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    La Giostra

    4.2 (797 reviews)
    Ultra High-EndTuscan
    Closed 6:30 pm - 12:30 am (Next day)

    La Giostra Photos

    LA GIOSTRA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Intimate
    Romantic
    Good for groups

    Recommended Reviews - La Giostra

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    Caprese appetizer!
    Pat M.

    A friend recommended La Giostra to me before visiting Italy. I'm so glad she did because this is one of the best restaurants in Florence. The ambience of this place is just very cool. Dark inside with the walls filled with a Who's Who of celebrities who've dined here. The owner/chef, Soldano, is well known and it was awesome that he came out to meet us and take pictures. While Soldano is well known, the star of the show here is the food. After starting off with some wine, we were served a complimentary appetizer sampler platter. Delicious! I loved the eggplant. We ordered a Caprese appetizer with buffalo mozzarella. For entrees, I had one of the signature dishes, the pear and cheese ravioli. My wife had the Tagliata (grilled beef) with rosemary and olive oil. We topped off dinner with desserts of Tiramisu and an Apple Tart with vanilla ice cream. Outstanding meals! This is a very popular restaurant so we made reservations weeks in advance. If you're visiting Florence and you want to try the best restaurant in town, book that early reservation!

    Steak
    Antonio C.

    Had a reservation at 9:30, we were then finally seated at 10pm. We started with the servers recommended red wine, which was very good. No appetizers besides the complimentary bread and toppings - they were okay. I ordered the sliced steak with potatoes, asked for medium but it was more on the medium well side. The entree was pretty good but nothing to write home about. I've had better steaks at longhorn steakhouse back in the states. It was a good experience but was shocked that we didn't get seated until a half hour past our reserved time. This place is also very warm, I was starting to sweat a bit within my long sleeve shirt. The atmosphere is cool and the service was nice.

    Pear ravioli and ragu
    Marla C.

    I went with a group of 14. We had a set menu. If I was picking the menu I would have changed some things. The burrata was very good. The Parmesan cheese that was with the tomatoes was delicious. I liked the ragu. The pear ravioli was good. But I do think it had a lot of dough. I also don't know if I could have ate a whole order. I was glad to only have 2. I like something more savory. The florentine steak came out way too raw for my liking, I am aware this is how they serve it. Skip the chocolate cake it was not good. I did like the tiramisu though. The staff was great!!

    Grilled steak
    Salim K.

    5 stars 500 times over is what La Giostra deserves!!! Dining at La Giostra was nothing short of unforgettable. Dinner reservations were hard to find and we grabbed ourselves one for lunch. Absolutely loved the experience. From the moment we stepped inside, we were transported into a world of warm hospitality, rich Tuscan ambiance, and food that speaks to the soul. We settled in and were served a platter ( on the house) that had richness, flavors and amazing taste written across the board. The house bread is amazing as well and has a very unique taste associated with it. Post that, we ordered ourselves the Pear Ravioli and Steamed Octopus carpaccio with boiled ( finely sliced potato) which were so delicious ( big quantity served as well).We took our time to enjoy each of these a morsel at a time and they were simply sumptuous. For our main course we ordered Grilled steak with garlic, olive oil and rosemary ( which I didn't taste though got amazing reviews for it) and Baked Branzino with zucchini, tomatoes, olives and capers. The fish was cooked to perfection and the veggies added the much needed fiber alongside and as well were cooked to just the right degree. Loved the bites immensely and took our sweet time while we devoured through the meal :) After the check formalities were done and we were headed out, we ran into the man the legend, Soldano who happens to be the owner and runs a perfect culinary orchestra at La Giostra. Had a fun little conversation with him and definitely left with a lot of good feeling, vibes and felt that truly amazing customer care that they have built in the very fabric of La Giostra. It wouldn't be remiss to say that his warmth and charisma are reflected in every detail of the experience. La Giostra isn't just a restaurant -- it's a story, a tradition, a feeling. If you're in Florence, this is an absolute must. Thank you, Sandro and team , for making our lunch so memorable. This definitely has been a bright shining highlight of our trip!! Absolutely recommended!!

    Alex G.

    This place is worth the hype. The owner is super funny and interesting to talk to. I went there because of course when in Florence why not. Order the steak its delish and buy the bottle of wine with it. Pricey but the ambiance, the people, the food is worth it, Questo posto ne vale la pena, e quando sei in Italia perché non spendere i soldi? Adoro questo posto.

    Filet with balsamic
    Joey W.

    We have made this a staple to our Florence trips. We always save one night for dinner here. The atmosphere is always business casual. The service is always fantastic and the food is always delicious. We always bring our friends and family here so we definitely recommend this for your visit to Florence.

    The bar is the first stop
    Richard R.

    For foodies only. If you want the best, make a reservation here. What can I say that has not already been said. The house special pasta, the Bistecca alla fiorentina and the tiramisu are amazing. Get there early and order the house Negroni, relax at the bar, enjoy the vibe as people come in dressed for dinner. (Oh yeah, dress for dinner!) If you don't find this place the best, there are many pizza shops and street vendors that can make you a meal.

    Steak
    Jake F.

    La Giostra is my favorite restaurant in Florence. Make a reservation. Show up early and grab a drink before your dining experience. Order the pear ravioli and a steak. You won't be disappointed. This is a very special place inside and out. Buckle up, you'll kill 2- 3 hours here but just enjoy the ride.

    "We were visiting my college-aged daughter and celebrated her 20th birthday there with a couple of her girlfriends. That dinner was one of the top highlights of our trip - The owner, waitstaff and hostess made us (and my daughter) feel very special. AND, the food was amazing! I must for anyone visiting Florence!"

    Zucchini sticks (€12)
    Jessica S.

    Because you can't come to Florence and leave without trying a Florentine Steak...and to be sure, the steak was what drew us to this restaurant. We did a lot of research, of course, and after scrolling through countless pictures, reviews and available reservations, we landed on La Giostra. The restaurant is quite pretty inside, filled with tons of twinkly lights that set the mood. The tables were kind of squished together, which made navigating between chairs difficult for some people and having a semi-private conversation difficult for others. The service was great, the staff was attentive and friendly, always greeting us with smiles and small bows, almost overly deferential. They took the time to answer our questions, provide recommendations and ensure we were taken care of. The steak (€130) was cooked to perfection (and to Florentine Steak standards) and, true to what is advertised, there was a lot of it. It was a challenge to finish even with the two of us sharing, but that could also be because of the sides that were included, or maybe the fact that we thought we'd also need to add the Fried Zucchini Sticks (€12) to the main meal *and* the Gran selezione di Salumi di Cinta Senese (€28) as a starter. They started us out with a plate of tiny toasts, with various toppings ranging from marinated veggies to sauteed tomatoes, stuffed mushrooms and a couple other vegetable-based items that we both missed when it was pointed out. We rather enjoyed everything that was presented. The charcuterie board came out next, piled high with meats and a handful of nuts. My husband was in heaven. The steak was presented next, and good heavens, was I already suffering from meat sweats, before I took my first bite. The steak was flavorful, I'll give it that, and simply cooked. It was served with potatoes and carrots, along with a simple side salad of greens and a creamy dressing. The zucchini sticks we (unnecessarily) added on were tasty and salty, crispy and crunchy. We both enjoyed the meal but I was full for the next two days haha.

    Filet Minion and Potatoes

    Ambience was perfect, food was amazing and the staff provided superior service! It was also nice to meet the owner.

    Shawna H.

    This was definitely a cool experience. Reservations are a must. We made the reservation a week ahead and 9:15 was the earliest available on a Sunday night. The bar is nice but drinks are super expensive, with nothing under 20 €. We ordered drinks while waiting for our table and the wait was about 10 minutes. The ambience is unique, with soft white lights strung across the ceiling throughout the dining area (this did not allow for great photos unless you used a flash, however). The tables are very close to each other since the space is small but the walls are filled with interesting photos and the vibe is great. The food is delicious and the servers attentive but the menu prices are extravagant so basically you're paying for the vibe. I might have gone 4 stars due to the high cost, but we began our experience with a complimentary starter and ended with comped Limoncello shots so I had to take that into account. Overall, if you're up for the cost, definitely worth a visit.

    Stracciatella di Burrata

    The food here is absolutely amazing. Everything I ate was delicious and felt really special. I highly recommend the pear ravioli!! There's a good chance you've never had anything like it before. It was unreal and easily one of the best dishes I've ever had. Honestly, I don't think you can go wrong with anything on the menu. Every bite was incredible, and I will definitely be coming back. The customer service was also fantastic. The owner was walking around talking with guests, which made the experience feel very personal. We of course had to take picture with him along with our waiter! If you're visiting Florence, I highly recommend stopping here. Just make sure to book ahead it's very popular and fills up fast!

    Papperdele Chingale - branzino and Osso bucco

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    7 days ago

    Our second trip to Firenze and our second time eating at this amazing restaurant. One of the best dining experiences. Will be back again.

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    1 year ago

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    12 days ago

    We had a fantastic experience - highly highly recommend! One of the best servers we've ever had and the food and drinks were delicious.

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    2 months ago

    Pasta was incredible. Tried the Carbonara and the Tuscan Ragu. Service also excellent.

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    6 months ago

    Food was okay! Staff not friendly at all. Least favorite of all of Florence restaurants.

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    La Buchetta - Linguine in clam sauce

    La Buchetta

    4.8(309 reviews)
    0.6 kmDuomo
    €€€

    Another excellent spot we tried in Florence. We were greeted as soon as we walked in and seated…read moreimmediately. The staff was very friendly and our waiter was Nugo. He was awesome and had us laughing the entire night. We peppered him with a lot of questions about the menu, he answered everything and also accommodated my father-in-law, who is GF. He had his own GF bread basket and was able to order almost anything on the menu. We ordered a nice bottle of Montepulciano red for the table that was $48. Others had the Hugo spritz. For app I had the anchovies with roasted red pepper, sea salt and oil over grilled crostini, very good. I skipped first course and ordered the ribeye steak for my main course. Bone in, medium rare, sprinkled with sea salt and a side of onion marmalade. The steak was very good and had way less fat than I expected. The waiter suggested a huge steak for the table, but I was the only one ordering steak that night. Maybe next time. Others ordered the fillet and it was cooked perfectly, the angels and demons gnocchi, and the veal scallopini. Everybody was pleased Really cool spot with a very good wine selection, drinks, excellent food and a fun atmosphere that you don't find at many places. Nugo was an A+ server.

    Fyi there are two locations, make sure you go to the correct one (only two blocks apart)…read more Wonderful, laid back but inviting ambiance. Waiter was super friendly, taking time to explain their wines in detail and food options. They even have a kids menu with sizeable portions for older kids. We all thoroughly enjoyed our meal, and it was definitely the best wine we had with meals in Florence. Gnocchi and wild boar taglietelle were outstanding. Had we had come earlier in our stay we might have come back again They also do a wine window which I wish I'd known about earlier because the other one we tried for fun was not good

    Photos
    La Buchetta - A gigantic cork arched walkway. All corks came from wine opened here.

    A gigantic cork arched walkway. All corks came from wine opened here.

    La Buchetta
    La Buchetta

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    Trattoria Zà Zà

    Trattoria Zà Zà

    4.2(1.7k reviews)
    0.8 kmSanta Maria Novella
    €€

    Looking for a place to eat, found this gem and realized I wanted to try it. Everyone had told us…read moredinner reservations were a MUST here, but didn't think about it. Not many places actually have yelp reviews, but this one had so many with great feedback. The food looked amazing. When we arrived we thought they were closed, but that is because they moved to a bigger restaurant a few doors down. When we arrived at the front, the gentleman asked if we had reservations, which we didn't. He directed us to the line with no reservations. The line was a bit long, but doubled in size almost immediately. It also started pouring rain during this time and we were ALL getting drenched even with an umbrella. The non reservation line was not really moving unless people left the line. We waited a good hour. As we inched closer and closer, the lines were now both outrageous and getting seated seemed like a distant memory. The staff came out and gave out Sangria and Bread bites to help those in line feel welcome. We did finally get seated and we were so glad we waited, it was worth it! We ordered the Spaghetti Carbonara, the lobster spaghettini and the chicken breast with roasted potatoes. We also ordered sangria. Everything was so good and our total was 83 €. Prices were unbelievable! We were amazed at the quality, the service and how large the restaurant they relocated to was. It was like a well oiled machine. The food coming out quickly and efficiently. I will 100% be back if I return to Florence!

    What a maze of a restaurant, super interesting decor and set up. Such a cute restaurant with so…read moremany "rooms". Definitely can tell the old building and maybe they had expanded over the years. The service was amazing and the food delicious. This is one of the places that friends recommended and it's also on the list of many influencers. Tourist trappy, maybe. But the food was totally worth it. We were in the area around 4:30PM and decided to stop in, totally not expecting much as we didn't make a reservation but figured if they're open and not busy, why not give them a try. The most memorable dish we had was the appetizer we order - fried polenta with mushrooms and chicken liver pate, the polenta fried crispy, the mushrooms creamy and the chicken liver pate so smooth and savory. We also ordered 2 pasta dishes - wild boar sauce pappardelle and spaghetti alla carbonara. So tasty and with depth of flavors. Paired well with the house white wine we ordered as well. Definitely a spot you don't want to miss when in Florence.

    Photos
    Trattoria Zà Zà - The African zoo room

    The African zoo room

    Trattoria Zà Zà - His and hers

    His and hers

    Trattoria Zà Zà - Boccalona style Spaghettini

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    Boccalona style Spaghettini

    Osteria del Cinghiale Bianco - Steak Florentine

    Osteria del Cinghiale Bianco

    4.6(365 reviews)
    1.0 kmPalazzo Pitti
    €€

    Beautiful inside, about of twists and turns and we were in the patio , at the back of the…read morerestaurant. Amazing experience ! I highly recommend this restaurant as a stop in Florence . As recommended by Stanley Tucci , we had to stop here and enjoy their amazing delicious dishes. Reservations are highly required! The staff goes out of their way to make sure you have the opportunity to enjoy your meal in Florence . Everything was delicious from the veal lombatina to the pappardelle cing, to the onion flan , to the filetto Chianti ....just delicious . Of all of Florence this was my favorite restaurant.

    Believe the hype. And trust me, I was incredibly doubtful at first, afraid it would be overrated…read moregiven the absolute fandom around this being one of Stanley Tucci's go-to. On top of the pain of securing a reservation (they only take these over the phone; no online system), the only slot I could secure even as a solo diner was as soon as they opened, at 6pm, and via a bar seat. When I arrived, I was immediately greeted by several of the staff, all warm/kind. One of them offered me a table, even though I humbly mentioned I'd be fine with whatever was convenient to them. I looked around and saw what seemed to be majority American tourists so I had very standard expectations. Well, what commenced...my god. I'm getting chills now thinking about the entire experience. Just the absolute perfect dinner my first night in Florence. Everything on the menu looked fantastic and I was even tempted to order 2 Primi (pastas) but my server discouraged it, said they were quite large. Instead she guided towards the "must" appetizer, the "onion flan with pecorino cheese and truffle" followed by their signature pasta, "pappardelle with wild boar ragù" The appetizer literally brought me to tears as soon as I took a bite. I didn't think I liked truffle but this was life-changing. And the pasta was served piping hot and also to die for. I complemented the meal with a delicious glass of white and red and ended with the utterly divine tiramisu. I will be dreaming about this meal for years to come. So epic.

    Photos
    Osteria del Cinghiale Bianco - 6pm (1st seating upon opening was only reservation I could secure)

    6pm (1st seating upon opening was only reservation I could secure)

    Osteria del Cinghiale Bianco - Pappardelle with wild boar ragu

    Pappardelle with wild boar ragu

    Osteria del Cinghiale Bianco - Delicious Vermentino wine

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    Delicious Vermentino wine

    Vini e Vecchi Sapori - Paccheri with with zucchini flower & saffron

    Vini e Vecchi Sapori

    4.6(321 reviews)
    0.5 kmDuomo
    €€

    One of the best dining experiences I've ever had. No wonder it's always fully booked here!!The…read moreowner is so welcoming and kind, taking the time to introduce himself, the menu, and provide personal recommendations. The servers check in frequently and are quick to help with anything you need. The ambiance is lively with popular music, laughter, and conversation. We chatted with the table next to us on the way out and met some fellow Texans! On our way out, the owner also remembered my name and started introducing me to other tables to make friends. What a fun place to be! The food was absolutely amazing. When we saw them slicing the salami right in front of us, we decided to order the salami plate and we were so glad we did! The zucchini flower and saffron pasta was bursting with flavor and the pasta was so perfectly cooked. I couldn't get enough! The duck ragu pasta was also hearty, rich, and delicious. The sauce was so good, my family soaked up every last bit with our bread. The ricotta spinach ravioli was also amazing!! Again the sauce was such a standout. The ravioli was so fresh with the perfect amount of bite. The green pepper sauce steak was soooo good. Cooked perfectly, with such a unique sauce that the whole peppercorns added perfectly to in texture and spice. Finally, the raspberry tiramisu. We were so full, but when they set these down our dessert stomachs were ready. They were amazing! Not the strongest raspberry flavor, but still such a delicious end to the meal. Side note, you MUST have a reservation to eat here, and they only take reservations by call. Because I didn't have a way to call them, I asked my Airbnb hosts who did it for me (also amazing people). While we were eating, there was a crowd forming outside of people waiting to get in but unable to. It's so worth it to visit Vini e Vecchi Sappori! I'll definitely have to come back next time I'm in Florence.

    If you're planning a trip to Florence, make the effort to book a table at Vini e Vecchi Sapori…read more It's a small, popular restaurant that only takes reservations by phone, and it does seem to book up for every meal. We had our hotel call for us when we checked in and were lucky to grab a 1:30 lunch slot on a Thursday afternoon. We saw the fat physical reservation book when we went, and also saw an attempted walk-in get turned away. We wanted to go for dinner, but I'm just glad we were able to get in at all. Vini e Vecchi Sapori was easily my favorite restaurant in Florence. I loved the cozy, vibrant dining room, snug and eclectically decorated. We were at a table so tiny, I worried about pulling a muscle when I crossed my legs. It was nestled amongst other tiny tables, and abutted a counter where plates were put out for service and the reservation book set down in its glory next to my husband's head. Service was warm, efficient, and attentive. Our waiter basically told what to order and we obeyed him, with excellent results. The one-page handwritten menu, helpfully available in English, presented the day's offerings and this preemptive list of disclaimers: No Pizza No Cappuccino No The Fork No Ice No Spritz No Ketchup FUCK CANCER There was a brief selection of Italian wines by the glass, and we got the Chianti Classico and the Bruno de Montalcino, both lovely. The food was delicious, starting with good bread and good olive oil. We ordered the mixed Tuscany salami and the beef carpaccio as appetizers, and they were both superb and not in the least bit redundant. There were four or five types of salami, every one of them fantastic, and I loved the thin, silky carpaccio, served with rucola, parmesan, olive oil, and black pepper. We shared two splendid pastas, spinach ricotta ravioli in a creamy rose tomato sauce and a hearty pappardelle with duck ragu. For dessert, we had the lush, irresistible raspberries tiramisu. I plan to come back to Florence one day, and will make a point of coming back to Vini e Vecchi Sapori. It's a special restaurant, the kind you hope to find in Italy, a welcoming place with lively ambiance and wonderful food.

    Photos
    Vini e Vecchi Sapori
    Vini e Vecchi Sapori - Pappardelle with duck ragu

    Pappardelle with duck ragu

    Vini e Vecchi Sapori - Peposo

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    Peposo

    Trattoria Pallottino - Chicken and potatoes

    Trattoria Pallottino

    4.4(132 reviews)
    0.3 kmDuomo
    €€

    Second time in two years and yet again a wonderful experience. This time we took our daughter who…read morewas studying abroad in Florence and her friends out for dinner. House wine, starting with a few pastas to share and then a nice thick Bistecca Florentino cooked perfectly. This is the place to go for an authentic, unrushed, Tuscan night out.

    Bad experience with rude and disrespectful owner, severe lack of customer service skills. Some…read moredishes were ok. while my meatballs were not fully cooked, the ground meat was raw/bloody inside. Filthy bathroom! Small place, nothing fancy. 1 star because there is nothing LOWER to rate this place!!! FLINSTONES ERA!!! We were getting ready to pay the bill and leave, when the owner noticed that I have not eaten the meatballs. This man who spoke English, insisted on wanting to know what was wrong with the meatballs, I said I do no eat raw/bloody uncooked meatballs. He started raising his voice very loud and stated that "that's the way they like the meatballs there and they have done it the same way over 100 years. FLINSTONES ERA!!! Other customers look scared at him yelling at us, which was a totally unacceptable behavior from this man. I stated, 'that was my preference to eat fully cook ground meat,". He continued raising his voice at all of us and said, he does not take the price off the dish off the bill, no matter what. Which we did not even ask for. Obviously, his only concern was the money, rather than offer to cook the meatballs until fully cooked and to behave in a professional and respectful manner, since he chooses to serve customers from all over the world where customer service skills are absolutely necessary and his behavior was unacceptable.

    Photos
    Trattoria Pallottino - Seating is super tight

    Seating is super tight

    Trattoria Pallottino - Lasagna

    Lasagna

    Trattoria Pallottino - Main restaurant

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    Main restaurant

    Trattoria dall'Oste

    Trattoria dall'Oste

    4.3(402 reviews)
    0.5 kmDuomo
    €€€€

    Probably the most popular steakhouse in Florence. We gotta try the Florentine steak. After…read moreconsulting the server, we got the local Italian beef (forgot its name, but the fattier one). The steak came out with great presentation. Sizzling on a hot plat. Giant piece of meat. We easily finish all the meat, so it was good. The steak tasted normal though - not as beefy as dry aged beef, or not as flavorful at some other places i have tried (Porteno in Sydney), Just regular red meat taste. A little not salty enough. For sure not the best steak i have ever eaten. Probably due to the simple way how Florentine steaks are cooked. The tiramisu was also mid. Servers were somehow all non-Italian (Indians), so that gave me a touristy vibe. But whatever lol. Anyways, it was still a good dinner date overall, so just want to leave it at a positive note.

    Trattoria dall'Oste is a popular restaurant in Florence and there are multiple locations to choose…read morefrom. Restaurant is known for its for its steaks and pasta. Since we knew we couldn't finish the gigantic Florentine steak, we opted for the rib eye steak. I was particularly impressed with the steak. It was surprisingly tough considering it was rib eye. Did not notice much marbling on the rib eye either. On the other hand, I did enjoy the Beef Ragu as it provided tender chunks of beef in a tomato and carrot based ragu sauce. Very tasty and the pasta was tender and good bite to it. The service was subpar and uneven for us. Nobody even acknowledged us for 10 min after we sat and I had to flag someone to help us. The waiter seemed disinterested and just asked whether we are ready to order. Seems like they didn't know who was supposed to serve my table. Oh well. Guess I won't be coming back give all the restaurant options in Florence.

    Photos
    Trattoria dall'Oste - Interior

    Interior

    Trattoria dall'Oste - Spaghetti with Clams

    Spaghetti with Clams

    Trattoria dall'Oste - Wagyu steak

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    Wagyu steak

    Trattoria Giovanni - Tiramisu

    Trattoria Giovanni

    4.6(219 reviews)
    1.4 kmPalazzo Pitti
    €€

    Cozy restaurant! I had ossobucco (lamb) and my son had fresh pasta with beef cheeks, both were…read moredelicious!! We also had dessert and white wine! Staff attended us well. We would go back again!

    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.

    Photos
    Trattoria Giovanni - Exceptional service with great music selection! Every moment in this restaurant felt like being with a party of friends.

    Exceptional service with great music selection! Every moment in this restaurant felt like being with a party of friends.

    Trattoria Giovanni - Bistecca alla Fiorentina Chianina

    Bistecca alla Fiorentina Chianina

    Trattoria Giovanni - Bisetecca Florentino YUM!!

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    Bisetecca Florentino YUM!!

    La Giostra - tuscan - Updated May 2026

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