We decided to stop at this restaurant on a whim. Wow! We were blown away by the food and service…read more We started with the bruschetta, which was served with fresh tomatoes, olives and arugula. It was delicious and so light! We also ordered wine. We got the Rosso di Montalcino 2024 and it was definitely one of the best glasses of wine I ever had. The steak we had was also amazing. It was tender and so flavorful. The potatoes were also fantastic! At the end of the meal, we had Vin Santo (dessert wine that you dip biscotti in). Very delicious, but very strong. Lastly, the server (maybe manager or owner) brought us out complimentary limoncello. It was also delicious. We definitely had to walk (or try to walk) it off after all that! I can't say enough about the food and service. We went to another steak place a few days before at Trattoria Dalloste. It was a couple of doors away from this place. The service and food didn't even compare to this place. We spent a lot more money for rubbery and fatty steak. They also tried to overcharge us. So, do yourself a favor and try La Cantinetta Osteria con Cucina. You won't be disappointed! If we ever go back to Firenze, we would go back to this restaurant in a heartbeat.

We visited this place last night, our first night in Florence. There weren't a lot of options in…read morethis area of Florence, near the Duomo, and most places were full. The establishment is nice and inviting, and the staff are friendly and helpful enough. The lasagna was--and I'm not exaggerating -- gross. It looked and tasted like it came out of a can or package. After having excellent lasagna in Tivoli, two of my family members were expecting something at least enjoyable. If we were in a restaurant in American, where we are from, we'd have asked for something else as substitute. I had a risotto dish that was good enough, but the wine pour could have been better. If you come to this place, you may like it enough, based on other reviews, but definitely don't order their atrocious lasagna. Grocery store lasagna is better.

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.

Florence is not a city known for seafood. The specialty dishes of Florence, and for that matter…read moremost of Tuscany such as Bistecca alla fiorentina (grilled steak), Tagliata (a steak cut in slides), Arista arrosto (chine of pork), Fegatelli (a roasted liver), are all meat based. There are of course some exceptions but not many and not as notable as those which are meat based. So for me it was a real delight to find Lobs Fish Restaurant. Better yet to discover that as with their meats, they prepare their seafood based dishes with a certain style, adventurous taste and flavor one can only find in Italy. I started with their fried anchovies, Alici Fritte, which though very similar in texture to fried smelt had a most unique freshness and greater lingering of flavor. I also had their clam pasta as well as a seafood based risotto; again full of freshness as well as being super full flavor enriched. Along with my meal I had several glasses of their house wine and will stick with my suggestion of never bothering to spend extra money buying wine by the bottle since it seems that any of the house wines found in any Italian restaurant are just as good if not in fact better. My table service, considering that Lobs Fish is a casual place, was impeccable as well as helpful. So, if you don't speak Italian or understand the menu, such is not a problem.

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.

We chose this place because there were 22 of us and needed a place for lunch that could accommodate…read moreour group. I forgot the young lady's name who waited on us but she was very sweet and professional. We basically shared a bunch of pies and they were all delicious, cooked to perfection. Of course, the wine was also delicious. This is a great lunch spot and tucked away. It's beer a lot of the shopping which was nice.

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!

Osteria Pastella was such a beautiful dining experience. The restaurant felt upscale, polished, and…read moreexceptionally clean, while still having a warm and inviting atmosphere. It felt like the perfect spot for a date night or special occasion. The highlight was definitely the flaming truffle cheese wheel pasta--it's easy to see why it's so popular! Watching the pasta being prepared in the cheese wheel made the experience even more fun, and the flavor was incredible. My husband was obsessed. To top it all off, they surprised us with complimentary champagne at them beginning and limoncello shots at the end, which was such a nice touch. Definitely make a reservation ahead of time! The line was literally down the block when we went, so this is clearly a popular spot. Between the food, atmosphere, and thoughtful little touches, it was absolutely worth the visit.

Best meal in Florence. Pastella is a hit with all. Both locals and tourists seem to have found this…read moreplace. We were here 8 years ago and loved it and still do. And it seems everyone does looking at the skills in everyone's faces. We ordered the pasta cooked in the parmesan cheese wheel. We had the show and it was great. The fresh truffles were just perfect. The second entree was an order of Pappardelle with a Chianti marinated Tuscan Wild Boar. It was out of this world delicious. No room for dessert but the complimentary limoncello was perfect. Great service. Highly recommend making a reservation...the restaurant was packed at 1:30PM!!!

There are many excellent restaurants in Florence, but of all the places I've eaten over the years,…read moreZa Za stood out by far! Our party ordered four dishes: seafood pasta, shrimp pasta, fish, and steak. We loved everything! Each dish was perfectly seasoned and cooked to perfection. The service was great, and they offer both indoor and outdoor seating. Be sure to make a reservation, as the wait can be long without one.

No water, salty food, and a server (CHAIME) who literally yelled at us…read more In all my time dining out, I have never had a server literally scream at me, but that was unfortunately the highlight of our night here. From the moment we sat down, our server (Chaime) treated us with disdain. While the food itself was overly salty, the service was far worse: * Ignored for simple requests: We asked for water immediately upon being seated and followed up three times throughout the night. Despite ordering heavily--a steak, pasta, omelet, and salad (while surrounding tables shared a single dish)--we never received water during our dinner. We had to eat our entire meal with nothing to drink. * Clear bias: Tables seated long after us were given water immediately upon seating and had their orders taken well before us. * Neglect until the check: Water was only brought alongside the check, and even then, we had to ask separately for cups. When I calmly asked Chaime why our water took so long, especially given that a nearby table seated as we finished was served water right away, she told me to speak with the manager. However, when I attempted to explain the situation to her, Chaime immediately cut me off and began yelling at me. I never raised my voice once. Yet, as she was yelling, she taunted me, asking, "What tone? You gonna cry? Huh?" To be treated with such hostility and malice simply for asking about basic service is completely unacceptable. Management needs to address this server's hostile behavior immediately. Save your money and go somewhere where guests are treated with basic respect.

This was one of the best meals we had in Florence, if you need a break from the heavy pasta and…read morepizza this is a must try! We sat downstairs in the "cave" and it was really cool - very unique setting. We tried a few dishes and they were all great. For my main meal I got grilled fish with the most delicious vegetables and were a generous portion size and at a very fair price.

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!

Made a reservation well in advance. Arrived for our dinner and were immediately seated. The…read morerestaurant is good looking and very welcoming. We looked at the menu and decided on a couple of things...the Burrata with Truffles, Eggplant Parmigiana, Cacio e Pepe, and a side of Tuscan White Beans. We ordered food and drinks. Drinks arrived within 2 minutes and lo and behold our Burrata Salad arrived Two minutes later...and yes I timed it. I asked that our food be slowed down and also asked that it not be cooked and served cold. We finished our Burrata with a Truffles which I might add was delicious. And within a reasonable few minutes our food arrived. The Cacio e Pepe was delightful but could have had a bit more Pepe. The Tuscan White Beans were perfect with a hint of spice which made them special. I wish I could say the Eggplant Parmigiana was equally as good as the rest of the meal. It was not. It was way over cooked - almost burned. Guess it just stayed in the oven while we slowed down our meal. We managed to delay our meal enough that we were actually in the restaurant a bit over an hour. I can't say service was lacking I would describe it as more overwhelming...almost uncomfortable. Atmosphere - 4 Food - 3 Service - 2 Price - 4 Overall Rating - 3.25

Old, dark Italian. My kind of place. Wood, grain paneling lines the walls, white tablecloth, a true…read moremulticourse kind of place. Such an elegant ambience! The service was very fast! Too fast for Tuscany. It's like they were trying to move us in and out and not let us sit and enjoy the meal. Don't get me wrong, Back Home in the states, on my lunch break, I love fast service. I would love to eat somewhere like this for lunch and be in and out in one hour. However, when I'm on vacation and a place known for deliberately patient meals which slow time down this is not what I'm looking for, nor what was advertised. This place was extremely rushed. They tried to move you in move you out and flip your table as many times as possible. That being said, you cannot complain about the attention that each table receives they were on it! Dirty plates cleared right away bread refilled right away, everything was fast. Now to the food, I had the Caprese salad to start, the tomato was bland, thankfully, their balsamic vinegar was delicious, and allowed me to spruce up the dish the way I like it. Since the tomato didn't do the talking, the balsamic vinegar did. Then came the pasta stuffed with pecorino cheese, and served in a cream sauce. This was the highlight of the meal my wife, had the white truffle pasta and a cream sauce. Normally,she doesn't like a cream sauce, but this was the exception a week later and she still can't stop talking about how good the pasta and the sauce was. Onto the main course, my wife had the Seabass, which was cooked perfectly, drizzled, and vegetables. Amazing! The most underwhelming part of my meal, were my lamb chops. I think they gave me the thinnest lamb chops, like they were leftovers ! not only that, but they cooked it way too fast, kind of a metaphor to their service, which was fast. This was evident and the texture. And the sinews and small fats did not break down with the meat a true sign of cooking the lamb too fastly and too thoroughly. We had dessert, tiramisu, which was average for the city of Florence. When a nice place is recommended by the concierge, you don't expect to be served disappointment with a hefty bill. Dave your money, go somewhere else!

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!

This is a family owned restaurant, dad is managing the fire roasted pizza oven and daughter is…read morewaiting the tables. I believe mom is the kitchen chef. Darling small patio and a cozy feel , with a few indoor tables too. There were locals eating here, not just tourists, and with good reason! The food and service were excellent. We were delighted! We did make s reservation, not sure if that's always needed but it's worth planning for. Our only critique that night was the music which was a little too electric rock that night for our taste. We attributed it to the one crabbier member of the family, an adult son who appeared to be unhappily stuck on dish duty that night and perhaps wanted to be out galavanting instead. It felt like part of real life in Italy and did not detract from an excellent food experience. And make sure to have their delicious panna cotta fir dessert, which I verified that mama made. It was exquisite!

What a great surprise this little food stall was! Fresh seafood, lightly battered, and perfectly…read morefried! With a slash of yellow lemon it was a delight! The combo mix was shrimp, squid, and cod. They have beer, wine, or soft drinks. The one guy there does everything and we really nice. Little English tho but we were fine. You can eat it here sitting on small stools or take it upstairs to the dinning hall.

FRESH CALAMARI! When…read moreI say fresh, I mean fresh! There was a line waiting to get fresh calamari and the smell was just too alluring that we had to line up ourselves. You can opt just for calamari or get a mix (fish, shrimp too). We went with the mix/combo and my tummy and taste buds did not regret it one bit at all. SO yummy. Next time, I want to get just the calamari. I love the tentacles :) Other than that, this place is cash only and it's located inside the Mercato Centrale.