Florence Restaurants

This restaurant is just 1 block from the action (south of the Duomo piazza) and was exquisite. We had two elegant lunches which were among our favorite meals in Italy.
Prices are reasonable for the quality level. Service and decor were great.

Favorite Dish: The pasta bolognese was out of this world. The sauce was flavorful and rich, but just enough.

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Excellent Pappardelle alla Lepre: minced hare meat, pasta and a generous helping of Parmigiano. To go with strong Tuscan red. What more can you hope for on a cold, winter's `Epiphany' day. Paid 11.50 euro for the above.

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The restaurant was recommended by our hotel staff and we are so glad we followed their recommendation. The restaurant, located in the altrarno section of town was cozy and rustic. It was also full all evening with a combination of locals and tourists.

The food was all of high quality and delicious. The wait staff was very friendly and helpful in choosing a wine and making dinner suggestions.

Favorite Dish: We loved the Tagliatere with white truffles. They were not shy with the truffles. And, of course, the papadelle with cinghiale was to die for. Everything else was also extremely good. You can't go wrong no matter what you choose.

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In this restaurant we absolutely definitively had the best gluten free and non gluten free pizzas ever. I had found it on the Italian coeliac web page and it sounded terrific. We decided to go to dinner and as soon as it got dark, we set out to find it. We did not realise that even though Impruneta is relatively close to Florence distance wise, about 6 km ) it is actually in the mountains on the outskirts of Florence up a very winding one lane road, so that the journey there took about 30 minutes. We had Tomtom in the car. Without those directions I don't know if we would have found the restaurant. In hindsight, it probably would have been easier to catch a taxi. However, having got there, we were disappointed to find (we think, because our Italian is virtually non existant) that we were too early and that the restaurant did not open for another hour. We must have looked very disapointed because after initially turning us away, they felt sorry for us and fired up the wood stove earlier so that we could get our pizzas. I can't praise the quality and taste of the Pizzas enough. Especially good were the gluten free bases, and almost impossible to distinguish from the wheat bases. The servings were generous and their menu both GF and non GF was extensive.

Their website gives more details of the menu but it is in Italian only. Ring or email before going all the way for correct opening and closing times. I think they may be closed on Mondays, so it's best to check.

We will definately return there next time we are in Florence

Favorite Dish: This restaurant is a must for all travellers who need to eat gluten free. Exceptionally good wood fired pizzas. I wish I had their recipe. They also serve GF risotto, Ravioli, Penne Spaghetti and other items that we could not understand. Desserts were also available

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If what you are looking is the Florence ambience…don’t go any further! Lovely place, the decoration will take you right into the Tuscany area. Fantastic wine…if you don’t know about wines, let the waitress “match” your food with the proper wine. I had gnocchi and it was fabulous! A friend of mine recommended me to try PAPA AL POMODORO! Oh wow!!! You will love it!. The service is impeccable and since my hotel was far from Florence, the restaurant was conveniently located few minutes from Stazione Santa Maria Novella.

Favorite Dish: PAPA AL POMODORO and gnocchi

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This restaurant is situated in Piazza Santo Spirito and specialises in seafood. The ambience is lovely and the staff very friendly. Everything is cooked fresh daily and always has specialities of the day. Reservations are usually recommended especially peak season, and they also offer free parking in Via del Presto di San Martino garage.

Favorite Dish: Anything I tasted was superb! First of all you are served a soup of the day - compliments of the chef then the waiter goes on to explain the specials of the day... I started with savoury pancakes filled with duck in a cheese sauce (exceptional), then I ate the special which was suckling pig! WOW! :) Please leave room for the dessert because they are to die for. All in all a wonderful experience, don't miss out!!!

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Alright... there are nice restaurants. And then there are NICE restaurants.
There are good meat. And then there are fantastic meat!

Aqua al 2 is a NICE restaurant, and have fantastic meat!

Thanks to my dear friend and Florence guide Ola we found this place during our latest Florence visit. The restaurant was started up back in 1978, with the thought of creating a special restaurant with a exclusive menu.
Have to say they managed quite well. As I said the restaurant is fantastic, and the menu is still the same as back in 1978...

Make sure to make a reservation by calling, reservation through e-mail isn't accepted. And make sure to make a reservation. This is the kind of restaurant where you might have to wait for 30 minutes - with a reservation. You do the math and see how long time you'll have to wait to get a table without a reservation... ;)

We got a table on the bottom floor, which was perfect. Much calmer than the first floor. Service was incredible right from the start (if you get Isabella as the one to serve you, congratulations! :) )

There is also an "Aqua al 2" in San Diego, USA. Haven't visited it, but if it's anything like the one in Florence you should go there, now!

The name "Aqua al 2" actually comes from the original address of the place. In 1990 the restaurant changed local, and moved just a couple of meters. But they decided to keep the name, thankfully.

Favorite Dish: We had an "assagio" (mix) of different meat, with different sauces to it. The melting feeling in my mouth still makes me hungry... Just purely fantastic.

To that we had red wine, recommended by Isabella, which was almost as good as the meat.

And then, as dessert, we had another mix. Cheese cake, chocolate cake, tiramisu and then another piece.

Ah, not possible to describe. Must be tried!

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Hotpot is one of those self serve cafeteria style eating places right off of Via Calzoiuli. There are a number of these self serve places, but this one is my favorite. The food is ordinary and the atmosphere is far from charming. But I spent a lot of time there because of a bad knee. The people are so nice that they didn't mind if I just sat with a coke for hours. Sometimes I would have dinner or lunch and that is when I was reminded of my diner in Queens that I went to regularly. If you are from NY you know what diner food is. Hotpot food is Italian diner food. I stick with roast chicken and potatoes and a cheap bottle of wine or a sprite. It isn't the place where I am going to try something Italian.

You can also use their bathrooms without buying anything although of course it is their hope that you will have something to eat if not then later.

Favorite Dish: Chicken is probably a safe bet here.