The Best Local Restaurants in Florence

This stylish osteria is a unique collaboration between Massimo Bottura and Gucci, located near the Gucci museum. It offers a playful yet sophisticated blend of Mexican, Italian, and Japanese influences, led by the talented chefs Karime and Taka. The menu takes you on a culinary journey around the world, with dishes that are beautifully presented and full of creative combinations.

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João Oliveira

Food & Wine writer – Porto, Portugal

Time tends to treat restaurants well, just as good relationships tend to benefit people. That’s what we experienced in this return to Gucci Osteria, nestled on one of the most beautiful squares in the world, Piazza della Signoria. The restaurant is different; it’s fun but, at the same time, more serious regarding the conception of its cuisine. The guiding thread has become the story of Karime and Taka, their experiences, and their own interpretation of an Italy that sometimes takes itself too seriously. The couple’s happiness brought them the creative mojo to break barriers and take the restaurant further! It’s inevitable, and rightly so, that Massimo Bottura’s name still stands at the door, but the absolute certainty is that this is now Karime and Taka’s restaurant, and Bottura must be very proud of it! To visit once and again!

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This farm-to-table establishment, C-ucina, offers a simple yet stunning culinary experience. The kitchen showcases fantastic produce, hinting at serious skill, with dishes such as rabbit with friggitelli peppers, whipped salt cod, and a unique cabbage dressed with honey and paprika. Traditional recipes, unusual produce discovery, and stimulating innovations blend together to create an inviting, homestyle cuisine.

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Tom Jenkins

Food Writer – London, UK

Simple yet stunning farm-to-table in the Oltrano One of the best meals I ate in Florence and actually a recommendation from WoM! C-ucina is a neighbourhood farm-to-table in the Oltrano. Fantastic produce largely left to speak (nay sing) for itself but hinting at serious skill in the kitchen, the kind of neighbourhood spot that I would go to all the time if it was, you know, in my neighbourhood. We had delicious rabbit with friggitelli peppers, whipped salt cod, an amazing cabbage dressed with honey and paprika (so simple, so good), and a perfect panna cotta.

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This cozy, small-sized restaurant, Trattoria Sostanza, is known for its simple yet superbly prepared dishes. Favorites among regulars include the Tortina di Carciofi, a delightful artichoke omelette, and the Butter Chicken, a dish so well-executed it's often the highlight of the meal. A visit isn't complete without trying the seasonal berries with cream, a refreshing end to a satisfying meal.

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Karime López

Chef – Florence, Italy

One of our favorite places in Florence. From my heart, I will recommend it. We don't have a lot of days off, so when we are at this trattoria, it's priceless time together with your friends or family. It's a really small place and they have my favourite thing there, a dish is called Tortina di Carciofi. It's like an omelette with artichokes. It's very simple, but they do it super good and simple. Very nice.

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Cibrèo Caffè is a longstanding establishment since 1989, recognized for its high-quality organic products that are crafted into unique dishes like stuffed chicken neck and tomato gelatine. The café offers a cozy refuge from dawn till dusk, enveloping visitors in the aroma of fresh coffee and warm croissants. You can also expect small appetizers from their gastronomy, including hand-cut prosciutto sandwiches, Florentine liver pate on bread bites, and a variety of other delicacies.

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Edoardo Celadon

Founder, Most of Italy – Firenze , Italy

Il Cibreo is an institution in Italy. Organic high quality products are daily transformed in marvelous preparations such as the “mythological” stuffed chicken neck or the tomato gelatine. Beautifully simple.

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A visit to Enoteca Bruni promises an elevated dining experience with a focus on fine wines. The restaurant is known for its excellent selection of natural wines and high-quality food, including real Mortadella, Burrata, and 4-year-old Parma Ham. Trust their sommelier to guide you through the menu and offer the best pairings for a memorable meal.

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Billy Wagner

Sommelier – Berlin, Germany

A sommelier place. Trust them. With great Burrata, real Mortadella and 4 years old Parma Ham. So you would think this is like a thousand other restaurants? But not at this amazingly high level.

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Coquinarius is a restaurant that impresses with a fair balance between quality and price. The place offers a relaxing ambiance with music and lighting that create a positive vibe. A notable feature of the restaurant is its wine list, which includes a range of interesting bottles as well as a selection of natural wines.

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Carlos Hernández

Food writer – Spain , Spain

Nice relationship quality price in the CENTER of Florence The restaurant is in the very centre of Florence just around the Duomo corner and,, of course, we can expect just another fake for tourists but Coquinarius surprised us. Very reasanoble prices and very fair quality and service for the money we payed. The wine list includes a list of very interesting bottles and also a list of natural wines. The ambient (music, light and atmosphere)) is quite relaxing and transmits a very good energy.

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Enoteca Spontanea is a natural wine bar that offers a relaxing atmosphere. It features a simple yet tasteful cuisine and a nice selection of bottled wines. The space is fresh and cool, providing a chill vibe for those who visit.

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Edoardo Celadon

Founder, Most of Italy – Firenze , Italy

Cool natural wine bar in Florence. Cool natural wines bar in Florence, with simple cuisine. Nice bottle selection and cool space, very fresh and relaxing.

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With a thrilling tasting menu that ranks amongst the most exciting in the region, Locale Firenze is a unique dining experience. The chef, Simone Capponetto, brings a decade of global culinary experience to the table, crafting dishes that are both creative and deeply rooted in local Tuscan tradition. As the evening progresses, the restaurant transforms into a lively cocktail bar, making it a place where food, fun, and music come together.

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Tom Jenkins

Food Writer – London, UK

Thrilling tasting menu in one of the world's best bars Locale is perhaps best known for being one of The World's 50 Best Bars. But the food offering here has to be one of the most exciting in Florence with Simone Capponetto at the helm, a chef who spent a decade travelling the world, including a stint at Mugaritz, before returning home to Tuscany. There are nods to his former employer in his creativity, but Simone is creating a cuisine all of his own here that speaks of the locality. The vibe is young and fun and be warned the music gets louder as the night goes on when Locale essentially turns into a club, but really you shouldn't miss it. Superb.

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Specializing in true Florentine street food, L’Trippaio Fiorentino is known for its signature dish, the Lampredotto panino. This delicacy is prepared by slow cooking one of the cow stomachs in a spicy tomato broth, then serving it chopped up and hot in a crispy panino bun, French dipped in the broth with some salsa verde. Paired with an ice-cold beer, this affordable meal is a favorite among visitors and locals alike.

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Kenneth Nars

Creative Director – Helsinki, Finland

The Lampredotto panino is the true street food of Firenze. Prepared by slow cooking one of the cow stomachs (not trippa) in a spicy tomato broth, I'Trippaio Fiorentino run by Marco Bolognese is probably the best of the many lampredotto stands in this tourist-packed city. The dish is made of slow cooked lampredotto, chopped up and served hot in a crispy panino bun, French dipped in the broth with some salsa verde. With an ice cold beer this 5 € meal is hard to beat. In the eastern corner of Piazza Cesare Beccaria.

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This small shop, Semel Street Food, nestled in Sant’Ambrogio market, is a go-to spot for street food enthusiasts. Known for serving some of the best paninis in Tuscany, they keep things interesting with a daily and seasonal change in offerings. It's a true culinary institution, loved by foodies and locals alike for its fresh and inspiring dishes.

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Saku Tuominen

CEO & Restaurateur – Helsinki, Finland

Looking for street food in Florence? Probably the best panini in the whole of Tuscany can be found in this tiny shop in Sant’Ambrogio market, a true culinary institution for both foodies and locals. Offerings change daily and seasonally – all of them fresh and inspiring.

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With a rich history dating back to 1945, Trattoria Cammillo is a cornerstone of authentic Tuscan cuisine. The restaurant offers a broad menu, featuring traditional dishes such as ribollita soup and bistecca alla Fiorentina, along with some unique offerings like gamberi al curry. Known for its unpretentious and genuine atmosphere, it's a place where you can feel at home and treat the staff like friends.

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João Oliveira

Food & Wine writer – Porto, Portugal

“It’s no wonder that it’s considered an institution in the city, and at its tables, you find a mix of local customers, almost daily, and informed tourists. A visit to Cammillo is a journey through the simplicity (not always simple) and the taste of the most authentic Tuscan cuisine, which comforts us and makes us feel at home like those places we have been visiting for years, where they indulge us, and we treat the staff like friends. So yes, if you want an unpretentious and genuine place, Camillo will be your refuge in Florence – it has been ours for several years, and we have always been happy!”

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Vineria Sonora is a hidden gem offering a selection of artisanal, organic, and natural wines and beers, served alongside small dishes. It's a perfect spot for an aperitivo before dinner or an after-dinner drink in the charming Sant’Ambrogio neighborhood. The warm atmosphere is enhanced by their collection of vinyl records, adding a unique touch to your dining experience.

Recommended by

Edoardo Celadon

Founder, Most of Italy – Firenze , Italy

Nice little hidden natural wines and beers bar, serving tiny dishes on the side. Perfect spot for an aperitivo before dinner or for an after dinner, in the beautiful Sant’Ambrogio neighborhood.

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Established in 1880 in the cellars of Palazzo Antinori, Buca Lapi is known as the oldest restaurant in its locale. It offers a glimpse into more than a century of history, thanks to careful restoration. The menu reflects the authentic flavors of traditional Tuscan cuisine, with dishes like homemade pasta, wild boar with polenta, and steak cooked on sweet charcoal and drizzled with Tuscan extra-virgin olive oil.

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Hani AlMalki

Writer @BedouinFoodie – Dubai, UAE

Many consider it to be one of the best restaurants in Florence while others find it touristy. I loved it and had a phenomenal meal here.

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Established in 1979, Cibrèo Ristorante is not your typical Italian eatery, but a blend of forward-thinking ethos deeply rooted in tradition. It offers a refined dining experience, featuring dishes such as sformato di patate e ricotta and timballo di tortellini, and is cherished by the local art, intellectual, and food scene. The Cibrèo family includes the main restaurant, a traditional Trattoria, a café, and Cibleo, a unique Tuscan-Oriental establishment, all offering diverse experiences and impressive wine lists.

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Saku Tuominen

CEO & Restaurateur – Helsinki, Finland

Cibreo, founded in 1979 by the late Fabio Picchi, is a genuine Florentine institution, but not your average one. First of all, it is both forward-thinking and deeply rooted in tradition, but this doesn't mean the same thing as many people's impression of a "traditional Italian restaurant." It is refined, rather than rustic (eg sformato di patate e ricotta or timballo di tortellini). Secondly, even though there are always tourists, it is dearly loved by the local art, intellectual, and foodie scene and has its own special atmosphere. Thirdly, Cibreo is actually a family of places. The main ristorante is the most sophisticated one. Trattoria is probably the closest to your traditional Italian, and the café is something in-between, almost like a Florence-New Yorkish wine bar with great food, open from 9 am to midnight. Cibleo, a small Tuscan-Oriental (!) place, was Fabio's love letter to both Florence and Kyoto, being the latest addition to this eccentric family. All places are next to each other and would deserve their own recommendation. Needless to say, this being Florence, the wine lists will not disappoint in any of the places. Everyone has their own favorite, but if you are a foodie, no visit to Florence is complete without visiting at least one member of the Cibreo family.

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With a prestigious 3 Michelin star status, Enoteca Pinchiorri is renowned for its fine dining experience and an impressive selection of wines. It is recognized as a significant destination for wine connoisseurs. However, please note that the website is currently unavailable for further information.

Recommended by

Karime López

Chef – Florence, Italy

One of the most important places for fine wines in Florence is Enoteca Pinchiorri. It's a famous 3 Michelin star restaurant with great wines and fine dining.

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This restaurant, I’Brindellone, is known for its speedy service and traditional Tuscan cuisine. It's particularly popular for its La Bistecca, a local favorite. However, the Fagioli all’uccelletto, a special dish of beans cooked with sausage and tomatoes into a rich stew, also comes highly recommended.

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Karime López

Chef – Florence, Italy

Another fun place that I love is l’Brindellone. It’s a place where it seems like the dishes are flying because they serve you so fast. The food is traditional Tuscan, and you barely see tourists there. It's really, really hard to get a table there because the price and the quality is super good – they have perfect traditional dishes. I think everybody’s favourite there is La Bistecca as you are in Florence, but for me is the Fagioli all’uccelletto. As a Mexican, I love beans, but these beans are very, very special and super good. They are cooked with a bit of salciccia and tomatoes into a rich stew. I love this dish.

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Immerse yourself in an elegant dining experience at Il Palagio, the flagship Michelin-starred restaurant situated on the ground floor of the iconic Four Seasons hotel. With a neoclassical décor that exudes charm and sophistication, the restaurant is helmed by Executive Chef Paolo Lavezzini who maintains a high culinary standard, attracting food enthusiasts with his philosophy of sourcing top-quality natural ingredients from small producers. The menu offers a delightful gastronomic interpretation of regional cuisine with a contemporary twist, complemented by a well-curated and extensive wine list.

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João Oliveira

Food & Wine writer – Porto, Portugal

“Entering a hotel like the Four Seasons Florence is always a special moment; it is like entering an enchanted world where everyone is a prince and princess, and Il Palagio is where hospitality dresses properly. Paolo Lavezzini’s Italian cuisine brought a breath of fresh air to a certain classicism typical of these spaces, from the combination of textures to the choice of fresh and vegetable elements that mark the presence throughout the menu, making this new era of the restaurant a must-visit when passing through the city. Suppose you are looking for an elegant environment, with service comparable or superior to restaurants with more stars and a balanced and refreshing cuisine while maintaining Italian inspiration and comfort. In that case, Il Palagio should be on your Florence bucket list.”

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Known for its baked gnocchi, Osteria Santo Spirito is a place where you can enjoy this awesome dish. The restaurant doesn't provide any further details about its offerings or ambiance. Thus, for more information, it's recommended to visit in person and experience it firsthand.

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Hani AlMalki

Writer @BedouinFoodie – Dubai, UAE

Go for the baked gnocchi because it’s an awesome dish.

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