I have a friend who lives in Florence, and this is her favorite restaurant. That probably tells you everything you need to know, but I'm going to say more anyway. The best food in Italy is simple. It's when a kitchen takes outstanding ingredients, and prepares them in a straightforward manner. Sostanza excels here. Everything we ate was so simple, and so delicious. The trattoria itself isn't much to look at, just a casual space on a tucked away street. The staff will make you laugh, and guide you through the menu. We started with some cured meats, and the artichoke omelette. It looks like a little tornado of egg with artichoke in the middle, and it's excellent. We moved on to tortellini in brodo, and tortellini in ragu. Both preparations were nice, but tortellini in brodo is the move if you can only pick one. One of our wives actually tried to order a chicory salad, but our waiter told her that we were big men and needed to eat meat. (This isn't the reason I love this place so much, but it didn't hurt.) The butter chicken is obviously not the ubiquitous Indian dish, but young chicken breast that is grilled, and then finished in a sauce of butter and lemon. It is so uncomplicated, and perhaps the best chicken you could ever hope to eat. Don't skip it. Despite that being the best chicken I can remember, my favorite thing I ate at Sostanza were the "fresh new beans in olive oil." These are not to. be confused with the "white beans in tomato sauce" (this is how these dishes are listed on the menu...again, simple) which were also mind-blowingly tasty. But the fresh beans must've been picked that morning, and they just tasted like the platonic ideal of beans. Wash all this down with a quality bottle of wine (you can't go wrong with the list), and it may just be the best lunch you've ever had. read more

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Rudest service we encountered in all of Italy. Incredibly unhelpful and multiple moments of just indifference to answer any question.

This was probably one of the best meals we had in Italy. I made the reservation long before we went to Florence since I knew I wanted us to eat here based on articles I had read. Everything they served was amazing. I can't say enough about how amazing the food and service was here. The butter Chicken was mouth watering. Grazie! read more

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I made it a goal to avoid tomatoes on this brief trip to Firenze. There is no shortage of quality options for authentic Neapolitan pizzas and pastas in NY, but a distinct lack of the delectable rustic bean and vegetable dishes that for many years were synonymous with la cucina povera. So of course I had to try the famous tortino de carciofi at Sostanza, on a small alley pleasantly devoid of most tourists. The unique dish is akin to an omelette with fried artichokes, but with a bit of puffiness that resembles a quiche. The dish has a generous amount of oil, but the flavor of the artichokes gives the dish its real richness. read more

Trattoria Sostanza - Trattorie Near Me - Florence, FI

OMG if you are in Florence, you have to come to Trattoria Sostanza for dinner - the food and service are absolutely amazing and you see a lot of locals also dining there as well and I can see why! The restaurant opens and immediately there is a line that forms outside. You have to have a reservation or you are not getting a table as the restaurant is very small. There are two seating times for dinners, one at 7 and one at 9:30 PM, nothing else. And you are seated in large family size tables, so you will most likely be sharing the table with someone else or a couple of parties. The servers are all so friendly and offer to answer any questions you may have about the menu. We ordered a bottle of wine to start with a good selection all at good prices. We started with the Tuscan crostini (each for 4 Euros), and then got the pasta with meat sauce (12 Euros), Tortellini in Chicken broth (13 Euros) and the butter chicken to share (23 Euros). All food is very simple, but OMG the quality is amazing and everything was fresh and flavorful. For dessert we got the dessert (meringue with strawberries) for 11 Euros which is a must get as well. If you're in Florence, definitely stop in, you'll be glad you did! read more

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Outstanding food. This place has been here since 1867. Highly recommend the buttered chicken. You must make reservations.

Two seatings a night, don't try and get in early, they open the door at 7:30 for the 7:30 seating. Everyone orders the same main dish, butter chicken and one dish is enough for two people. It's the star of the show. Maybe get some spinach or beans to go with it but trust me, you are here for the chicken... Five stars read more

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Called several weeks in advance to book reservations. We show up at the appointed time and the man up front said they don't have a reservation. He was so incredibly rude and treated us with disgust. I show where I had called and had a several minute conversation but he said I was wrong. I understand it is a busy restaurant and they couldn't accommodate us but I've never been treated so poorly read more

Front Desk was extremely rude given we had online reservations. He claimed that the restaurant doesn't have an email . Regardless, he eventually warmed up on us and ensured we had a table for two. I discovered later this was the owner. Servers were extremely friendly and food came out quite fast. I'm from America so the Florentine steak had something to be desired. Butter chicken was absolutely fantastic - some of the best chicken we'd ever had. It comes out in the pan sautéed in brown butter. Chef's kiss... Ambiance had a hole in the wall feeling but was quite the gem in Florence Italy. There are two sittings each night so be sure to call or have your hotel call for reservation. read more

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A little difficult to find, but worth the effort. There are only six tables and three seatings per day. Make the effort to get a reservation! We were lucky enough to talk to the owner in person and obtain a reservation for two, for later in the evening. Persistence paid off! This was the best meal we ate in all of Italy. Small, nothing fancy, but truly authentic old school cooking. The staff were awesome! Like other reviews state, BUTTER CHICKEN! read more

Trattoria Sostanza - Front of business. - Trattorie Near Me - Florence, FI

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My most favorite restaurant in Florence. Butter chicken, Florentine steak, all vegetables, artichoke omelette and certainly the meringue cake: unforgettable taste and simply perfect. Staff is so lovely and friendly. The vibe in this Trattoria gets me each time I walk through the door in the best mood. Coming here for years and never ever disappointed. It cannot get better! Sostanza forever! read more

Operating without a website or PR for over 150 years Trattoria Sostanza is something of an institution, and although locals may gripe that the Restaurant has become overrun with tourists those with the prudence to book one of six tables will discover textbook Tuscan cuisine served by a pleasant staff. Not remotely fancy, the bar up front doubling as a prep-station for Dessert and cashier, it is surrounded by family photos that house Wine is poured liberally prior to the arrival of bread made fresh and replenished on request. Known for signatures including Bistecca alla Fiorentina, according to some the best in town, an antipasti of sliced Salumi compares favorably to many while Tortellini en Brodo split to share comes hazy but packed savory notes and a vegetal finish. Sporting an open kitchen, its small size comparable to Sostanza itself, both the Artichoke Omelette (labeled "Pie") and Chicken in Butter Sauce are highly-regarded for good reason while Meringue Pie with Chocolate Chips and Wild Strawberries is a textural masterpiece. read more

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One of our favorite restaurants in Florence! We've never had a bad meal. The butter chicken, artichoke frittata, fresh beans, pasta with meat sauce are a few of our favorites. In a two and a half week visit we ate there 4 times. Our first and last meal in the city, every visit! Yum!!! read more

Food n service was amazing! The best burnt butter chicken I've ever tasted. Artichoke dish was also very good. read more

Do not miss the Butter chicken and steak in this place if you are visiting Florence. Make sure to have a reservation a while in advance because this gem of a restaurant is not the secret it was once. Seriously. This is the best chicken my wife and I have ever had and positively the best piece of steak. Both are unassuming and seemingly simple but are exquisite. The chicken is an old family recipe and not to be missed. Service is honest and friendly. Decor is unpretentious with photos on the wall that remind you that this place has been around for a mighty long time. You could easily miss this gem of a restaurant if you didn't know it was there. As far as our family is concerned, no trip to Florence is complete without a stop at Michelangelo's David, the Uffizi Gallery and most importantly Trattoria Sostanza. Seriously. read more

One of our favorites. Most recent visit, we got the Parma ham (definitely the right choice over the Tuscan salami), Tuscan crostini (good but I'd probably skip next time), pasta with meat sauce, pasta with butter sauce (for our kids), tortellini in chicken broth, steak, butter chicken, white beans with olive oil, and the meringue cake. I think this is still my favorite steak in Florence. I also think they have the best bread of all the places we go to regularly, and the cake is among the best desserts. The pastas are great but not top tier for me. With so many amazing restaurants in this city, it's hard for me to absolutely 100% commit to coming here every time, but it always makes for a really amazing dinner. read more

I am so glad a Google search of where to eat in Florence led me to this fantastic little eatery. Unassuming on the outside but full of character on the inside. It's a small and very popular place, so I highly recommend making a reservation well in advance. From everything I read and saw online, I had to go and see what all the fuss is about behind the butter chicken and semifreddo with meringue, chocolate chips and raspberries...it all holds up! The chicken is juicy and flavorful--a nice change from noodles we'd been eating. The semifreddo is light, fresh, and not overly sweet. Perfect dessert after such a meal. So simple but so GOOD! Plus the staff is very warm and charming. Go here! You're welcome. read more

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10/10 experience! The staff were so friendly and welcoming. The butter chicken was to die for...you'll never have anything like it. You must finish with the meringue cake. If visiting Florence it's a must but make sure to make a reservation! read more

I'm sorry I can only give this place a 5. It deserves a 10. it is a simple place. Modest decoration. it has limited seating. so you MUST reserve. they basically have two seatings. 7:30 and 9. And you will be served and done quickly. the prices are ridiculous (low) and I hope they don't read this and raise the prices. the food is fresh and delicious. ham and the sweetest melon ever. I could have eaten the tomatoes all night long. and the chicken in butter is the specialty. ORDER IT. the chicken is so flavorful and tender. the charm is also in the ONE dessert selection for the night. but get it. they are hard workers. two brothers (mention Sardinia...they close all of August to go) and the front manager from Bologna. they could not be any more pleasant even though they are VERY busy serving and cleaning tables at the same time. you will NOT be screwed here. It is the BEST place in Florence! read more

Food is delicious! What everyone says about the butter chicken is absolutely correct: it is the best chicken you will ever taste. We also tried the artichoke pie which is yummy and the florentine steak served very rare is melt in your mouth good. Need to get here early to get a table or we went 2 hours before opening to get a reservation. Worth it while in Florence!! Located on a tiny alley away from all the tourists. read more

So happy we were able to experience Sostanza before they closed for a holiday period, literally went for dinner the night before. Someone please figure out their secret to unbelievably juicy white meat chicken. The sizzling chicken in butter was so good we ordered another order at the end! The seasoning/dressing seemed very simple, but yet the chicken tasted like it had been through an extensive marinade. I don't like white meat and was astounded by this chicken! We also ordered a veal, salad, and fagiolini verde to share. The veal was odd. Seasoned well, but came out cooked medium-well, I've only ever had veal medium rare similar to steak. The salad was quite good with yummy tomatoes, varying greens, and chicory. House wine was good. We were too full to try the dessert. Staff is very friendly and efficient. Cash only! read more

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Yummmm. Was recommended this place from a random person we met and told specifically to eat the buttered chicken and artichoke pie - so we did! We were really lucky. We arrived at the restaurant about ten minutes after the opened at 7:40 pm. It was a Saturday night and the place was already packed - the lovely man at the front managed to squeeze us in at two seats he had open at a table. So, make a reservation if you're more than one or two people!! Chicken was 5/5 stars, maybe even 6/5. Artichoke pie was unlike anything I've had before - think more eggs less pie, but was also delicious. Highly recommend if you're in Florence! read more

Trattoria Sostanza - Buttered chicken - Trattorie Near Me - Florence, FI

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Our hotel helped us book this restaurant in advance. We were running late from our tour and asked our guide to call and let them know. We arrived 15 min late very apologetic and they were so gracious about it. The service was the best we've had in Italy though I would come back for the food itself even if they were mean! We got the chicken breast in butter and it was simply the best white meat I've ever had. I usually avoid white meat because it's bland and dry. This one was tasty and moist! For the reviewers who said it was dry, I wonder if the left it on the pan plate too long. We took it off immediately when it arrived. The tortellini and broth and meat sauce were both also good. The vegetable soup was really flavorful too, as were the mushrooms and string beans we got for sides. My least favorite was the steak- only because we had a better one the other night and because the chicken was so good. With all that aside, the steak is quite good. As I went to pay, I saw a slice of meringue cake on the counter and of course I sat back down and ordered one. It was wonderful and I usually don't care for meringue. The meal was the best we've had in Italy so far overall. We tried to make reservations again for tomorrow night but sadly they're not open. Definitely highly recommend and will come again if I'm ever in Florence. read more

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You just can't get more authentic atmosphere, better service (they treat you like you are part of their family), or more delicious chicken in the pan anywhere else. We absolutely love Sostanza and make it a point to dine here every time we are in Florence. read more

Wow! One of the top best meals I ever had in Italy. I highly suggest that if you go to Florence that you stop by this place. In order to dine here, it only open at night and you must make a reservation in order to dine. We went in November and reserved a day beforehand and was able to get a table. The main dishes were so divine. The Florentine steak featured in my pictures ended up being about $25 US dollars and it was sooo perfected cooked and flavorful with its natural taste. Without asking how you want it cooked, it will come out medium rare.The butter chicken is the second must buy as it is absolutely tender and melts in your mouth. I want to try to make these two dishes at home. We got tortellini and it was al dente. I don't suggest buying the beans. Wine is a great price too as you can buy the bottle and share. I suggest just asking them what tastes best with the wine! Great for a date as it is very impressive and you will enjoy the food! read more

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This is the best meal I had while in Florence! Simple but absolutely delicious! I had heard of butter chicken but had no idea how delicious it was. The staff were wonderful and extremely helpful. Highly recommend every try butter chicken! read more

Just delicious! Butter chicken and the ice cream wild strawberry dessert were definitely not to miss. Enjoyed every bite!

Came recommended by dozens of people my husband works with in travel. They did not miss the mark! Without a doubt, the best chicken we've ever had in our lives. All future chicken will now be judged against this and fail wildly. Our server was hilarious and super friendly. All of our food was great and if we could eat there again, we would do it in a heart beat. Good to note that this is communal seating so if you're a small party, you might be seated with people you don't know. It's also very popular so make a reservation well in advance/enlist your hotel to help, if need be. read more

Very underwhelming- truly shocked at the 4.6 rating. We came here because my husband was a little tired of noodles and wanted chicken. We ended up getting the butter chicken, florentine steak, green beans and mushrooms. The chicken is tender but relatively flavorless. Menu items are very straightforward with no creativity. Green beans are intentionally cold, mushrooms are plain, steak feels unseasoned. I feel like they let the cuts of meat do the talking, so if that's your thing then you might like it. I personally found myself filling up on bread and wishing I'd gone somewhere else. read more

Trattoria Sostanza - Butter chicken- fine but not great - Trattorie Near Me - Florence, FI

This was one of the few sit-down places we really went to on our Italy trip. A friend recommended that we go to Sostanza to try Florentine steak. Man! What an amazing meal! If you want to try this place, you MUST MAKE A RESERVATION. The restaurant is open from 7:30-9:30pm everyday. That's two hours of service for meals that last about 1-2 hours. This place is also very small. At most, it seats about 22 people at full capacity. When we came the night before to make a reservation, the gentleman at the front took out a notebook, which had the name, party size, and reservation time for each night. Talk about old school! But this is how you know you'll get great food. It's Florentine steak we're talking about here, so of course it's going to cost a bit. Surprisingly, the steak was only €25/kg. We got a kilo to try amongst four of us. We also ordered other dishes, of course. The bill was surprisingly cheap compared to our expectations. Here's the showstopper. I read in reviews to order the butter chicken. You'd think: it's just bitter and chicken. How can it beat steak? Well it did. The chicken comes with 2 pieces per serving, so order more if you want to fully indulge. The chicken was so moist on the inside and the butter was light and tasty. If you come, you MUST ORDER THE BUTTER CHICKEN. Service was fantastic. These Italians are extremely hospitable and make you feel at home. We love this place and recommend anyone visiting Florence to try it. read more

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Given the vast number of other places to eat, I would skip. Coperto is €4.5, double to triple most other places. A side of spinach is €8, again double of other places. They have 2 seatings 7pm or 9pm for dinner. We didn't have a reservation but walked in at 8:45pm on a Tuesday night and they were kind and sat us as they had a free table. We had read the reviews so I knew butter chicken (€20) was definitely on our list. The other item most raves about was the artichoke pie(€16). Butter chicken was crispy and moist and yummy, though a heart attack waiting to happen, but sad to say that the artichoke pie was a disappointment. I asked if it was a entree and was assured it was - it's like a quiche with artichokes in the middle. So imagine eating 4 eggs and some artichokes- that was my dinner. I was 'full', or rather just didn't want the 4th egg, but not satisfied. Perhaps if the artichoke pie was a starter? But I definitely did not feel it is entree material. Also we got pasta with meat sauce to share, house red (€4.5 for 1/4 liter- expensive again), vinsanto, and water. The couple sharing our table got the prosciutto- looked okay but I wouldn't get it here. The waiter sold them a side of vegetables when he brought out the mains- smart. He tried with us but I had seen the price of the vegetables €8 and already had decided to skip. Overall from the rave reviews I expect something amazing. What we got was overpriced and average. Will not be on my list of places to come back. In the plus- everyone there was super nice. But I am writing this review at 6am starving after a €80 meal, that makes me sad read more

First the chicken was amazing. We absolutely loved this dish! The service was amazing too. Our server was friendly and very helpful. We loved the dessert too. What we weren't as over the moon about was the dishes we chose to go with our chicken. I'm sure this was our choices and not the food but we didn't love the artichoke pie or the tortellini. It felt a little too al dente. We usually love our pasta this way but this time it felt under cooked rather than al dente. Overall we would try it again. It was worth a second visit. read more

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This is my favorite restaurant in Florence! A few years ago, I came here with friends and stumbled upon this gem in the middle of the day. For some lucky reason, we were able to snag seats and if I recall correctly, were the only patrons in the restaurant for lunch. Strange but true. Anyways, i fell in love with the authentic Bistecca alla Fiorentina, pollo al burro, and tortellini al sugo. La bistecca was cooked to perfection. Every bite was juicy and succulent, the flavor is overwhelming. I've never had steak like this before. The chicken was so tender and deliciously butter flavored. Pasta fresh and flavorful. I am happy to report that 7 years later, I return to Florence with my family and all the dishes are exactly how I remembered them. Even the prices stayed the same. Thank you Sostanza for being a constant in this city and never fails to disappoint!! read more

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A family member that studied abroad in Florence, recommended this restaurant. It was the best dinner I had in Italy, especially Florence! Call ahead to make reservations, as they book quickly and will not seat a big/normal sized party without a reservation. They were booked for the week when we went, fortunately my family went back to the hotel after a long day of touring and I was able to be seated for one person! I got the chicken with lemon butter sauce, and I scarfed it down! It was hands down, the best chicken I've had in my entire life. So smooth and the sauce was impeccable! I didn't get any sides with my meal, but this was more than enough for one person! Everything on the menu looked great, but I saw a vast majority of the people ordering their lemon. read more

Trattoria Sostanza - Chicken in lemon butter sauce - Trattorie Near Me - Florence, FI

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Our pilgrimage restaurant in Firenze. You need reservations now, and call early. The dinning room is bare bones trattoria, but the food is marvelous. Petti do pollo in burro, tripe, and bistro a are some of our favorites. I am going back in zapril. Can't wait! read more

I have just one thing to say: BUTTER CHICKEN! First of all, this hidden gem only has 6 tables.Reservations are required and they only serve dinner at 7:30 and 9:00pm. My group was not aware that reservations were required, so we showed up ready for a great meal. We were told that dinner was booked through September 30th. As we turned away downtrodden, the head waiter suggested that we wait to see if anyone cancelled. As we sat at the door offering silent prayers to the food gods, a member of one the the parties that was just seated felt ill. The group decided to leave, and we got their table! Now I had heard that the butter chicken was the dish to order, but nothing prepared me for the delicious bird that was set before me. Swimming in sizzling butter, I threw calorie caution to the winds and devoured both breasts, along with sauteed mushrooms, green beans, and white beans in tomato sauce. The service was impeccable: our server very attentive. Just when we thought the meal couldn't get any better, we ordered dessert. Orange meringue with fresh berries and orange pie. So decadently fabulous! If you make it to Florence, this is a must on your dining list. Be sure to make reservations and bring cash, because they don't take credit cards.! read more

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My wife and I honeymooned all over Italy. Our first stay was in Florence where we sought out many great eateries. I'd have to say the Sostanza was and is the best restaurant in Florence. The limited seating demands a reservation. We sat at a table right beside the kitchen where we were able to watch the chefs prepare the meals. The Bistecca alla Fiorentina is what Florence is known for and although we didn't have it, I watched the chefs cook them over open fiery hot coals and it was a marvel to watch. The succulent butter chicken is what we enjoyed and wow was it ever enjoyable along side the fagioli all' olio. Again, hands down my favorite meal in Firenze. read more

Trattoria Sostanza - Bistecca alla Fiorentina over a coal fire! - Trattorie Near Me - Florence, FI

This was one of my favorite meals in Italy. The steak Florentine and tiramisu were very memorable and spot on. Service was so friendly they made me an off-menu cocktail based on instructions. It's been two weeks since we ate here, but I still smile tho king about the experience. read more

Very small and simple Trattoria with excellent food and wine. Normally there nothing to say more. We pasta as the first course and shared the T-bone. That was a perfect mixture. The service is friendly. You have to do a reservation. read more

Trattoria Sostanza - Trattorie Near Me - Florence, FI

The butter chicken lives up to its hype! It is super moist for a chicken breast, and the butter sauce with a squeeze of lemon juice makes it so delicious! Tip: remember to dip your bread in the butter sauce when it's still hot! One of the waiters suggested us to do so after we finished the chicken already, and it was still delicious, but I can't imagine how much tastier it would have been if the bread and sauce were hot! We also ordered the tortellini with meat sauce and it was tasty as well! The waiters were awesome! They speak great English, but they also spoke Italian and made me feel at home! They didn't make me feel like an outsider for being a visitor to the city! We also ordered dolce, the meringue cake, and it was different from what I've ever eaten, but it was a good different! Crunchy meringue, creamy whip, and chocolate pieces. Definitely one of the best meals I've had in Italy thus far; would recommend to anyone who has a chance to visit Florence! read more

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