Our favorite places to eat and drink in Florence
We absolutely love trying new restaurants and searching for the best restaurants and wine bars in Florence, Italy. We’re sharing all of our favorite restaurants and wine bars in Florence, Italy by neighborhood. We’ve organized this by neighborhood so that you can quickly find what’s nearby, or those you may want to make a reservation for. Make sure to save these to your Google Maps! We’ve been to roughly 60 cities/towns in Italy, and we think Tuscany is one of the top regions to dine in; we’re excited to share our top picks for Florence, Italy.
Please note that this is not an exhaustive list; there are so many places to dine in Florence that we can’t possibly try them all- or at least we haven’t yet! We try to focus on local authenticity, but you should know that “hidden gems” are getting harder to find in Florence (pro tip: if you saw it on Instagram with 10,000 likes or more, it’s probably not hidden anymore). In today’s world, it’s easy to find and share information, and many restaurants that were only frequented by locals now see a mix of locals and tourists because the secret is out! We try to steer clear of the restaurants that particularly cater to tourists, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t a few that do, in fact, serve excellent food. Check back regularly because we visit Florence often and update this guide with more favorites every time.
Skip to restaurants in a specific neighborhood of Florence:
- Must-eat foods in Florence, Italy
- The best food tours in Florence, by neighborhood
- Oltrarno (Santo Spirito and San Frediano) for foodies and winos
- Santa Croce for nightlife and wine bars
- Sant’Ambrogio for foodies on a budget
- San Lorenzo/San Marco for lower prices
- San Giovanni for dining in the historic center
- San Niccolò for restaurants and wine bars that locals go to
- Santa Maria Novella for convenience and slightly lower prices
- FAQs about dining in Florence
Must-Eat Foods In Florence, Italy
Each region in Italy has its own culinary specialties, and in our opinion, Tuscany is one of the top 3 regions to eat in Italy. While you’re in Florence, don’t skip these delectable menu items.
- Bistecca Fiorentina – You may have heard of this one before; it’s a truly divine cut of beef intended for sharing. The cut comes from an ancient Tuscan breed, the Chianina, dating back to ancient Roman times. It’s suggested to have the dish rare, but if you really can’t handle that, then we recommend no more than medium (or a different cut to avoid offending the chef).
- Crostone – Crostone, not to be confused with bruschetta (pronounced broo-SKET-ah), literally means little crusts. Crostone are typically day-old bread that is toasted to support the weight of its toppings. Toppings will vary from restaurant to restaurant and season to season. You will also see Crostini, which are basically the same, but most likely a smaller piece of bread. A popular crostini for locals to order is Crostoni Toscani, which has a chicken liver pâté. Keep reading to find out about our favorite wine bar that serves some of the best crostone!
- Pappardelle Cinghiale – not native to Florence or Tuscany, but you will find this delicious broad, flat pasta with a wild boar ragù on many Florentine menus.
Pappardelle Cinghiale at La Buchetta in Florence, Italy
- Pecorino cheese – One of the best and favorite cheeses from Italy. “Pecora” is Italian for sheep, and Pecorino is a cheese made from sheep’s milk. While many regions produce pecorino, make sure you have some Tuscan pecorino while you are in Tuscany. This is easy to do as most cheese dishes will include a pecorino or two.
- Finocchiona and Salami Toscana – Finocchiona salami is a favorite of ours; what makes it unique is the fennel seed. This Tuscan salami is soaked in red wine. Finocchiona might be hard to find outside of Tuscany, but you should have no problem finding it in Florence. Finocchiona will be on meat and cheese dishes, panini, and crostone in Florence. Salami Toscana, another Tuscan salami, also has a bit of red wine in it and a natural casing. Salami Toscana is great on a panini or a tagliere misto (meat and cheese board).
- Vegetable Flan/Soufflé or Sformilata/Sformatino/Sformate– this is nothing like the popular Mexican flan sweet treat you may be familiar with. You will find flan on many Florentine menus listed as a starter/appetizer. Flan will be made with a seasonal vegetable and cheese (usually pecorino cheese), and the consistency of the cheese will be similar to a fondue. Ever since we tried these, we can’t not order them when they are on the menu. You probably don’t want to share this with more than one person, if at all.
Asparagus flan on the appetizer trio at Il Guscio, Florence, Italy
- Cantucci/cantuccini e vin santo – a popular sweet dish for after dinner that you will find throughout Tuscany. You most likely know cantucci as “biscotti.” In Italy, ‘biscotti’ only means cookies, and the twice-baked cookie that can be dipped in coffee is called cantucci (cantuccini if they are little). The almond cantucci are served with a small glass of vin santo to dip the cantucci into before enjoying them. Vin Santo has a debated history and is a sweet but not too sweet dessert wine. Even if you don’t typically like dessert wine, this one is worth a try. You don’t need cantucci to have Vin Santo; the complexities of Vin Santo can be enjoyed all on its own.
A food tour is an excellent way to get an introduction to foods that are new to you.
A food tour will help you to understand the local food traditions and get the lay of the land in a neighborhood or city that is new to you. We recommend doing a food tour at the start of your visit in a city that is new to you. We do a food tour everywhere we can and thoroughly enjoy trying new things and meeting other people. We stick to small group tours because they are more intimate, and you get more time to talk to your guide and ask them questions. Always ask your food tour guides for restaurant recommendations that you can use while you are in town.
It’s also worth mentioning that you should always tip a food tour guide. We recommend that you tip €5 per person if it’s a low price/street food type tour. If it’s one of the longer food tours that includes a full course meal and unlimited wine or drinks, tip €10-€15 per person.
Read what the reviews say about these fabulous neighborhood-specific food tours in Florence, Italy:
- Oltrarno Food & Wine Tour
- Market and food tour of the Sant’Ambrogio and Santa Croce neighborhoods
- San Lorenzo food tour
Other top food tours that aren’t necessarily neighborhood-specific:
- A street food tour with traditional tastings and wine – perfect for foodies on a budget
- Walking food tour with 14 food and 4 wine tastings, including local steak (bistecca Fiorentina) – an amazing value for the price
The Best Restaurants In Oltrarno (Santo Spirito and San Frediano), Florence, Italy
Oltrarno is the best area for foodies in Florence
The Santo Spirito and San Frediano neighborhoods of the Oltrarno area are our favorite neighborhoods to stay in because we love the food. There is no shortage of restaurants, cafes, wine bars, gelaterias, and aperitivo spots in these two neighborhoods. These are our top choices, but check back periodically. Every time we go to Florence, we try to go to another restaurant or wine bar that we haven’t been to yet, in the Oltrarno.
- Breakfast: Ditta Artigianale. You can get an actual breakfast here, not just pastries and espresso, but they have that too. We had pancakes that made us so happy.
- Tuscan dishes: Trattoria 4 Leoni was recommended to Candace once on a solo trip, while sitting at the bar at Le Volpi e L’uva. The woman said it was a second-hand recommendation from Giada De Laurentiis and to get the pear fiocchetti in taleggio sauce with asparagus. Fiocchetti are little pasta sacks that they fill with the pear. The dish was amazing, and we’ve returned here a few times. The restaurant also has a new wine bar on the other side of the small piazza that it sits on. Reservations are strongly recommended for Trattoria 4 Leoni.
- Traditional pasta, seafood, and meat: Il Guscio has a comfortable but polished space; the atmosphere is relaxed, and the food is anything but. This could, in fact, be one of the best meals you ever have! Get the flan, try the risotto with pear and gorgonzola, and the veal cheek in red wine with mashed potatoes. These are traditional dishes made with modern recipes. The restaurant is small, so make a reservation before you go and go hungry because you’re going to want to order from each menu (antipasti, primi, secondi, contorni, vini, and dolci).
- Traditional food at an old establishment: Trattoria Da Ginone 1949 is a restaurant that we discovered while wandering around looking for a place for lunch because the first spot we went to was full and the second only took cash. We ended up at Trattoria Da Ginone, and we were NOT disappointed. As soon as we sat down, we knew we were at a local’s spot. As the name indicates, the restaurant has been there since 1949, and for good reason! Their food is prepared with care; you can taste all of the ingredients as they dance on your tongue. We had the pappardelle with wild boar and the spaghetti chitarra with white rabbit and fennel ragu. We know rabbit is something that most Americans are afraid to try, but we promise that it might surprise you. We popped in on a slower day at the beginning of the lunch hour and didn’t need a reservation, but a reservation won’t hurt if you want to make sure you have a table for dinner.
- Wine bar/shop: Le Volpi e L’uva is our favorite little wine bar in Florence and has some of the best crostone to pair with wines from all over; drink it by the bottle or the glass, and you won’t be disappointed. Try the Burrata and finocchiona or Asiago cheese with speck and honey. If you like spicy food, try the Asiago cheese and ‘nduja. Get a wine recommendation to pair with your food; they know their wine and won’t steer you wrong. We’ve been told that every member of the staff tastes every wine that they have, and they won’t sell a wine unless every staff member approves it! The wine bar is now offering private tastings; you have to contact them for details. We believe it’s a minimum of 6 or 8 people. It’s best to get a reservation. Call them, or stop by when they open, to try to get a reservation for later the same day, or in advance.
Burrata and finochiona crostone at Volpi e l’Uva in Florence, Italy
- Wine tasting bar: Enoteca Pitti Gola e Cantina offers wine by the glass or bottle, but you can also do a tasting (or a flight). Pair it with some of their excellent dishes for an afternoon to remember. This is located directly across the street from Pitti Palace. Call ahead to make a reservation and arrange a tasting paired with food.
- Cocktails and Snacks: Loggia Roof Bar – this one is an indulgence; the view and exquisite quality of food and drinks are certainly reflected in the price. If you have something to celebrate or just want to be a little bougie, get a reservation here. Their craft cocktails are, well, crafty… Our sister said they have one of the best Negronis she’s ever had. You can also find proper gin and tonics, espresso martinis, and a Pimms cup.
Consider taking a food tour in the Oltrarno. You’ll get to sample local dishes, get the lay of the neighborhood, and ask your guide for restaurant recommendations that you can refer to while you’re in Florence. Devour Tours Oltrarno food tour is a food and wine tour. We love Devour Tours because they bring food and cultural storytelling closer together. With tours that open doors, they curate cultural moments that are not easily found on their own. Additionally, they are a great value, and we highly recommend Devour Tours.
Read more about the Santo Spirito and San Frediano neighborhoods here
See our top hotel recommendations in the Santo Spirito and San Frediano neighborhoods here
The Best Restaurants In Santa Croce, Florence, Italy
Santa Croce Is Best For Nightlife And Wine Bars, in Florence
Santa Croce is known for the nightlife and wine bars, but we’ve found some pretty good food here. We often return to the same restaurants in Santa Croce because we enjoy them so much.
- Breakfast, pasta, or pizza: Finisterrae – Italians are known to have a small breakfast, a pastry, and an espresso or cappuccino. If the small Italian breakfast is what you’re looking for, be sure to check out Finisterrae; it’s right by the Basilica di Santa Croce. In the morning, go to the register, past the bar, to order, and then take your ticket to the counter. At the counter, you can quickly enjoy your order or take it to a table to enjoy. Let the person at the register know if you will have it “al bar” or “al tavolo.”
We like going to Finisterrae for lunch to have pizza and spritz in the piazza. They have delicious, traditional pasta dishes, as well as Mediterranean options. This is our go-to spot when we are in the Santa Croce neighborhood. If the weather is right, enjoy a table outside (fuori). We always find them to be welcoming, but Pro Tip: don’t seat yourself outside; they like it when people ask so they can seat you.
Pizza at Finisterrae in Florence, Italy
- Substantial breakfast: Le Vespe Cafe – If you’re looking for more than a cappuccino and a pastry for breakfast, get something more substantial at Le Vespe Cafe. It’s small, so we recommend arriving early to make sure you get a table. At Le Vespe, you’ll find pancakes, French toast, eggs, bacon, potatoes, avocado toast, and more! This was one of the best breakfasts we’ve had in Italy that we didn’t make ourselves. The cafe also offers lunch and doesn’t close until 3 pm (which is a bit late for lunch in Florence; most close at 2 or 2:30 pm).
- Classic Tuscan dishes: La Buchetta – “La Buchetta” literally means “little hole” and refers to the famous wine windows. A fun novelty, and this location has one, but you go to La Buchetta for the food. Try the Gnocchi angeli e demoni (angels & demons gnocchi), or the tagliatelle pasta with wild boar (cinghiale). We also love their Peposo all’Impruneta, a red wine beef stew served over polenta or mashed potatoes. It is not always on the menu, so you’re in for a treat if they have it that day. If you like wine, they have a nice wine list, and your server can offer a suggestion if you aren’t sure what to get (get something local). They have another location close by, in the historic center. Reservations aren’t required, but they are strongly recommended.
Angels and Demons Gnocchi at La Buchetta in Florence, Italy
A food tour in Santa Croce and the Sant’Ambrogio neighborhood will include a trip to the market and visits to local family-run trattorias. On this tour, you will taste 10+ local dishes, guiding you to the best foods and encouraging you to try something new. This tour will end with a secret dish that you are sure to remember. Always ask your tour guide for restaurant recommendations that you can use while you’re in Florence. We recommend doing a food tour at the beginning of your visit to Florence; this will help you orient to the neighborhood and learn what dishes you want to eat while you are there.
Read more about the Santa Croce neighborhood here
See our top hotel recommendations in the Santa Croce neighborhood here
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The Best Wine Bar In Sant’Ambrogio, Florence, Italy
Sant’Ambrogio is the best neighborhood for foodies and winos on a budget in Florence
We look forward to spending more time in the Sant’Ambrogio neighborhood. We just weren’t ready for a meal whenever we’ve been here before, but we could smell amazing food while we read the menus of the restaurants that we passed. We noticed that all the menus had reasonable prices and the food looked great. That being said, there is a wine bar/shop in the neighborhood that we enjoy.
- Cosy wine bar & shop in the Sant’Ambrogio neighborhood: Vineria Sonora is very welcoming and has everything you need: classic reds and whites, sparkling wines, orange wines, funky natural wines, local wines, and rosés. Pair these with some of their crostone, small plates, or snacks from the kitchen, and you’ve got the perfect aperitivo/evening snack, light dinner, or late-night snack (open Wed- Sun, 5 pm – 1 am). This is not just a wine bar; they are also a wine shop, so get something special to take with you! The staff knows their wine and food, so ask for a wine or pairing suggestion. We really enjoy the vibe here and the music; they mix up the music- some nights it’s old-school on vinyl, and other nights it’s DJ sets that could be electronic music or remixed classic rock.
Read more about the Sant’Ambrogio neighborhood here
See our top hotel recommendations in the Sant’Ambrogio neighborhood here
The Best Restaurants In San Lorenzo/San Marco, Florence, Italy
The San Lorenzo and San Marco neighborhoods are the best for lower prices in Florence
Full disclosure, even when we’ve stayed in these neighborhoods, we haven’t dined in them much because we were always in another part of town when hunger struck. We thoroughly enjoyed the restaurant mentioned below.
- Italian dishes, pizza, and a Seasonal menu: Ristorante SimBIOsi is in the center of the two neighborhoods, where San Lorenzo and San Marco meet. This restaurant has a seasonal menu created with high-quality ingredients and boasts a wine list with over 400 organic wines. SimBIOsi has sort of taken over the corner of Via De’ Ginori where it meets Via Guelfa. The restaurant is sandwiched between their organic pizza restaurant and cafe; across the street, they have a gluten-free restaurant too.
Paccheri pasta with broccoli and burrata at SimBIOsi in San Lorenzo, Florence, Italy
Try going on a food tour in the San Lorenzo neighborhood. We recommend food tours at the beginning of your visit because they help you get familiar with the neighborhood and local dishes that you may want to have more of while you are in town. This food tour of the San Lorenzo neighborhood includes local street food, Tuscan pasta, a Florentine savory pastry, and more. Always ask your guide for more restaurant recommendations that you can use while you are in Florence.
Read more about the San Lorenzo and San Marco neighborhoods here
See our top hotel recommendations in the San Lorenzo and San Marco neighborhoods here
The Best Restaurants In San Giovanni (Historic Center), Florence, Italy
San Giovanni Is The Historic Center Of Florence, Dining Here is Easy and Convenient
The historic center is the busiest neighborhood in Florence and is where many tourists flock to, primarily because the majority of the main attractions are in the historic center (San Giovanni). This doesn’t mean that there aren’t good restaurants in the neighborhood; it just means that there are a lot that cater to tourists and may be more expensive or a bit less authentic than some of the older trattorias and osterias. The restaurants in this neighborhood are more likely to have menus in English and servers that speak English well. The first few times we went to Florence, we stayed in this neighborhood and enjoyed it. There are restaurants, cafes, panini shops, and gelaterias everywhere. These are the restaurants that we enjoy the most in the San Giovanni neighborhood.
- Panini: Panini Toscani is right behind the Duomo and serves up big Panini to quell your hunger. They offer Tuscan favorites like finocchiona, salami Toscana, porchetta, and pecorino cheeses. Complete your meal with a glass of wine, prosecco, or a spritz. We love the fresh ingredients here; the owner is a delight and is usually outside greeting guests. There are plenty of great panini shops in Florence; we just rarely make it to them because this one is so good. Panini Toscani is the perfect option if you’re doing the Brunelleschi Pass for the Duomo and want lunch between the 5 Duomo sites you have access to.
Panino at Panini Toscani in Florence, Italy
Seriously, get a glass of wine at Panini Toscani. Sip and admire the Duomo, Florence, Italy
- Steak: Ristorante Steakhouse Auditore is the prime location for pleasing different tastes. Being a bracceria (steakhouse), you can get the famous bistecca fiorentina here, but they also have amazing pasta dishes, antipasti, even salad and chicken dishes. We like their beef fillet with pecorino cream and caramelized onion confit.
- Tuscan dishes and a large wine list: La Buchetta was mentioned in the Santa Croce section because they have two locations, but just in case you skipped that section: “La Buchetta” literally means “little hole” and refers to the famous wine windows. A fun novelty, and this location has one, but you go to La Buchetta for the food. Try the Gnocchi angeli e demoni (angels & demons gnocchi), or the tagliatelle pasta with wild boar (cinghiale). We also love their Peposo all’Impruneta, a red wine beef stew served over polenta or mashed potatoes. It is not always on the menu, so you’re in for a treat if they have it that day. If you like wine, they have a nice wine list, and your server can offer a suggestion if you aren’t sure what to get (get something local).
- A local’s favorite for traditional Tuscan food, specials, and pizza at a reasonable price: Yellow – That’s correct; this is not a translation; they used the English word for the color yellow instead of the Italian word (giallo). Yellow has something for everyone and offers reasonable prices. You can find the Florentine favorite crostini Toscani here, a classic pizza, traditional pasta, or something different like Ravioli with pear.
- Chinese food: we know, we know, you should eat Italian in Italy, but we live here, and sometimes we want something different. Pine&Apple is by far the best Chinese food we’ve had in Italy. Try the manzo al pepe nero con riso crocante; this is black pepper beef that is served with crispy rice. At the table, they pour the sauce over the dish and tell you to wait a couple of minutes while the rice finishes. We were blown away by how good that crispy rice was!
- Honorable mention: Strozzi Bistrò at Palazzo Strozzi is a great place to get a drink and a snack, or lunch before visiting the gallery at Palazzo Strozzi.
- The oldest historic café in Florence: Caffè Gilli – This chic café is known for their caffè, chocolates, pastries, and sweets. Caffè Gilli deserves a mention because it is the oldest historic café in Florence and is absolutely beautiful. Situated in Piazza della Repubblica, this café is worth splurging on even if it is just once. You can save a little by having your beverage and a sweet treat at the bar instead of having table service. Make sure your phone is charged so you can get a photo of your beverage and sweet treat!
Read more about the San Giovanni (Historic Center) neighborhood here
See our top hotel recommendations in the San Giovanni (Historic Center) neighborhood here
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The Best Restaurants In San Niccolò, Florence, Italy
San Niccolò is a quieter neighborhood with plenty of restaurants and wine bars that locals frequent in Florence
San Niccolò is across the river in the Oltrarno area and is below the Piazzale Michelangelo. We’ve spent a little time here, but we’re getting more interested in the neighborhood as a local spot with great food and wine bars.
- Exceptional food & a reasonable price: Zeb gastrorestaurant was recognized by the Michelin Guide as a Bib Gourmand; this means that it is reasonably priced and has great food. We find Bib Gourmand restaurants to always be approachable. That and the price point are probably the biggest differences between most Bib Gourmand restaurants and a Michelin-starred restaurant. Zeb offers traditional cuisine that you’ll remember forever. Stop in for lunch or dinner after visiting the Piazzale Michelangelo. Reservations are only accepted by phone.
- Fine dining: Saporium Firenze is a fine dining restaurant serving elevated Italian cuisine and Tuscan wines in an opulent setting. The menu is a tasting menu; you have a few different prix fixe menus to choose from (including vegetarian, fish, or meat), or you can create one “à la carte.” You also have the option to enhance the experience with a wine pairing for each dish. The restaurant has its own farm, which provides tasty vegetables, herbs, citrus, chicken, and even honey for the restaurant (a true farm-to-fork restaurant). This restaurant has a Michelin star, so make a reservation if you want to enjoy dinner here.
- Swanky lounge: Saporium Lounge is attached to Saporium Firenze, and they offer the same dedication to their cocktails and tapas as their restaurant menu, using organic ingredients from their farm. The upscale lounge is known for its craft cocktails and contemporary tapas. Enjoy an aperitivo here or stay for an evening of cocktails and small bites. Fancy cocktail with some caviar on the side, anyone? Yes, they also have a caviar menu!
- Cocktails and Ischian-inspired tapas: Non Sai Cocktail & Tapas Ischitane is owned by a couple from Ischia, and their menu shows their pride. Stop in for snacks and cocktails (they also have non-alcoholic cocktails).
Read more about the San Niccolò neighborhood here
See our top hotel recommendations in the San Niccolò neighborhood here
The Best Restaurants In Santa Maria Novella, Florence, Italy
Santa Maria Novella Is Best For Convenience And Slightly Lower Prices In Florence
We’ve stayed in this neighborhood for convenience and savings, and these are the restaurants, cafe, and pub we like to go to when we are in the area.
- Espresso and a pastry: Caffè dei Fossi is a convenient option for breakfast or an afternoon shot of espresso if you are in the area. You can also grab a quick pre-made panini. We’ve put this here because the pastries are great and so are the espresso drinks, but be warned that it is one of the pricier cafes in the area.
- Pizza and traditional Tuscan dishes: Trattoria Pizzeria Nerone Firenze. We went there for pizza once, and it was pretty good. We were seated by the kitchen, and we hope to make it back one day to try more of the items on the menu because they all looked so good as they left the kitchen!
- Classic Tuscan dishes and seasonal specialties: Trattoria Marione is one of those local spots that isn’t a secret anymore – so make a reservation. We did not make a reservation, so they sent us to their other location, Trattoria Marione al Trebbio, where we were able to get probably the last table, which was in a heavily trafficked part of the restaurant and probably shouldn’t be there, but we were happy to have a table. The food was great and worth the oddly placed table. They also own a wine bar across the street from this second location
- Irish pub: The Fiddler’s Elbow Irish Pub. Yes, we know this isn’t Italian, but sometimes you just want a pub. And there’s an Irish pub just about everywhere in the world; you just have to know where to look. We like a cold cider from time to time, but it’s hard to find in Italy (apart from big cities with Irish pubs). We don’t go every time we are in Florence, but anytime we want a cold cider, we do (it’s Magner’s on tap). The pub has a lot of taps with local and foreign beers, and they serve traditional cocktails. We haven’t eaten here, but they do have a menu. We were once in Florence on St. Patrick’s Day and went to several Irish pubs before returning to the Fiddler’s Elbow after deciding that it’s still our favorite Irish pub in Florence.
Read more about the Santa Maria Novella neighborhood here
See our top hotel recommendations in the Santa Maria Novella neighborhood here
As we mentioned earlier, there is just no way that we could go to every restaurant in Florence, but it’s not for lack of trying. We go to Florence often, and we typically go to an old favorite and try to make it to a restaurant or wine bar that we haven’t been to yet. When we go somewhere new, if it’s worth going back to, we add it to this guide for the best restaurants in Florence, Italy by neighborhood.
Have you been to Florence? Tell us in the comments what your favorite restaurant is. If you have questions about dining in Florence, please ask them in the comments section at the bottom of this post.
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Your next read:
Where to stay in Florence, Italy: a neighborhood guide
The best hotels in Florence, Italy by neighborhood
The best things to do in Florence and the best tours to take in Florence
7 excellent day trips from Florence, Italy and how to get there
Lucca Travel Guide: Soak Up Tuscan Charm In Lucca
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FAQs About Dining In Florence, Italy
Most places have a card machine, but you should know that they prefer cash, especially when the bill is not very high. We’ve seen a restaurant with a sign on the door that it’s cash only for bills that are less than €100. That being said, we still use our card every time we sit down for lunch or dinner. We try to use cash at cafes, gelaterias, and wine bars if we’re just having a glass.
Restaurants open for dinner in Florence closer to 7:30 or 8 pm, sometimes later. This is not to say that in more touristy areas you won’t find restaurants that do open earlier (6 pm), and it doesn’t mean that those places aren’t good. This means that the most authentic places will not open early.
You can, but you shouldn’t tip a lot, and in some cases it’s not necessary at all. In most restaurants, you may see a ‘coperto’ or ‘cover’ charge listed on the menu and/or bill. This is usually €1-€3 per person, but this is not a tip (contrary to popular belief).
If the meal and service are exceptional, you can tip, but this should just be a few coins (€1-€4 euros) to show your appreciation. Anything more is seen as throwing your money around. The best way to tip is cash (coins) on the table. You will find that the credit slip does not have a space for you to add a tip, because it’s not customary. You could tell the server/person at the register in advance to run your card for extra, but in all honesty, your server won’t see that money. Always have some coins on you for a tip. Servers in Italy are paid a living wage and do not expect large tips.
There is one exception: if you see “servizio incluso” on the bill, that is a tip, and you should not tip on top of it.
No. Save your coins for restaurants and WCs!
WC stands for water closet, and it is the universal acronym for a bathroom or restroom. FYI, using the word “restroom” is a very American thing and confuses many. If you can’t remember WC or bagno (Italian for bathroom) and need to speak English, say bathroom or toilet.
Italians usually enjoy espresso and a sweet pastry like a cornetto (similar to a croissant but not a croissant) for breakfast. Big and busy cafés will want you to order at the register and then take your ticket to the counter to ask for your beverage and pastries. Other cafés will want you to come to the counter, get what you would like, and then pay when you are finished. Take a moment to see what others are doing if it isn’t immediately obvious.
Pro tip: At a café in Italy, “caffè” is a shot of espresso, not coffee. If you want something like American coffee, your best bet is to ask for a “caffè lungo” (‘loon-goh’) or a “caffè americano” (roll that ‘R’ if you can)! If you only say “americano” and leave out the “caffè, you may receive an alcoholic drink (typically bitters and a red vermouth), not a warm morning beverage made from espresso beans.
Aperitivo has evolved over the years. Traditionally, aperitivo is a drink with light snacks and is meant to get you hungry/ready for dinner. Some places may give you chips and olives to go with your drink; others may give you a plate with a couple of small snacks on it or have a buffet of snacks for you to help yourself to. These are great, affordable options; you should know that those snacks are often what they didn’t sell at lunch. While those snacks do get the job done, if you want something a bit more refined, you should order from a menu. Go somewhere with tagliere (meat and cheese platters), crostone (toasted bread with various toppings), or bruschetta (pronounce it correctly though; it’s broo-SKET-ah).
Pay at the register – this isn’t the case at every restaurant, but often you will pay at the register. If your server seems busy and you haven’t been able to flag them down for the bill, then you can go to the register and take care of it there.
Sometimes yes, but don’t assume so. Always allow the restaurant staff to seat you; if it’s ok to seat yourself, they will tell you anywhere you like. This is important because it tells the servers that you respect them; they know the restaurant and which section you should be seated in. You can of course tell them if you want to sit inside (dentro) or outside (fuori). Be warned that it is common for customers to smoke in outdoor seating areas. However, if it’s summer, you may still prefer to sit outside as it may be warmer inside.
Location is everything. If the bar, café, or gelateria is near a main square (like Piazza della Signoria or Piazza del Duomo), you will probably pay more for spritz, gelato, espresso, and pastries than you will just a block further. These are often referred to as ‘tourist traps’, and we try not to use this term. While prices may be higher because of their location, there is something intoxicating about sitting there while you sip on a beverage and take in the surroundings. Ultimately, we don’t consider it a trap if you’ve been forewarned. It’s your vacation; splurge a little!
Take your time; eating is an event in Italy. Once the food comes, your server isn’t ignoring you; they want to give you time and space to enjoy your meal without feeling rushed. If you need something, just politely flag them down. There are two exceptions. If you take an espresso at the bar of the cafe, drink it and go. You can linger at a table at a cafe, but it should not be your office, and you should not sit there for several hours as you would at Starbucks (although Starbucks is slowly doing away with that too).
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