I love this restaurant, friendly staff and solid food. We actually came here for back to back meals, dinner and lunch on consecutive days. Also a warning, they absolutely do not take walk-ins and reservations are required. For our first meal, dinner, we ordered the duck pappardelle, porcini fettucine, osso buco, fried zucchini flowers and chicken, as well as the filet of beef. What I've noticed here in Italy is that the steak is very lean and does not have much fat in it. The flavors were all delicious and the temperatures and textures of all the food were executed well. Our favorite protein for the night was probably the osso buco since it was our first time trying the dish. The veal and the marrow were seasoned very well and the peas were excellent as well. The pasta was cooked al dente and not overly dressed which was appreciated. For dessert we had the frozen cheesecake which was interesting and worth trying atleast once; a frozen layer of raspberry covered the smooth cheesecake on the bottom. For our second meal we ordered the ravioli with cream sauce, bavettine with amatriciana sauce, veal chop, lamb cutlets, and beef stew with greens. The pasta was cooked al dente and again, not swimming in sauce and seasoned well. The amatriciana sauce was tomato based and had a nice tang to it. The veal and lamb were lean and cooked to medium-rare to rare which is prevalent in italy, again with excellent flavor. Finally the beef stew was fork tender and the red wine sauce complimented the protein well. For dessert we had the meringato cake which was a mixture of textures and definitely worth trying. In the case we come to Florence again we will definitely be back. read more

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Visit when I'm in Firenze. The food is remarkable with a changing menu daily. The atmosphere is lively and welcoming. But plan ahead because it's so fabulous, it's hard to get a reservation /table! read more

This is the Italian dinner you want!! If you are going to be in Florence, be sure to book a reservation (you must call after 7:30pm) ahead of time. The food is absolutely incredible and authentic, the menu is written daily, and the staff/owners are incredibly welcoming and make great suggestions. I am in town for only a few nights and was looking for that authentic Italian dinner experience, and this hit all the marks. Looking forward to returning again. read more

A must in Florence! So happy that the front desk at the Sofitel in Rome called the restaurant for us to get a reservation within a few days. Our favorite meal in Italy was served here at Vini e Vecchi Sapori. The restaurant opens every day at 7:30 PM for dinner. Even though we had reservations we got there at 7PM and waited to be seated. It's a tiny space (just a handful of tables) so reservations are a must. Be sure to wear jeans or thicker material bottoms as the chairs are wicker and don't have padding (I was wearing thin Lululemon leggings and got the straw poking my butt). As it's small and there's really no ventilation, it does get quite stuffy. We ordered: a small bottle of Santa Maria wine, the duck ragu pappardelle, the porcini fettuccine and the fried chicken. Our waiter was friendly and happy to answer any questions we had and make a wine recommendation for us. The red wine, a Santa Maria, was excellent! I don't like reds really, but I enjoyed a bit of this wine. We were served the pastas first. The pochini mushrooms had a nice earthiness to it and was so simple but delicious. But our favorite was the duck pappardelle! The little dices of duck meat with a very light stew like sauce and the thick ribbons of pasta were perfect! Hubby doesn't care for much duck but loved my pick! Okay, so you're probably thinking, why are you getting FRIED CHICKEN in Italy? And, not at some American chain, but some Italian restaurant. Well, it sounded really good, and we wanted something different. And you know what, it totally did not disappoint! The batter was nice and airy, and not very greasy at all. The chicken was moist and the way it looked reminded me of the asian popcorn chicken you would get at the boba places, but way lighter and a million times tastier. We also loved the accompanying fried zucchini blossoms. I wish he let me come back here twice in our three night stay in Florence. I highly recommend reservations for an awesome meal here whenever you're in the city! The prices are super affordable. As with almost every (if not all) restaurants in Italy, there is a bread & service charge, but all of our dishes were $13 or under. I wish we had more room for an appetizer and dessert. If I ever find myself in Florence again, I definitely will be back here. This was our favorite restaurant out of Rome and Florence honestly. read more

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I have never had so much trouble and confusion getting into any restaurant in my life. But it was SO worth it. DONT: 1) Call to make a reservation - they don't answer the phone, EVER. 2) Expect to show up and get seated in any reasonable amount of time, or at all, even if you show up before they open. 3) Expect them to pay any attention when you walk in, or when you stand there for 5-10 minutes in the middle of the dining room looking confused. 4) Expect to get reservations for the next day either. 5) Expect to pick the time, that's just not your call to make. DO: 1) Know your schedule by heart. 2) Go the restaurant when you are not hungry and make a reservation for whenever humanly possible to accommodate you. Lunch is easier. 3) Be prepared to haul your butt from wherever you are to make it to the reservation. 3) Show up starving. We made the mistake of not showing up starving and then having highly anticipated dinner reservations after, so I didn't get to pig out the way I would have wanted to: - Pumpkin lasagna - Uh-mazing, Lasagna hall of fame - Papardelle w/ duck ragu - Very good - Tiramisu - Let me say yet again that I HATE tiramisu. I usually don't eat it even if you put it in front of me, but I made myself try it in Italy to try to find THE ONE that would change my mind. This was one of two that converted me. Minimal/almost no espresso or liquor, perfect with raspberries - best tiramisu I've ever had. Tiny, cramped, but homey. Family run (love Italian-speaking-only-grandpa plating up front, doing quality control, and comes over to cheese one plate and wag his finger to indicate no cheese on another). Hand written menu changes daily and clearly indicates: No Pizza No Bisteca No Ice No Take away No bullshit - this is THE real deal. One of my two favorite restaurants in Italy. read more

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This is literally one of my favorite restaurants, ever. I came here for the first time while studying abroad in 2011, and my friend and I absolutely loved our food and experience. We even took a photo with the lovely family who owns the place after eating! When I was planning another trip to Florence last fall, I knew we had to eat here, so I called them on Skype to make a reservation. I would highly recommend doing this, because the place is pretty small, and I think they leave some tables open for local folks. It was also super crowded when we came here on a weekday evening. I don't remember exactly what we ordered, but I do remember that the ravioli was AMAZING--we ended up ordering a second plate! The atmosphere is relatively casual, but very friendly and fun. Come here--I promise you won't regret it! read more

One of the best meals we had in our 3 wk Europe trip. The restaurant is tiiiny, and forget about going there if you don't have reservations. We asked our hotel to make us one couple weeks prior, and I'm so happy we did. The food was divine, service was top notch, and the intimate environment was exactly what I pictured when I thought of a cute, italian restaurant. We had their soup, pasta with duck, pasta with squash blossoms, and veal shank. The handmade past was cooked perfectly, and the flavors were de-lish. The veal shank was heavenly, with a big piece of bone marrow accompanying the shank. My husband devoured the bone marrow in a state of pure bliss. His facial expression alone was worth going to the restaurant for! All four dishes+bottle of wine came out to 70 USD. What a deal! The two pasta dishes alone would cost about that much in LA when you add tax, tip, etc (24 dollars for spaghetti at Scarpetta, anyone?). I don't recommend the restaurant for large groups, but other than that, it's a definite must go if you're ever in the Florence area!! read more

Make a reservation and go here. This meal was one of the best we had in all of Europe. The restaurant is small and quaint, with lively and friendly waitstaff. There was a sign on the door when we arrived saying they were completely booked for the night--and rightfully so. We had the pear and pecorino appetizer to start. We were also served a second cheese and two jams that were fantastic. Next we had two pastas: papardelle with duck and paccheri with cheese and squash blossom. They were both amazing. Perfectly cooked and delicious. The pasta ties with one other place for best pasta we had in all of Italy Last we had the lamb and potato entree. Grilled with delicious smoky flavor and tender. We really loved this place and it lives somewhere in our top 5 meals on a 4 week trip through Europe. read more

One of the best meals of the trip. Absolutely superb in every way. Attentive service. Good wine list. A reservation is required so the chaos is very organized. The menu is limited and changes daily so choosing food is manageable. Antipasta, primi, secondi dessert. Prices range from €4 €15, very reasonable in Florence. Centrally located and a good mix of tourists and locals alike. Deep wine list with multiple options for each varietal and region. The caprese salad was the most standard of the dishes recently. Ripe and juicy tomatoes. Fresh, soft, rich mozzarella. Handmade papardelle in a duck ragout where the gravy literally sticks to the fresh pasta. Tender chunks of duck float throughout. Ossobucco arrives and is a 8" wheel of veal shank on the bone topped in a brown gravy mixed with dress green peas. The peas pop while the meat falls away from the bone. Filet mug on is served In a flatter wider cut than usual in USA. The meat is so tender a knife is not required for cutting. A green pepper sauce is subtle with its heat and offset by a smooth creaminess. A bottle of Bolgheri 2014 pairs well with the meat - deep but with enough acidity to overpower the luscious meats and their fats. A tremendous experience. read more

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Attention American Tourists: please read, because I too am an American Tourist, and I'm tired of watching people disrespect the culture that is behind true Italian meals. This is not the US, and restaurants don't only care about the money they make. They care about two things: the quality of food they prepare for you, and your happiness that stems from your experience. First off, I watched countless tourists walk up to the door and read "completo/full" and grow angry because they saw open tables inside. Please understand those tables are for locals who frequent this incredible restaurant, most likely multiple times per week. If you want to experience this one of a kind meal, make a reservation in advance, or show up very early and hope you are lucky enough to get a table. Second, if you get a chance to eat here, enjoy it to the fullest. This means put your phone away, take in the experience, watch as they prepare your food from scratch with fresh ingredients, and truly appreciate a good meal with the ones you love. This restaurant has been providing incredible meals for generations, and they truly leave you with an experience you will never forget. Not only is the food some of the most incredible food I have ever tasted, but I left feeling like I was part of the family. Thank you for giving us an experience that we will cherish for a lifetime! Grazie Mille! read more

The duck confiti pasta is hands down the best I have eaten. The restaurant owners were so hospitable. They took such good care of me. They made me feel right at home. Pls make sure to get a reservation. I saw them turn people away. read more

Vini e Vecchi Sapori - Duck confit pasta - is so yum!!! - Tuscan Near Me - Florence, FI

Lunch at a small, highly rated restaurant, Vini e Vecchi Sapori, proved to be interesting. When I asked the waiter, who spoke excellent English, for a half-liter of house wine, he brought a 375 ml bottle. (In Italy, house wine normally comes in a carafe.) We ordered asparagus risotto and pasta with a pesto sauce. Imagine our shock when we were presented with a bill for € 46 for the cover charge, water, a bottle containing less than a 1/2 liter of wine, and 2 pastas. The wine was more expensive than the food. The charge for the small bottle of wine was € 14. Aghast, I questioned the charge. It was only then that he brought the printed wine list to the table, showing that the charge was correct. Still upset, I gave him my credit card to pay. Shortly thereafter, he whisked the bill off the table and reduced the total charge by € 6; thus, partially redeeming himself and the restaurant. So, beware when you are ordering wine at this restaurant to make sure you know what you are getting! read more

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My husband and I finished our meal an hour ago and we are still talking about the amazing food and great service at the restaurant. We ordered the duck pappardelle ragu, potato ravioli, and beef stew in red wine sauce. Each plate was so flavorful and simply wonderful!! Just an FYI though, make a reservation ahead of time and be patient when you arrive. The food itself is definitely worth the wait. read more

5 Yelp Stars! One Purple Heart! Forget the Uffizi, the Duomo or the Ponte Vecchio! If you're planning a trip to Firenze get a reservation for Osteria Vini e Vecchi Sapori first. We had a lot of great food on our trip to Italy, but this tiny Osteria was a notch above in every way. The duck ragu is an absolute must order, if offered. Their menu changes daily, and they tend towards whatever's in season. Zucchini and Arugula featured prominently on our visit, but I would just relax and let the staff make your picks. They won't break your budget nor let you leave hungry. Speaking of the staff, I cannot thank them enough for making us feel like more than just a cover, but almost part of the family. Can't wait to get back to Firenze! Go Fiorentina! read more

Vini e Vecchi Sapori - 5 Yelp Stars! One Purple Heart! - Tuscan Near Me - Florence, FI

First meal of our trip and I'm worried it's all downhill from here, because I'm not sure how we will top Vini e Vecchi. It was amazing! We called a week in advance and made a 9pm reso. When we arrived at 9, we only he wait a few minutes for our table. The place is very small so this was surprising. We sat down and were handed the hand written menu. We asked the waiter for his recommendations, which he kindly shared and he helped pick a bottle of wine for us. We ate family style and the highlights were the pappardelle duck ragu, rotini with zucchini flower and saffron, the ossobuco was amazing and the tiramisu dessert! We finished the meal off with limoncello -which is always a nice touch. Our meal was 150€ which for the amount we ate and drank (at least 8 dishes, 2 bottles of wine and limoncello) seemed to me to be a steal! We were there for at least 2 and a half hours and it was fabulous that we didn't feel rushed at all. The service was fantastic, and though I always assume little gems like this hate tourists they did not act like it at all. They were helpful, kind and made us feel very welcome! FANTASTIC!! read more

Vini e Vecchi Sapori - Tuscan Near Me - Florence, FI

Simply one of the best meals of my life. I just want to say, this was the best dining experience I have ever had. The food is out of this world, if you want good Tuscan food, please try this place. It's not just the food that makes this place one of the best. It's the team working with good spirit, heart, and enthusiasm that allows for the palette to really open up. The atmosphere and energy of the place itself was one of the most delicious parts of this gem. Please make a reservation and go try this place, it'll be impossible to be disappointed. read more

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Osteria Vini e Vecchi Sapori is a tiny family owned and operated restaurant. If there are only 2 of you in the party expect to share a table. This may turn some people off but you should embrace your new neighbors and enjoy the food experience together. We ended up enjoying our meal with some nice people from SF and NY, so yes this place is also a bit touristy. Make sure to get a sliced meat antipasto. The owner "the dad" of the father and son team cuts it to order as he does the same with fresh bread. The house wine is good and really cheap, so stick with that unless you are really particular with your wine. The pasta with the duck rogu was tasty, and the classic Steak Florentine was also a must get. read more

This tiny gem was fantastic! We failed to make reservations but they were able to find space for us. Quarters are cramped so we shared a table with another couple which made for a fine dining experience. The place seats maybe 20 people so a reservation is aa good idea. The dinner menu is written out by hand and changes daily. Several great options to choose from and the menu states "no pizza, no steak, no ice, and no take out." What's not to love? We sampled the sardines and butter appetizer, extremely rich and flavorful with the freshest sardines. The appetizers and bread are served from a small prep area by, I presume, the owner. Nice touch for sure. We had the risotto with sausage (fantastic) the lamb chops with potatoes (fantastic) and the stuffed artichokes (a solid dish.) the table mates ordered the beef stew and raved about it. Wine prices were very reasonable and you buy bottled water which we are finding customary here. Definitively a place to visit again! Make sure you ask a local for directions, the Yelp map only gets you within a block and it isn't easy to find. read more

A must on all future trips to Florence. Highly recommend the artichoke and duck ragu.

I took it as a sign when we were turned away 24 hours earlier because this small restaurant was fully booked. We made reservations on the spot for the next evening at 9:30pm. When we arrived we were told that we would be seated in a few minutes. Others without reservations were turned away or waited in hopes of being seated (with out luck). This establishment hand writes their menu of the day. Ultimately after being tempted with nearly all their pasta and second dishes. I ordered the pappardelle with duck ragu. Amazing! Fresh soft pappardelle with flavorful duck ragu. It wetted the appetite in anticipation of the rest of the meal. I asked the waiter whether I should order the Osso Bucco or one of the other dishes and without hesitation and with a look of pride the waiter recommended the Osso Bucco. The dish did not disappoint. Only thing that I would complain is that I would have appreciated a bigger entree size. But then again the pasta and Osso bucco barely left room for dessert. I ordered the vin santo (biscotti and dessert wine) - soaking the biscotti in wine was a light dessert and nice way to complete the meal. I would come here again! read more

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We have now been to this restaurant 3 times on various trips to Florence - we always make sure to make a reservation as soon as we arrive in town! At this point we have tried just about everything on the menu and can truly say everything is amazing from the fried zucchini flowers and duck ragu to the saffron pasta and veal osso bucco, you really can't go wrong here. Don't even get us started on the raspberry tiramisu! The family that runs this restaurant is incredibly kind and accommodating as well. We constantly talk about when we will be able to return to Vini e Vecchi! read more

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If I could give this place a 10 star I would. This restaurant is so cute, the food is amazing, the waiter was the son of the owner, and mama was in the kitchen. Our waiter spoke wonderful english, we made reservations, and just told him to bring what was good. We had Rabbit Pappardelle, a Roulade of Veal and Chicken, and Veal Osso Bucco. My sister and were raised vegetarians but have grown to eat and try meat when the opportunity is right - and man o man this was right! Finally, The peas served with the Osso Bucco were so good I would take a bath in them and this was one of the top 3 meals we had the whole month that we were traveling in Italy. Serious-Italian-Foodie read more

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Best food we've had, not only in Florence, but all of Italy! The ravioli is out of this world. Everything was so fresh and seasonal and authentic. Love the familial, friendly, and approachable vibe. Trying to go again tomorrow... that's how unmissable it is. Definitely get a reservation or be prepared to wait patiently! read more

Outstanding! This place came highly recommended by 2 foodies who said you can't leave Florence without eating here. It did not disappoint!! Staff was welcoming and friendly and the food was excellent. We made another reservation (highly recommended as it is quite small) for our last night in Italy. I'm already dreaming about it! read more

Favorite place to eat while in Florence. Friendly staff, excellent menu, relaxed atmosphere. Love the tripe dish, osso bucco. Everything was great. Great twist with the raspberry tiramisu. read more

One of the best meals we had in Firenze with great service. Our waiter offered without being prompted to explain every item on the menu as it was all in Italian. We couldn't decide on our second pasta so he surprised us with his own pick. The pastas here were amazing! I probably would not have picked the zucchini blossom dish but we were quite pleased with this surprise dish. Artichoke and rocket salad Pappardelle ragu Pasta with zucchini blossoms read more

It took us some time to get a reservation here. Our first attempt we couldn't get a reservation, most likely because it was a holiday. We luckily got a reservation on our second try. I almost thought we weren't going to eat here because our concierge said it was very popular and it was on the top of the list of places to eat in Florence. Super happy and thankful that we got the reservation, this place is worth the trouble. It was a beautiful rainy evening in Florence, we were seated immediately near the entrance of the restaurant. You absolutely need a reservation here. There were maybe about ten small groups of people throughout our meal who tried to enter this place without one. They would peek into the door, umbrella in hand, asking if they had a table. Every one of them were shut down and showed out. A smart woman in the table across from us made herself another reservation for next week before paying her bill. These little things are signs that this place is a must in Florence. My Aunt and I split a three course meal of artichoke salad, duck ragu and beef stew. We watched as the casual chef at the counter made our antipastas. He sliced fresh raw artichokes that were in a bowl on the counter. He even hand cut my Dad's cured meat plate. I've never seen that before, it took some skill slicing prosciutto super thin. The salad was fresh and topped with a generous helping of sliced cheese. I've never eaten artichokes raw before and they were crunchy and leafy. A light way to start the meal. I also tried a hunk of my Dad's salami, not to salty with a nice fat content that melted on the tongue. My Aunt had ravioli that she shared as well. Creamy tomato sauce with a rich cheesy center, pillows of heaven. Our second course was my favorite part of the whole meal. Duck ragu with homemade wide pieces of egg pasta. The duck was meaty and fatty, not greasy, and the delicate pasta fell apart in your mouth. My Dad compared it to stroganoff without the cream, but it was better than that. Last course was the beef stew with green beans. The beef was super tender, you could pull it apart with a spoon and the beans were cooked simply and perfectly. I tried my Aunt's stuffed artichoke that had a salty bite and was super tender. I also tried my Uncle's grilled lamb chop, super simple and perfectly cooked. The best lamb we had in Florence and we had a few dishes of lamb here. I was way too full for dessert so we skipped it. This place is well worth the wait to get a reservation. read more

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Best pasta we had in Italy! I had the duck ragu tagliatali which grew on me and my bf's Spaghetti with ragu (a classic) was just amazing. They serve salumi in a rustic / hewed off way (not thin slices) -- amazing. Osso Bucco with green peas was an amazing balance of rich and refreshing and delicious. Space is small so reservations is a must. read more

If you like roaches, this is the place for you. I understand it's difficult to keep them out in restaurant spaces, but please try harder. We were only there only 5 minutes... and on our first and only visit... no good. The couple next to us got up and left as well. Not one roach... 2 read more

My husband and I went here this past Thursday around 1:30pm. The restaurant is very small and intimate. The place was packed but a table cleared within 5 minutes of us waiting. My husband decided to try the tomato soup and I had the spinach and ricotta filled raviolis. Both dishes were just ok in my opinion. For dessert I decided to try their raspberry tiramisu. It was good, but not the best I've ever had. Service was good. read more

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We went early without a reservation and they squeezed us in. Food was fantastic. My 4-yo daughter had the fried chicken and zucchini flowers, a simple dish with just the right amount of salt to make you keep digging in. It was the first non-plain-pasta dish she's eaten the entire trip. My mother had the eggplant parmigiana and really enjoyed it. The paccheri with duck ragu was sublime--and I didn't even get strange looks when I licked the plate :) This place is tiny, go early or book a reservation. This has been our favorite place so far. And afterwards, a stroll around piazza signora with gelato from Artiganale (another favorite) is not to be missed. read more

They obvious have a good business due to yelp and maybe other sights. First they don't open at 7, its 7:30. Wasn't impress they were out front vaping and smoking before they opened and eating in front of all the people waiting to get in only started moving 10 minutes before opening, no class. read more

This was our #1 meal in Florence - votes 4-0! I had the zucchini flower pasta (if it would be viewed as rude to lick the plate I probably would have)! The steak was so tender and had an amazing peppercorn sauce. The meat tray is probably understated but amazingly simple and with so many salumi and prosciutto to try - with the aged pecorino. My mouth is watering as I retype this. Even the bruschetta I would order again and again. The chef in the restaurant prepares it all as you sit near by - the ingredients are fresh. Yum! Wish we had been able to go this evening! Reservations are highly recommended. read more

The food was amazing and the price was great. Great atmosphere emphasis on family. The raspberry Tiramisu was fantastic. This place is worth the wait. Make sure to make a reservation. read more

Small place with amazing food. Must reserve well in advance. Luckily we were able to book two days early for a late lunch. The pappardelle with duck ragu was one of the best pastas dishes I have ever had. Everything was perfectly made and delicious. Look forward to coming back here on my next trip to Italy. read more

Very hard to find!! Says Osteria outside. Caters to locals but confidentially ask for a table and be patient. It's worth it! The risotto was awesome!!! read more

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Asked a few locals where a good spot was to grab lunch and we were immediately directed to this little, I mean LITTLE, restaurant. The only signage you will see is Osteria on the glass out front and a hand written menu posted to the door outside. We waited about 20 minutes for a lunch table and were seated next to another couple who were very clearly regulars. Ordered a zucchini pasta dish, duck paperdelle, and fried chicken with artichokes. The food was AMAZING and very clearly all the ingredients were home made and with love. The owner is constantly running around and having a good time with all the patrons and offered us a glass of chianti to cheers with. By far our favorite dining experience on our entire euro trip and we will never forget it. Really gave life to the true Italian dining experience! Also, make sure to have their tiramisu, you will not be disappointed! read more

Vini e Vecchi has pretty great reviews on yelp and different food blogs, but I was not impressed when I dined here. The spot is a little too cramped for me. It was very small with a lot of character/no frills/authentic vibe, but the food wasn't anything to write home about. Personally think there are much better options in Florence. read more

Good, authentic food at a fair price! The menu is handwritten, so a little challenging to read and they charge you for their bland bread that they just bring out, but otherwise great experience. Our waiter was pleasant and helped us with the Italian. I got potato ravioli in a rose sauce and it was phenomenal. Very fresh pasta! You need a reservation, so go the day before or the morning of! read more

Vini e Vecchi Sapori - Pesto fettuccine - Tuscan Near Me - Florence, FI

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Fantastic pasta - probably the best I've had in the historic center of Florence. Went there twice! The meat courses are good but all the pasta is the true highlight. Good cheap but limited wine selection. Hole in the wall family run restaurant is perfect. read more