Where to eat in Florence

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If you’re planning a visit to Florence and want to try the local cuisine, you’re in the right place!

If you’re wondering where to eat in Florence, we’ve got you covered! In this article, we recommend some of our favorite restaurants, divided by area: Santa Maria Novella, San Lorenzo, San Frediano and Santo Spirito, San Niccolò, and the historic center between Piazza della Signoria and Santa Croce. Get ready to discover the most authentic flavors of the city!

Santa Maria Novella

Let’s start from our favorite neighborhood, Santa Maria Novella — which, not by chance, is also where our Bed & Breakfast is located!
Just a few steps from Florence’s main train station (Stazione SMN) and the beautiful Piazza di Santa Maria Novella, you’ll find many restaurants and trattorias that celebrate Tuscan cuisine. Here are our top picks:

  1. L’Osteria Di Giovanni
  2. Il Latini
  3. Trattoria Marione
  4. La Grotta Di Leo
    • Address: Via della Scala, 41/43r
    • Website: lagrottadileo.it
    • Phone: +39 055219265
San Lorenzo

San Lorenzo is a lively and vibrant neighborhood full of restaurants, bars, cafés, and shops. It’s located close to Santa Maria Novella train station and is named after the famous Basilica of San Lorenzo. At the heart of the district, you’ll find the Mercato Centrale, perfect for discovering and buying many typical local products.
Here are our top picks:

  1. Trattoria ZàZà
    • Address: Piazza del Mercato Centrale, 26r
    • Website: trattoriazaza.it
    • Phone: +39 055215411
  2. Trattoria Mario
  3. Trattoria Da Guido
  4. Mercato Centrale

The Mercato Centrale is a must-visit in Florence! On the ground floor, you’ll find a lively food market every morning with top-quality fresh products, from meat to fish and traditional Tuscan delicacies. Upstairs, there’s a modern and cozy food court with plenty of restaurants and street food options, perfect for lunch or dinner. A place full of flavors and atmosphere not to be missed!

Piazza Della Signoria

If you’re looking for an authentic culinary experience in Florence, don’t miss the *schiacciaterie* near Piazza della Signoria.
This area, right in the heart of the historic center, is famous for its traditional schiacciate: a type of flatbread made with flour, oil, and salt, filled with a variety of fresh and delicious ingredients. Popular among locals and tourists alike, these schiacciaterie offer quick but tasty meals with fillings like prosciutto, cheese, vegetables, and more.

Thanks to their central location and welcoming atmosphere, they’re a perfect option for a quick lunch or snack on the go.

Florentine schiacciate pair wonderfully with a glass of red wine — highly recommended!

Here are our favorite picks:

  1. All’Antico Vinaio (also inside SMN station and in Piazza San Marco)
  2. La prosciutteria di Firenze
  3. I Fratellini
    • Address: Via dei Cimatori, 38r
    • Phone: +39 0552396096
  4. I’ Girone De’ Ghiotti
Sant’Ambrogio

Now let’s move to the easternmost part of Florence’s center, home to the second largest food market after the Mercato Centrale.
Sant’Ambrogio is one of the city’s most authentic and vibrant neighborhoods, and there’s no better way to discover it than through its food. Here, fresh and high-quality local products are the stars, both in the market and in the many trattorias and restaurants nearby, offering delicious traditional Tuscan dishes.

Highly recommended for your dinner.

Here are our top picks:

  1. Gilda Bistrot
    • Address: Piazza Lorenzo Ghiberti, 40r
    • Website: gildabistrot.it
    • Phone: +39 0552343885
  2. Cibreo Trattoria
    • Address: Via Andrea del Verrocchio, 5r
    • Website: cibreo.com
    • Phone: +39 0552341100
  3. Teatro del Sale
San Frediano and Santo Spirito

If you’re looking for an informal and cozy night out, cross to the “other side of the Arno” and explore the neighborhoods of San Frediano and Santo Spirito. Here, you’ll find plenty of trattorias and restaurants serving real Tuscan flavors, surrounded by colorful alleys and lively squares. A perfect way to experience the most authentic side of Florence!
Here are our top picks:

  1. Trattoria La Casalinga
  2. Trattoria Sant’Agostino
  3. I’Brindellone
    • Address: Piazza Piattellina, 10
    • Website: ibrindellone.it
    • Phone: +39 055217879
  4. Antico Ristoro Di Cambi
  5. Il Guscio
    • Address: Via dell’Orto, 49
    • Website: ilguscio.it
    • Phone: +39 055224421
San Niccolò

We end our journey in San Niccolò, a romantic neighborhood with stunning views of Florence and its hills. After a walk up to Piazzale Michelangelo, stop by one of the local trattorias: welcoming atmosphere, authentic flavors, and an unforgettable evening await you.
Here are our top picks:

  1. Osteria Antica Mescita San Niccolò
  2. Hosteria del Bricco
  3. Piazzetta San Niccolò
    • Address: Via di S. Niccolò, 33r
    • Phone: +39 0552026854
  4. Enoteca Fuori Porta
    • Address: Via del Monte alle Croci, 10
    • Website: fuoriporta.it
    • Phone: +39 0552342483

Florence is full of culinary treasures, and each neighborhood has something special to offer. From the lively trattorias of San Lorenzo to the schiacciaterie near Piazza della Signoria, from the bohémien vibe of Santo Spirito to the cozy osterias of San Niccolò, every corner promises a unique experience.
This guide is just a starting point — there are so many other wonderful places waiting to be discovered! We hope we’ve inspired you to explore Florence and enjoy its incredible cuisine.

We can’t wait to see you savoring the city’s delights in one of its many restaurants, osterias, or trattorias.

Buon appetito!

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