Florence Restaurants

Since 1869 Sostanza has been known as "Il Troia" (the trough - be advised that the word also means ***, so don't use it with people, trough is the old meaning of the word which is now said trogolo).
You'll be seated in long communal tables, as in all traditional trattorias, and you'll enjoy authentic tuscan food. Like all trattorias it is also very laid back, so don't expect five star service.

Favorite Dish: The bistecca alla fiorentina (steak) is amazing. Keep in mind that there is only one way to cook the steak in Florence (rare), so don't embarrasse yourself by asking for the steak well done or medium: they won't ask you anyway.

It serves tasty kosher food bearing a strong resemblance to other Middle Eastern cuisine. It makes a good choice for vegetarians. You can have a plate of mixed dips with couscous, felafel, filo pastry pie and potato salad. Kosher wine is very good, too.

If you're up for a tuscan challenge, this is the place to be. Forget Il Cibreo and Enoteca Pinchiorri, with all their fancy stars in fancy guides.
Nerbone serves true tuscan food, including, but not limited to, Lampredotto and trippa (tripe). It has three locations, one of them in the San Frediano district, one outside Florence and one in the Mercato Centrale di San Lorenzo, the central food market.
This last one is a stand inside the market where locals gather for a cheap, abundant meal at luch time (closed in the evening). The staff is brutal and the area crowded, thus making this the most authentic single experience you'll likely have in Florence.
Great place for a quick, satisfing lunch on the go.

Favorite Dish: If you're not willing to try lampredotto or trippa, challenging foods especially for Americans, you can chose from 3/4 starters and 4/5 entres that change daily.

Another in the long line of fancy shmancy faux nouvelle Tuscan cuisine places that are popping up faster than terrorist cells.

Went there twice with visiting guests, terrbile, non existent AC in the summer, slow service (and I aint a stickler for good service), and the food was OK, but quite pricey.

It is a very nice locale both in and out, but really not worth the trip.

Favorite Dish: Nothing

A great, busy, reasonably priced trattoria in Firenze. Good food, but can get crowded. Specializes, as many restaurants in Florence do, in ribollita, the fabulous "reboiled" soup of Florence thickened with bread. Fridays you'll find "baccala' e ceci" cod (dried, salted cod, refreshed in cold water) and chickpeas.

Tables are close together - but this adds to the fun. Every time I've eaten there, we've ended up having a lovely chat with the folks at the table next to us!

They have a vast menu and everything we've ever ordered has been wonderful. Good for lunch, too. Closed Sunday.

Favorite Dish: Loved their "crostini alla fiorentina," toasted rustic bread spread with chopped, herbed tomatoes or a liver pate. Wonderful.

Cellini's we stumbled across, and were very pleased with the pizzas here. They are cheap, good and the service was excellent. It is located very near the Mercato Centrale and San Lorenzo areas. It makes the perfect place to grab a bite in between the morning and afternoon shopping sessions! ;-)

Favorite Dish: Pizza!

Bene Vobis is rather an "enoteca" than a ristorante - they sell wine, mainly from the regional vinyards, of course, as well as cheese, ham etc. There is a little bar where you can taste wine or sip a coffee, and some tables in the back part of the shop where the restaurant part is located in small niches surrounded with stored wine. It´s a neighborhood-style restaurant with good, not spectacular Italian cooking where you find people living or working close drop by for a glass or a plate of pasta after work.

Favorite Dish: I tried pasta with mushrooms (porcini) and it was really good.

The Osteria dell'Agnolo is undoubtedly one of the most historic and unique restaurants in Florence.

Originally known as "Locanda dell'Agnolo" (Angel's Inn), this public house, located in Borgo San Lorenzo, just 100 metres from the Cathedral, has always represented a reference point for those wanting to taste the prestigious Tuscan vintage wines, ever since its opening in 1580.