Eating in Florence like a Local -

Eating in Florence like a Local -

Florence is FULL of amazing restaurants, but you need to know where to go. As someone who lives in Florence, it's my job to make sure you eat well during your travels, so save this guide to make sure you eat like a local, instead of ending up at a tourist trap during your time in Florence. Featuring: restaurants, pizzerie, gelateria shops, and wine bars.
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In my opinion there are SOOO many better restaurants than All'Antico Vanaio, Trattoria ZaZa, and Osteria Santo Spirito. These are 3 places that come up again and again for tourists/study abroad students, and no hate to them, but there are so many OTHER places to try that (in my opinion) are better and more worthwhile. 

Osteria de' Peccatori
@daniellecohen
Osteria de Peccatori is one of the few places that does not close during the day, which makes it a great spot to come and enjoy some small bites or an aperitivo with drinks. Their Salsiccia e Stracchino Crostini is to die for, or enjoy a classic bruschetta. Or the true favorite, their homemade focaccia all'olio with a Spritz is the perfect way to enjoy a pause in your day. For lunch or dinner enjoy a delicious pizza or try their fresh pasta, especially the Pappardelle alla norcina or a ragu.
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Trattoria Pallottino
@daniellecohen
This place is small and quaint, but so full of love in their food. Delicious items, that change seasonally, with fair prices! It feels like you're at a family's house.
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Cantinetta Cavour
@daniellecohen
Here, I HIGHLY recommend trying the Bistecca alla Fiorentina, the Florentine steak. Try it the traditional way, "al-sangue" or rare and TRUST me when I say it's perfect.
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I’Brindellone
@daniellecohen
You'll definitely want a reservation here, and maybe up to a few days before, especially if you're hoping for a weekend. Amazing quality, great staff, very home-style trattoria. try the Florentine steak (it is cooked al sangue, which is red - basically rare - but trust me it's delicious) if not, they have fantastic other Tuscan food including a delicious truffle pasta, Peposo (tender beef stewed in a red wine pepper sauce),
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Alla Vecchia Bettola
@daniellecohen
This place is another Florentine staple. Try to call ahead for reservations, because it fills up! If you can't get a table, try just across the street, on its right side, their enoteca where you can enjoy some food off their menu as well
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Boccadarno
@daniellecohen
While this place is family run, local, and not expensive, the plating, the atmosphere, and the upscale quality really makes this restaurant great for the perfect seafood dinner. They also have a great aperitivo special, where you can get a drink and a fritto cone (fried fish and veggies) under 10 euro!
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Trattoria I'raddi
@daniellecohen
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La Vecchia Maniera
@daniellecohen
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Trattoria Sergio Gozzi
@daniellecohen
Only open for lunch, and closed on Sundays.
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Trattoria Anita
@daniellecohen
You will feel like you are at an Italian mamma's home when you dine here. For lunch they offer a great and affordable Menu of the Day option, with Tuscan staples. And for dinner they have a larger menu. Closed on Sundays.
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Club culinario toscano da Osvaldo
@daniellecohen
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Trattoria La Casalinga
@daniellecohen
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Il Vivandiere - Cantina Vinicola
@daniellecohen
This is a nice restaurant you can have lunch/dinner at, but also stays open and you can have just wine and tapas like crostini, meatballs (polpette), etc
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Osteria Tripperia Il Magazzino
@daniellecohen
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Ristorante del Fagioli
@daniellecohen
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Trattoria da Rocco
@daniellecohen
Do not come here if you're looking for fancy, luxury treatment/atmosphere, but come for the locals, the home-cooking style food, and enjoy! Located in Mercato Sant'Ambrogio.
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Trattoria Sostanza
@daniellecohen
A little more upscale but a must try is the petti di pollo al burro and the tortino di carciofi.
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Gusto Leo
@daniellecohen
The same pizzaiolo as Pizzeria Livio, so great pizza, and delicious Tuscan food as well. Super affordable prices, and lots of space!
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Trattoria Mario
@daniellecohen
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Antica Trattoria da Tito
@daniellecohen
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Trattoria Sabatino
@daniellecohen
This is a no-fuss/no-frills, traditional Tuscan restaurant. They don't take reservations, so you must line up outside, you are often seated at communal tables, but the prices and food are great.
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Vini E Vecchi Sapori
@daniellecohen
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Trattoria Da Burde
@daniellecohen
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Trattoria Marione
@daniellecohen
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Beppa Fioraia
@daniellecohen
This osteria has a really great outdoor space and a fun atmosphere with a bar, beyond its spacious indoor dining room. Address: Via dell’Erta Canina, 6/R (San Niccolo’)
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Casamatta
@daniellecohen
This place is located in Firenze Sud, along the river and is great for big parties, as their space is huge!
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Bbq Trattoria Barbecue
@daniellecohen
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For Pizza (only open for dinner!)

LiVio Pizzeria
@daniellecohen
This has become my favorite pizza place in Florence. You'll get great, delicious quality, for a great cost. Very affordable! Only open for dinner!
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Don Fefè
@daniellecohen
This pizza place is fantastic! It's not in the center center but worth the walk/taxi/bus. Only open for dinner!
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Fermento 1889
@daniellecohen
Only open for dinner!
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For Panini or Small Bites Mid-day

Il Cernacchio
@daniellecohen
Located in an alley between Piazza Signoria or Piazza San Firenze, this panini shop is great for their schiacciate ripiene, or filled sandwiches. They have your standard 'classic' flavors, as well as more unique ones like Peposo (A Tuscan classic dish - stewed beef braised in red wine and black pepper), or even the Florentine traditional Lampredotto (which is the cow's 4th stomach).
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College Firenze
@daniellecohen
This place is great if you want some wine and a tagliere board. They also make great schiaccate so enjoy a delicious panino!
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La Fettunta
@daniellecohen
This is one of my favorite quality panino shops. Skip All'antico Vanaio and head instead to La Fentunta for high quality meats, stuffed big sandwiches, and enjoy. For non-vegetarians, I recommend the Antivegano!
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Semel Street Food
@daniellecohen
This place is excellent for great quality and particular panini. The menu changes daily based on availability and the creativity of Marco, the owner, but he creates some fantastic flavors that you would never imagine on a sandwich. Here, you will definitely find more locals, but that means the shop is only open for lunch, until 2pm, and closed on Sundays.
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Retrobottega - Cibarie e Mescita
@daniellecohen
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.
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Osteria Nuvoli
@daniellecohen
This fiaschetteria, or wine cellar, has an underground cantina and is tucked just minutes from the Duomo.
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Porcobrado Firenze
@daniellecohen
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Sicily Food Da Chiara Firenze
@daniellecohen
***This is now called- La Bottega del Sud**** This is one of my favorite places to stop for a very filling and delicious snack in Florence. One of the best Sicilian spots around, so if you're looking to find a cannoli or an arancina, make sure to head to Piazza San Marco to find this little cafe. Hands down recommend trying the Pistacchio Arancino
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Pastries

Pasticceria Buonamici
@daniellecohen
This is my absolute favorite bakery in Florence for breakfast treats. Enjoy a cappuccino with some lovely pastries in San Freddiano.
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Santarosa Bistrot
@daniellecohen
Go up to the bar outside, and grab a cappuccino and a pastry, sit at one of the outdoor tables or enjoy on the grass! The atmosphere is fun and different, with this outdoors park scene. (It's also a great spot in the afternoon for a little aperitivo-pick me up)
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Forno Ghibellina
@daniellecohen
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Vecchio Forno
@daniellecohen
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La Loggia degli Albizi
@daniellecohen
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Pasticceria Dolci e Dolcezze
@daniellecohen
Located right by Piazza Beccaria, this spot is great for some sweet bites.
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Pasticceria Nencioni
@daniellecohen
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.
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Wine Bars

L'Uva e il Vino
@daniellecohen
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.
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Le Volpi e l'Uva
@daniellecohen
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
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Gelato

My Sugar gelato artigianale
@daniellecohen
This is one of the best gelato spots in Florence and is very under-the-radar. The owners are two of the sweetest people around, and they work so hard to create their delicious, artisinal gelato. This is a great one if you're somewhat near the Duomo because it's only a few minutes from there.
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Gelateria Della Passera
@daniellecohen
This small gelato shop offers artisinal gelato with unique, delicious flavors.
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Gelateria Pasticceria Badiani
@daniellecohen
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
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Gelateria Artigianale La Sorbettiera
@daniellecohen
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Gelateria Artigianale La Sorbettiera | Santo Spirito
@daniellecohen
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Sbrino - Gelatificio Contadino
@daniellecohen
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Vivoli
@daniellecohen
Vivoli, located near Piazza Santa Croce, reopened its windows in 2020 as a means of social distancing during the Covid pandemic, but with ice cream. Now they offer drinks as well through this wine window once again.
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Perché no!...
@daniellecohen
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ciao! My name is Danielle and I'm a Californian from San Diego, who's been living full time in Florence, Italy since 2020. I studied in Florence in 2016 and absolutely fell in love with the food, culture, and history, and made it my mission to move back. I moved right before the pandemic, and staying here through all the lockdowns and pandemic life really helped me discover slow travel and find all of Italy's beauty, including lesser known gems, and off the beaten path travel spots. During my three years in Florence, I have wrote for publications like The Florentine, done freelance marketing with restaurants and a travel agency, giving me high insight into the best destinations, foodie spots, and more. I am here to help you make the most of your vacation in Italy with curated itineraries for every type of traveler and digital maps to help you enjoy THE BEST food each region has to offer. Let me do the work so you can just relax and enjoy, without any stress! I've had a very unique experience living in Italy the last 4 years, as I made my official move right before the pandemic, after visiting for years. Because of this I learned to travel locally and deeply throughout the numerous incredible destinations in Italy and for that I cater my travel services to finding the most local and mindful experiences, keeping true to discovering and appreciating Italy's culture.
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