prosecco to drink while we waited. Then we were sat at this cute table for two but they made sure you had space for food and privacy. The appetizer, truffle buffalo mozzarella was so good. That could have been our meal We shared a steak and a pasta and it was more than enough. The steak was done just right and the pasta was authentic and creamy Dessert topped it off with a panacotta with pistachio cream sauce that I am trying to recreate at home From its location, service, and food, this is a definite Florence repeat. Thank you to our hotel for the recommendation read more
4 months ago
We had an amazing dinner at Ristorante Paoli, where the authentic Tuscan flavors truly shine. The menu offers a wonderful variety of traditional dishes--the braised cheeks in Chianti and the ossobuco were standout highlights for us. We also loved the artichokes, which were prepared to perfection. Beyond the food, the atmosphere is incredible, featuring beautiful frescoed ceilings and a historic feel that makes the meal feel special. Because it is such a popular spot and often gets full, I highly recommend making a reservation in advance read more
Food (5/5): Best carbonara from our entire trip which was served with slices of truffle. Additionally had the caprese salad plus wild boar pasta, both great dishes. Took a bit longer than expected to make the food but it was definitely worth the wait. Ambiance (5/5): Very cute inside and make sure to check out the bathroom (bring your phone). Service (3/5): We were sat in the back left area of the restaurant by the hostess and didn't have a waiter for 15 minutes. I think we were being sat down in between shift change but the table next to us was waiting for even longer prior to our arrival. I got up to ask the hostess who our waiter is, explained the situation for each table, and we were both given a waiter per each table promptly. Mistakes happen but it seemed like the table was not assigned well. After we ordered our food, our waiter was switched to someone else, not sure why. Reminder that at the end you need to ask the waiter for the bill (il conto) then they will bring the bill and you pay up front. read more
3 months ago
The food here was great. The seafood pasta and the tomahawk steak stole the show. However, our waiter (wasn't wearing a name tag but looks like a walmart jake gyllenhal) was extremely rude. Whenever I asked questions about the menu, he would just give me this blank stare and sometimes even ignored my questions When i asked for wine recommendations, i ended up going for one of the bottles he recommended. it was the 2nd or 3rd most expensive from his recommendations, but he still made comments pointing that i didn't get the most expensive one. The rest of the staff were super helpful and nice, but this one waiter ruined the experience. read more
Paoli is a long standing restaurant in Florence that specializes in bistecca. It's one of the more popular places in terms of number of reviews, but every place in Florence were have a few bad reviews. Overall - I'm glad to have dined here. We got the bistecca 1.5kg rare. We thought about sampling a few different types but our server recommended sticking with the top two cuts so we double downed on the main cut. Was cooked really well and a high quality cut - tender and delicious. A little light on the seasoning (at least for US palate) but enjoyable. Veggies not bad too. It's a beautiful restaurant. We walked in at like 12:45 without reservation and there's plenty of space (while Florence is packed over the summer). read more
10 months ago
In Florence for a honeymoon and we were recommended this establishment by the concierge of our nearby hotel and we couldn't have been more impressed by our experience here! We liked it so much we visited it three times while in Florence. Our server Emanuel was truly amazing; so much so we asked for him every time we visited. He went above and beyond for us and was so knowledgeable about everything on the menu, helping us make choices, and provided us with a five star experience every single visit. With him it was always service with a smile and he went overboard to ensure we had the best time. He is a huge asset to this restaurant! Every dish we enjoyed was amazing and making choices on their extensive menu was tough. We especially enjoyed the beef tartare and carbonara pasta with truffle. It's a special place and the atmosphere is warm; the food is incredible and the portions are plentiful. I never felt rushed and the little touches went a long way. Inviting us to send free postcards to our loved ones back home and writing in their guest book. We will definitely be back and encourage everyone to have a meal or two with them! read more
Service, food, and ambiance were all fine for this restaurant. In fact, I really enjoyed the food. The dishes were well prepared and pretty delicious. But it has an absolutely disgusting restroom which totally ruined my appetite and my experience...i hope the management could look into it. read more
1 year ago
Dinner for 2. Our 50 anniversary. Delicious food, fun servers, & we were in our one little world. read more
This restaurant was recommended by our local tour guide and their food was fantastic! Inside of the restaurant was stunning with a painted wall and we loved the ambiance. We've tried dishes that our tour guide and server recommended: 1. T-bone steak (7/5) - my family is not a big fan of steak, but their steak was really soft and juicy (ordered medium rare). Paired perfectly with their mini red wine which was also very good. Portion was big too. 2. Carbonara (7/5) - they had the best carbonara I've tried in Italy! Love how rich and creamy their sauce was. 3. Home Pasta (5/5) - forgot the name of the pasta (it came with thick sauce with beef and diced veggies). This was recommended by our server - pasta tasted ok but don't think it was special. *most restaurants in Firenze were crowded but this place was nice and quiet. It gets a bit busier later in the evening. *they take reservations. *this would be a great place for a couple or family. If you are planning to visit Firenze, you must try this place. Absolutely amazing! read more
1 year ago
We were visiting and had heard about this fantastic steak dinner that we had to try well in Florence. It is called Bistecca Alla Fiorentina and it was honestly the best steak I've ever had in my life. My sister and I shared it and we're fighting over the last few pieces. Highly recommend! read more
We came here 21 years ago when it still was the original family owned restaurant and the food, service and ambiance was top notch. So we returned and the food was absolutely delicious. Never have we tasted porcini this delicious. It is the oldest restaurant in Florence! One thing to know is it has now been purchased and franchised so you may see others around the city but the original is the one you want to try because the gothic interior can't be replicated so we posted a photo of the front entrance. Make reservations at least one or more days in advance because it books up fast & ask for a table towards the back to get the best experience. read more
3 years ago
My friend and I went to dinner here for our last night in Florence. The overall ambiance is amazing. They have a great wine selection in all price ranges. The food was amazing. The service was a little slow but we were enjoying our amazing dinner. Definitely would go back. read more
Our Hotel Concierge recommended this spot for traditional Tuscan and also mentioned it was the oldest (opened 1827) restaurant in the area. I also saw that Puccini spent some time here. Okay, I'm in! Walked in around 7:45 and surprisingly tables were available. We booked for 8:30 but ended up returning around 8 after a short walk and not finding a bar close by for an Aperitif. Semi formal atmosphere but all were dressed casually. Beautiful frescos throughout with some Tuscan coat of arms from way back. We started with Aperitifs-Negroni and Aperol Spritz- both excellent. They had a dizzying amount of choices for Carpaccio. We decided to order the classic as well the Artichoke salad for Antipasti. Maybe being in Firenze added to the flavors of the Carpaccio but it was amazing. Artichoke salad was tasty also. Simple, quality ingredients compiled with care. Oh yes! For wine, it had to be Chianti tonight. Our server made a recommendation which didn't disappoint (Ricasoli-2019) A couple of pasta dishes for main-Tagliolini Al Funghi Porcini (light sauce with tasty mushrooms), Pappardelle Al Sugo Di Cinghiale (thicker noodles with wild Boar sauce) Both were delicious! Not much room for dessert but we couldn't pass up trying a traditional Tuscan Dolci. Cantucci e vin Santo. Dip the Cantucci (cookie with nuts similar to a Biscotti) in the Vin Santo (dessert wine) and wow! We found it was best to dip the cookie and let it sit so the wine soaks in and softens the cookie and blends in. A must try! Unexpectedly, music playing was European smooth jazz versions of hit songs like Hotel California, September, Livin on a Prayer and Satisfaction. (Might we suggest anything Italian) No outside seating and that's ok as the beautiful interior is not to be missed. Our servers took great care of us. So many great restaurants in the Duomo area, this one is a must stop! read more
Hey you with the pretty face Welcome to the human race A celebration, mister blue sky's up there waitin'.. And today is the day we've waited for.. Eating dinner at Paoli... We started w. a small bottle of delicious red Italian Wine.. The Misses enjoyed a plate of "Homemade Pappardelle Pasta w. a Wild Boar sauce", it was perfecto, from just the right thickness/al dente pasta w. a rich & delicious earthy sauce. The Lad enjoyed a plate of Fresh "Tagliolini Pasta w. Porcini Mushrooms", This was most scrumptious, taking you to an Italy farm, sitting w. family flavours, worth the airfare, pasta plate. Shared was a dessert plate of "Panna Cotta" w. nectarine, dark chocolate, biscotti crumbles and truffles, it was the perfect ending to dining in the est. 1827 historic Tuscan restaurant/meeting place for intellectuals such as Leoncavallo and Puccini. Hey there mister blue We're so pleased to be with you Look around see what you do Everybody smiles at you..:) Ciao mi Amicos, Avram ELO Jr. read more
1 year ago
My husband and I loved this place while on vacation in Florence. If you want to dine somewhere special for a lovely evening, this is your spot. It is such a beautiful restaurant that I didn't want to leave. The food is spectacular and to be honest, it was the first time in my two weeks in Italy that the coperto bread basket was actually good. If you are celebrating a special occasion or just want a nice relaxing evening, come here. This historical restaurant in Florence is not to be missed. The Gnudi I ordered was delicious with the pumpkin purée and truffle. The peppercorn sauce steak is melt in your mouth good. Next time in Florence, I am coming back. read more
This restaurant is an upscale restaurants which gets busy quickly, so reservations are recommended. I made reservations for an early lunch to avoid the crowds. The restaurant is romantic and beautiful. We ordered a bistecca alla fiorentina and some other side dishes. The star of the show was the steak, truly the best steak I've ever had. The steak comes out rare but you can cook it a little more in the hot plate they serve it In. I wouldn't over cook it though, it melts in your mouth soft when it's not overly cooked. I can't wait to go back one day! read more
2 years ago
Ambiance was really nice and filled with history. One of the oldest restaurants in Florence. The food was delicious. Our server was a little abrasive but we still had a great time. Recommend checking it out for sure. read more
2 years ago
Me and my husband got the steak and Pasta with lobster! WOW the food was amazing and very well seasoned. The servers were very funny and were quick to help us or even answer our questions. The prices weren't very expensive for the items we got. The interior was very beautiful and the setting was perfect for a date night. read more
1 year ago
very amazing steak, the ambience was awesome. service was a little slower than other spots nearby but was fitting for the size of the steak. read more
3 years ago
Oldest restaurant in Firenze! This was a memorable place to dine with so much history. The good was very good, a lot of options! Good for a nicer dinner. The service was okay because they were quite busy read more
3 years ago
Just consistently the best restaurant we have been to in Firenze. From the host to the server start to finish they are second to none. We have eaten at almost every ristorante in Firenze and they are bar none the best. Yes even better than the Michelin rated. You need reservations and you will know why. read more
2 years ago
3 years ago
2 years ago
3 years ago
This place was AMAZING. It was nice, cool, calm, relaxed, not too fancy, and the food was incredible. My mom's filet was absolutely perfect. Super great service too! Couldn't recommend this place any more! read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
2 years ago
4 years ago
I was recommended by our hotel concierge when I asked for traditional Florentine steak in a nice ambience, and this place hit it on the nail. They actually asked how we want the steak, which I heard most restaurants don't even do, so we were a little surprise but honestly very happy about (we ordered medium rare, and were a bit hesitant to have it super bloody rare anyway). Ordered the tagliatelle with ragu, which had chopped bits of steak rather than ground meat, and it was unexpected but good. read more
8 years ago
Paoli was referred to us by our tour guide. It was open during the holiday and claimed to be the best tiramisu in all of Italy. I beg to differ. We ordered ravioli, carbonara, and tiramisu. The ravioli was fantastic! The carbonara was okay and the tiramisu was tasteless, soggy, and poorly presented. Pompi, in Rome, was way better for tiramisu! read more
4 years ago
7 years ago
My husband hyped up Paoli for most of the time we were in Florence since he ate there once five years ago. So, I figured it could go either way when we returned for dinner. We started with a dish that ended up being the highlight of the whole meal - succulent duck carpaccio topped with shaved truffle. Unfortunately, nothing else was very memorable. My truffle risotto was bland and my husband's veal ossobucco was nothing to rave about. Service was wonderful and the house wine was decent, but the entire meal - while not bad by any means - was too costly for the unmemorable experience. read more
7 years ago
Simply the most incredible amazing steak you will ever have. From the moment you eat here all and any experiences eating will be compare to here and I assure you they will all come up short. The food here is amazing the service is great and they cook food like magicians. Incredible read more
I went here my first night and Florence and it was a delicious start to my trip. The inside of the restaurant was beautiful and rustic. The service was great and each member of the staff made me feel special. I had the Burrata for my appetizer. It was creamy and delicious and the tomatoes were so incredibly fresh. For my entree I had their pappardelle with wild boar ragu, a traditional Italian favorite. It was fresh and delicious! For dessert I had this meringue cake with nuts recommenced by the waiter. I'm not entirely sure what was in it but it was delicious. Overall a great experience and delicious food! read more
7 years ago
Paoli, in Florence Italy, is a wonderful restaurant with traditional Florentine food, which is also reasonably priced. The homemade fresh fettuccine was excellent as was the lasagna. The service was good, for Italy. And the interior of the restaurant is beautiful . The restaurant was full of local Florentines. read more
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