Restaurants in Florence

[artnbarb]

We'll be visiting Florence with friends, arriving on a Tuesday morning, departing on Thursday. We have reservations for dinner at 7:30 at il Latini, so we need something lighter for lunch that day. Any suggestions?

On Wednesday we'll eat lunch at ZaZa's in the Mercato Centrale, then dinner at Acqua al Due - but am I being overly ambitious? I don't think we'll be able to eat more than one full meal each day, preferably at lunch, then a gelato in the afternoon, then a light dinner. I probably won'be be hungry for lunch after the dinner at il Latini the night before! How do you juggle your meals when traveling?

 

[Ian Sutton]

What about simply pasta or risotto for lunch - filling and gives long-burn energy, but should not get in the way of dinner?

If even this is too much, a toasted sandwich in a bar is always easy to do.

 

[CaWino]

Here are a couple of classic great sandwich places:


I Due Fratellini
Via dei Cimatori 38R, Florence, IT

The sandwiches here are fabulous and inexpensive - about 5€. Very informal. There is no seating. Everyone congregates outside the entrance. As a matter of fact, there is no entrance to walk in per se. You can also purchase a glass of chianti. There are slots in the door for your glass. It is a hole-in-the-wall place. Located about two blocks from Piazza della Repubblica. A description and picture are here:
http://www.reidsitaly.com/destinations/tuscany/florence/dining/i-fratellini.html

Cantinetta Verrazano
Via dei Tavolini 18/20r, Florence, Italy

Another hole-in-the-wall place, but this one has seating. Prices are similar to above. It was a madhouse with line when we were there this past September. However, the line moves quickly and well worth the wait. More information here:
http://www.reidsitaly.com/destinations/tuscany/florence/dining/cantinetta-del-verrazzano.html

BTW, two thumbs up on Il Latini. I haven't eaten there in a few years, but it is quite an experience with the communal dining. The food is quite good, too.

 

[artnbarb]

Here are a couple of classic great sandwich places:


I Due Fratellini
Via dei Cimatori 38R, Florence, IT

The sandwiches here are fabulous and inexpensive - about 5€. Very informal. There is no seating. Everyone congregates outside the entrance. As a matter of fact, there is no entrance to walk in per se. You can also purchase a glass of chianti. There are slots in the door for your glass. It is a hole-in-the-wall place. Located about two blocks from Piazza della Repubblica. A description and picture are here:
http://www.reidsitaly.com/destinations/tuscany/florence/dining/i-fratellini.html

Thanks for that reminder! I think Due Fratellini would be the perfect introduction to Florence for our friends!

Now I just need something light for dinner on Wednesday - I know Florence isn't known for great pizza, but are there any new places?

 

[CaWino]

I don't think this place is new, but we found this Oltrarno place to have pretty good pizza:

Gusta Pizza
Via Maggio 46R, 50125 Florence, Italy

Several blocks south from Ponte Trinita. It was cheap, informal and festive. The pizza was pretty good, too.

 

[jan]

We really liked Schiacciavino--right near the Santa Croce. Super fresh ingredients and nice people. https://www.yelp.com/biz/lo-schiacciavino-firenze-3

 

[PokeyMindy]

****I am at work and remembered I had this on my computer. I couldn't figure out how to attach it as a link so I copied and pasted. This is from about a year ago. I still stand by all of them, especially Sostanza, Vini e Vecchi Sapori and Le Volpi e l'uva. Maybe not what you're looking for, but perhaps helpful to others who read this thread

PLACES TO EAT IN FLORENCE

QUATTRO LEONI (Oltrarno area) **RESERVATIONS** FAVORITE J

PIAZZA DELLA PASSERA

OPEN EVERY DAY

055 218562 www.4leoni.com



OSTERIA VINI E VECCHI SAPORI **RESERVATIONS NEEDED** FAVORITE J

VIA DEI MAGAZZINI, 3

CLOSED WED. LUNCH 12:00-15:00 DINNER 19:00-23:15



SOSTANZA----- VIA DEL PORCELLANA 25R PHONE:055 214210 FAVORITE J

BUTTER CHICKEN…TO.DIE.FOR.

LUNCH HOURS 12-12:30?---2PM

VERY SMALL, EITHER GET THERE WHEN THEY OPEN OR MAKE RESERVATIONS.



ZEB GASTRONOMIA http://www.zebgastronomia.com/1148-2/ (I’ve not been but highly recommended by a foodie friend)

2 VIA MINIATO 2R

055 234 2864



OSTERIA ANTICA MESCITA (NEAR Piazza Michelangelo/church of San Miniato)

VIA DI SAN NICCOLO 60R www.osteriasanniccolo.it/en/



LE VOLPI E L’UVA---VERY SMALL NEED RESERVATIONS. EXCELLENT/ WINE BAR/GREAT FOOD NEAR PONTE VECCHIO…small piazza before Pitti Palace, may be difficult to find but just ask. Well worth it.) **FAVORITE**

PIAZZA DEI ROSSI http://www.levolpieluva.com/en/



OSTERIA PEPO http://www.pepo.it/home-eng FAVORITE

OPEN EVERY DAY 12-2:30P AND 7P-10:30P

VIA ROSINA, 6

NEAR SAN LORENZO MARKET, NEXT DOOR TO MARIO’S (ALSO GOOD) AND Trattoria ZaZa which is supposed to be very good as well.



L’Osteria Di Giovanni----------always good, friendly service

Via del Moro, 22

http://www.osteriadigiovanni.com/