Buca Mario was recommended to our group by a friend who had been to Florence immediately before we planned to go. She described a cozy restaurant in the downstairs of a historic building with food that included the best lasagna she had ever eaten. Sold! We made a reservation, and I highly recommend that you do the same. There was already a line forming down the sidewalk before opening at 7, and an impeccably-dressed staff member walked down the queue to make sure everyone waiting had made a reservation. We were seated immediately at the table that was covered by a white table cloth, and greeted by a friendly waiter in a black vest. The place felt very traditional and formal in a way that feels special, not stuffy. Aldo, our server, sang merrily through the meal as he served us, and everything he recommended was - chef's kiss. I don't usually order a steak, but decided to do so on this evening. I would recommend their steak without hesitation. Some diners ordered a huge one (not sure what it was called, but it was about the size of an encyclopedia). Aldo wheeled those out on a small serving cart and expertly carved it up at the table. Come dessert time, out came the cart with the sweets piled high - no need to look at a menu and wonder what your treat might look like. Once you decided, you were served on the spot. Talk about 5 star! Buca Mario is a must visit for a special meal while you are in Florence! read more

Buca Mario - Tagliata di Filetto di Bistecca con Carciofi Freschi, Rucola e Patate - Tuscan Near Me - Florence, FI

This traditional Florentín steakhouse is located in the heart of Florence and has more to offer than an amazing steak. It was established in 1886 and offers delicious Italian dishes from this region. We had the Florentine steak and the lasagna. The steak was very good but the lasagna was out of this world; creamy, smooth, with a balanced flavor (I need to go back tonight for more). The deserts were another must have. We had the tiramisu and the shortcake with custard filling and strawberries on the side. I want more just writing about it. Food: 10/10 Ambiance: 10/10 Service: 10/10 read more

Buca Mario - Tuscan Near Me - Florence, FI

The great: the flavors!!! Everything tasted immaculate. Standouts were the lasagna and the cut of steak that came with truffle. But truly everything was exceptional! Everyone got a tote bag and the space is cozier than the photos appear to be The okay: waiter could have been friendlier/more high end service, but I understand things are different everywhere. Res was for 9:30 and all orders had to be in by 10 The result: will definitely be back because food was so incredible *yes had to line up briefly outside, but no more than seven minutes, were a party of ten read more

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Amazing food, service, and ambiance! We had the best meal here and I will think about it forever. read more

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I cannot recommend the food and wine enough. Grandmas lasagna was the best lasagna I've ever had in my life! I will say that I was a little disappointed with the service. I expected them to go above and beyond as I had seen in videos on social, but our waiter was a bit flat. I would definitely go back though! read more

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Of course you must be in Florence, Italy, to enjoy this beautiful restaurant. Waiters greet you at the door, you walk down the stairs like a celebrity and you are escorted to your table. Beautiful linen and gentlemen dressed in black and white with beautiful smiles on their faces. Most speak some English because you are in northern Italy. I was happy to use my Italian on them ...and they understood me! Of course in Italy tou will enjoy wine or Procecco, then primo piata, usually a small pasta...then secondo piata...a meat or fish dish. In Florence don't pass up the Florentine Steak!! Incredible!! Then dolce...a variety of Lucious sweets. Enjoy your choice with Italian coffee. When you leave, you'll receive a Buca Mario canvas bag or apron. The smiles and memories are endless. When in Firenze, eat at BUCA MARIO!!! read more

Buca Mario - We celebrated our 50th Wedding Anniversary at beautiful BUCA MARIO RISTORANTE in Firenze, ITALIA!! - Tuscan Near Me - Florence, FI

The atmosphere and wait staff were great (definitely get a reservation). However, the food was good not great. worth trying.

This place has a super special place in my heart. The food is 10/10, the staff is amazing 10/10 and the ambiance is very family like. il momento in cui sono entrato in questo posto mi ha riempito il cuore di gioia read more

Buca Mario - Tuscan Near Me - Florence, FI

Buca mario is michelin guided for a reason it's truly a dining experience you won't forget. From the moment you walk in, the atmosphere feels warm, intimate, and quintessentially Florentine. The dining room is beautiful, with that old world charm that makes you feel like you're part of the city's history. The staff is welcoming, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about what they do, which adds so much to the experience. The wine selection is outstanding local, plentiful, and thoughtfully curated to pair with the traditional Tuscan menu. We started with the lasagna, and I can confidently say it was the best I've ever had: perfectly layered, rich, and full of flavor. The star of the evening, though, was the Florentine T bone. It's presented tableside, topped with flaky salt, and cooked rare to perfection the way it should be. The simplicity of the preparation lets the quality of the meat shine, and it's a must try if you're visiting. Buca mario perfectly balances authenticity, elegance, and incredible food. It's not just a meal it's an experience, and one that deserves every bit of its michelin recognition. If you're in Florence, this is a restaurant you absolutely cannot miss. read more

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Over priced for what it is. Missed the details of fine dining (didn't clean crumbs off table).... Steak was massive but also expensive... there are many options beyond this, even the bread was humm, Buyer beware. Lots of great options around and about at half price. read more

Over hyped. So not worth it way better restaurants in town. Not sure how it is a Michelin star restaurant. Not worth your time. read more

We had an amazing dinner on our first day in Florence, and dinner at Buca Mario was the best meal we had in Florence. I ordered the Grilled Beef Fillet with Roasted Potatoes,the beef was perfectly cooked and tender, and the potatoes had a crisp outer layer, they were so good. For dessert, I had the tiramisu and it was delicious.The service was the best ,everyone was so nice and friendly. I will definitely be returning on my next trip to Florence. read more

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The ambiance here is spectacular and the food shines even brighter! I recommend a reservation as the line starts to wrap around the building (EARLY!) The service was friendly and impeccable. They didn't miss a beat. My family enjoyed the seafood pasta (they said it was the best pasta dish they had on our entire 12 day trip through Florence, Venice, Scandicci and Rome). read more

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I came to Buca Mario in 2011 and was so impressed that I saved a souvenir apron to remember the restaurant. Last night, I returned and, if possible, it may have been even better than I remembered. The food is spectacular, the ambience and service were outstanding. The staff is attentive and engaging. They made it such a pleasure experience. The owner, too was approachable and kind. I even got another apron. I cannot say enough. Buca Mario is a 10/10 and I highly recommend it. read more

Great place! Staff was charming, food delicious! Was recommended by a friend and it did not disappoint!

Exceeded all expectations. Everything we ordered was delicious, but in particular, the ossobucco was amazing and not available much outside of Tuscany. Florentine steak is consumed rare - if you don't like it that way, order something else. Service was attentive and friendly. Tables are tight and volume can get loud, but still felt romantic for my wife and me. Expect to spend roughly €100/person. read more

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Our best meal in Italy. This place is packed even at 10pm. The service was incredible. We loved the house red & white wines, and the truffle steak dish. Do not skip the dessert, it was amazing!! I would love to come back next time we visit. read more

We were super excited to try this place, after hearing many great things. We found out that this establishment has been run by the same family since the 1800s! We had a reservation for a group of 4 and were seated right away. The staff was all very friendly, and the service was superb. - Bruschetta (4.5/5): So fresh, delicious, all you could want and more. - Charcuterie (5/5): Good portion size to share. Comes with cured meats and cheeses. We asked for bread on the side. - Fresh pasta (5/5): Best pasta. The pasta in Italy is so amazing and yummy, especially here . They make everything so fresh and so flavorful. It is delicious; it needs a minimal amount of sauce. The meat was perfect too. - Lasagna (5/5): Some of the best lasagna in Italy. I love this place. - Florentine steak for 2 (4/5): The steak we ordered rare, and it was delicious. I had pretty high expectations after hearing great things about the steak. It was cooked well. The only thing, because it was so large, I feel like it wasn't seasoned as well with the huge pieces. But still yummy. - Potatoes, and mushrooms (4/5): These were tasty. We were so full at this point we didn't have much of them. read more

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Overhyped spot. Influencers made Buca Mario seem like a must, but it didn't deliver. Steak was mid, lasagna was just okay, but the calamari was actually good. Not worth the hype or the price. Aesthetics basic. read more

This was our second time at Buca Mario. The first time was 2016. It was just as wonderful in 2025. The food and service are impeccable. We had the Florentine steak, lasagna, ossobuco and torta Della Nona. Be forewarned - the steak is served rare. Not rare like in the US. Rare like a good steak house where it's still cool in the middle. It was delicious and just melts in your mouth. The lasagna was to die for! Book a table in advance of your trip. You won't regret it. read more

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Unforgettable Dinner -- Best T-Bone Steak in Florence! Hands down, the best T-bone steak I've ever had--perfectly cooked, incredibly flavorful, and melt-in-your-mouth tender. We also tried the ravioli, which was rich and delicate, and Grandma Isabella's lasagna... wow. That dish alone is worth flying back for! What made the evening even more special was our amazing server, Barbato--warm, attentive, and made us feel right at home. His recommendations were spot on and his hospitality truly elevated the whole experience. If you're in Florence and want an authentic Tuscan meal, Buca Mario is a must. We'll absolutely be back! read more

Buca Mario - T-bone steak - Tuscan Near Me - Florence, FI

It's our second time and the food is amazing along with the service. My daughter's pasta dishes were outstanding. The ambiance was great except for some fellow countrymen causing a scene about their steak not being cooked to their liking. The waiter outdid himself to make us comfortable. Truly lovely night read more

Buca Mario - Tuscan Near Me - Florence, FI

Making reservations from the US was a little confusing. Since our first attempt didn't seem to generate a confirmation, we tried again and actually ended up double booking. When we showed up they said it was no problem and waived the no-show fee on the second reservation. Very understanding and welcoming! We ended up having one of the most memorable meals of our entire 2-week Italian holiday, with great service, charming atmosphere, and delicious food. The lasagna was as advertised -- absolutely amazing! Make sure to take advantage of the dessert cart and enjoy some limoncello! read more

I will agree with others that 3.75 would be my actual review. Maybe I built it up in my mind ... and maybe it was because I went with a vegetarian, so I had to get the T-Bone steak for one. We weren't 'wow'ed' by our meals ... certainly, we expected to be given the hype. We were in Florence for only one night and a friend told to make reservations at Buca Lappi, which can only be done via email or phone, but it was all full. They recommend booking a month, or more, in advance and we called 2 weeks before our stay. Even Bucca Mario had only a 9:30 p.m. reservation left 2 weeks out, so we jumped on it ... despite that being a bit late for us. It isn't quite as fancy as I thought and regretted dressing up in a blazer. We were seated in a back room with mostly other American tourists. It seemed the front rooms were more for the locals. The room we were in was okay but the lights were very bright. We were hoping for a little more romantic and dim lighting vs. feeling like we were in a bright room. There was no music playing ... and the rounded ceilings made of cement made the conversations of other diners magnify. It was also a little too warm for us inside, maybe due to the open front entrance. The food was good. Nothing amazing. For months, I had dreamed about a Tuscan steak. I asked the waiter if he recommended I get the t-bone for two, to get the full experience, even though my partner is a vegetarian and wouldn't have any. He said that I should get the steak for one and I should be fine ... which was a relief as for one was almost $70 ... for two was over $100! The steak arrived on a plate. Nobody carved it and the 'ceremony' was a bit lost. It looked kind of small ... even though it was thick. They also let me choose how I wanted it cooked, although the larger steaks they only cook rare. I chose medium rare and was glad I did. I saw a steak for two arrive at the table next to us arrive rare and that was a bit more bloody than I think I could handle. It really wasn't that impressive ... kind of like any steak in a good US restaurant. I think you really need the larger steak with another person. The steak itself tasted good. It was buttery and had good texture. It did have a bit of gristle running through it, which I had to cut around. It was pretty lean otherwise, but surprisingly flavorful for a steak with almost no marbling. It was grilled and then olive oil was drizzled on (not tableside) and salt was sprinkled on. Honestly ... it did not blow me away. We also had spinach ... pretty average, gnocci was good but not the best she had in Italy. We had a salad ... average. And we were so full (even the steak for one was very filling) we had to skip the absolutely amazing dessert cart. (We did have some gelato before dinner ... Vivaldi ... the best in Florence!) The wine list was surprisingly expensive. Their house wine was 15 Euro per 375 ml. It was Antinori, which is a $30 per 750 ml bottle in the US, so reasonably priced but a bit fancy for a house wine. It was good though ... a perfect Tuscan chianti to pair with steak. The staff couldn't have been kinder. Our waiter was fantastic. My partner had a food allergy and you can tell he was super concerned to ensure that her meal did not contain that food. The hostess was great and gave us an apron on the way out. This was surely a memorable meal at a famous and popular restaurant but we did not consider it anything we couldn't have got elsewhere. Glad we did it ... not at all dissapointed ... but we may try elsewhere next trip to Florence. read more

If I could give this place 6 stars, I would. First off, it's underground and feels luxurious as soon as you enter. Nicoli was our server and he made the experience the best one we've had yet in Italy. The food was incredible. I had the cheese, apple, and honey app 10/10 and grandmas lasagna 10/10. My party also gave their dishes 10/10. The wine was delightful also and only $14 for the bottle. I cannot say enough good things about this place - if you visit Florence this is a MUST. read more

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I chose this restaurant bc of the reviews on Yelp and it was the best meal we had in Florence. You wait in line even if you have a reservation bc there are literally two seatings. We shared two entrees--the pasta with artichoke (GET THIS) and a sliced filet. Our appetizer was burrata with truffles, to die for. A beautiful authentic and delicious meal from start to finish. The servers make you feel like family. I don't think you can go without a reservation--it's pretty popular. read more

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Let me start off by saying this place was recommended by our hotel (The Frame Hotel) it was super cute on the outside and you go down into what feels like a cave. Buca Mario is located in the ancient sixteenth-century "buca" of Palazzo Niccolini. The "holes" in Florence were the typical cellars, located under historic buildings of great value, often belonging to noble families, used as a shelter for salted meats, cold cuts and above all intended for the precious preservation of wine. What a cool ambiance to be surrounded by. Our server was so fun and friendly. He even sang while cutting up our steak. We were checked on constantly and truly enjoyed our experience. We highly recommend a visit. We went at 8pm and got a table right away. When we left at 9:30 there was a line out the door, so I would consider coming earlier. read more

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This is an expensive meal you can skip. I'm all for paying more but the service was lacking and the food was extremely plain. My husband got the T-Bone steak and they didn't cut it like they did for everyone else around us. I got a filet and they cooked it rare instead of medium rare which is what I asked for. I have a gluten allergy and the waiter told me I couldn't eat the potatoes that came with my steak so he suggested asparagus. When the check came, he charged us for an asparagus side instead of swapping it out for the potatoes. I think he knew we were pissed because he tried to cover it up with free Limoncello shots. We traveled to three cities in Italy and this was the worst meal by miles. The hype on social media is clearly fake. read more

I would rate this place a 3.7, but I'm rounding up to 4 stars overall. I made reservations about a month in advance for a Tuesday night at 7pm which is when they opened, we arrived about 5 minutes early and there was a line that wrapped around the corner of the restaurant already. I recommend getting a reservation beforehand if you want to try. I found this place before our trip to Italy on Tiktok and it seemed to be many tourist's fave place in Florence to get steak. Many locals say you have to try the Florentine steak because it's super delicious. I had very high expectations due to this and I thought the restaurant itself was a bit over-hyped, granted, coming from the States and having had A5 wagyu in Japan, I am a bit spoiled when it comes to very great quality steaks. The plus is that this place has big portions for steaks. Their 1 person Florentine steak which was basically a T Bone, was close to 2 Inches thick and about 60 euros. My husband and I shared it along with papperdelle Bolognese (I think roughly 20 euros?) which they said is made with wild boar but I couldn't tell the difference. We also ordered an artichoke salad along with some fried vegetables, roughly 12-16 euros each. Both forgettable but we were in desperate need of veggies after days of just carbs. In Italy they charge you for either still or sparkling water and they also add a coverage charge that's typically 2-5 euros per person. At this restaurant, they charged 5 extra per person. Ambiance is nice with an old rustic Italian feel and the servers all wear these suits so it makes it feel a lot fancier. I also had a glass of chianti red wine, as well, very good however due to this restaurant being a bit overpriced, it was about 10 euros which is a couple dollars more than other places. The server was pretty nice and they were quick to serve us our food. If you're traveling to Florence, I think it's worth trying the Florentine steak and papperdelle here. For two people, we spent roughly 135 euros which isn't horrible but expect to spend more here than other restaurants in Florence. read more

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Everything about this place was AMAZING! From beginning to end we were enamored with this fine restaurant! My husband made reservations MONTHS ago and I am so happy he did! The staff was friendly and attentive, but we are generally low maintenance folks. The gnocchi was heavenly! The steak was sooooo good! Bread was fresh. We had a half-bottle of wine which was decanter and perfect. We even decided on dessert, though we had to have some of our meal boxed to take home. I absolutely recommend Buca Mario. I would live there if I could. read more

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This was my first time eating here and I had a fantastic dining experience. This classic Florentine restaurant has been open since 1886. You enter through a narrow door and go downstairs. They have multiple dining rooms and all have an intimate ambience like you are in their house. The service was friendly and impeccable. The food was outstanding and I can't wait to visit again. I would highly recommend this place. Ciao read more

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Great experience. We had 7pm reservations. We arrived at 6:50. Omg!!! A huge line. Everyone had reservations. The line moved quick. Don't worry. Nando was our server. He was very attentive. Good recommendations. I got the T-bone steak for one. I never order steak rare... but when in Florence... it is a must. I recommend to follow the people of Florence. Steak was great. Small disappointment was that they did not cut my steak for one. Nor did they drizzled it in oil and salt. As a newbie, this would have been appreciated. I finished my steak and realized the technique. Too bad. Next time when I visit. But highly recommend this restaurant and make reservations in advance!! And the lasagna was recommended by the staff. It was very good. read more

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Make sure you never have something unexpected happen to you. I got sick the day of the reservation, sent them a message that we couldn't come (replied to their confirmation message) and they still charged us 80 euros for no show. Even called and explained the situation and they wouldn't budge. Maybe the food is amazing but for this reason we will never eat at this restaurant in the future read more

By far the best meal we had in Florence..nothing even came close. Highly recommend. Definitely will not disappoint... nothing even compared...not only was the food amazing...the family who owns/runs were extremely gracious hosts...wish i had better pictures but woooowww read more

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Timeless perfection! Incomparable food. Steak like you can only get in Florence. Nothing like it anywhere. Easy, casual and flawless service. read more

"Not good " 2 /6 We dined here 10 yrs ago and had a wonderful visit, so we expected the same amazing dinner to end our time in Florence. I made our reservation 6 months prior, to make sure we could secure a table at 7pm for our party of 5. As we lined up to enter, we were told that we weren't on the reservation list. Fortunately, I had both the original email confirmation from months ago, as well as the same-day confirmation, both clearly showing our 7pm reservation. The restaurant accused me of calling in that day to change the booking time to 9:30pm (clearly NOT the case). They were very rude and insisted that the problem was mine, and that they weren't able to accommodate me. They used the "reliable" method of table reservations written on little scraps of paper, which as they found my reservation, showed that it was written for 7pm and then someone scratched it out and wrote 9:30pm. Then of cause they blamed me! They ended up finding a table for us about 10 minutes later, next to the bathroom. Lovely! The lasagna was as amazing as I remembered it to be. Seasoned perfectly, with a heavenly bechamel sauce. The fried vegetables were delicious, with the squeeze of lemon and coarse ground salt to enhance. The gnocchi was delicious as well, however the La Bisteca which is the specialty only looks incredible. It lacked all flavor which for the price and presentation, you are expecting an amazing dish. The ossobucco was also underwhelming, with a very acidic tomato sauce smothered over it. The complimentary bread was extremely stale, even when dipped in olive oil and pepper. We had to request balsamic vinegar and salt to make it edible. The server was nice, though. Would I go back? Yes, but only for the lasagna which is INCREDIBLE. Skip the rest. read more

SUCH AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE! I've Heard great things about this restaurant before but it definitely exceeded those expectations! We got the zucchini salad to start, two orders of the grandmas lasagna (what they are known for), fried calamari dish, and did a sampler of the dessert cart and got to try all the different desserts! Our waiter was amazing and gave us the full Italian dining experience! The restaurant has been around since the 1800s and it was so cool to see the traces of history all through the restaurant. I loved eating here and will definitely be back. They kept bringing rounds and rounds of limencello and grappa at the end of the night! If this is your only meal in Florence it will be all you need!! read more

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Our group of four had an incredible experience at this restaurant! So cool to visit one of the oldest establishments in the area that is still run by the same family since the 1800s. The service was spectacular and they were kind enough to gift us some aprons at the end of the night! As someone who doesn't usually eat their steak rare, I was apprehensive at first but one bite in and I was blown away. I was told the steak in Florence is phenomenal and this certainly lived up to the hype. The pasta was out of this world. The dessert cart they pulled over at the end was a delight. The tiramisu and flan are both wonderful and served in a generous portion. To anyone visiting the area, you will not regret making a reservation at this fantastic establishment. read more

Buca Mario - Tuscan Near Me - Florence, FI

As indicated by many - having a reservation just puts you in line - you aren't necessarily seated at time of your reservation. We showed up five minutes early and were seated 15 minutes after reservation time. Just the Italy way.... Service - was fine but "matter of factly". Asked questions about the menu but could tell he was more interested in taking order and moving on. The big issue was I specifically asked for medium rare ("want to see pink") and yet the pictures will show what we received. Food - Steak because of the "rarity" was not among the top steak bites in Florence. We ordered fried artichoke hearts and those were tasty but maybe best bite of our trip was the lasagna. This was heavenly. This by itself adds a star to what would have otherwise been a 3. We opted for the flan vs the tiramisu after having that so much. Should have stuck with the tiramisu. Flan was ok but wouldn't order again. This place is a landmark so I guess you go once - I don't regret it - I'd probably go other places again before this - maybe order the lasagna to go (if that is even a possibility). read more

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Tourist Trap! This is my second time visiting Florence in 2 years & this place has to be the worst. It reminded me of Maggiano's when i was younger. Dont be fooled by the social media videos like me. The restaurant was 1/2 full at 9 pm. However, La Buchetta & Vini e Vecci are absolutely amazing restaurants in Firenze. read more