We were leaving a tour at the Accadamia Galleria and had 45 minutes before a walking tour and popped in! We ordered a calzone Farcito (tomato, moz- zarella, sausage, mushrooms, olives, artichoke & ham) a Fiorentina pizza (with peppers & spicy salami, tomato sauce & mozzarella) and a glass of red house wine. Both orders were made fresh & fast. The calzone was HUGE with a very thin, crispy crust and ample fillings and a small ladle of marinara sauce over top. The pizza was delicious as well with a crispy extra thin crust (same dough as the calzone) and a well balanced amount of toppings. We both really enjoyed our lunch and the staff was very efficient & pleasant. I'd recommend a visit! read more

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If one's used to eating Italian food in the US, one might be surprised to learn that some of the most famous dishes aren't widely eaten in Italy, as they differ from region to region and even from city to city within the same region. Florence, the capital of Tuscany, attracts millions of visitors annually; it's no wonder some aspects of its food and wine sector have become commercial. Florentine cuisine is bold, rustic, and rooted in cucina povera (peasant cooking), transforming simple ingredients into hearty, flavorful dishes. Expect robust meats, fresh seasonal produce, and artisanal cheeses to feature heavily on menus, with dishes that reflect Tuscany's rural traditions and love of high-quality ingredients. Situated in the historic heart of Florence, just a stone's throw from the Duomo, this establishment originated more than 100 years ago as a typical tavern in the ancient cellars (buca). Only in the middle of the twentieth century, Buca Nicolini received an exit to the street and took the form of a restaurant where my partner, our friends, family member, and I decided on dinner. We stumbled upon this restaurant on our way from shopping and sightseeing without a reservation, and it was the best decision. Upon arrival, we were greeted by the staff and got a table for 6 in the cozy back room off the main dining room with a casual and relaxed vibe. Their menu was extensive, offering traditional cuisine, the best of Tuscany. For starters, we decided on the Bruschetta and Fantasia Crostini. For our main meal, we opted for warm Seafood Salad, Risotto with Zucchini, Risotto with Seafood, Steak with Green Pepper Sauce, Garden Salad, Side of Roasted Potatoes, and Steak with Roasted Potatoes. Complimentary bread started our meal. The food was absolutely amazing. Everything was always cooked beyond expectation with a perfect balance of flavor for each meal. Our server was Arianna, who took such great care of us. She was warm, attentive, and offered fantastic recommendations. Her friendly smile and professionalism made our meal even more enjoyable. Prices were very reasonable and the portions healthy. To end our meal, they gave us limoncello, which was a nice touch! This was our favorite restaurant; we even had dinner the following evening. We recommend this place. read more

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We had dinner at Buca Niccolini and enjoyed it so much that we went back for lunch another day. I had the ravioli and the man had the T-bone steak (which came with roasted potatoes and a salad, all for €20). The insalata mista, which was nothing special (iceberg lettuce, red cabbage, and a few cherry tomatoes). Not really worth ordering. The house wine is great. We had pizza when we went back for lunch, and it was AMAZING. I had the margarita with arugula and the man had a sausage pizza. Just fantastic. Our server, Arianna, was lovely, too! We can't recommend Buca Niccolini highly enough! read more

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Food was great and at a reasonable price. Where else can you get a T-bone steak for only 22 euro? Try the margarita pizza and the spritz! read more

Buca Niccolini - Wall art - Italian Near Me - Florence, FI

We must have been in the wrong place (but were not)! After reading all the reviews, I was excited about trying it. Our food was uneatable! Our grilled vegetable plate was raw and impossible to chew. I have been eating pizza capricciosa in Italy from 40 years. Theirs had one mushroom sliced on it and HOTDOGS! The menu clearly stated "pork sausage". Don't waste the opportunity to eat fabulous Florentine food by eating here! I wasn't expecting high end gourmet food, but bad pizza in Italy??? read more

My wife and daughter visited Florence on a day trip and came across this nice restaurant! The steak was awesome and my wife loved the calzone! The restaurant is located near the Duomo and near the Galleria dell'Accademia di Firenze! You should try it after you visit the museum! read more

Buca Niccolini - Italian Near Me - Florence, FI

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Walking distance from our hotel and near the Duomo. We arrived very close to closing time but the hostess welcomed us with a big smile. The service here was great compared to other nearby restaurants. The food was very good, we loved everything we ordered. The Tortellini soup was so delicious we ordered a second one. The pastas were perfectly cooked and had the right amount of sauce. You would thing it's a tourist trap since it's so close to Duomo but I assure you it's not. Everything is reasonably priced and delicious. read more

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This was (disappointingly) one of my least favorite meals in Italy. Despite being recommended by our local host, there were some red flags right away that this could be a tourist restaurant (very large menu, full of pictures, etc). I ordered a traditional Florentine risotto, which was fine but didn't live up to the quality of the other meals I'd had while in Italy. Service was fine and friendly enough, but the entire restaurant seemed geared towards tourists and not catering towards the locals/an authentic experience. I'd recommend crossing the bridge for a more authentic meal. On the plus side, the dinner was extremely affordable at less than €20 for my meal and a glass of wine. read more

Buca Niccolini - Italian Near Me - Florence, FI

I hate to give a less than positive review of any establishment as there are many factors that affect the overall experience, so here is my objective review. Let me start with the good. The service received was excellent, with the attentive staff working very hard to provide an enjoyable experience. Staff was welcoming and friendly, service was prompt. You could not ask for a better location, being right off the main Duomo square. Close and convenient, yet just far enough from the bustle to provide a quiet spot to dine. We sat outside (which was great) so didn't see the interior of the restaurant, but it looked nice from where we sat. We both ordered the steak special which was unfortunately a very bad choice. While the cuts were large and cooked as requested, they were extremely tough to where they were difficult to cut (the steak knives leave a lot of room for improvement) and almost impossible to chew. We noticed the man at the next table having the same issue. It's likely that other items on the menu are perfectly fine, however we were disappointed with what we had. Overall the service and location earn 5 stars, unfortunately the food receives a generous 2. I would recommend this restaurant based on the location and terrific service, and would suggest ordering something other than the steak. https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g187895-d2480890-r1034238313-Buca_Niccolini-Florence_Tuscany.html# read more

Really loved the pesto gnocchi I got here! It had cheese on top that was so creamy! The portions were very large and I thought it was a great price for the money. Waiters were very fast with service. Nice atmosphere inside with fun menus that had little stories in it. The menu was also very large! Many options to choose from! Vegan options! read more

Buca Niccolini - Italian Near Me - Florence, FI

Ate here for lunch with my husband on the last day of our honeymoon. It was incredible. One of my favorite restaurants we've eaten at all week. The atmosphere was lovely with candles. The prices were reasonable. There were pictures with every dish, making it easy for us to select a delicious dish. The pizza was incredible. We tried 99. I got the pesto gnocchi and it was spectacular, flavorful, and delicious. My husband got the seafood pasta with red sauce and that was amazing too we ended up sharing both of our plates. We had the house red and house sparkling white wines which were lovely. I also tried their fresh juice which was so refreshing and fresh-tasting. To finish it off, we were offered a complimentary limoncello shot! We will come back when we visit Florence again! Not to mention, service was excellent too. read more

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Quick lunch during our one full day in Florence. Wonderful service. The house special for lunch was half pizza half calzone was very appetizing and plenty for my husband and I for a light lunch. Local beer to top it off! read more

Visited this place while in Florence. The food was superior the Lasagna was the best I've ever had. The seafood salad was so fresh and delicious. The customer service was phenomenal we had two servers. They were both so nice and friendly! The ambiance was romantic yet welcoming for families as well!! read more

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I saw this restaurant on my way to the Academia Gallery and I told myself I was gonna eat lunch there because the Florentine Steak seemed manageable. Once I was done I made my way back and grabbed a seat. The steak was cooked to perfection but could use a bit more flavor. The potatoes were too salty and I barely touched them. I finished it off with a soufflé and that was the bomb. I wanted the steak because it was a Florence staple, but in a manageable portion. They had that. Do your research when looking for a the fabled Florentine Steak. read more

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This cute restaurant is walking distance from my hotel. I made a reservation here for 6 and when I arrived I was greeted with a smile from the ladies working. The find the menu to be adorable. The font and pictures just make it look cute and it's nice to see what the food looks like prior to ordering. The Coccoli con crudo e stracchino is my favorite for appetizers. My bf got the Ravioli tartufati which was very delicious, especially if you love truffle sauce. I ordered the Risotto di Mare which was good and I can't go wrong with seafood. Lastly, for desert we ordered the Nutellina and it was perfect. Before paying we received a complimentary shot which I believe was a Limoncello. Can't turn down a free shot. So I thank you to everyone working here and for the amazing service we received. I thank you to the chefs as well for the amazing food! I will visit again whenever I return back to Firenze. read more

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This is very near the duomo but tucked away in the alley. Very delicious food, fast service and they sat us right away. read more

Buca Niccolini - Risotto - Italian Near Me - Florence, FI

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My husband and I ordered delivery from here after spending a majority of the day road-tripping from city to city. We ordered the Carbonara, pizza, and dessert, and it was delivered still hot. Pizza was okay, but the carbonara was one of our favorite's we've had so far! read more

Buca Niccolini - Carbonara - Italian Near Me - Florence, FI

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The food here is great. The carbonara pasta and penne with sausage are both wonderful pasta option. In terms of entrees, the mixed grill is delicious and a huge portion. The sausage was also good but just a little bit too salty. The pizza Bomba was awesome as well; the spicy salami added a nice kick to the flavor profile. The menu has tons of options with a large variety of dishes. The service was fantastic as well. The waiters came to our table frequently and the food was ready fairly quickly. You can also see them make the some of the food from the dining room which was pretty cool to see. The restaurant is located on a quiet street walking distance away from other bigger areas and shopping centers. The restaurant is somewhat small but nicely decorated. read more

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The waitress was rude. And more than just your stereotypical Italian rude. When I would speak she would yell "WAIT WAIT WAIT" until she finished putting our order in. We ordered roasted potatoes, and wanted to replace the potatoes with French fries (this was like a minute later after we placed the order), and she just looked at us and said "we sent already" meaning that it was too late to do that. We reiterated what we wanted and she just put her hand up to our face to shut us up and then sighed and was shaking her head. ON TOP OF THAT, we ordered boar sauce pasta and pasta carbonara, both of which the noodles were undercooked and bland. An overall bad experience... only giving it two stars instead of one because there was a nice waiter who sat us down and refunded one of the entrees for us because we did not finish it. Don't come here. read more

Came for a full meal, and had great service. Came a second time for just dessert and coffee, and still great service. Oh, the food was really good too. read more

Buca Niccolini - Ice Cream with espresso and pistachios. - Italian Near Me - Florence, FI

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Absolutely top notch customer service! It's hard to find amazing customer service in Italy, but this restaurant was on top of everything for om seating a large group of 5 people from delivering food to our table very quickly. And food is amazing too! Highly recommend! read more

Great service, good food and awesome people watching. Very busy area but good place to catch a bite while taking in the sights. Lasagna was fresh and tasty, bread is always great and the service was friendly. read more

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Delizioso! This place is a fantastic option for great food, and a wonderful ambiance. Whether you are seated inside, or outside you will enjoy your surroundings. They have a 50 euro Bistecca alla Fiorentina for two or a smaller 20 euro version that we got. You can not beat the quality or pricing! The servers were all very kind and provided great recommendations for other things in the area. 10 out of 10! read more

Buca Niccolini - Piselli stufati con pancetta (stewed peas with bacon) 5.5 euro T-bone steak Fiorentina style served with potatoes and salad 20 euro - Italian Near Me - Florence, FI

Horrible tourist trap restaurant. The only meal during my trip that I have regretted. Avoid at all costs. Gluten free pizza is clearly from a frozen dough which is understandable but there was so much water from the toppings that it was soggy. The meat on the pizza was not cooked or seasoned. No flavor overall. Wild boar pasta sauce tasted super game-y even from someone who doesn't completely mind that. Really weird energy from staff. read more

Buca Niccolini is just about a 2 minute walk from the Duomo ...if that. So it is very conveniently located the "thick" of the action of that area. We stopped by at lunch time and just wanted to grab a quick bite in the midst seeing all these touristy sites. I ordered the spaghetti carbonara while my travel partner ordered the lasagne. I'd say the food was serviceable but was lacking that "wow" factor. The pricing here was actually pretty good, comparatively speaking. Entrees could be had for 7-10 euros each. That is really not bad, especially when you consider you are in a touristy area. Service was okay. Not rude at all, but they didn't seem to thrilled to be there either. lol This place pretty much served its purpose. It was a decent and affordable bite to eat, so that way we could keep on going and checking out the sites! It will do the trick, but is certainly not a destination meal. 3 stars. A-Ok. read more

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We thoroughly enjoyed this restaurant. The waitstaff, especially Esaue, was outstanding. The food was great, The staff helpful and full of smiles. We are going back tomorrow for breakfast. read more

THIS IS AN OLD REVIEW BUT THIS PLACE IS SO GREAT THAT I NEEDED TO ALSO ADD TO MY YELP ACCOUNT. it is located at a little tiny street nest to the cathedral duomo and pretty hidden you need ot look for it really. but we were so fortunate to find this place, we could hear the artists playing some amazing italian classics in front of the cathedral while i enjoyed the best truffle oil Ravioli of my existence. read more

Buca Niccolini - this ravioli is life. - Italian Near Me - Florence, FI

1st night - 3 diners had Risotto Mare - all loved it, though very light on the shrimp 2nd night- fillet, strip steak, spaghetti, et all great !!! Hard to go wrong here. read more

The first word that starts this experience is disgusting. After being seated, I went to wash my hands and when waiting (single restroom) I saw our waiter exit the private toilet and then immediately exit without washing her hands... it was appalling to say the least. I then went up to the staff manager and had informed in which he just responded "so?" And then had someone look at the restroom for some reason after I had informed him that I wanted a different person to bring our food which did happen initially but then we found a hair in one of our cold dishes that was supposed to be hot as it was meat, toasted bread and boiled eggs, the same waitress who never washed her hands brought out the new dish. At this point appetite was completely diminished and just asked for the bill and left. Definitely do not come here is my suggestion. read more

It was advertised as a breakfast spot but only had a few options for breakfast. they forgot to bring many items that we ordered. service was so slow and our waiter literally just stopped serving us halfway through and we had to get a new one. Over priced for dry small portion eggs and charcoal bacon. everything we asked for he wouldn't bring. would not waste my money here. read more

Buca Niccolini - Italian Near Me - Florence, FI

we came with a big group, and they had a set menu for us, which was pretty good! excellent service and so friendly! Alba was a lovely server! read more

Should have know being right next to Duomo that it would be that good. We liked the prices of the food items and that there were pictures in the menu. Our waiter seems disinterested the entire time we were there. I got the salmon Alfredo penne which was flavorless and only had two specks of salmon. Disappointing. My husband got the Duomo pizza with mushrooms, prosciutto and onions. That was pretty decent. The meals were okay and not that great. I'm sure there were better places to go to. read more

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An amazing place. Service is top notch very polite and fun. The food is amazing no matter what you get. The ambiance is quiet and great atmosphere. read more

Food was ok, servers were a little rude. Got the vibe that they get annoyed when you don't speak Italian. The view is nice if you're sitting outside. Had better food while in Italy, so I wouldn't recommend unless you're really hungry. read more

Buca Niccolini - Pasta carbonara and Capriccioosa pizza. - Italian Near Me - Florence, FI

The good was amazing! Had the Ravioli with truffle sauce. The bread was great as well. Service was great!

Big tourist trap. Don't get fooled by the nice pictures on the menu and the cute outdoor seating. I ordered spaghetti...something that's hard to screw up and the sauce was so bitter and no flavor. I've had better in Venice and in my kitchen using barilla. On top of that, service isn't that great. A little rushed and annoyed when you ask questions. I gave a two star because presentation looked nice. Overall, don't waste money here. read more

Buca Niccolini - Italian Near Me - Florence, FI

Florence, Italy. Their remark is "make food Not war. They have huge steaks. But I had pasta. Really good carbonara pasta made the Italian way. Egg sauce with no cream. Ham instead of bacon. Service is good. They speak English and they are friendly. They have an elegant dining area down stairs for dinner so don't let the facde fool you. It is between the duomo and the accademia museum. read more

Buca Niccolini - My very tasty meal. I love Italian food. - Italian Near Me - Florence, FI

This is nearby Duomo and close to Accademia. We were looking for a place to eat and after checking out the menu we decided to give it a go. The wait staff was very friendly and we were seated promptly. I was craving a pizza so I asked our server which was the best and she mentioned three of her favorites and I decided on the spicy salami. No more than 8 minutes passed and we had our food in front of us, talk about speedy service!! It was a nice, crunchy, thin crust with tasty sauce and creamy cheese. The price was exceptional considering it is so close to touristy spots which is usually the opposite. Considering this all occurred during a busy lunch time, I was thoroughly impressed with our experience. Grazie Mille! I forgot to mention! They started us off with some complimentary bread which was fantastic! It was lightly salted and topped with toasted sesame!! So good!!!! read more

Buca Niccolini - Spicy salami pizza!! So good! - Italian Near Me - Florence, FI

The pizza was fantastic! We will definitely return to Buca Niccolini when in Florence.

Lovely place. Their house wines are delicious. Food is reasonably priced and 3X the worth every penny.