November 7, 2024 7:30PM…read more The Osteria was really close to the duomo and the ambiance looked so cozy from the outside. We decided to stop in for some seafood items and white wine. This is the place where I ordered my first vermentino of my life and have forever changed since. I thought I was just a sauvignon blanc girlie but I think I love vermentino more. I didn't get a chance to take a photo of the mussels we ordered but both the mussels and the spaghetti alle vongole (Spaghetti with Clams) were so tasty. Met some new friends from England while were were here that's from similar area as my partner's ancestors... The service was amazing, the restrooms were clean. Definitely a nice pitstop before moving on to sightseeing near the Duomo for the evening. Really love their seafood dishes that we tried. I thought they were very reasonably priced but maybe it's because I'm from a landlocked state. :)

Very cozy little spot right near the Duomo. I ordered the ravioli and a glass of vermentino, a…read morewhite grape local to Tuscany. They were both wonderful and just what I needed as a first meal in Florence. The service was welcoming and I didn't real rushed through my dinner at all. Would recommend!

Excellent food and authentic Italian experience. Don't be fooled by the English subtitles for the…read moremenu items the place is not a tourist trap.

We had a lovely dinner at Trattoria Giovanni. We loved how cozy, spacious, and genuinely local it…read morefelt, like eating at your grandma's house. It's close enough to the lively, bustling part of Firenze to feel connected, yet just far enough to escape the city's never-ending wave of tourists. The service was incredible, and the owner (I'm pretty sure it was the owner?) brought so much energy that he single-handedly turned the whole place into an eclectic little spot during the "rush hour" of the evening. The menu was solid, if a bit "generic" at times. While everything we ordered was delicious, nothing at Trattoria Giovanni felt like a dish you couldn't find elsewhere... and honestly, that's perfectly fine! It was traditional, comforting, and exactly what we were craving. The plate of cured meats and cheese was phenomenal, a great start to the meal. The pastas were really good as well, though one of the meat dishes had a slightly off texture, with the chunks of meat a bit overcooked. All in all, we loved our meal and would definitely recommend this spot if you're in Florence.

We love this place in Florence which has indoor and outdoor patio…read more Pluses 1. Fresh mussels 2. Good wines by the glass especially Chianti Classico Reserva and the Brunello 3. Boar pasta Ragu 4. Lobster pasta 5. Triple tiramisu is the highlight and so delicious 6. Helpful and friendly service Highly recommended!

La Bussola was recommended by our hotel staff. The were comfortable tables outdoors in the shade…read more The staff were very nice. We were served some complementary bread. Chianti by the glass was reasonably priced. My wife and I split the shrimp avocado salad to start. It was delicious. The produce tasted really fresh. This was followed by an eggplant pizza. This is the best pizza that we have had in Florence to date. Our friends enjoyed their vegetarian pizza. They had cappuccino that they liked. I concluded my meal with a generously sized afffogato. The espresso was poured out of the pot tableside- very cool. Great lunch. I would happily return.

My husband and I visited Florence for a full week and came to eat here 3 times because everything…read morewas just so incredibly fresh and delicious! The oysters are ENORMOUS and the portions are very generous and extremely great value for money. The atmosphere is very cool and modern with incredible service as well. We basically tried through the menu while we were there and honestly loved every single thing we tasted. I highly recommend this to anyone in town to add to your list of you are a seafood fan!

4.5 stars The Fishing Lab presents an innovative…read moreconcept--seafood served in a variety of forms including raw, grilled, bar bites, and composed dishes, all on the same menu! The most creative dish we had was the Codfish Cappuccino, a codfish mousse topped with potato foam, served in a cappuccino cup with a croissant on the side. It was made to look like breakfast but was a savory seafood appetizer! One nice feature about the menu here was that many dishes could be ordered in a "Tapas" (half) portion, so it was easy to try and share lots of different items. The Catalan-style Calamari and Shrimp Salad was a refreshing mixture of chopped squid mixed with zucchini, carrots, fennel, tomatoes, and oranges; the Fusili with Galician-style Octopus Sauce came with al dente corkscrew pasta in a tomato-based octopus ragout made with spicy salami and topped with potato foam; and the Cacciucco was a tomato-based stew (from the Tuscan coastal city of Livorno) made with octopus, cuttlefish, mussels, and gurnard, along with dry chunks of bread that were moistened in the stew. Finally, we had the Isolana-Style Sea Bream Fillet, which was simply grilled and served over roasted vegetables including zucchini, potatoes, peppers, onions, and olives. Overall, the seafood here was fresh and tasty, fusing elements of Spanish and Italian cuisines.

I absolutely LOVE this market. They had everything you could want and all of the food was…read moredelicious. We tried the famous Lampredotto and loved it so much. We also stopped at the truffle counter and had some apps. There is something for everyone and its wonderful that its open late.

Located in the San Lorenzo district, just a few minutes' walk from the main train station of Santa…read moreMaria Novella), Mercato Centrale is a vibrant food hall experience housed in a historic market building (very similar to the Time Out Market franchise across Europe). From the outside, it looks like a grand, iron-and-glass structure typical of European markets; inside, it opens into a bustling, multi-level space filled with food vendors, communal tables, and constant movement. The vibe is energetic, social, and slightly chaotic in a fun way - perfect for grazing, group dining, or trying multiple cuisines in one visit (from Italian to American to Mexican!). We stopped in for a quick lunch at around 2pm on a Wednesday; there was plenty of seating at high-top tables, and QR codes on paper menus make it easy to explore all the different food vendor options. It's also a fun activity to peruse the market, taking in different sights, smells, and flavors. All of us ended up opting for Schiacciatas (large Italian sandwiches that are a staple in Florence) from Massimiliano Parri, which all ended up ranging from €10-12, depending on toppings - yes, it's more expensive than what you'd get from a traditional schiacciateria, but you're also paying for the market's location and convenience. We appreciated the fact that they shave the meat right in front of you! My schiacciata came with freshly shaved ham atop crusty white bread, slathered with burrata cheese, and sprinkled with arugula and figs (I opted for no additional olive oil, since I found the ham quite rich already). I loved the contrast of textures and flavors, though I will say that the bread ended up cutting the roof of my mouth! All in all, Mercato Centrale is a bit touristy, but still miles better (and cheaper) than most "Italian" sandwich places you'd find in the US (pro tip: save your receipt for free use of their bathrooms). The variety can't be beaten, prices are reasonable for a central market, and it's steps from some of Florence's most iconic spots.

Perfect and delicious. Family run, momma, papa, and daughter, Nina…read more From the amazing pizza to the homemade Lemonchello, this place is the best!

We had some drinks around the corner and were hungry so decided to come here due to the great…read morereviews. We walked in and the guy who spoke to us almost seemed bothered that we came in. I felt like it was almost an inconvenience to ask if there was a table for 2 . Once we got sat the waitress who helped us was very nice. We didn't realize how big the pizzas were but the price was great for two of them. I was pulling apart slices but the pizza was soggy and the toppings were coming off BUT the flavor was really good!!!!

Great food. Excellent service. Beautiful ambiance…read more A welcome surprise just off the beaten path with plenty of reasons to go on an adventure.

We walked to this restaurant only to find that it shut down last month. :( we walked into a wine…read morebar where the location was supposed to be, saw the Lobs sign, and asked for a local recommendation.

Wow, what a special place…read more Set inside a 14th-century tower near the Ponte Vecchio in Florence, this restaurant delivers an unforgettable dining experience from the moment you walk in. The atmosphere alone is worth a visit, but the food is what truly makes it exceptional. We ordered the ravioli, pappardelle with wild boar ragù, the Florentine steak, a mixed salad, affogato, and fresh strawberries with mascarpone cream. To drink, we shared a small carafe of red wine and a Pinot Grigio. Everything was spectacular. The Florentine steak was easily the best--and largest--I have ever had. Perfectly cooked, incredibly flavorful, and remarkably tender, it was the highlight of an already outstanding meal. The pappardelle with boar ragù was rich, hearty, and deeply satisfying, while the ravioli was beautifully prepared and full of flavor. Every dish felt authentic, carefully executed, and memorable. The wine was another pleasant surprise. Both selections were excellent and very reasonably priced, making the meal feel like an even better value. Our waiter was friendly, attentive, and incredibly helpful. He patiently answered questions, explained the menu, and guided us toward some fantastic choices. Although we thought we were too full for dessert, we're very glad we changed our minds. The affogato was fantastic, and the strawberries with mascarpone cream were absolutely delicious. One of the highlights of the evening was watching our four-year-old happily clutching two spoons and enthusiastically scooping fresh strawberries and mascarpone into his mouth. It was one of those memorable family travel moments that you don't forget. A terrific meal, a unique historic setting, excellent service, and a wonderful atmosphere. This was one of our favorite dining experiences in Florence, and I highly recommend it.

I literally can't say enough good things about this place. Main takeaway: make a reservation!! I…read morecalled day-of and they squeezed us in at 6:15 (which was perfect) but everything before 9:30 was booked up. We were welcomed warmly by the staff (he literally said "ah yes I remember you" ) and guided to our cozy little table in the corner. Were ordered a bottle of Chianti Classico to start, as well as a few pastas plus the steak and cod. I can safely say the spaghetti pomodoro with burrata was the best pasta dish I've had in Italy - the pasta was perfectly cooked and the cherry tomatoes was so sweet, the kind of thing that reminds you why you came to Italy in the first place. Overall: great service, great atmosphere, and fantastic food. Just be sure to make a reservation!!

My friends and I had a great time. The food was delicious and service was fast. It was fascinating…read moreto witness the pasta being cooked in the cheese wheel! Probably one of the best lasagnas I tasted as well. Their truffle carbonara was tasty - and they don't skimp out on the truffle! Free limoncello shots at the end! Do keep in mind a reservation is not mandatory, but I would highly suggest you do in advance. There were lines outside even before it opened! 10/10 would definitely recommend to anyone looking for good pasta.

A really great dining experience. Booked weeks in advance and for our time a lot 7-9pm, people were…read morelined up 10 minutes early to be let in. They brought us all in as a group (checking reso names) and sat us at individually tables. Then the "show" began with welcome prosecco, wine orders, etc. We got the squid and pork screwers as a starter and thought the flavors were just okay. The complimentary cheese bread ball and regular bread was super tasty. For mains, we got the truffle pasta (with the famous cheese wheel) which was fun to watch. The pasta itself was very solid, but not best ever. Also got the beef/boar pasta and it was better than the truffle pasta in my opinion and cheaper. The deconstructed tiramisu was yummy. Overall a good dinner with good service and pretty good food! An easy spot to recommend to others!

This restaurant is a pure gem in the heart of Florence. I ordered carbonara and the food by far…read moresurpassed all my expectations. It was very delicious and rich in flavor. I paired it with a glass of white wine which completed my meal. The service is lovely too. The staff was very attentive to me. Although small, the restaurant has a lovely atmosphere and ambiance. I highly recommend this spot if you are interested in true Italian pasta.

Food was amazing, great service as well. Small and simple menu but with a good variety. Cheap on…read morethe prices being so close to the tourist spots. Gem for sure