Florence

Sitting right on the Arno River, Golden View offers a luxurious take on classic Florentine dishes. Illuminated by the sunlight that reflects on the river, a particular golden light at certain times of the day, resulting in the perfect name for this upscale restaurant.

Ristorante Boccadama is located in the beautiful Piazza di Santa Croce. This restaurant is very casual and perfect for an affordable dinner. Enjoy a seat outside with a beautiful view and a lively environment.

As mentioned earlier, breakfast in Florence is sparce. La Vespe is a perfect option if you're craving that traditional American breakfast. This cafè is a hotspot, so be prepared for a potential wait.

The Vanilla Club is possibly the most exclusive bar that is open to the public. This hidden speakeasy has no signs on the street, and guests need clues and a password to get in. Entry is strict. When we discovered the Vanilla Club, we were in a local bar called Fuk, and we noticed a package of matches that were labeled "Vanilla Club" with an address. Upon asking the owner what the Vanilla Club was, he handed us a statue of a golden pig. We were given the password, exact location, and told to present the pig upon entry. This bar also has no menu, so the bartender asks for your preferences before crafting you a custom cocktail. Information and clues on the Vanilla Club can be found sites such as Reddit or Instagram. This bar was a personal favorite and must-try.

Dragonfly is an industrial steampunk themed bar with a great variety of drinks. Their liquid tiramisu cocktail is a different take on the classic Italian dessert, but is definitely a personal favorite. This bar also offers outdoor seating.

The Lion's Fountain is arguably the most American spot in town. This sports pub offers classic bar food and drinks. Lion's Fountain is also the #1 spot for Americans who are studying abroad in Florence.

During my time in Florence, La Carraia was my second home. I would purchase gelato daily and was always greeted by the owner with a smile of enthusiasm. A personal favorite from here is the strawberry gelato or the granita al limone.

Vivoli is a Florence staple. This traditional shop is everything that you imagine when you picture an Italian gelato store. They offer over 40 flavors of gelato, coffee, and the best affogato you will ever have.

You know the viral videos of an Italian sandwich shop that people will wait up to four hours for? This is the one. When I lived in Florence, it was rare to see a line that wasn't wrapped around the block. The sandwich is good, but there are much better options all throughout the city.

The Ponte Vecchio is one of the few bridges connecting Florence's north and south sides. Featuring three arches and two rows of shops along its sides, this bridge is home to over 20 luxury jewelry designers. The Ponte Vecchio is a popular tourist attraction, known for its picturesque setting and historical significance, representing the beauty of Florence's medieval architecture and heritage.

Located beside Piazzale Michelangelo, this garden is a perfect place for a picnic or simply sit and overlook the city. Admission is free and it is open from dawn-dusk. There is also a rose garden located on the opposite side that can tend to get a little busier.

Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio is a marketplace located in a small neighborhood on Florence's east side. This market is not a common tourist spots, but is definitely the most traditional Italian market in town. Vendors offer a wide selection of meats, cheese, coffee, and more.

Founded in Florence in 1921, Gucci has quickly grown to be the most well-known designer brand around the world. The Gucci Garden offers visitors unique experience that combines fashion, art, and history, including various rooms that showcase the company's seasonal collections over the years. Exclusive merchandise is available for purchase in the Gucci Garden store. Tickets to the Gucci Garden begin at €8.

Antinori nel Chianti Classico is a luxury winery located in Tuscany, and is most well-known for being the creators and top producers of Chianti. The Antinori family has been in the wine industry since the last 1400's, producing the first high-quality Chianti wines. Today, the Antinori keeps their reputation as being one of the best wine producers in the world. Because of the reputation that this winery upholds, Antinori nel Chianti Classico only offers private tours, tastings, and pairings. There is a restaurant and shop open to the public. Private tours are priced beginning at €600 for a group of four.

Osteria Filetto d'Oro is the perfect hole in the wall restaurant. With a wide selection of wine, fresh made pasta, and a beautiful ambiance inside, this restaurant is perfect for a casual night out.

Breakfast in Florence is essentially non-existant, unless you're only craving a croissant and a cappuccino. La Milkeria offers a wide-variety of breakfast favorites for an affordable price. The BEC bagels will remind you of New York, and the crepes will make you feel like you're in Paris.

Pizza Napoli is best for a quick, easy, and affordable pizza. This spot offers table service, but you can also order your pizza to-go. Aside from Gustapizza (where wait times can exceed two hours), this pizza is the best in town. Our favorite thing to do is order to-go and take a two minute walk to Piazza della Signoria to indulge.

Pino's is by far the best place in Florence for a sandwich. Hundreds of people everyday choose to wait in line for the Instagram-famous sandwiches, when this gem is less than a five minute walk away. Pino's offers over 25 different types of sandwiches, all customizable and made to order. The best part? Pino makes them himself. Throughout my three months in Florence, I went here almost every other day. Each time I went, Pino and his family welcomed me with smiling faces, ready to craft whatever I requested.

Museum that documents the history of the Duomo and how it was built. An interesting stop if you’re religious or a “how its made” person.

The bell tower next to Duomo, as included in the pass. As a local described it: “if you have time, its nice. if not, skip. but climb the Duomo and not this one”

Of course the main draw is the David but many other beautiful works. Buy tickets far in advance or you’ll be waiting hours (its a small place).

A much smaller and less crowded garden nearby, but I actually preferred this one at it was less crowded and had better views of the city.

Original Medici palace and were many artists got their start. The family has a very fascinating history very closely tied to Florence and it’s definitely worth checking out at least one Medici family building and getting into more detail with their history.

Still central but a good half mile off the main trail which helps knock some euros off the price. I had the seafood pici (one of the pasta styles the region is known for) and it was heavenly. Cheesecake was also super good and house wine was delicious.

Recommended spot among the main tourist drag!

I can best describe this place as eating at grandmas. Like, is it the most phenomenal/innovative/dazzling food you’ll ever eat? No. But is it all homemade, fresh and made with care? 1000%.

Another one a good half mile off the main trail for when you want pizza. A local described it as the best Neapolitan style you can get in Florence, although Florence in general is not known for pizza. I got their truffle pizza which was to die for.

Local recommended place for Florentine Steak

Upscale, white-tablecloth spot

Recommended in Michelin guide! And also by locals.

Another Michelin

Michelin star if you’re feeling fancy.

Great bar!

A bit more pricey that most places but the food was damn good and they have a super cute enclosed patio area.

My favorite gelato of the places I tried in Florence. Perhaps one of my favorite gelatos ever.

Great stop for drinks

Upscale cocktails

Bar and often live music!

If you don't have time to explore Tuscany Wine Region, stop by a war bar and get a taste right from Florence central.

Another wine bar option

Touristy but visiting their main location is an absolute must (via della Scala 16). The oldest pharmacy in Florence and their flagship location is like a museum in its own right. They are know for their fragrances and “Acqua Della Regina” being their famous one apparently made for Catherine di Medici, hence the name Queens Water. Personally, it wasn’t my favorite scent so I went with a different one, but they have really unique fragrances and use them to create soaps, candles, etc. in addition to perfume so its a great place to get some gifts as well. Tip: when you are cashing out you can ask for samples of other fragrances. They don’t advertise it but I’ll thank the German couple behind me in line that were talking about it and clearly did their research. It worked - so if you want to take some mini extras home, just ask!

A leather school in the back of a church that has been around for ages and is known for having some of the highest leather standards. You can get pretty much any leather product you’d like, so if you’re looking to invest in a bag or jacket, this could be the place (but fair warning, it will cost you). They also have plenty of smaller leather items like belts, wallets, cosmetic bags, etc. that are in the reasonable price range. They’ll also stamp your initials in whatever you purchase for free.

Full disclosure I did not go here but a local recommended it to me as another good place for leather products.

Famous for their pear ravioli and balsamic steak. Get both and share!!

Best balsamic ever. I don’t even like balsamic and I basically drink it. Penne alla Vodka is the best. We went here on our first and last night, and many times in between.

They make their pasta and pizza homemade. Their carbonara is the best I’ve had. Very cheap too.

Cute place near Yellow Bar. Cheap food and a big menu.

Pronounced, "Aqua al due". Balsamic steak and blueberry steak are their specialties.

They have a four-cheese truffle gnocchi that’s ridiculous.

John Travolta pasta. Apparently, he licked his plate clean and they named the dish after him.

Rigatoni alla Vodka its written in red on the menu.

Only open for lunch it's near the central market and Zaza. They have a daily menu. It’s tiny but the food comes out super fast and the line moves quickly.

Very small place. Amazing chicken parm and eggplant parm. The waiters are so nice.

Tiny restaurant, very good food.

We had a dinner here with our program and it was like a 7-course meal. Phenomenal food.

Family style 20 euro a person I think, unlimited wine.

Free water and unlimited wine with your meal

The location by the Duomo is gluten-free only but the location on via Pietrapiana is not.

Good sandwiches near Lion’s Fountain.

Brunch and dinner place. Very cool. People always study here.

Rooftop cafe/bar on the 5th floor of the department store La Rinacente (department store). We would go and get a drink before dinner or at random times. They have a food menu too but they bring you chips and other snacks if you order a drink.

More expensive but you pay 20 euro for amazing views of Florence. Their food is also good.

If you want to visit an authentic family-run Italian resurgent then I would highly recommend Zio Gigi. This had the most amazing spaghetti bolognese I had on my 2-month Italy trip and the staff were so friendly and welcoming, The chef even came out and helped clear away plates and sang opera in Italian. This was just something so simple and authentic but it was one of my highlights of the trip.

Easy cheap lunch if you want pizza near the Palazzo Vecchio!

Great homestyle but still elegant. A Florentine classic with an extensive menu!

Delicious, cheap paninis for around €5. We love going on Sunday to check out the artist market and then walking over to 📍Boboli Gardens afterward!

I walked all over Florence to find salted caramel gelato and this was the only gelateria I could find it in

If there’s one place you must go to in all of Florence, it’s La Carraia. Just promise you’ll try the "Delizia La Carraia" flavor (but tbh, they're all amazing) and tell our friend and owner Roberto that we said hi! 👋 There is also another location on the opposite side of the Arno River.

One of the best gelaterias in the city! Definitely go here. They have a ton of flavors, a good mix of classics and unusual options.

it's just all about that view lets be honest

Great speakeasy spot - if you do one, start here. Good unusual cocktails with a great feel. If you go in the high season, definitely make a reservation.

This is the private garden of the artist Alice Esclapon de Villeneuve ( EDV). There are guided tours available or you can simply pay the entrance fee and explore on your own.

Located on the right hand side of the Piazzale Michelangelo. Irises planted among olive trees. The iris is the symbol of Florence, il Giglio.

This is located a few blocks up from the train station. The third Sunday of the month, and the Saturday before the piazza hosts a wonderful antique market.

This is a fabulous urban garden. A favorite place to visit. If you are living here, you can also volunteer!

This small park is in the San Frediano area of town in the oltr'arno. It actually is where part of the old city walls are. Several cute trattoria's and a lovely gelateria in the piazza and also across the street.

Located near the San Niccolo area. A fairly new public park with seasonal art installations.

Part of the University of Florence.

One of the oldest greenhouse/nursery in Europe has opened as a place to eat and drink as well.

If you are heading up to visit Fiesole, this is down below on the way up to San Domenico and then Fiesole is at the top of the hill. Check their schedule for dining. Usually open for lunch on the weekends. But mostly dinner.

Historical shop since 1933 of four generations. Great selection of pastries and handmade cakes. Try the Iris cake!

Great sweets, bread and snacks.

Wide variety of sweets, bread and snacks.

American style brunch with lots of options. Get the chicken and waffles! Second smaller location at Via Sant'Egidio, 37R

Great brunch and scrumptious sweets. Get the carrot cake, cinnamon rolls and millionaire bar!

Homestyle cooking with many shared tables. Only open for lunch. Get the polpette!

Specialising in fresh pasta. Get the tagliatelle in the grana padano cheese wheel!

Landmark panini shop since 1875. It won't disappoint!

High quality seasonal toppings used on traditional and creative pizzas.

In addition to regular and regional pizzas, there's also panuozzum. Get the pork and potatoes panuozzum!

Neapolitan Pizza with a gourmet twist. Now located in PIAZZA DE NERLI (ANG. VIA DELL’ORTO) NOT Via dell' Orto

Full menu from land to sea in addition to great pizza.

In addition to Bistecca Fiorentina, they have a selection of roasted meats and pasta. Also they have a rosticceria for take out.

Upscale dining on traditional Tuscan dishes in a romantic atmosphere.

Tuscan homestyle dishes outside of the busy city centre frequented mainly by locals with some shared tables. Get the penne alla bettola!

Artisan gelato with some unique flavors. Get the salted caramel! Additional locations Via Mazzetta 9a and Via dei Banchi 49r.

This is my absolute favorite bakery in Florence for breakfast treats. Enjoy a cappuccino with some lovely pastries in San Freddiano.

Another great bakery to try! You can't go wrong with a Sacher torte, the traditional millefeuille, the budino rice puddings, and the mignon pastries.

Badiani is a local Florentine favorite, for breakfast pastries, and especially they're gelato. The original location is located outside the center, near the stadium, but they recently opened a new location IN the center, on Via dei Tosinghi, 12r

This pasticceria can be very cheap if you don't sit down. Just pay at the "cassa" (cash register) for what you want, then bring the receipt to the counter. Located right next to Basilica di Santa Croce

This cafe/bar is great for a morning or afternoon coffee and pastry, or in the evenings for drinks! It's fun, vintage design makes for a fantastic, yet unusual atmosphere for Italy, and they put on Drag Shows and Drag brunches certain days.

I recommend getting here early, as this space fills up fast. Cute, wine bar with tagliere (charcuterie) & cheeses, plus a long list of wines by the glass. 12pm to 9pm monday through saturday

If you're looking for a very local place, this is it. Once again, another super small wine bar, but hidden deep into San Frediano. (I used to live upstairs, so I know it well). Cool vibes, wine, and little snacks. Plus you can order there pinse or flatbread pizza.

This is a great wine bar where you can also get delicious crostoni and cured meats paired with your artisanal wines.

This place is great if you want some wine and a tagliere board. They also make great schiaccate so enjoy a delicious panino!

Some of the nicest, most caring staff around. This place has vino sfuso, meaning unlabeled wine that is sold cheaper and can be purchased by the liter. They also make panini and you can have wine by the glass as well.

This little find put such a smile on my face. Great panino options, taking the Tuscan classics with a creative twist! They also have 'cicchetti' bites, (like little crostini with different things on top) if you just want something to nibble on while you have a drink.

This place is great for tagliere, crostini, or panini! Not to mention, sitting outside gives you a view of Santa Croce and you can enjoy some nice wine.

The spot for organic, biodynamic and natural wines, from independent winemakers, with a fun, retro vinyl atmosphere. They have loads of impressive wines, from small producers round Italy, and snacks perfect for pairing with the wine, like crostini, cured meats, and cheeses. Address: Via Degli Alfani, 39 r, 50121 Firenze FI, Italy Located in the Sant’Ambrogio district, near the synagogue

This fiaschetteria, or wine cellar, has an underground cantina and is tucked just minutes from the Duomo.

This place can get rather crowded, so if you're looking to get a seat, make sure to come earlier in the evening.

Bakery and gluten-free shop where you can find exclusive Italian treats

Home-style Italian food in a rustic space with red walls, plus a terrace in Piazzale Santo Spirito (one of our favorite squares in Florence)! Try the truffle gnocchi— it's to die for! 📅 Reservations are highly recommended. Click the link below to book!

Although Santarosa is a little bit of a walk from the center, it’s absolutely worth it. This place is a little haven of peace and quiet and you’re positioned right by the old city walls! 👀 Come in the morning for a pastry and a coffee or dine at their fabulous restaurant.

A great place to grab a café and cornetto. Just head to the Oblate Library and make you way to their café with an incredible view of the duomo. 😍

Delicious, cheap paninis for around €5. We love going on Sunday to check out the artist market and then walking over to 📍Boboli Gardens afterward!

Picture this: you’re hungry but don’t feel like sitting down for a full meal, you had a huge dinner at your favorite trattoria yesterday, and right now you just want something quick and easy. You’ve heard about that one sandwich shop with a jaw-dropping number of reviews online, but couldn’t be bothered with standing in such a long queue, and you’ve got a sense that, by now, it’s probably just hype anyway (you're correct!). You’ve also heard about the traditional lampredottai and trippai serving all sorts of cow offal panini, but don’t feel quite ready to stomach that. But have you ever heard about Semel? Semel is a tiny sandwich shop across the street from the Sant’Ambrogio food market, just big enough to fit a couple of stools, two clients at a time (three when it’s packed!), a small counter filled with all sorts of goodies, soft-spoken Niccolò assembling panini, plus Marco and his big personality, taking your orders and ordering you a little glass of red wine. A “semel” is a soft, round bun with a delightfully crunchy crust, a traditional Tuscan bread that was almost on the verge of being forgotten. The fillings are what make these panini so special. You’ll never find the repetitive “salumi + cheese” combo here, but instead their amazing, homey stews and exquisitely paired local artisanal products. The menu changes daily based on availability and on Marco’s mood, but some of my favorites are: - SNAILS 🐌; - mussel and mushroom stew; - roast pork, tomato and hot sauce; - anchovies with raw fennel and blood orange; - donkey stew (yes, I said “donkey”) on Thursdays and Fridays; - Canapone: sun-dried tomatoes, ricotta cheese, nutmeg and bacon that turns crispy and curly as Niccolò blasts it with his culinary butane torch with one hand, as he holds back his tie with the other. Had I mentioned that they wear a shirt and tie and a pretty silver pin? Pro-tip: grab a stool as soon as you find a free one and eat your panino in a corner, in silence, as you enjoy the flow of human beings coming and going through Semel’s door. Most of Semel’s clientele is locals, from bloggers to lawyers to people that work the stalls at the market, so it’s only open 11:30am-2:30pm, Monday-Saturday. Closed for Summer break July and August. Reopening September 9th.

Opened in an old sewing shop (they still have the original furniture!), Sandwichic sources high quality ingredients, produces (and sells) its own sauces, and offers delicious, local, artisanal beverages. One of the reasons why I love this place is that, in addition to regular schiacciata, and 5 grains schiacciata, they also use traditional unsalted Tuscan bread! Some favorite panini: - gorgonzola blue cheese, onion spread, mushrooms and pancetta [similar to bacon]; - taleggio cheese, truffle spread, mortadella with pistachios and sun-dried tomatoes; - taleggio cheese, eggplant spread, capocollo and fresh lettuce; - spicy salame, stracchino cheese, bell pepper spread and sun-dried tomatoes.

In a little alley, right around the corner from Dante Alighieri's house and next door to Dante’s Church. Lovely schiacciata combinations like: - capocollo, stracchino cheese, and walnuts; - sopressata, ricotta, and orange; - zucchini, scamorza cheese, and pistachio sauce. One of the peculiarities of their schiacciate is that they're not overly salted. Also available: tripe, lampredotto, boiled tongue, boiled beef, and “coccoli” (fried dough), also stuffed with sausage, pecorino cheese or truffle. No indoor seating, only a few stools outside.

Located in between the Uffizi and Ponte Vecchio, Alessandro Frassica's panini shop won second place as one of the best panini in Italy in 2021. It was the only Florentine establishment included on said list. One of 'Ino's peculiarities is the very high quality of its sought-after product selection - which also makes it one of the pricier options in town (9-11€). They also sell a lovely selection of quality Italian foods, perfect for culinary souvenirs, and Frassica's cookbooks. Also available: cantucci [biscotti] for dessert. Indoor seating and outdoor perching available.

Since 1875. Located right in Florence's city center, just beneath the Church of Orsanmichele. Panini with rosetta bread or schiacciata. This is one of the few places that regularly serves raw sausage panini, one of my favorites! Take note that there might be a line. Check out the video below for more.

In the San Lorenzo neighborhood, right by the "Mercato Centrale" [Central Market]. Bondi is a classic Florentine establishment, unchanged over 40 years of business. One of the things that make it different and one of the reasons why I go here is the unique bread they make and use: triangles cut from a thick, pillowy round disk made from the same dough they use for their pizzas (margherita, mushroom, or sausage). Another reason why they're unique is that you won't find any cured meat + cheese combos, but a LOT of squashed mozzarella and unusual fillings, such as: - pesto, potato and cheese cream; - radicchio and mozzarella; - eggplant and prosciutto; - herring and tomatoes; - roast zucchini; and many more. Also available: apple cake for dessert! Take note: do not be surprised by the two frowns behind the counter, that's how they are most of the time!

Different from most other panini shops because it's open for dinner too! In addition to regular schiacciate, they also serve olive-oil panini with sliced and grilled cow udder, lampredotto with salsa verde, or sausage and stracchino cheese. Fabulous location since it sits right below the church of Santo Spirito, in one of Florence's hippest neighborhoods [Oltrarno], so after your panino you can head out to any (or all) of some of my favorite cocktail bars: Floreal, Love Craft and MAD.

Founded and run by a lively group of young Florentines about 9 years ago, and now available in three different locations: on via Verdi, via Gioberti and via Pisana. I love this place for the quality of the ingredients, its fun, laid-back atmosphere, the fast service and the local crowd. Go here for a glass of wine with a "schiacciata", a typically Tuscan salty flatbread (similar to focaccia), stuffed with cured meats, cheese, veggies, and spreads in any of the infinite combinations they offer. Also available: cheese and meat boards, and salads.

One of the reasons why Schiacciamatta is unique is that they produce their own not-too-salty schiacciata in the in-house oven. Since the owner lived in Livorno for a long time, this is one of the rare places in Florence where you can find "torta di ceci" [a flat, savory, chickpea flour cake], which makes for a nice gluten-free option. They also have vegan options.

What makes Il Cernacchio different compared to many other "paninari" ["panini shops"] is that, other than making a what seems like a thousand different kinds of more schiacciate "ripiene" ["filled"], they also make panini with more complex dishes like "peposo" [black pepper and red wine beef stew, tripe, typical Florentine "lampredotto" [boiled cow's stomach], and meatballs. They also have a deli counter where you can purchase pasta or typical Tuscan bread soups like "pappa al pomodoro", "ribollita" or "panzanella". They usually also have a simple cake in case you feel like something sweet after your panino. You can sit inside, outside or around the corner in piazza San Firenze.

Short menu with great Tuscan food! Check the specials for the best seasonal options to order.

Great mix of Tuscan and Sicilian options. Also very affordable

Two locations, one city and one out in the countryside. Good food, but if you have a car head for the countryside for the views and ambiance!

An upscale mall cafe/restaurant, but if you go up the stairs to one side you can sit on the roof with a view of the Duomo and Piazza della Repubblica.

This theatre-restaurant combines an evening of dining with a show. You can check out their events directly on their website, but you must also register for their "tessera" or membership for the year. The format is dinner buffet and then after a show.

Cecilia is specialized in the ancient scagliola and commesso fiorentino mosaic art techniques which feature precious stones and marble. She has many beautiful designs available for purchase, such as jewlery, small scale interior decor, to large tables and panels, and on a commission basis.

My favorite pizzeria recently, highly reccomended!

Do not forget to reserve a table! All the pizzas are very delicious 😋

One of my favorite in Florence!

This square is surrounded by 19th century buildings, a beautiful arch, and a charming carousel. There are plenty of bars and cafes around this square, so this place is a nice resting stop.  Tip: If you want to have an amazing view of Piazza della Repubblica and the Duomo, try having a coffee or a drink at the Rinascente roof top.

Bonus tip- in the summer get their fresh lemonade. It is nice and tart with springs of mint! Best thing about this shop is I have never had to wait. They are efficient and their sandwiches are amazing!

Whiskey bar Beef tartare Martina Bartolozzi

Curious appetite

Curious appetite / carrettiera pasta

Curious appetite