Food and restaurant recommendations in Florence - 2017
The last few months I seem to have been pretty loyal to my favourite restaurants, and haven't really tried too many new places. Have a look at my two previous posts on which restaurants, cafes, bars and pubs I recommend around Florence here and here. I would like to try and do a post a month but time seems to be flying by this year - it's already April! So here's a few places I've visited in 2017 and would definitely recommend...but it does take a lot for me not to go to my fail safe places like Il Cernacchino, I Buongustai and the Mercato Centrale!
- Gilda; Piazza Lorenzo Ghiberti, 40R
I'll start off with this place, as it has to be one of favourite meals so far in Florence, plus I think I've found my Florentine mum; Gilda herself. With only a few tables, it feels like you've just walked into someones' house, and your made to feel that way too. A varied menu, with all the classics alongside a few more unusual things too, it's home cooking but up a notch. Gilda is the perfect host and makes you feel right at home, and is happy to answer any questions about the menu. Lucky for me it's two seconds from my apartment - they will be seeing a lot more of me from now on!
- Santarpia; Largo Pietro Annigoni
Another restaurant a short walk from my apartment (Sant'Ambrogio is the best place to live mind you) is Santarpia; a pizzeria opened just last year but already has a cult followering (make sure you book!). Hands down the best pizza of my life. I woke up the next morning craving another, maybe it's a good thing they don't to take away...
- La Giova;
In the Sant'Ambrogio area again is the delicious La Giova. Come hungry and again I would probably recommend to book as this place is pretty small but full of regulars. They have a great menu, then a board full of specials so you will always find something you like. The homemade bread is amazing, the portions are huge, the pasta dishes are always so tasty, and the meat is cooked perfectly. The side of mixed fried vegetables is a must (I said come hungry!).
- Birreria Art. 17; Borgo la Croce, 62
This is just opposite the always packed Enoteca alla Sosta dei Papi which I've never managed to push through the crowds to visit yet (it's on the ever growing list! This great little pub has a great selection of interesting beers and a friendly barmen - I always go here before eating at La Giova. It seems pretty quiet which is a shame, so make sure you pay them a visit!
Konnubio; Via de' Conti, 8R
- Bit more fancy than I realised before entering this restaurant, but had a very tasty meal and I would recommend for those looking for somewhere to celebrate a special occasion, or if looking for something a little different to the typical Tuscan food! A great menu with interesting twists on dishes with unusual flavour combinations. They also have a good choice for vegetarians and vegans. Mortadella filled agnolotti were one of the best things I've ever tasted and their wine list is pretty interesting too.
Ristorante Quinoa; Vicolo di Santa Maria Maggiore, 1
- Right by the Cathedral in a hidden courtyard is this tasty restaurant specialising in gluten free dishes, most of which are vegetarian. The menu features lots of worldwide dishes/flavours; from a Thai spring rolls, Pad Thai, a curried vegan burger to fried chicken/artichoke/chips combo.
Vini e Vecchi Sapori; Via dei Magazzini 3R
- Right by Piazza della Signoria; make sure you book or go at 12pm/7pm on the dot for a table here (it's in every guidebook!). Yet it's still filled with locals which is a good sign. Stuffed artichokes were delicious, as were all the pasta dishes I've had there.
Goose Bistro; Via delle Oche, 15R
- A great place for the Brits to go when they miss home. They have some great beers, nice wines etc. but it's the menu which is of importance! Think roasts, sausages/pie and mash, plus they also have started doing a few more Italian specials. Another place with a friendly barmen.
Enoteca Alessi; Via dell Oche, 27R
- A few door down from the Goose is this great little wine bar, and even greater wine shop downstairs. Wines are a little of the prestige side so you will be paying slightly more, but they are always great quality. I normally stop here before work for a salad and a glass of wine (the Caterina de' Medici salad is very good).
Casa del Vino; Via dell' Ariento, 16R
- Another one which is in all the guidebooks, I can't believe I've missed out on this place until now! Right by Mercato Centrale but hidden by all the leather stalls is one of the best places to grab lunch in the whole of Florence. Tasty and interesting panini fillings and lots of choice by the glass with some really interesting wines! This place gets absolutely rammed at lunch but worth the pushing and shoving to get your order in! Go for the salsiccia e stracchino panini and a glass of Lambrusco.
Uva Nera; Borgo Ognissanti, 25R
- On one of my favourite roads in Florence; from the amazing wine shop Vinoutlet which has loads of organic/biodynamic wines, Ognissanti church with the amazing crucifix by Giotto, and Ghirlandaio's Last Supper (next door) is Uva Nera. A fairly new addition which is a cute little lunch spot and especially good for solo lunches! The women who work here are always a delight, and will rustle up a nice salad of whatever is particularly tasty at the moment!
Brewdog; Via Faenza, 21R
- I'm English so I love my beer, and Brewdog always hits the spot when I'm in need of a hoppy pale ale. They also do nachos. Enough said.
Perchè no!; Via dei Tavolini, 19R
- It may only be March but it definitely feels like the summer has arrived! So just the excuse to start eating all the gelato Florence has to offer. This place is one of the best in the centre; I always go for pistachio here but honey and sesame was really good so try and be a bit more adventurous with your choices.
Le Murate; Piazza delle Murate
- Back into my beloved area of Sant'Ambrogio. I have my Italian lessons here and have absolutely fallen in love with this space. It's an ex prison so full of interesting nooks and crannies to discover. Coffee and pastries are great and it's perfect for lingering/studying without being disturbed for a few hours. They hold regular events and gets pretty popular in the evenings.
Beijing8; Via dei Neri, 46
- Fight past the crowds queuing up to get their panini fix at All'Antico Vinaio to get to this little dumpling place. I've lunched here a few times and also had a delivery using Deliveroo and it's been great each time. Great value for money and something a little different for Florence.
King Grizzly; Piazza de Cimatori, 5
- A great pub just up from Piazza della Signoria. The pub I visit more regularly due to its' ever changing selection of beer. Try the salt beer they have on tap - very bizarre.
Okay, maybe I have tried quite a few new places in Florence the past few months! Hope this helps when your stuck for ideas on where to eat in Florence, and keep an eye out for my next post which will hopefully be in a months time :)
 |
| Il Cernacchino - meatball filled roll |
I'll start off with this place, as it has to be one of favourite meals so far in Florence, plus I think I've found my Florentine mum; Gilda herself. With only a few tables, it feels like you've just walked into someones' house, and your made to feel that way too. A varied menu, with all the classics alongside a few more unusual things too, it's home cooking but up a notch. Gilda is the perfect host and makes you feel right at home, and is happy to answer any questions about the menu. Lucky for me it's two seconds from my apartment - they will be seeing a lot more of me from now on!
- Santarpia; Largo Pietro Annigoni
Another restaurant a short walk from my apartment (Sant'Ambrogio is the best place to live mind you) is Santarpia; a pizzeria opened just last year but already has a cult followering (make sure you book!). Hands down the best pizza of my life. I woke up the next morning craving another, maybe it's a good thing they don't to take away...
- La Giova;
In the Sant'Ambrogio area again is the delicious La Giova. Come hungry and again I would probably recommend to book as this place is pretty small but full of regulars. They have a great menu, then a board full of specials so you will always find something you like. The homemade bread is amazing, the portions are huge, the pasta dishes are always so tasty, and the meat is cooked perfectly. The side of mixed fried vegetables is a must (I said come hungry!).
- Birreria Art. 17; Borgo la Croce, 62
This is just opposite the always packed Enoteca alla Sosta dei Papi which I've never managed to push through the crowds to visit yet (it's on the ever growing list! This great little pub has a great selection of interesting beers and a friendly barmen - I always go here before eating at La Giova. It seems pretty quiet which is a shame, so make sure you pay them a visit!
- Bit more fancy than I realised before entering this restaurant, but had a very tasty meal and I would recommend for those looking for somewhere to celebrate a special occasion, or if looking for something a little different to the typical Tuscan food! A great menu with interesting twists on dishes with unusual flavour combinations. They also have a good choice for vegetarians and vegans. Mortadella filled agnolotti were one of the best things I've ever tasted and their wine list is pretty interesting too.
Ristorante Quinoa; Vicolo di Santa Maria Maggiore, 1
- Right by the Cathedral in a hidden courtyard is this tasty restaurant specialising in gluten free dishes, most of which are vegetarian. The menu features lots of worldwide dishes/flavours; from a Thai spring rolls, Pad Thai, a curried vegan burger to fried chicken/artichoke/chips combo.
Vini e Vecchi Sapori; Via dei Magazzini 3R
- Right by Piazza della Signoria; make sure you book or go at 12pm/7pm on the dot for a table here (it's in every guidebook!). Yet it's still filled with locals which is a good sign. Stuffed artichokes were delicious, as were all the pasta dishes I've had there.
Goose Bistro; Via delle Oche, 15R
- A great place for the Brits to go when they miss home. They have some great beers, nice wines etc. but it's the menu which is of importance! Think roasts, sausages/pie and mash, plus they also have started doing a few more Italian specials. Another place with a friendly barmen.
Enoteca Alessi; Via dell Oche, 27R
- A few door down from the Goose is this great little wine bar, and even greater wine shop downstairs. Wines are a little of the prestige side so you will be paying slightly more, but they are always great quality. I normally stop here before work for a salad and a glass of wine (the Caterina de' Medici salad is very good).
Casa del Vino; Via dell' Ariento, 16R
- Another one which is in all the guidebooks, I can't believe I've missed out on this place until now! Right by Mercato Centrale but hidden by all the leather stalls is one of the best places to grab lunch in the whole of Florence. Tasty and interesting panini fillings and lots of choice by the glass with some really interesting wines! This place gets absolutely rammed at lunch but worth the pushing and shoving to get your order in! Go for the salsiccia e stracchino panini and a glass of Lambrusco.
Uva Nera; Borgo Ognissanti, 25R
- On one of my favourite roads in Florence; from the amazing wine shop Vinoutlet which has loads of organic/biodynamic wines, Ognissanti church with the amazing crucifix by Giotto, and Ghirlandaio's Last Supper (next door) is Uva Nera. A fairly new addition which is a cute little lunch spot and especially good for solo lunches! The women who work here are always a delight, and will rustle up a nice salad of whatever is particularly tasty at the moment!
Brewdog; Via Faenza, 21R
- I'm English so I love my beer, and Brewdog always hits the spot when I'm in need of a hoppy pale ale. They also do nachos. Enough said.
Perchè no!; Via dei Tavolini, 19R
- It may only be March but it definitely feels like the summer has arrived! So just the excuse to start eating all the gelato Florence has to offer. This place is one of the best in the centre; I always go for pistachio here but honey and sesame was really good so try and be a bit more adventurous with your choices.
Le Murate; Piazza delle Murate
- Back into my beloved area of Sant'Ambrogio. I have my Italian lessons here and have absolutely fallen in love with this space. It's an ex prison so full of interesting nooks and crannies to discover. Coffee and pastries are great and it's perfect for lingering/studying without being disturbed for a few hours. They hold regular events and gets pretty popular in the evenings.
Beijing8; Via dei Neri, 46
- Fight past the crowds queuing up to get their panini fix at All'Antico Vinaio to get to this little dumpling place. I've lunched here a few times and also had a delivery using Deliveroo and it's been great each time. Great value for money and something a little different for Florence.
King Grizzly; Piazza de Cimatori, 5
- A great pub just up from Piazza della Signoria. The pub I visit more regularly due to its' ever changing selection of beer. Try the salt beer they have on tap - very bizarre.
Okay, maybe I have tried quite a few new places in Florence the past few months! Hope this helps when your stuck for ideas on where to eat in Florence, and keep an eye out for my next post which will hopefully be in a months time :)
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