Restaurant recommendations for Florence

[GailS]

I'll be back in Florence in December. Since our go to restaurant closed several years ago when our longtime friend who was the chef/owner retired, we have struggled to find places to eat that we enjoy returning to. For 20+ years each visit we eat one meal at Trattoria 4 Leoni for their pear filled pasta in a cheese sauce with asparagus. We have a lunch at Le volpi e l'uva where we enjoy their wines (and are members of their wine club). We have a lunch at Budellino where the former waitress/sommelier from the closed restaurant is now a part owner. Other than that, we are at a loss for where to eat. We prefer casual, traditional Tuscan fare - wild boar is a favorite. A quality wine selection is also preferred. We've eaten at Trattoria Marione several times recently but it doesn't have the best wine selection and food is just OK. Any suggestions?

 

[NoSpin]

We like La Giostra. Admittedly they do attract tourists, but we have always had excellent meals there and the service is very good.

We were there in the summer of 2019 when we brough 14 people there. I was a little concerned because I talked it up so much that I raised expectations too high. Everyone loved it so much we had to book a second night. We dined there in the fall of 2022 with another couple and everyone enjoyed their meal.

I can't speak to their wine list. Whenever I order wine in a restaurant I ask the waiter/waitress to bring me a glass of their very finest ....... cheap red wine!

BTW, not far away is Vivoli, the one of the best gelatos in Italy.

 

[Ian Sutton]

I've not been, but Enoteca Pitti e Gola is talked about a lot on a leading US wine forum. As such, I daresay it might be popular and touristy, but the depth of the wine list is clearly strong.

I used to very much like the wine focus of 'Duemilavini's (aka Bibenda wine)' restaurant / enoteca listing. It was published by the guild of Sommeliers. They stopped the physical printing a few years ago, but instead went online, so that's maybe worth a look for Firenze if wine is a strong focus.

 

[braindoc]

Enoteca Spontanea. We were there in late October and had a wonderful experience tasting small producer orange wines suggested by co-owner Nicola. His enthusiasm and knowledge were something to experience. The charcuterie platter was better than what we had in Bologna days before. We were so happy we cancelled dinner plans elsewhere and returned for a second evening. He sources his food (and wines) with great care. We ate well (his sister runs the kitchen) and drank even better. It is a small place and gets crowded- mostly with locals who all seem to know him - so reservations recommended.

 

[braindoc]

Also Trattoria Sergio Gozzi and Trattoria Roberto. Both down-to-earth, no frills home cooking. Old school - carafes of good house wine. Lots of locals. Excellent food.

 

[GailS]

Thanks all for the suggestions. They all look good. Fingers crossed we won't have a "wasted" meal this trip.

 

[Bob Whelan]

For Wild Boar, try Osteria Cinghiale Bianco. It’s just over Ponte Santa Trinita in the Oltrano area. Very close to Piazza Santo Spirito. Call ahead for a table. It never disappoints.

Bob

 

[Christian]

I'm a bit surprised that you are "at a loss for where to eat" in Florence. Personally, I would highly suggest Trattoria La Casalinga, which has been open for decades and is very close to 4 Leoni. I wish I could be in Florence this month, as I really love Christmas time there (great market at Santa Croce!). Enjoy!

 

[PokeyMindy]

I discovered 2 "new" (to me) places when I was in Florence last Nov.
Trattoria Cammillo-we loved it and our waiter Carlo so much we went twice!
Borgo S. Jacopo 57r (Oltrarno). And, a great place for lunch..a wine and cheese bar Formaggioteca Terroir Via dei Renai, the owner, Rebecca is a friend of Shannon's and she is a delight! (and the most amazing bathroom)! We stopped on our way up to the church of San Miniato.

Quattro 4 Leoni is always a good choice too! Hopefully you can see 2 photos, one of Rebecca the owner of cheese/wine shop and my favorite waiter Carlo at Trattoria Cammillo.

 

[SoCalPappy]

We like La Giostra. Admittedly they do attract tourists, but we have always had excellent meals there and the service is very good.

We were there in the summer of 2019 when we brough 14 people there. I was a little concerned because I talked it up so much that I raised expectations too high. Everyone loved it so much we had to book a second night. We dined there in the fall of 2022 with another couple and everyone enjoyed their meal.

I can't speak to their wine list. Whenever I order wine in a restaurant I ask the waiter/waitress to bring me a glass of their very finest ....... cheap red wine!

BTW, not far away is Vivoli, the one of the best gelatos in Italy.

I'll second La Giostra. We went last year on recommendations from friends, had a wonderful dinner there with our group of 8.

 

[davythefatboy]

I second Enoteca Spontanea, Nicola and his sister are doing an amazing job. We enjoyed his wine selections at Coquinarius for many years, but we are so happy that he opened his own place. His enthusiasm for good food and wine is boundless, and his sister Irene is an excellent chef. She also bakes wonderful breads (some with ancient and diverse grains). One small caution -- they are not trying to turn the tables. Nico takes as much time as needed to discuss wines and food with each table, which means you may be waiting a while for him to get to you. Don't go if you are in a rush -- make a reservation in advance, and enjoy a leisurely and delicious meal.

We also like Tranvai, a small and straightforward place on Piazza Tasso. Both their ribollita and their bruschetta are my favorite in Firenze. Their wine choices are much simpler. We still like Trattoria Cibreo (and Caffe Cibreo). Finally Trattoria Maga Magò opened about a year ago on Piazza Ciompi, and their food, wine and hospitality are excellent.

And if you will be Firenze for a while and want some other cuisines, Fulin is an excellent Chinese restaurant. Their dim sum are some of the best I've ever had. Try the Girandoline dell’orto. Don't worry about the "Luxury Experience" in their name, prices are gentle.

 

[georgemiller]

Here are some of the restaurants I liked in Florence. For breakfast, I really loved “Ala Grande Caffe (Caffe Rosano)”. For sandwiches, I prefer “Sandwichic” but also enjoyed “Pino’s Sandwiches”. When it comes to steak, I go to “Trattoria Dall’oste”. No trip is complete without desserts, and for ice cream we go to “Gelateria Artigianale La Sorbettiera”. I hope I got the spellings right on all those places.

 

[Lorac]

I'll be back in Florence in December. Since our go to restaurant closed several years ago when our longtime friend who was the chef/owner retired, we have struggled to find places to eat that we enjoy returning to. For 20+ years each visit we eat one meal at Trattoria 4 Leoni for their pear filled pasta in a cheese sauce with asparagus. We have a lunch at Le volpi e l'uva where we enjoy their wines (and are members of their wine club). We have a lunch at Budellino where the former waitress/sommelier from the closed restaurant is now a part owner. Other than that, we are at a loss for where to eat. We prefer casual, traditional Tuscan fare - wild boar is a favorite. A quality wine selection is also preferred. We've eaten at Trattoria Marione several times recently but it doesn't have the best wine selection and food is just OK. Any suggestions?

 

[Lorac]

Our favorite restaurant in Florence also closed during this past year. Lo Skipper, well hidden inside an arcade, served seafood prepared as it would be in the Aeolian Islands.
And Casalinga remains a working man's or woman's lunch stop, despite renovations a few years ago to one of its dining rooms.
I am making note of the suggested restaurants in this forum, so thanks to everyone!

 

[GailS]

Thanks again for the continued recommendations. Hoping to find some "must return" spots this trip.

 

[PokeyMindy]

I have friends visiting Florence and they wanted to eat dinner at Trattoria Cammillo on Dec. 16th. I had a friend (who lives in Florence) call to make a reservation and THEY ARE ALREADY BOOKED! Crazy!

 

[GailS]

Yikes - in December? We will be there then - I guess we won't try walking in without a reservation that day... Thanks for the heads up.

 

[Cecelia]

For years we have been going to Vini e Vecchi Sapori on Via dei Magazini near Piazza Signoria. It never disappoints. Food is fresh, seasonal and delicious. Atmosphere is friendly and fun. We love it!

 

[Allen]

For years we have been going to Vini e Vecchi Sapori on Via dei Magazini near Piazza Signoria. It never disappoints. Food is fresh, seasonal and delicious. Atmosphere is friendly and fun. We love it!

Has been, and remains, our go-to small Italian family diner for over 20 yrs. Though hurt by big loss of family matriarch/patriarch, the kids and in-laws carry on admirably. Equally unfortunate for the original ambience, the restaurant is a victim of the family’s well earned success, as customer base has been essentially tourist only over the past decade. So reserve well in advance and don’t plan to linger.

 

[TerryItalyfan]

We like La Giostra. Admittedly they do attract tourists, but we have always had excellent meals there and the service is very good.

We were there in the summer of 2019 when we brough 14 people there. I was a little concerned because I talked it up so much that I raised expectations too high. Everyone loved it so much we had to book a second night. We dined there in the fall of 2022 with another couple and everyone enjoyed their meal.

I can't speak to their wine list. Whenever I order wine in a restaurant I ask the waiter/waitress to bring me a glass of their very finest ....... cheap red wine!

BTW, not far away is Vivoli, the one of the best gelatos in Italy.

OMG Vivoli is the best.
I think of my late brother and all the times we went to Vivoli!!

We ate at Leo's, which I heard is closed now.