Introduction: Discover the Florence Foodie Guide
If you feel overwhelmed by all the listicles on my blog, bookmark this Florence Foodie Guide. This dedicated page showcases the best spots to eat in Florence, from street food and coffee shops to gelato joints, while including links to other guides within the blog and to publications I’ve contributed to, such as Eater, Vogue, and The Guardian. Follow my Instagram page for daily doses of Florence’s best food & drink finds, restaurant suggestions, and culinary travels around Italy.
(Please note: This page was first published in 2017 and is regularly updated. Last review: January 2024. If you think something is missing, contact me!)
Why This Florence Foodie Guide Matters
These are my personal picks for the most worthy restaurants in Florence — beloved by locals, respected by tastemakers, and run by passionate chefs and staff dedicated to serving consistently delicious, quality food. Florence, Tuscany’s capital, can be a culinary dichotomy. With its massive touristic appeal and high operating costs, eating incredibly well requires planning, unless you live here and know the scene.
Despite the commercialization that comes with millions of annual visitors, Florence and Tuscany still hold a rich food culture. With world-renowned wines like Chianti Classico and Brunello di Montalcino and iconic products such as pecorino from Pienza, Tuscan food and wine deserve their fame. Yet, regions like Piedmont, Campania, and Emilia-Romagna are also must-visits for die-hard food lovers.
Where to Eat Breakfast in Florence
A key part of the Florence Foodie Guide is knowing where to start your day. Unfortunately, fantastic baked goods and coffee are not always synonymous in Florence. These places do both well:
- Pasticceria Nencioni (Sant’Ambrogio): Vintage, family-run, famous for budino di riso and sfoglia with ricotta, pear, and chocolate.
- Pasticceria Buonamici (Oltrarno): Old-school, baking regional sweets from all over Italy with on-site coffee roasting.
- Dolce e Dolcezze (Piazza Beccaria): Quite possibly my favorite pastry bar in Florence, offering high-quality pastries, cakes, and classic Italian coffee.
For quality coffee, check out Caffe Cibreo, Gilda’s, La Loggia degli Albizi, and third-wave spots like Cafe Piansa and Ditta Artigianale.
Discover more on Florence’s best coffee spots.
Street Food and Snacks in Florence
A vital part of the Florence Foodie Guide is street food:
- Semel: Hot Tuscan panini with fillings like truffle & pear or donkey stew.
- Procacci: Tiny truffle panini with prosecco or Franciacorta.
- Le Volpi e l’Uva: Decadent crostini with natural wines.
- For lampredotto: I Pollini (Via de’ Macci), Il Trippaio di San Frediano, and L’Trippaio di Firenze (Piazza Beccaria).
Read my alternative panini guide here.
Traditional Tuscan Cuisine
Florentine classics are at the heart of the Florence Foodie Guide:
- Trattoria Sergio Gozzi: Ribollita, peposo, pappardelle.
- Trattoria Mario: Affordable steak in a high-energy setting.
- Trattoria Cibreo: Pure Tuscan flavors with unique dishes.
- Antico Ristoro di Cambi: Perfectly grilled Fiorentina steak.
- Trattoria Ruggero: Must-try crostini Toscani.
Explore more traditional Tuscan food.
Modern and Creative Dining
For a break from trattoria culture:
- Il Santo Bevitore: Classy Italian dining with refined risottos and meats.
- Konnubio: Chef-centric gourmet plates.
- Locale: Elevated dining in a restored Medici palace.
- Essenziale: Creative molecular-inspired cuisine.
Check out Michelin-star restaurants in Florence.
Pizza and Gelato
No Florence Foodie Guide is complete without pizza and gelato.
- La Divina Pizza: Naturally fermented Roman-style pizza al taglio.
- Il Vecchio e Il Mare: Award-winning Neapolitan pizza.
- Perche No’: Classic gelato, pistachio, and summer granite.
- Il Procopio: Inventive flavors and top-quality milk.
- La Sorbettiera: Best dark chocolate and salted caramel.
Discover the best gelato in Florence.
Final Thoughts on the Florence Foodie Guide
All things considered, discerning travelers deserve to know where to eat and drink in Florence. Bookmark this Florence Foodie Guide, follow my Instagram for updates, and explore the city through its food. If you want a curated culinary itinerary, check out my Florence food tours to experience these picks firsthand.
