Amazingly delicious and enormous portion - - porchetta sandwich upstairs at the central market…read more Unfortunately, I don't recall the name of the restaurant, but certainly worth seeking out. If I go back one day, I'll have the exact same sandwich again!

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.

I brought my friends here thinking we were going to a rooftop bar. It wasn't quite that, but a…read moredecent spot to sit and have a drink. Since it is a library there were a lot of students studying.

This cafeteria worked perfectly for our schedule. We had a day trip to Florence from Siena. In the…read moremorning we visited the Uffizi Gallery and in the afternoon the Accademia Gallery Museum, so were planning to have lunch someplace near the Duomo. A friend whose daughter had studied at the university in Florence suggested this cafeteria. Outstanding location, nice outside seating with a view of the very close Duomo, solid value fare, and surprisingly friendly service. FOOD: 3.5. Excellent value. - Pasta Ragout. Very good. - Spaghetti with cherry tomatoes. Very good. We also had two espressos. AMBIANCE: 4.0. Inside and outside (covered) seating. Outside has view of Duomo. Pleasant. SERVICE: 4.0. Considerate and prompt. After ordering and paying, we sat at an outside table. Our order was then brought to us. NOTE: Google maps gave us walking directions that took us to opposite side of block from entrance, so we walked around block until we found the entrance. Upon entering the university grounds the cafeteria can be a challenge to find; we had to ask someone.

We tired of waiting in the line to visit the Duomo and found ourselves in need of lunch. Situated…read moreat the foot of the Duomo and bell tower, at least we could see it. We sat outdoors and were attended to almost immediately. Quick service, and prompt delivery of our food by a friendly server, softened the blow of not entering the church. Great food helped even more? We split spaghetti carbonara and a fried fish dish. Bread service was nice as the balsamic vinegar had Chianti added to it, a first for us. Sitting outdoors, you are close to your fellow patrons, but it is always nice to learn about where they are from and where thy are going. It started to rain just as we were getting served, but held off the heavy stuff until we finished, so we will always rember this meal.

This review is for breakfast only as we never tried anything else here…read more.. This coffee (the americano) is by far the best cup of coffee in the square at the duomo. The chocolate croissants are delicious! Service is great an no complaints at all.

One of my favorite museums in the world,?you cannot go to Florence without going to the Ufizzi…read more Known for its magnificent collection of Renaissance Masterpiece, buy tickets online in advance so you can skip the lines. A The museum offers a chronological journey through the history of Italian art, from ancient sculptures to Renaissance masterpieces. It features the Medici families extensive art collections.

It is one of the finest places you will visit to understand the Renaissance period art paintings…read moreand sculptures. Master pieces from Da Vinci, Botticelli, and MichaelAngelo were great, along with other great artists. There is a lot of history, culture, and stories to learn from this gallery. You got to book in advance or get a guided tour by tour operators. I would recommend a tour guide. The restrooms are very difficult to find and use. The bookstore is good. This place is a huge plan for atheist 4 hours.

One of the finest meals we've enjoyed anywhere in the world. The ambience, service, and menu are…read moreexceptional. The food is creatively and perfectly prepared and presented.

Let's get the best part out of the way: eating on a sloping backstreet overlooking the rooftops of…read moreSiena is an ideal setting that could vindicate most any food. Regrettably the setting had a lot of heavy lifting to do to balance out the sad salad I had. The beets were altogether undercooked and not even the respectable feta could lend enough flavor to the bland ingredients. A college cafeteria salad bar could offer a similar meal, but still, it's hard to argue with the atmosphere.

I really like Eataly, and venture into them whenever I come across them in my travels, so I was…read morereally excited to visit this one in Florence. It's actually located in Italy, where Eataly originated. Their first store started in Torino, just a few hours from Florence. Since arriving in Florence, I've wandered in here here on several occasions to pick up cooking staples, since we're just a few doors down. It's a great spot to pick up fresh pasta, quality olive oils and vinegars, etc. I bought their fresh Fagottini with Speck, since good fresh fagottini isn't easy to find in the Bay Area. These meat-filled​ cinched​ pouches held up well in boiling water. In fact, only about a couple broke opened during the boiling process. The speck itself wasn't overly salted or overly smoked, which speck can sometimes be. I made a simple dish with it for our lunch yesterday (see photo), and Hubby loved it so much that he wants me to make a pasta every day we're here (sorry, but that won't be happening!). Many of their items both in the U.S. and here in Italy tend to be pricey​ since they're located in very high-rent locations. However, they do carry a couple of excellent brands of imported dried pastas that are virtually impossible to purchase in the U.S. They're sold exclusive in the U.S. through the Eataly chain. Most importantly, these ones specifically are probably the best dried pastas I've had. I try to get my fill from their Las Vegas location whenever I can and reserve them for special occasions They also make excellent pizza here, which I've enjoyed for breakfast, to much of my chagrin. I got a piece of the Pizza Alla Pala, which was topped with fresh slices of tomatoes, and most importantly a whole entire chunk of fresh burrata!! I buy imported burrata at home all the time, especially when I make a Caprese Salad, but never ever have I had a whole piece on top of a pizza! Truth be told, the burrata was the real reason for my craving when I immediately​ set eyes on this. Just check out my photo, and you'll see why! Turns out, it tasted even better than it looked. The dough was chewy, and that burrata...mmm good!!! It was perfect room temperature, just the way it should be served, and the inside was soft​ and just a bit stringy. Perfetto! Personally, I prefer the significantly larger Eataly locations, like the ones in Boston, NYC, ​and Las Vegas. My favorite in the U.S. is their "glam" Las Vegas location. However, this was a nice branch that carried many quality​ essentials for Italian cooking. Can't go wrong with that!

Outside seating service was okay. Got the mushroom pasta, firenze pizza, and cecina. The pizza and…read morececina were pretty good. Mushroom pasta was too one note. Wouldn't get this again.

I came to Florence not for tourism but for a conference and for working in labs . I was finally…read moredone today and wanted to have a quiet drink to celebrate the work that our team accomplished. Everywhere in Florence were mine of tourists. I had passed by Scudieri every day for two weeks and hadn't gone in. I walked in and noticed there was a bar after I was at the dessert cases. The tall young bartender asked what I wanted and I didn't want something as strong as a martini but wanted something gin based. He asked me if I liked basil and I do, so he made a really beautiful gin-basil cocktail. It was AMAZING. Absolutely amazing. If I come back here, I will definitely stop in earlier than later. Bravo bartender, that was talent.

Our waiter was totally pissed off and angry. He put our order in and the wrong Burger came! It was…read morea salmon burger instead of an Angus burger. We brought it to his attention and an hour later we finally got the burger no sense of urgency with a diabetic who had to eat!! No apologies when it finally came! Mikaela qas the manager was and she was apologetic and very sympathetic. But apparently had no authority over the situation. Not sure how this works in Europe however we will never ever ever go there again, and I would advise people to be aware of this place. There are so many other spots around the Duomo to go and visit and eat. I left no tip because our waiter was a total disappointment! Mikaela tries but omg so sad!! The waiter needs a new job where he doesn't Ideal with people!!!! I wish I got his name. However food was good!

Great panini prepared from scratch. Little bit salty but tasted great! Outside seating available…read more Great service!

Wow what a find. Really feels like an authentic, off the beaten path, local, tavern. Really loud…read morebut every morsel was spectacular, including possibly the best Bistecca Fiorentina we had during our entire trip. Definitely try the Gnocchi and sides. But that steak.....im drooling writing this review!

As many young students, visitors, or residents of Florence know, the city is filled with a dynamic…read moreand exciting nightlife for young adults. Among the countless bars and clubs lies a unique change of pace to the average night out in Florence- La Casa Della Creativitá. Located in Palazzo Giovane, the trendy and modern space prides itself in its distinctive atmosphere and its dedication to modern arts. With hopes of creating a unique and diverse culture, "La Casa" regularly offers light lunches, aperitifs, live concerts, Dj sets and more. Also containing a museum, a cafeteria, classrooms, a reading area, and a multi-purpose space, La Casa is well appointed for scheduling events or attending any of their many special events, including film festivals, talent shows, workshops and art shows. Whether you want to swing by for a gallery viewing and a light lunch, some cheap happy hour drinks, a live concert, or one of the many special events, La Casa Della Creativitá is sure to offer a creatively filled, great time for anyone venturing off the tourist path. La Casa is located on Vicolo Santa Maria Maggiore 1, Firenze. The space is open Monday-Saturday from 8:30 am to midnight. http://www.casadellacreativita.it/

It's a perfect little spot to catch lunch outside or have a bottle of wine to people watch. There…read morewere only two tings that I didn't like; one of which I don't think the restaurant has much control over. That being said, the first thing was the service. It's rather slow. I don't know if it's slow to me because crazy Americans think everything should be faster than not. So I wish I could give half stars. They are super nice ..,it just took a while to get my order in. The second thing that I don't think they can control is the people who walk around trying to sell you something. They're a bit aggressive. With me looking like them, they beelined for me the two times we sat there near the entrance. So I suggest sitting inside away from that because they can't come in. There is this little cute table that we sat at that is on the edge of the inside but the window is a roll up window giving you access to the outside patio. That is where the can still get to you but can't come all the way in....except this one lady. She stepped all the way in....i was shocked. And got aggressive with me when I told her no thank you. The trick?...they told me "I'm beautiful" "like your natural hair..." and since they liked me, they said "I give to you..." and handed me two bracelets and a fan. I said no thank you and she kept shouting "excuse me...I give to you..." I set them on the table and she gave me the son story of being pregnant and since she give to me, I should give to her for the gift. I said no one final time and she snatched everything off the table and left...FINALLY. Ugh. So not sure if the restaurant can do more but they need to.

Al fresco along the Arno is unmatched, so the ambiance was perfect for dinner. The streets weren't…read moretoo crowded, so I sat in peace and people-watched. My servers were helpful by answering my questions. My pasta dish was just okay and that's where the one star was lost. I cannot recall what the name of my appetizer was, but it was lamb and very flavorful! I would eat there again.