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 Out of the ordinary |
Via della Vigna Vecchia, 40r Florence 50121 Italy +39 55 28 4170 http://www.acquaal2.it/ |
Acqua al 2 is, even for glorious Firenze, a special place to wine and dine. White plates signed by Italian and international celebrities line the walls, thanks to its proximity to the Teatro Verdi and its reputation for its sampler platters. Enjoy the offerings of the chef, along with wine you have selected with the help of their expert sommelier. Truly, out-of-the-ordinary cuisine offered in a mix and match menu - choose your favorites, then try some new taste delights. Reservations are absolutely necessary and seatings take place at 7:30p, 9:30p and 11:30p. Ideal after the movies or the theatre. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Jennifer Lee |
 Photo: Eric Peterson |
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Great fish dishes |
Via delle Terme, 23r Florence 50123 Italy |
As indicated by the name, you can enjoy an intimate evening in this small restaurant which is popular with the people of Florence. First courses might include spaghetti with crabmeat, taglierini with Porcini mushrooms with sage, sheets of freshly-made puff-pastry with tails of mazzancolle with red pepper. For the second courses, side of veal white truffle, rabbit with prunes, large scampi with tarragon. The desserts are all home-made and are particularly good. The menu of regional wines is also very good. Warm and elegantly decorated surroundings provide the perfect context for the unobtrusive service. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Andrea  |
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Classic Tuscan cuisine |
Via Sant'Onofrio, 1r Florence 50123 Italy +39 55 21 7134 |
This attractive restaurant serves traditional dishes, made from genuine ingredients with simple flavours, in a typical, Florentine inn atmosphere. The menu is classic and includes specialties such as ribollita, tagliatelle, Florentine tripe, fried brain and Florentine steak. There is also a good choice of classic Chianti. The 16th-century rooms are furnished in a sober style, with a lot of wood with period furnishings and decorations. In the summer, visitors can eat outside in the adjoining piazza. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Wine & Sandwiches |
Via dei Neri 65r Florence 50122 Italy +39 055 238 2723 |
In the pedestrian area behind the Uffizi Gallery, this small wine bar is the ideal spot for a snack with a glass of wine, an inexpensive lunch or an aperitif. It serves a huge range of crostini, sandwiches, a selection of cheeses (especially fresh and matured Pecorino), cold cuts and also roasted pig directly from the rotisserie across the street run by the same owner. All'Antico Vinaio has only a few seats inside so there is always a mixed crowd of tourists and locals eating standing up on the street in front of it. All credits cards accepted...if you pay the bill at the rotisserie across the street. -Maria Frullini Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Famed for its cuisine |
Via Ghibellina, 52r Florence 50121 Italy +39 55 24 0618 |
Alle Murate is one of the city's most famous restaurants and offers delicate cuisine that's rich in flavor, while its classic décor of warm colors, mirrors and subtle lighting makes it the perfect venue for an intimate dinner for two. Creatively prepared Tuscan cuisine and fish dishes are of the highest quality and the wine waiter is on hand to help you choose a suitable accompaniment from the restaurant's impressive cellar. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Michele Vannucchi |
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American Brunch |
Via dell'Acqua 2r Florence 50122 Italy +39 055 290 748 |
The restaurant opened in 2005 after 3 twenty-something Washington-D.C. natives observed that, while Florence was teeming with Americans, the city lacked an affordable place for Sunday brunch. Packed with study-abroad students longing for a taste of home, the diner serves fresh and delicious pancakes, burgers, homemade muffins and omelets. With only 30 seats, this small bistro fills up fast on Sunday mornings. During its non-brunch hours, the menu boasts excellent seafood dishes at moderate prices, while its sister restaurant across the street handles those with meat, chicken, and pasta. -Hana Alberts Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Tasty and great value for money |
Via San Giuseppe, 22r Florence 50121 Italy +39 55 24 1773 |
Located steps from Santa Croce church, this busy trattoria-pizzeria has to be good because it attracts at least as many locals as it does tourists. Carefully prepared and beautifully presented dishes range from quick and simple salads and sandwiches to hearty meals of fresh pasta, meat and fish. The menu is extensive and the impeccable service and pleasant surroundings add the finishing touch. Don't overlook the great variety of wine, beer and grappa available. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Tyrolean tavern |
Piazza dei Cimatori, 2r Florence 50122 Italy +39 55 21 1915 |
This well-known Austrian tavern's southern Tyrolean specialties are just the thing if you fancy a change from traditional Italian fare. Smoked sausage, sauerkraut and pork dishes feature on the extensive menu of hearty fare. Accent your meal with something frothy from the bar's impressive array of Austrian beers. A small and intimate atmosphere is created with soft, warm light and dark, inviting wood. You'll find the mood relaxed and friendly. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: wcities |
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Enchanting location |
Piazza Santo Spirito, 6r Florence 50125 Italy +39 55 21 0437 |
This place is constantly packed with a relatively young crowd. Its location, opposite Santo Spirito church, makes it particularly enchanting. In summer customers can eat outside in the piazza. The gigantic dishes on offer here make it a distinctive place, from its vegetable and fish starters to excellent meats with salad and tomatoes. It also offers good pizza and great homemade desserts. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Home-made lunches |
Piazza Santo Spirito Florence Italy +39 55 21 5864 |
This bar is on one of the most lively squares in Florence and has very good home-made meals. The ice-cream parlor is open all year round. The room inside is pleasant - its walls covered with photographs of the "recreated" façade of Brunelleschi's church. Outside there is a little garden on the square which is busy in the summer months. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Superb coffee in 1900's surroundings |
Via della Condotta, 56r Florence 50122 Italy +39 55 28 9020 http://www.caffeitaliano.it/ |
Renowned for its superb coffee and delicious cakes, this attractive café-bar's late 19th century wooden furnishings, reading room and tea room (both decorated with plush velvet sofas and mirrors) are all part of its special charm. The very finest coffee blends are served throughout the day and the lunchtime menu includes light vegetable quiches, salads and pasta. From a quick sip on the run, to a full leisurely dinner, this café can do it all. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: OfficeGnome |
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Top-class cuisine |
Borgo San Jacopo, 57r Florence 50125 Italy +39 55 21 2427 |
The setting for the Ristorante Cammillo is one of the city's most attractive 16th-century buildings. Patrons can enjoy the pretty corner fountain, balcony and decorative façade as they dine on the delicious offerings from the kitchen, this popular restaurant is renowned for its high standard of cuisine. The finest, freshest produce is used to prepare a delicious menu that wows from starters through to dessert, accompanied by an impressive selection of regional wines. Connoisseurs are in for a treat. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Close to the Ponte Vecchio |
Via Santo Spirito, 6r Florence 50123 Italy +39 55 21 8898 |
This Tuscan restaurant can be found close to the Ponte Vecchio. The dishes are simple but traditional, and very good. The atmosphere is pleasingly rustic with wooden interior and visible brickwork. The vaulted cellar is beautiful, and entered via steep steps. The menu offers classic Florentine dishes, for example mixed crostini, the famous ribollita, futtunta, beans with wild fowl, sliced meats, grilled steak and carpaccio. The choice of Tuscan wines is very good. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Sophisticated bistro |
Lungarno Corsini, 12r Florence 50123 Italy +39 55 21 0751 / +39 55 21 0752 |
Identical in every way to its sister establishment in Monte Carlo, this upscale, cosmopolitan bistro offers a variety of food, drinks and snacks throughout the day. Hot and cold dishes range from a light salad to smoked salmon to something a little more filling. Or just stop by for a couple of drinks with friends. On Sundays, American-style brunch, the perfect start to a long lazy Sunday, is served in this popular cocktail rendez-vous. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Traditional trattoria |
Via dei Michelozzi, 9r Florence 50123 Italy +39 055 21 8624 |
Located near the old Santo Spirito district, this great value for money trattoria attracts a mixed clientèle that ranges from businessmen to backpackers. The menu is simple, but finely prepared, offering a variety of freshly prepared dishes along with classic Tuscan dishes, which are the specialty of this house. Homemade cantuccini (almond biscuits) stars on a dessert menu that offers a constellation of light to rich after-dinner treats. La Casalinga is always busy, so show up early! Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Traditional Florentine flavours |
Via dell'Ardiglione, 22 Florence 50124 Italy +39 55 29 4744 |
It is still possible to find the typical Florentine dishes in the old quarter of San Frediano. This charming restaurant is quietly fashionable and characteristic of local tradition. The atmosphere is quiet and relaxed and is lit by candle light. In the summer, you can eat in the small romantic courtyard surrounded by greenery. Traditional dishes have been imaginatively reinvented: there is fresh pasta made in house, toasts, dishes cooked in butter and salmon. Don't miss the tagliolini colored with black octopus ink, the ravioli with ricotta and black cabbage pesto, the spelt and Porcini mushroom soup. For the second course, the black cabbage, the rabbit with artichokes and the steak fillet stand out. The Tuscan wines are very good. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Good food from Tuscany and Sicily |
Piazza del Tiratoio, 1r Florence 50124 Italy +39 55 21 8477 |
Located in a delightful piazza in the ancient San Frediano quarter, this restaurant is characterized by its Tuscan-Sicilian food and its reasonable prices. Regional dishes and Sicilian food are on offer here, including spaghetti Messina-style, and Sicilian soup. Ciao Bella also offers pizza cooked in a wood oven, fish and seafood, all of which can all be accompanied by Sicilian wines. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Trattoria popular with famous personalities |
Via del Parioncino, 26r Florence 50123 Italy +39 55 28 7178 |
Near the Palazzo Rucellai in the heart of the city centre, this old pub brings to mind the Osterie of the past. The clientèle include important personalities from the world of politics and theatre. Its family-run management guarantees very good service. Amongst the most popular dishes there are the ribollita, the zuppa di lampredotto (eel soup) and the arista di maiale (pork roast). It is possible to order the best quality steaks of the region, but this must be ordered in advance. On Thursday they serve tripa alla fiorentina (tripe served in a red-tomato sauce) and on Fridays there is dried cod. The list of Italian, French and Californian wines is reasonable. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Welcoming family-run trattoria |
Via dei Serragli, 108r Florence 50125 Italy +39 55 22 5001 |
Just a stone's throw from Piazza Santo Spirito, this is a family-run trattoria mainly frequented by locals. The restaurant is very welcoming. It is practical but elegant with warm light and modern wooden tables. In the summer it is possible to eat outside in the adjoining garden. The cuisine is of a high standard and offers a wide choice: pasta e fagioli, ribollita, pappa al pomodoro, meatballs, Florentine casserole, and roast pork. The desserts are homemade and very good; apple tart, lemon tart and chocolate mousse. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Young, fun and great value for money |
Via Pandolfini, 13 Florence 50122 Italy +39 55 234 0307 http://www.florence.ala.it/dan... |
Popular with a young crowd, this huge American-style restaurant in the heart of the city's medieval district is always busy, no matter what time of day. While waiting for a table, catch up on music videos, cartoons and films shown on TV screens or have a drink at the long, marble bar. As well as great fish and chips, pizza and hamburgers served with fries and any number of toppings, tasty sweet or savory crêpes are made while you wait and there's a wide selection of beers and cocktails. Cinema and theatergoers are entitled to a 10% discount, just remember to show your ticket. Also check out Sunday brunch! Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: mps_on |
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Traditional Florentine inn |
Via dell'Orto, 35a Florence 50123 Italy +39 55 22 4148 |
This fine Florentine inn lies in San Frediano, the traditional winery and inn district of the city. The food here includes local meats and Tuscan cheeses, with traditional main courses including pasta with mushrooms, roast ham and veal with vegetables. The home-made desserts are excellent and include apple cake and pears in chocolate. There is also a good choice of local wines. The inn is divided into two floors with a lovely stone balcony and there are wooden tables with paper tablecloths, all adding to the low-key and simple ambiance. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Excellent wine cellar |
Via Ghibellina, 51r Florence 50123 Italy +39 55 24 1452 |
The feather in the cap of this fine restaurant is the excellent wine cellar, which contains around a hundred labels carefully selected by the owner - a master in this trade. Classic food is served here with an emphasis on genuine produce. There are excellent meats, soups and risotto, and the veal with myrtle is recommended as a main course. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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International cuisine |
Via San Niccolò, 103r Florence 50125 Italy +39 55 234 4953 |
This is a perfect place for anyone who likes to stay out until late at night, as it is open until 4 in the morning. The international cuisine is served with originality with an emphasis on presentation. There is a choice of meat and fish dishes, including asparagus and prawns with lyonnaise sauce, ravioli with mushroom sauce and nuts, seafood spaghetti, filet in Dijon sauce and green pepper and salmon with bacon. There is also a good choice of wines. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Take-Away Mexican in the Santa Croce District |
Via de' Benci 47r Florence 50122 Italy +39 055 241 970 |
Looking for a bite after a night at one of the many bars and pubs in the area? El Taco is open late and serves some of the best Mexican food in the city. Chips and salsa, burritos, adobos, mole and quesadillas top off the menu with plenty of beers and drinks to choose. Friendly staff will make your meal fresh and to go. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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More than 400 kinds of wine! |
Via del Leone, 40r Florence 50123 Italy +39 55 22 4192 |
Opened as a vintner's, this place is also an excellent restaurant. The wine list is the main attraction here, with more than 400 kinds on-hand. There is also a chance to order Tuscan snacks, meats and cheeses as well as dishes such as chestnut and bean soup and ricotta and Pecorino ravioli. If you want a main course, the restaurant serves duck breast with balsamic vinegar, cooked in wine and Gorgonzola and boiled with green sauce. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Excellent food |
Via Ghibellina, 87 Florence 50122 Italy +39 55 24 2777 http://www.enotecapinchiorri.com/ |
This is one of the best restaurants in Florence, and without doubt the most expensive given the nature of its cuisine and the value of its wine cellar. You are advised to book in advance, at which time you will also be able to choose items from the menu and select your wine in advance. The restaurant is truly sought-after, as are the dishes served up here - created by the wonderfully imaginative chefs. They are all guided by Signora Pinchiorri, Annie Féolde, who personally takes charge of the running of the restaurant. Reservation absolutely necessary. Gentlemen are required to wear a jacket. A mixture of Tuscan ingredients and French cuisine. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Michael Murdock |
 Photo: Matteo Peraldo |
 Photo: Truffle Rose |
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For lovers of good food |
Largo Bargellini, 16 Florence 50123 Italy +39 55 24 1605 |
This is a typical Tuscan trattoria for people who love good food. The dining room is small and welcoming and the loyal clientèle - which includes writers, painters and actors from Florence - is testament to the restaurant's excellence. The food is simple and tasty but never overpriced. Its Tuscan antipasti are famous, as are the crostoni (fried bread) with beans. Typical dishes might be bread soup with tomato, risotto with pumpkin, spelt soup and cappellacci with thyme. The main meat courses are good, especially the bistecca alla fiorentina (steak). Good Tuscan wines are also available. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Sips and snacks |
Via dei Cimatori 38r Florence, Florence 50122 Italy +39 55 239 6096 |
Florentines have been savoring the delicate wines and satisfying sandwiches from this eatery since 1875. Now run by a husband and wife duo, the place boasts of a wine rack tucked 5 feet deep into the back wall, as well as some of the best panini to be found in the city. A choice place for students, tourists and locals alike, this is one of the few fiaschetterias left from the days gone by. The sandwiches cost around EUR2-3, while the wine may be sipped at EUR1-2 a glass. Being rather small, the queues can be pretty long. So push up to the counter and watch your sandwich being prepared from fresh and marinated ingredients as you sip your wine. Most folks prefer to eat their snacks in the quiet, traffic-free zone just outside the little shop. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Kay Marshall |
 Photo: HorsesItch |
 Photo: Cris & Noey |
 Photo: Cam and Gail |
 Photo: Dianna Barnett |
 Photo: Kyle Anderson |
 Photo: deadroxy |
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Wine Specialists |
Via del Monte alle Croci 10r Florence 50125 Italy +39 055 234 2483 http://www.fuoriporta.it |
One of the first wine bars opened in town, Fuori Porta offers customers a choice of over 500 wines which pair perfectly with their gastronomic specialties. Their signature dish is the Crostone (crisp bread) with cold meats, vegetables or cheese but the menu also includes first courses, salads, carpaccio dishes and good desserts. Some wines are also available by the glass. Opened 20 years ago the wine bar is located five minutes walking distance from Ponte Vecchio, just outside the ancient city gate of San Niccolo, as its name suggests (fuori porta means "outside the gate"). There is also outdoor seating in the warm season. -Maria Frullini Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Food, Art & Entertainment |
Vicolo dell'Oro 3 Florence 50123 Italy +39 055 27 263 http://www.galleryhotelart.com/ |
In harmony with the theme of the Gallery Hotel Art, the Fusion bar doubles as an exhibition space. Ask for the variety fare, and the cuisine lives up to the theme as well. It's a fantastic fusion of Italian, Japanese and Mediterranean cuisine. The fois gras, nigiri sushi topped with chutney or the ma-cha tiramisù and wine to go with it is an excellent combination for the palate. Cocktails featured on the menu are quite a favorite with the Florentine elite who frequent the Shozan-Gallery. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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River Dining |
Via de' Bardi 58r Florence 50125 Italy +39 055 214 502 http://www.goldenviewopenbar.com |
Florence is popular especially with American students. However, there is plenty for other business or leisure travellers. Golden View Open Bar is the perfect place to dine for light Mediterranean or traditional Florentine cuisine, such as ribollita, the classic Tuscan vegetable soup, or the infamous Florentine steak. Accompanied with live jazz music, an impressive wine selection, and waiters that always encourage "just one more bottle" keep the restaurant lively. And then there's the elegance that comes with sipping your wine with the Arno River just right out the window. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Home to chocolate-lovers |
Piazza Piattellina, 9r Florence 50124 Italy +39 055 24 4781 |
There are only the best chocolates here, such as the work of Andrea Slitti, world champion of artistic chocolate-making. The menu is made up of the best typical dishes of different traditions of cuisine. Oysters, soups, fish carpaccio, and plates of charcuterie and cheeses. The desserts are remarkable: after the chocolates, the Orient Express and coffee-flavored desserts stand out. Many of the baked goods (namely cakes, cheesecakes, muffins, cookies) come from the American bakery in town - Mr Jimmy's - and do not arise to the same standard as the other items actually prepared at Hemingway. Decorated with bamboo and wood in pastel colors, the atmosphere is modern and very comfortable. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Eszter Hargittai |
 Photo: Winnie So |
 Photo: Eszter Hargittai |
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Excellent paella and live music |
Via Romana, 123r Florence 50125 Italy +39 55 22 0585 |
It is not easy to find somewhere to eat a good paella in a relaxing atmosphere. However, this restaurant, run by a Florentine with a passion for Spain, offers an excellent choice of Iberian cuisine. There's also flamenco dancing and live music. Begin with stuffed tapas and move onto criadilla madrileña (bull's testicles) or Valencian paella, which is the house speciality. Fish or different meats are cooked in a huge iron pan in front of the customers. Both the Iberian wines and the local ones are good.The interior design is very Spanish, with old fashioned wooden fittings, bright colors, candlelight and Spanish music in the background. In summer one can eat on a pleasant terrace which looks out over the Boboli Gardens. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Not just veggies |
Via Mazzetta, 5a Florence 50123 Italy +39 (0)55 238 1729 |
With its bohemian atmosphere this small restaurant in Santo Spirito offers a good vegetarian menu. Light meals are offered on a menu which features items such as vegetables with pasta made on the premises, wild salads, chicken curry and sushi. The American-style Sunday brunch (EUR 18) includes toast, butter, jam, orange juice, a plate of bagels, a cheeseburger and an omelette. There are also pancakes, muffins and other sweets. Eat by candlelight in a very welcoming atmosphere. The restaurant is decorated with little mirrors on the walls and a collection of different seats. Entrance is reserved for members only. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Restaurant |
Piazza Ognissanti, 3 Florence 50123 Italy +39 55 28 8781 |
This prestigious restaurant is inside the Grand Hotel. The best place for high-level business lunches. The elegant winter garden has large windows, marble and columns, which give the restaurant a turn-of-the-century feel. The menu is varied and of a high quality. eg. ravioli with a vegetable and truffle sauce, salmon marinated with cane sugar and citrus fruit, and pennette alla bottarga di muggine. High quality wine. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Florentines' favourite |
Via del Palchetti 6R Chiuso il Lunedi, Palazzo Rucellai Florence 50125 Italy +39 55 21 0916 |
This historical restaurant is a favorite with both Florentines and visitors alike. Despite the fact that the restaurant is always fairly busy, the service is excellent. If you have not booked in advance and are compelled to wait outside in the street - do not despair, you will be brought a snack to make your wait more pleasurable. The Florentine steak is without comparison, made from the choicest cuts of meat. There is also the ribollita and the minestra di farro (spelt soup), as well as many other Florentine specialties - all at reasonable prices. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Marc Abramowitz |
 Photo: warper |
 Photo: j harman |
 Photo: Francis Wu |
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An historic restaurant |
Via San Niccolò, 55r Florence 50125 Italy +39 55 234 2621 |
This eatery is to be found in one of the most beautiful areas of the city, and it offers something special throughout the day, from breakfasts with fresh pastries to cocktails in the evening. It is busiest at aperitif time and after dinner when people enjoy the intimate atmosphere. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: ioamofirenze.com |
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Light meals with delicate flavours |
Via Ghibellina, 67r Florence 50121 Italy +39 55 234 1171 |
This simple but elegant trattoria is on the premises of an old 19th-century wine shop. It offers light food which is delicate in its flavors and elegantly presented. The atmosphere remains that of the old tavern. The furniture is original or has been faithfully reproduced. Service is very friendly and affable. The gastronomic menu comes from the Tuscan tradition enhanced by some new ingredients. Amongst the starters, there is the very good rice minestrone, the eel, the fish soup and the floured black cabbage. For the second course there is a choice of stewed duck, rabbit, quail or veal. Otherwise there is the fish from the cuisine of Elba. The desserts are all home-made and the Tuscan red wine cellar has some 150 different labels. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Winning establishment |
Via Maffia, 31r Florence 50121 Italy +39 55 28 7198 |
This newly named establishment can be found in the Santo Spirito area, and offers a choice between the pizzeria and the bistrot/brasserie. Moreover the fact that the kitchen is open late makes it suitable for people who like to eat after they have been to the cinema or the theatre. The establishment was built in the former royal stables which were completely restructured, while at the same time original materials were used. There is a lot of wood and brickwork exposed rendering the atmosphere warm and pleasant. You can almost eat anything here, and it will be very good, but the best dish is the grilled meat: steak and roasted meat coupled with a salad filled with original ingredients. The pizzas are also good and seasonal produce is always used. There is a good list of local and regional wines. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Looking For the Shamrock in Florence |
Borgo degli Albizi 34r Florence 50122 Italy +39 055 234 4412 http://www.thelionsfountain.com |
A pint of Guinness, karaoke nights, live music sessions, all the sports you need on TV. This is what you will find at this Florentine Irish pub. Not the best place to be if you want to meet a local crowd, but people from all over the world meet at The Lion's Fountain to enjoy a good Irish beer on tap or a super Bloody Mary. Prices are not the cheapest in Florence (about EUR 5 a pint) but the authenticity is worth it! The Lion's Fountain is the place to be on St. Patrick's Day - wear green, drink a pint of Guinness and celebrate with the Irish in Florence! –Luca Giani Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Dine in the Piazza della Signoria |
Piazza della Signoria 32r Florence 50122 Italy +39 055 294 553 http://www.ristorantelorenzacc... |
After you've gotten your fill of Italian art at the Galleria degli Uffizi, step outside and fill up on some Italian food. With a shaded terrace right on Piazza della Signoria, I'Lorenzaccio Ristorante Pizzeria is the perfect place to experience local cuisine and people watch in one of Italy's most famous piazzas. From filletto di manzo to pizzas and pastas there is something for everyone, and Lorenzaccio also offers a fixed degustazione menu featuring all the specialties of the house for only EUR 25. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Authentic Tuscan cuisine |
Borgo Allegri, 58r Florence Italy +39 55 24 1920 |
This osteria is in the heart of the Santa Croce district. It has a century of life behind it and keeps an old-style atmosphere. There are few tables but during nice weather you can eat out in the open on the boarding. The food is pure and the management is friendly. The dishes come from the most authentic Tuscan tradition: bruschetta, charcuterie, tomato soup, ribollita, tagliatelle al sugo, gnocchi with Gorgonzola, grilled vegetables. There is also meat cooked in a variety of ways. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Versatile Japanese dishes |
Borgo San Frediano, 10r Florence 50123 Italy +39 55 29 1840 |
In this sophisticated restaurant you will find Japanese food alongside that of the regional tradition. It is also an exhibition space and is suitable for conferences and book presentations. It is a private association and for this reason it is necessary to buy a membership card. There are many Japanese specialties: sushi, sashimi, tekkadon, miso soup. The restaurant is characterized by spaces which are spread out on different levels. There are flowing partitions, whitened larchwood floors and cross vaults where you can see the brickwork. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Hot Spot for Aperitivo |
Via de' Benci 23r Florence 50122 Italy +39 055 247 3738 http://www.moyo.it |
By day, students type furiously on their laptops, taking advantage of the free WiFi that Moyo provides for free until 7:30p. But by night, the bartenders crank up the music and mix hundreds of cocktails for an energetic young crowd. Bar-goers spill out onto the street during the weekends, clutching Moyo's signature cocktail – a cranberry martini with lemon juice and triple sec. Thursday nights have a hip-hop theme, while on Friday and Saturday a DJ spins the latest remixes. -Hana Alberts Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Tuck into Tuscan food |
Borgo degli Albizi, 17r Florence 50121 Italy +39 55 28 9404 |
Food and art mingle together in this restaurant which for 120 years has been housed inside the church of San Pier Maggiore. Ones meal is accompanied by Renaissance capitals and the antique paintings which cover the walls. Here you can enjoy a wonderful environment as well as top quality Tuscan cuisine. Grilled meat is the specialty of the house, especially the steak alla fiorentina which is cooked to perfection. There is a choice of antipasti: fresh pasta, meat dishes with porcini mushrooms or rabbit cooked to a special recipe. There are good local and regional wines. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Niamh P Joyce |
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A Cocktail in San Niccolò |
Via dei Renai 17r Florence 50125 Italy +39 055 243647 http://www.negronibar.com/ |
In the lively neighborhood of San Niccolò, within a few minutes walk from Ponte Vecchio, this tiny bar is packed with mostly young people in their 20's and 30's chatting, drinking and listening to the music from late afternoon till night. On weekends the place is so busy that, especially in summer evenings, the crowd spills out onto the outdoor seats and the sidewalk. A sumptuous buffet-style aperitif with a large choice of appetizers and a wide range of cocktails and long drinks is served every day from 7p. Lunch and breakfast are also served, and DJ music is featured on weekend nights. -Maria Frullini Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Unusual local dishes inside a crypt |
Via San Niccolò, 60r Florence 50125 Italy +39 55 234 2836 |
This is a wonderful way of discovering the traditional district of San Niccolo. The restaurant serves classic local dishes and flavours. You should try unusual dishes such as budelline in umido intestines), tongue, cimalino in salsa verde or cavolo verzo rifatto (savoy cabbage). Dishes such as pappa al pomodoro (bread soup with tomato) or spezzatino ai porcini (mushroom stew) are also excellent. Good Tuscan wine is available. This fascinating ancient osteria is located in a crypt which dates back to the 11th century, and is at the back of the Chiesa di San Niccolo. You only have to go up the stairs on the inside of the establishment to visit the church. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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First place |
Via del Moro, 18 Florence 50123 Italy +39 55 28 4897 |
With 30 years experience behind it, this restaurant offers excellent food and careful and high quality service. The menu is always changing. There are very good tortelli d'aragosta (lobster pie), puff pastry with ricotta and basil, and ravioli with artichokes. For main courses there is the delicious duck with orange, leg of lamb filled with artichokes and veal steak with truffles. The cellar is well stocked with Tuscan wine, as well as with wines from northern Italy and France. Located in the historic center of the city, in a beautiful 15th century palazzo, this place is decorated in a low key and elegant manner. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Recently renovated |
Via Isola delle Stinche, 11r Florence 50122 Italy +39 55 28 9368 |
This cafe is only a stone's throw away from the church of Santa Croce. It has won Italy's "Café of the Year" award and is very popular due to the service, the beautiful décor and the chance to try an appetizer with a glass of wine. This recently restored cafe is subdivided into several parts, the pub where you can try cooked meats and cheeses, a small restaurant which serves meals and a very refined room for those who love Tuscan cuisine. There is a varied choice from snack to light lunch or an afternoon snack or aperitif through to full dinner. The first courses are made up of various classic Tuscan dishes like artichoke and potato soup and Florentine lasagna. The Chianina steaks are a must for "meat eaters". The wine cellar is well stocked with the best labels. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: bilbao58 |
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Wonderful wine bar |
Via San Niccolò, 60r Florence 50125 Italy +39 55 247 6956 |
Alongside the wine menu (which is changed every month) there is a lot of care taken in the home-made cuisine. The menu is strictly linked to the suggested choice of wines. Amongst the first courses there are Porcini mushroom and chick-pea minestrone, rosemary maltagliati with garlic, beans and peppers and fish ravioli. For the second course there is the cut of duck with pears and cinnamon or the roast guinea fowl with brandy. If you prefer just to taste the wines, you can do so with a plate of mixed cooked meats and cheeses. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Ice Cream? Why Not! |
Via dei Tavolini 19r Florence 50122 Italy +39 055 239 8969 http://www.percheno.firenze.it |
Perché no! (Why not!) is one of Florence's traditional gelaterie. It was established in 1939 and not even World War II stopped their production! Located in the central shopping area a few meters off Piazza Signoria, home-made gelato and semifreddi are produced in the laboratory on the back of the small shop using natural ingredients and following traditional recipes. Classical flavors as well as new and innovative creations abound, and fancy something lighter, there are sorbets and sherbets made with real, seasonal fruits! There is also a wide selection of gluten-free flavors, and even a gluten-free ice cream cone! -Maria Frullini Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Beautiful views of the Ponte Vecchio |
Borgo San Jacopo, 14 Florence 50125 Italy +39 55 2 7261 |
This exclusive restaurant inside the Hotel Lungarno offers good seafood and an incomparable view of the Ponte Vecchio. A very original atmosphere, echoing the design of a yacht club, with its staved wooden floors, white walls and tablecloths, refined silverware and panoramic windows looking out onto the banks of the river Arno. The food is based mainly on seafood. Among the starters are seafood soup, pasta with lobster sauce and la passatina di ceci alle code di scampi (chickpea soup with scampi). Then there is the sea-bass, turbot, mussels, fresh tuna pasta and steamed lobster. The wine list offers a good selection of national white wines. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Lucy.Van.Pelt |
 Photo: Claire Johnson |
 Photo: Giorgio |
 Photo: Ivano Ricchi |
 Photo: Enrico Senis |
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Famous for its hot chocolate |
Piazza della Signoria, 5/r Florence 50122 Italy +39 55 21 4412 |
Since 1872, this traditional café-bar has served magnificent hot chocolate and exquisite cocktails and aperitifs to an appreciative public. In summer, order rolls, salads, light snacks and delicious home-made desserts to be enjoyed on its huge terrace opposite the Palazzo Vecchio in one of the city's most beautiful squares. This spot is the perfect place for people watching and stunning views of the artistic sculptures on the Piazza della Signoria. Although chocolate is the theme here, there is also coffee and wine available. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Barbara Hillaker |
 Photo: Reneka Mergenthaler |
 Photo: MMChicago |
 Photo: Dan Hartland |
 Photo: lackadaisy |
 Photo: Andrea Scatasta |
 Photo: Gattasorniona |
 Photo: Iain Henderson |
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Restaurant with Internet access |
Via dei Bardi, 58r Florence Italy +39 55 21 4502 |
This restaurant is open all day and serves breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner. The dishes include traditional food and new flavors. This is the first multimedia restaurant in the city and can seat more than 200 people. The menu varies from "normal" pizza to the rather more unusual ostrich fillet. Free Internet access is available here, and there is even a babysitting service so that you can eat in peace, leaving your children in the capable hands of qualified staff who will feed them, and play with them. The restaurant is located in the magical area around Ponte Vecchio with one of the most beautiful views in the city. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Tapas, sangria and great sounds |
Via Ghibellina, 80r Florence 50122 Italy +39 55 234 5452 http://www.salamanca.it/ |
As nights out go, this popular Spanish bar and restaurant's combination of good food and great music is hard to beat. Specialties from the Iberian peninsula include bocadillos (sandwiches), sopas (fish or vegetable soups) and verbenas (assorted tapas), whilst drinks range from beer and sangria to fine Spanish wines. Catch the live shows featuring Latin American artists on Mondays. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Crunchy Pizzas! |
Via dei Renai 12r Florence 50125 Italy +39 055 234 3912 |
On the south bank of the river Arno, not far from Ponte Vecchio and close to popular bars, this nice pizzeria is patronized by locals and visitors alike, and is known for its crunchy delicious pizzas at reasonable prices. The menu offers all kinds of pizzas, pastas and salads. They also serve a good white pizza (made without tomato sauce) with prosciutto and rucola. Home-made desserts are the owner's specialty. Pizzas come in a children's size upon request, and be sure to take advantage of their outdoor seating during summer time. -Maria Frullini Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Old-Style Trattoria |
Via della Spada 27r Florence 50123 Italy +39 055 214 756 http://www.viadellaspada.com/r... |
Trattoria Marione is an authentic old style trattoria in the heart of Florence, just off the elegant via Tornabuoni. It is always crowded and quite often there is a line out the door. Local home style cooking is the trademark of the place, with typical dishes such as Crostini Toscani. They specialize in traditional bread soups like Ribollita and pappa al pomodoro, but the zuppa di farro (made from spelt, a grain popular in Tuscany) and classic mixed boiled and roasted meats are also particularly tasty. Friendly service and great food at reasonable prices! -Maria Frullini Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Wholesome, traditional cuisine |
Via dei Vellutini, 1r Florence 50123 Italy +39 55 21 8562 http://www.4leoni.com |
Tucked away in a corner of the old Santo Spirito district, this restaurant offers wholesome, traditional cuisine in homely surroundings. An attractive variety of cheese and vegetable-based starters is featured on the menu, complemented by fish dishes on Fridays and a good selection of wines. Photos of famous personalities who have eaten here adorn the walls: see how many you can spot! The restaurant offers seating in a non-smoking dining room; a rarity in European public places. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: steven shingler |
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Family-Run |
Via dell'Isola delle Stinche 7r Florence 50122 Italy +39 055 292 334 http://www.vivoli.it |
Silvana Vivoli inherited the family business from her grandfather, Raffaello, who opened up shop on this narrow street in 1930. Every day, with her brother-in-law and two kitchen aides, she makes from scratch the creamy gelato for which her small store is famous. Though the most popular flavors are chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry, the rich chocolate hazelnut (nocciola) and the rice (riso) flavors are worth at least a taste. Silvana recommends combining at least two to four flavors in a single cup, which you can devour while people watching from the steps nearby Santa Croce. -Hana Alberts Review © 2007, Wcities |
