Florence is an Italian city located in the region of Tuscany. It is known as the birthplace of the Renaissance, offering iconic landmarks, spectacular architecture, stunning art, and deep history. I loved everything that Florence had to offer, but a highlight of Florence was the culinary experiences that it offers.
Florence offers unique Tuscan cuisine that is deeply rooted in tradition and focuses on using local, high-quality ingredients in a simple yet delicious way. As a pasta-loving foodie, I have compiled a list of five bars and restaurants that I would recommend for a great culinary experience.
Le volpi e l’vua
Rated 5/5
This intimate little wine bar near Ponte Vecchio was the standout of my visit to Florence. One of my best memories of this trip was hiding out in this bar from the sudden torrential rain with many glasses of wine. We sat in the window and enjoyed our wine alongside a Crostine with Asiago cheese and spicy salami spread.
They offer both red and white wine flights, which include three taster glasses of wine for €12-€15. We ordered two flights of white wine and were given six different wines to try. The flights were made up of a selection of Italian wines from Northern Italy, Southern Italy, and the Tuscan region. When the waitress presented the wines, she explained where each wine came from and how the area impacted the taste of each one. The best wine of the selection for me was the Egger Ramer Alto Adige Goldmusketeller wine.
Piazza dei Rossi 1, 50125 Florence, Italy
Trattoria Palle d’olo – 4/5
Rated 4/5
This traditional tavern was opened in 1860 and has been run by the same family for almost 100 years. It is located in a touristy area, near the San Lorenzo Market and the Basilica of San Lorenzo, but it is clearly a charming spot enjoyed by locals and tourists alike.
They offer simple and delicious traditional Tuscan food, including ribollita and caciucco. The restaurant is simple, yet completely charming and comfortable. I was able to try their comforting and rich beef ragu, and it was one of the best pasta dishes that I tried during my visit. It was clear from the taste of the dish that they use high-quality beef cooked slowly to become incredibly tender. If you want to enjoy a fantastic but affordable meal while sightseeing, then this is the restaurant to visit.
Via Sant’Antonino 45, 50123 Florence, Italy
Francesco Vini
4/5
Initially founded as a wine shop in 1977, this restaurant continues to show its passion for good wine by offering wine lovers more than 100 labels to choose from. The walls of the restaurant are lined with bottles of wine, and they have a specialty cellar for storing their wine.
We shared an incredible Florentine steak between the two of us, which was sliced off the bone. It was served rare, and we chose to pair it with a simple side of roast potatoes as recommended.
Despite the large quantity of steak potatoes I had eaten, I was able to find space to enjoy a serving of tiramisu. While it was not the best tiramisu that I enjoyed on my trip to Italy, it was thoroughly enjoyable and definitely sorted out my craving for cream and coffee.
Borgo dei Greci 7/r, 50122 Florence, Italy
Il Parione
Rated 4/5
Il Parione is a beautiful, quaint, little Italian restaurant. This restaurant was recommended to us by our host, and it did not disappoint. It opens daily, offering traditional homemade Italian fare using quality ingredients.
We each enjoyed a plate of ragu, one with beef and one with wild boar. Both pasta dishes were hearty and comforting, which matched perfectly with the cosy ambience of the restaurant.
Via del Parione, 74/76 R, 50123 Florence, Italy
Pino’s Sandwiches
5/5
This family-owned sandwich shop was established in 1991 and has been offering the most flavourful sandwiches since then. The fillings are sandwiched between two slices of schiacciata. Schiacciata is a thin and chewy flatbread made from flour, water, and olive oil.
It’s an extremely popular deli, with lines out the door and down the street. As you enter, you are greeted by the deli counter with an array of delicious meats and cheeses. You can choose from the sandwiches on the menu, or you can create your own by choosing from the items on display.
We treated ourselves to sandwiches from Pino’s on more than one occasion. My top recommendation would be the Finocchiona sandwich, loaded with layers of fennel salami, pecorino cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and pesto. The fennel salami was strong, meaty, and aromatic, but this was not overpowering, as it was balanced out by the sweetness of the sun-dried tomatoes and the sharpness of the pecorino.
The photos do not do these sandwiches justice!
Via Giuseppe Verdi 36 R, 50122 Florence, Italy