Another memorable meal in Florence. It's definitely a place you want to go to if you can score reservations but if it's too much trouble, then skip out. Because while the Florentine Steak and the butter Chicken are both great, they are in fact, just Steak and Chicken. And I get these a plenty at home but they were prepared beautifully and it was a fun experience. It's also slightly exciting to see party after party come in trying to get a table without a reservation and get turned away because they only do 2 seatings a night for dinner and it's a small joint. If you're in Florence, this is the place to go. read more

I am never for a loss of words on a review... I am lost for words. Simply wow. This off the beaten path Firenze gem came via a friendly tip, which I will never be able to repay. First, you have to be looking for this place to find it, then you need a reservation because they only do two seatings and have six tables. No wonder the place is packed. The hand written menu doesn't do the meal you are about to eat justice. They recommended their three most well known items, artichoke pie, the butter chicken and the steak. We ate the artichoke pie and steak and were blown away. The artichoke pie was unlike anything I have had before and words can't do it justice. Just order it. Steak? To die for. Icing on the cake? Super affordable! I really don't want to leave this review because I want to keep it a secret all for myself. LOVE this place. Oh by the way, Hit the ATM on the way, they only take cash. read more

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Don't be fooled by the occasional idiot who gives this place a bad review based on "only the butter chicken" is good. First of all, the petti di pollo al burro is out of this world. Secondly, the bistecca is the best in Florence - the real thing. The "artichoke thing" is a tartine, you idiot reviewer! THAT'S why the "eggy custardy thingy." Really. Don't be fooled. Excellent food, great staff, wonderful service, delicious wines, bistecca made the old style way, and chicken that would turn a vegetarian. It's not easy to find, but it's worth looking. Lovely desserts, but no coffee. You'll have to get that elsewhere. The walls are covered with art from famous Italians, and signatures of the famous from all over the world. My favorite restaurant in the world. Ever. Not to be missed. One of the few places that will serve the bistecca Fiorentina for just one person. I, personally, don't much care for beef. But I love this one. Except I can't pass up the petti di pollo al burro- chicken breast cooked in butter. They are also famous for the artichoke tart. I've been eating here consistently on each trip to Firenze for about twenty years. There are two seatings at night: one at 7:30, and one at 9:00. Unusual. And also always completely booked, so reserve if you want to have dinner here. And be prepared to share a table. Cash only! If you come in the evening, the earlier seating is full of Americans. Later, there is a bigger world class mix. Vegetarians who don't want to be converted can still have the artichoke tartine, salad, and beans, and fruit for dessert - all delicious. Vegans will have to skip the tartine, as its made with eggs. This family owned and run trattoria is worth every penny, and every moment of your time to eat. Enjoy! read more

Trattoria Sostanza - Merengue con fragoline. - Trattorie Near Me - Florence, FI

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I felt like this was the most authentic restaurant we visited in florence. Hole in the wall type place with communal seating. The chicken with butter still makes my mouth water just thinking of it, and the bistecca fiorenttina is a must but don't eat it alone. The dessert we had was a Meringa that the waiter told us he made. Think about calling ahead for reservations, we asked our hotel to secure them for us and we were able to get a friday dinner. read more

Trattoria Sostanza - Tight communal seating. - Trattorie Near Me - Florence, FI

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This place is small, informal and out of the way, you may be sharing a table. White tile walls and open kitchen, not fancy, just old fashion. Excellent bistecca and chicken in butter, excellent sides, in fact everything we had was excellent. My son wanted to order more of everything. read more

I hate to say it, but other than the butter chicken and the special desert, our meal was absolutely terrible and overpriced. Clearly, they are resting on their laurels and should reevaluate themselves, raise their ethical and culinary bar and stop taking advantage of the public. read more

We went for our first dinner in Florence, and we couldn't have found a better place for it. First, the food was solid great. Steak was done perfectly, and I particularly loved the spinach with olive oil and garlic. We also ordered buttered chicken, which was great to try out by ordering just half of the whole thing. As for wine, if you don't want to order a whole bottle, go for the half litre, which will provide for about four glasses. Second, ambience was very local and intimate. In fact, tables are shared with other guests, so it can't get friendlier. Pictures of (supposedly?) famous people who've visited lining the wall are interesting to see. Overall, this is not your average tourist trap type of place. Finally, service was great. They were largely prompt, and the cooks in the kitchen were kind enough to chat with us and even take pictures with us! Definitely a must if you're in Florence. read more

This place was Fan Frickin'Tastic - I have been extremely disappointed by restaurants in Firenze searching high and wide for local spots - checking eater, Yelp, trip advisor, Conde Nast you name it - this place is a must go for out of towners' Get the tortellini soup, the artichoke pie, the CHICKEN, the beans & the house wine worth every euro. read more

The torta cake was amazing for dessert. And obviously the butter-basted chicken was also excellent, juicy and satisfying. I mean who could mess up buttery chicken? The service was also very nice and helpful. read more

Trattoria Sostanza - Torta cake topped with wild berries - Trattorie Near Me - Florence, FI

It is kind of touristy. I guess the old-school charm and simple amazing food will do that. Sometimes the tourists are right. Salami with fennel- so fennel-y! Tortellini with meat sauce Steak florentine Spinach White beans A perfect combo. House cake Kind of meringue-y, some chocolate, and tiny berries. Heavenly! read more

Sooooo good, top contender for best meal in Italy! We ordered the steak Florentine, butter chicken, and the meringue cake with wild berries. Everything was top notch and cooked perfectly. Hard to find but well worth the trek. read more

Worst service in the world. Obnoxious and does not like foreigners. If you want attitude and a frown. Knock yourself out. read more

I rarely reviews, much less negative ones, but I am compelled to share my experience at this trattoria. I urge you to take my review into consideration before you dine here. Like many others, I read the hundreds of glowing reviews about this place. I didn't come here expecting a fancy Michelin-starred restaurant. After all, it's meant to be a traditional Florentine experience in a down-to-earth dining room. We sat down and shared a table with another couple. Fair enough, we also do this at dim sum restaurants. Not a problem. This let us take a peek at what the other couple had ordered. They started off with an appetizer, the melon for €7. I am not kidding you - it was literally two slices of cantaloupe. For €7. Now I am not privy to the restaurant's pricing discretion, but this seems rather unreasonable, wouldn't you say? It's not even a fruit salad or anything. Just two thin slices on a plate. You can buy yourself two whole melons from the market for €7. Moving along, we ordered a rigatoni in tomato sauce (suggested by the waiter who told us this was offered, albeit off the menu), and the famous buttered chicken. The rigatoni came first. I understand pasta is prepared al dente. This, however, was undercooked. The tomato sauce did not seem to be made from fresh tomatoes, which was disappointing for a restaurant with such a supposedly great reputation. It was watery, as if they used tomato paste from a can. We had some pasta to-go from street vendors in Italy and you can tell even they used fresh tomatoes in their sauce! They gave us two sticks of bread. Look, I don't expect a wonderful crusty French baguette, but if they're going to charge €3 euros per person for bread/cover (as is customary for many Italian restaurants), please please serve us something that's not stale. Onto the buttered chicken. Perhaps we had a bad batch, but this chicken was far from tender and moist. But although overcooked chicken may be a common mistake, I'm shocked that there is no seasoning beyond butter and salt in this dish. No herbs at all. It's a very flat flavor, swimming in burnt butter, and ultimately disappointing for a restaurant that's been so hyped up. I am baffled at the disconnect between the reviews and the reality, but please do not believe the hype. Pick another other restaurant, or even the pasta station at the Mercato Centrale is quite good (plus no cover charge). read more

The best meal we had in Florence. The restaurant location is rather odd. Situated on a side street that doesn't seem to have any other business but don't let that scare you off. We arrived early for our dinner reservation with many other diners doing the same. Once the restautant opened everyone flooded in and like that all 15 or so tables were taken. Our party of 5 had to share with 2 other people. It seemed that many other diners were sharing tables too. The 3 waiters were pros quickly getting water, wine and bread for everyone. Then taking everyone's order. The food came out in no time starting with our apps. The ravioli tasted so good we ordered another. Our table mates ordered the tripe and told us it was excellent so we ordered that too. Occasionally you would hear loud pounding from the open kitchen, that was the chef cutting through the bones of the rib steaks to grill the Florentine steaks over open wood fire, just amazing. The food to the fantastic atmosphere makes this a must when in Florence. read more

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The best Italy has!!! This delightful place was recommended by a friend and it surely lived up to the hype. Their butter chicken and steak is the best around. Fresh pasta was amazing as well. The staff could not be any more pleasant. The restaurant has a true old world feeling as you watch the chef cook right in this small and friendly restaurant. It looks casual, but please dress appropriately for dinner as this is place is truly from the old country. Finally be sure to order a bottle their house wine. House wines in Italy are their highlight not theIr worst wine like in the US. Reservations are highly recommended read more

This place is absolutely the best!!!! The breaded chicken breast is Amazing!!!! A must when in Florence.

Amazing food !!! We got the butter chicken and artichoke pie. Both were amazing. I def agree with the reviewer who said to dip the bread in the sauce for the butter chicken phenomenal. Def make a reservation before coming here it was packed! And they wouldn't take walk in. We also got the house wine very good. Dessert meringue cake with strawberries it's appears to be homemade and fresh read more

1. Make a reservation the minute you land in Italy 2. If you buy the steak (even if you ask for it well done) it's going to come out rare.. just go with it.. it's amazing. 3.GET THE BUTTER CHICKEN repeat as needed. read more

If I could eat anywhere for the rest of my life.... This would be the place. The steak and the buttered chicken are the standouts and a must each and everytime you go (even if you go alone. Take one home). read more

Take it from a Florentine: The Best Fiorentina steak in Florence. This is a very typical restaurant, cozy, small, very small menu, you sit next to people you don't know, no coffee served because they need the tables to sit other people... It's Florence at its utmost level, to me it's the place to go to have a real Florentine steak (or Fiorentina as we call it). read more

It's true, best chicken you will ever eat. Seriously folks, make a reservation well in advance, order the artichoke pie and the butter chicken followed by the meringue strawberry cake. You will be amazed and delighted by the sheer perfection of these simple dishes. read more

Just FYI, this is my first review on Yelp. I figured, it was worth leaving a review for this oh-so-excellent restaurant! Mind you, I come from NYC, and I live in France, and I never had such an excellent experience at a restaurant in a touristic city. Yes, we were surrounded by tourist, but the florentine steak and the buttered chicken we ordered was mind-blowing! Highly recommended! be sure to make a reservation beforehand. That is all. read more

Great place, best of the 5 restaurants we've been to between Rome and Florence so far. Get the house wine and butter chicken for sure. Cash only read more

By far one of my all time favorite meals. I dream of the artichoke pie and butter chicken. Do not pass up the opportunity to have this experience. read more

Fabulous local restaurant serving the traditional Florentine steak and the most amazing butter chicken you will ever put in your mouth. This place takes only cash and is old school. Reservations are typically required. This is a must visit on any trip to Florence. read more

We were so unsure about trying this place, there are few tables, it's small and in an alley type street in Florence. This was hands down the best food we had in Florence. Simple, fresh ingredients and well prepared. We enjoyed the fresh sautéed spinach with the steak. You know it's going to be awesome when you can see them cutting the steaks by hand in the kitchen. The meringue dessert was heaven in a bowl. Crusty chef with a constant scowl just added to the fun that night. read more

This place was great!! A bit off the beaten path but not far from anything. The food was soooo good. Get the specials for each course & you'll be very satisfied!! The chicken in butter sauce is PHENOMENAL!! read more

I'm just repeating what everyone already says about this place. The butter chicken is amazing. I never thought I'd say chicken is amazing, but I've never had it like this and I don't think you can unless you come here. Crispy skin, buttery sauce, perfectly tender and juicy inside; I think I can never order chicken anywhere else as it would pale in comparison. The steak was also perfectly cooked, tender and juicy. Not much more you can want from a steak. We also had a side of mushrooms in sauce and a mixed green salad; both were great. The house red wine was perfect, as it always is in Italy. For dessert we intended to share the cake with strawberries, but after one bite we decided we each needed our own. That was damn good cake. This is a restaurant we will definitely revisit when in Florence again. read more

Came here for the Florentine steak, it did not disappoint. It is only served one way - about medium rare, very good but not for people who dont like their steak a little bloody. I wish I had tried the butter chicken as well, it looked really good, but the steak was pretty big and I couldnt eat more than that. We also had the salad, bean soup, and a pasta. There isnt a lot of options on this menu though, so if you want fish or vegetarian dishes it might not be the place for you. Also, the seating is a bit communal and make reservations. read more

Butter chicken, butter chicken, butter chicken, butter chicken GET THE DAMN BUTTER CHICKEN OR YOU'RE A CRAZY PERSON. The steak was also good but damn that butter chicken. We also had a nice simple side of butter pasta and it was the perfect compliment to the BUTTER CHICKEN!!!!!!!!! read more

This was highly recommended but I'd say it's good but not great. Great character of an true, old fashioned trattoria...and chicken was amazing! But tomato salad and artichoke pie were just okay. Small, fun..but long lines to get in. read more

I loved this place - the steak was good but better than the steak was the chicken in butter. Chicken in butter may sound gross, but the lemon they squeeze on top before serving cuts out the over the top butter taste. I've never had chicken like this before. read more

Words can not describe how excellent the food and service was here. If I could give it more stars I would simply amazing!! This place is a must!! read more

Average food, small plates, and terrible service. We came to this place on recommendation from a concierge. The food was good but extremely overrated: pasta dishes were very small, we were never given bread service, and from the looks of it, steaks looked fatty, and the chicken in butter looked like butter soup with chicken. That aside, the service was terrible and the attitude was beyond rude: the waited screwed up our order, never brought us bread, and hardly ever came back. In the end of our meal, when we were given the bill with the customary cover charge (yes, they charge the typical 3 euro per person "coperto e pane" (cover and bread) ), and I asked why the bread we are paying for was never given to us, the waiter had no excuse, never apologized, and just walked away. After we complained to the manager, the waiter who had joined the conversation tried to spin our complaint to say to manager in Italian that we did not know what "coperto" is, so the manager started explaining to us that it is standard. After explaning to him that are familiar with coperto but not OK with not even being offered bread (when everyone else is) he said dismissively, " talk to him, what do you want me to do? Give you some bread to go?". Overall, a very disappointing experience. The dishes were very small and the staff and the manager were rude. You are better off going elsewhere. read more

The place is pretty small but their butter chicken is to die for. Stay away from the t-bone steak.

Had to stop in here and try the famous Florentine steak just to see what the hype was all about and it was def a hit! Very rare but cooked perfect and great taste. Did not get a reservation but ended up waiting for lunch time around 5 min at most which was fast as the place seems to keep the business moving in and out quickly. The place kinda of reminded me of fast paced establishment's over here in the US that have to move fast to keep the hungry fed and the eager to try it moving through the door. Def some place you have to visit when your in Florence once in your life the Florence steak is no false hype it is in it's own league. read more

This was good food but not necessarily worth all the hype. We went out of our way to come here but most things on the menu taste the same as what you can get other places. Also I am from Atlanta, GA and the butter chicken is great if you have never had fried chicken but if you have than it is very similar to fried chicken you can get back home. The owner was very nice though and accommodated us even though we didn't have a reservation. But afterwards we saw him turn others away so make sure you go right when they open or get a reservation. read more

Favorite meal in Italy by far. The pollo al burro, as everyone has said is to die for. The steak is also very good, and has that lovely charcoal sear on it. We also had some tortellini al burro which were quite good... but the best part is that we were seated just by the open kitchen and had the pleasure of watching the chefs work. They are obviously very proud of what they do, and how they do it, and watching their methods really completed our dining experience. If I only had one meal in Florence, I would eat it here. read more

Last summer had a group of family and friends visiting so went back and had a lovely time. I do agree with some other posters here that if you are going here it is really for the butter chicken. They do have several other very local dishes changing on the menu which are better than the Fiorentina, which for me is just over-hyped - but that's the Conde Naste /Foodie way in approaching food in general especially in IT-LEE. Yes, you always need a reservation and they are NOT open on the weekend. Better with a larger group as the food is best shared family style and you can avoid sharing a table with some silly tourists from Des Moines intent on instagramming the cultery. Oh and here it is totally, in God we just, others pay CASH. read more

What a classic Italian experience! Their butter chicken is by far my favorite thing off of the menu and they also make a great florentine steak as well. You have to travel through the kitchen to get to the bathroom and experiencing the chefs at work felt super authentic and unique. Not too packed with tourists either, this place also attracts locals so you know it must be delicious. Would 100% recommend anyone to visit, but ensure you make a reservation at least a day in advance. read more