Florence Restaurants

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It was September of 2011 but still unusually hot day for this time of a season and we decided to make a break in one of cafe-bars around Piazza Duomo. My choice was facilitated because I cought rock n roll tunes coming from this pub which is situated right at the Piazza Duomo. Small terrace was in the shade while AC DC sounds was coming out of the pub, it couldnt be better than that.
Besides, the service was very good and fast.

Favorite Dish: We took espresso, cold mineral water and couple of small bruschettas. Bruschetta is typical Italian dish, simple, tastefull and inexpensive. It is made of toasted bread, mozzrella cheese, fresh tomatoe and all seasoned with balsamico. Do not miss it when in Italy.

The first impression is of a too small restaurant. WEll i have to admit that it's really small but..the taste of the food is really good. Nothing special..here you can't find particular dishes or sofisticated dishes. Just easy food but tipycal. As the "ribollita" or "pasta al sugo di anatra" or "pepato". You can find just dishes of local tradition. Obiusvly it's an easy going place so you have to eat really really close to other persons but it's not a problem at least for me. I went there for lunch and in a little bit it was really full of people so i suggest that you pass in front of it, checki it out and then..try! It's expensive like a fast food but it's not a fast food!

Favorite Dish: I tryed "pasta al sugo di anatra" and "peposo". Both are really tipycal dishes of Tuscany way of cooking. I have seen the cakes that told me they were hand made but i didn't try. The wine is good. Obliusvly it's an "osteria" not a "luxury restaurant".

Good taste of food and nice & cozy atmosphere of the café, what else do you need?

They have menu for vegan or vegetarian.

Tofu is house made, and so yummy!

This café is not just a café. They have good selection of art books as a small bookstore. If you want to have relax time with a cup of tea, there are some couches in the courtyard.

Favorite Dish: Ragu di Tofu (Spaghetti Bolognese with Tofu instead of meat).
Tofu as an antipast, (I don't remember the name) which is Tofu with zucchini and lemon source.

(This is not vegan menu) The best and surprising menu was one with Pane Carasau which is typical bread from Sardegna Island.
The layer of pane carasau, tomato, basil and mozzarella cheese (and some spice?), and baked in the oven. It's a new experience how to eat Pane carasau for me.

You can see the big pizza oven back of the counter. Pizza made in this stone oven is so yummy!
The space in the restaurant is big, and it's full in the night.

The food is good, yet economical! (That's good point!!)

Good to go with baby or children. They have sheets for children and the table to change diaper (what do you call this table in English?)

Favorite Dish: Pizza named "Duomo". It's with salame piccante (hot salami ham).
Ribbolita which is the soup with a lot of vegetables and bread.

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This was a cute little restaurant off the beaten path that we stopped at. My boyfriend and I shared a pizza and had some wine. It was all very good. A huge tour group of Asians also came to the restaurant and was seated inside. I think they were having lasagna.

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The food was amazing at this restaurant. A family style dining room was very cozy. I enjoyed the briseola over ricola and strips of parmesan cheese. My pasta dish was a very simple papparadelle with fresh cherry tomatoes and zuchini and I couldn't get enough of it!

A family of 4 was sitting at the table next to us. They had a toddler in tow. The mother had specially prepared food for the toddler. She gave the plastic container to the waitress and she heated it up for them and served it in a ceramic dish. The culture in Italy is very family friendly and this was a pleasant surprise to see.

On the down side - yes, unfortunately, there was one. The restaurant manager threw our bill on the table before we were done eating. This is considered extremely rude. My boyfriend looked at him and was in shock (also said a few unkind words). The waitress immediately grabbed the bill from us and said something to the manager. His excuse was that we were Americans and probably expected to get the bill without asking for it. Generally, in Europe, it is customary to ask for the bill when you are ready to go.

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We were meeting a friend of ours that happened to be in Firenze at the same time we would be there. He made dinner reservations, here, at his favorite restaurant. I understand why it is his favorite. The ambience was great! Dark and ornately decorated, it gave you a feeling of being in Italy back in the days of middle ages (or just after). The menu choices are set up as most Italian restaurants have, appetizers - primi - secondi - dessert. So, we ordered an appetizer to share and our entree meals for each of us. A bottle of Chianti was recommended by the waiter and it was superb! Our appetizer came to the table along with another HUGE appetizer platter compliments of the restaurant! Whoa! That already was now a lot of food! And, delicious! By the time our entrees came to the table, we were stuffed! The plates were huge. So, we picked at the rest of the food, spent about 3 hours for dinner and glad that we had some walking to do afterwards to get back to our hotel.

In Italy, you do not really leave a tip. If you choose to do so, it's a matter of rounding up a euro or two at the most. Most restaurants basically collect a "tip" in their cover charge which could be a "using table" charge or by charging you for the bread they bring to the table. Some restaurants flat out have a convenience charge of €5.00.