The Best Casual Restaurants in Florence

Trattoria Sostanza is a small, welcoming spot in Florence that has been serving guests for more than a century. People keep returning for its straightforward cooking and friendly, efficient service. It’s a cozy place where you can enjoy a relaxed meal that feels like home.

Recommended by

Karime López

Chef

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.

Read more

Coquinarius is right in the center of Florence, just around the corner from the Duomo, and offers a calm setting with relaxing music and lighting. Its wine list features interesting bottles, including natural options, all at reasonable prices. The easygoing atmosphere and fair service make it a welcoming place to enjoy a meal in a busy part of the city.

Recommended by

Carlos Hernández

Food writer

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.

Read more

Enoteca Spontanea is a natural wine bar in Florence with a laid-back feel and straightforward food options. The bright, welcoming space offers a range of bottles to explore and a refreshing spot to unwind.

Recommended by

Edoardo Celadon

Founder, Most of 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.

Read more

L’Trippaio Fiorentino is a busy street food stand in Florence, valued by locals and visitors alike. People appreciate its quick service and comforting fare that reflects the city’s traditional flavors. The simple, welcoming setup makes it a convenient choice for a flavorful bite on the go.

Recommended by

Kenneth Nars

Creative Director

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.

Read more

Pasticceria Dolci e Dolcezze is a family-run pastry shop in Florence with a warm, welcoming atmosphere. It’s a great spot to enjoy breakfast or an afternoon snack, offering freshly made pastries in a cozy setting.

Recommended by

Edoardo Celadon

Founder, Most of Italy

A family pastry shop, for beautiful breakfasts and merende. A family pastry shop, for beautiful breakfasts and merende. Go for the creme brulee tart to perfectly start your morining :)

Read more

Semel Street Food is a small shop in Florence’s Sant’Ambrogio market, known for its fresh and ever-changing menu. Locals and visitors stop by for a simple bite in a relaxed setting, where everything revolves around quality and seasonal ingredients. It’s a comfortable spot to take a quick break during a day of exploring.

Recommended by

Saku Tuominen

CEO & Restaurateur

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.

Read more

This father-and-son stand in Florence has been welcoming people like friends for more than 20 years, creating a warm and relaxed spot in the Sant’Ambrogio neighborhood. Set just a short walk from the local market, it offers a casual place to grab a quick bite. The friendly atmosphere and long history in the community make it a go-to stop for anyone exploring the area.

Recommended by

Edoardo Celadon

Founder, Most of Italy

One of the best interpretations of the iconic Florentine sandwich Panino al Lampredotto. A great breakfast or light lunch in the beautiful setting of the Sant’Ambrogio neighborhood.

Read more

Vineria Sonora is a cozy spot in Florence’s Sant’Ambrogio neighborhood, known for its natural and artisanal wine selection. They offer a relaxed place to enjoy an aperitivo or late-night drink, with small bites on the side. It’s a friendly bar with a laid-back vibe that makes it easy to stop by anytime.

Recommended by

Edoardo Celadon

Founder, Most of 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.

Read more

I’Brindellone in Florence draws a loyal crowd of locals with its traditional Tuscan menu and quick service. The welcoming atmosphere and fair prices make it a favorite neighborhood spot, so it can fill up quickly. It’s a comfortable place to enjoy authentic flavors without a lot of fuss.

Recommended by

Karime López

Chef

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.

Read more

Il Santo Bevitore is a cozy, semi-modern Tuscan restaurant in Florence, near Palazzo Pitti. Its menu stays mostly traditional with a few creative twists, and the wine list highlights both classic and natural options. The dining room has a lively vibe, and there’s also a small wine bar next door run by the same owners.

Recommended by

Saku Tuominen

CEO & Restaurateur

Cozy, noisy and slightly trendy, semi-modern Tuscan trattoria close to Palazzo Pitti. Most of the dishes are relatively traditional with an occasional creative twist. An interesting wine list, strong on both traditional and natural wines. Nice, vibe, especially on the wood paneled main dining room. Small wine bar Santino next door by the same owners.

Read more

Maledetti Toscani is a casual spot in Florence known for its local street-food traditions. They offer smaller portion sizes, making it easy to grab a quick bite on the go. It’s a straightforward choice if you want to explore regional flavors without any fuss.

Recommended by

Karime López

Chef

The street food to have here in Florence is called Lampredotto, which a sandwich with braised cow’s stomach. Lampredotto is normally kind of a big sandwich, but at I Maledetti Toscani you can also choose a little one, and take a small sandwich to go. I like it served with green sauce, because it reminds me a little bit of a Torta de carnitas in Mexico. It's a salsa verde, which is made of parsley with garlic and oil. Each place has its own different recipe with their own herb mix.

Read more

Trattoria Alfredo in Florence has a cozy, unpretentious vibe and genuinely welcoming service that makes you feel right at home. It’s a great choice for anyone seeking a local dining experience away from the usual tourist spots.

Recommended by

Ivan Crispo

Chef&Restaurant PR/Agent

Trattoria Alfredo in Florence is a hidden gem that truly lives up to its claim of being “not a touristy trattoria.” From the moment we sat down, we knew we were in for an authentic Florentine experience. The food was delicious—starting with the pici pasta with wild boar sauce, which was rich, hearty, and perfectly seasoned. The beef tagliata with fresh porcini mushrooms was cooked medium-rare, and the sides of roasted potatoes and cannellini beans complemented the meal beautifully. We ordered two pasta dishes, one main course, two sides, one bottle of water, a bottle of Santa Caterina wine, and finished with two espressos. The total came to €78.50, which was excellent value for the quality and portions we received. The menu features a range of traditional Florentine dishes, including the Ribollita, ensuring a genuine taste of the region. What really stands out, though, is the warm and welcoming service. Mr. Alfredo himself is a fantastic host, full of charm and hospitality, making us feel like part of the family. Overall, Trattoria Alfredo offers delicious, well-executed food in a cozy, unpretentious setting. Would I go back? Absolutely yes! Highly recommended for those seeking an authentic, non-touristy dining experience in Florence.

Read more