Florence Food
Explore Florence Food: Restaurants, Street Food & Markets
There are many traditional dishes in Florence, but every discussion of Florence food must start with Chianina beef. Restaurants prominently display the dry-aged T-bone-style steaks in glass cases. Of course, these fine cuts of meat are used to make the famous Bistecca alla Fiorentina. This is one of the most traditional dishes in Florence.
Other traditional dishes include Trippa alla Fiorentina and Lampredotto which are sold in markets and street stands throughout the city.
If you want to cook your dishes, there are a couple of markets worth visiting in the Old Town. Mercato Centrale has many vendors selling fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, fish, and other seafood.
We spent two months in Florence researching what local foods to eat and where to eat them. We’ve compiled a summary of the information we collected so you can start enjoying these foods as soon as you arrive!
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Traditional Food in Florence
Florence’s food scene captures the essence of Tuscan cuisine, with a strong focus on seasonal ingredients, rustic flavors, and traditional recipes. From bustling markets like Mercato Centrale to family-run trattorias tucked away in cobblestone streets, the city offers countless opportunities to experience authentic Florentine dishes.
Be sure to try specialties like Bistecca alla Fiorentina (a thick-cut, bone-in T-bone steak), Lampredotto (slow-cooked tripe sandwich), and Ribollita (a hearty bread and vegetable soup). These dishes, often rooted in Florence’s peasant traditions, reflect the city’s commitment to simple, ingredient-driven cooking.
For a broader look at Tuscany’s local products and culinary heritage beyond Florence, visit our Tuscany Food page.
Tuscany Food
Tuscany’s cuisine is known for its rustic simplicity and reliance on local produce, olive oil, and bread. Traditional dishes like Pappardelle al Cinghiale (pasta with wild boar ragù), Acquacotta (vegetable and bread soup), and Crostini di Fegatini (chicken liver pâté on toast) are staples throughout the region.
While each town adds its own variation to classic recipes, the core of Tuscan food remains consistent: fresh, seasonal ingredients prepared with minimal intervention to highlight their natural flavors. This dedication to simplicity and quality is what makes Tuscany’s food stand out across Italy.
Restaurants in Florence
Following is a list of some of the best places in Florence for traditional Tuscan cuisine:
Cibrèo Ristorante
Address: Via Andrea del Verrocchio, 8r, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy
Cibrèo Ristorante offers inventive cuisine inspired by traditional dishes.
Il Latini
Address: Via dei Palchetti, 6R, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy
Il Latini is a historic trattoria that combines friendliness with simple, delicious traditional cuisine to provide an unforgettable dining experience.
Osteria Antica Mescita San Niccolò
Address: Via di S. Niccolò, 60 r, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy
Osteria Antica Mescita San Niccolò is a typical Tuscan trattoria serving traditional cuisine.
Ristorante del Fagioli
Address: Corso dei Tintori, 47-red, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy
Ristorante del Fagioli is a beloved restaurant in Florence known for its authentic Tuscan flavors and warm, welcoming atmosphere. With a menu featuring classic dishes made from local ingredients, this establishment is a must-visit for those seeking an authentic taste of Florence.
Il Santo Bevitore
Address: Via Santo Spirito, 64r, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy
Il Santo Bevitore features classic Tuscan favorites alongside a few more contemporary dishes.
Podere 39
Address: Via Senese, 39r, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy
Local Markets in Florence
There are many markets located throughout the Old Town. They vary in size and shape. Some have only tents, with vendors selling products on tables or out of their vans. Others are covered structures with permanent stalls or stores. But they all have fresh local products.
Mercato Centrale
The Central Market (Mercato Centrale) is located between via dell’Ariento, via Sant’Antonino, via Panicles and Piazza del Mercato Centrale near Piazza San Lorenzo.
The first floor of the two-story market has a (somewhat) traditional food market with vendors selling food products from fresh fruits and vegetables to fresh fish and recently butchered meats. There are also wine merchants selling local Tuscan wines.
The second floor has numerous modern establishments selling prepared foods and beverages.
I strongly recommend walking around the market downstairs and then going up the escalator for a glass of wine and a bite to eat while people watching.
Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio
Address: Piazza Lorenzo Ghiberti, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy
Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio is an indoor marketplace featuring local fruit, vegetables, and specialty food vendors since 1873.
Mercato di Santo Spirito
Address: Piazza Santo Spirito, 5-6, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy
Mercato di Santo Spirito is a vibrant and bustling market located in the charming neighborhood of Oltrarno. This lively market offers a wide range of fresh produce, local cheeses, cured meats, and other delicacies that will excite any food enthusiast.
Mercato del Arco di San Pierino
Mercato del Arco di San Pierino is a hidden gem tucked away in the heart of Florence. Situated near the Arco di San Pierino, this market showcases the best of local produce and artisanal products.
Mercato del Porcellino
Address: Piazza del Mercato Nuovo, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy
A 16th-century loggia.
Food Tours in Florence
Food tours in Florence provide an organized way to learn about regional ingredients, traditional Tuscan dishes, and the role of markets in everyday cooking. These tours typically combine guided walks through central neighborhoods with tasting stops at bakeries, markets, cafés, and small restaurants.
Best Places to Stay In Florence
Hotels in Florence
There are many great places to stay on both sides of the river in Florence. For the best experience, we recommend staying near the Ponte Vecchio (the castle marker on the map below). North of the river is home to Florence’s famous museums, squares, and cathedrals. It is also busier and more crowded. South of the river is home to the Pitti Palace and famous gardens. It is less crowded and quieter.
Here’s a map with hotel and apartment options that can be filtered to meet your needs. Select your travel dates to get specific availability and prices.
FAQs About Florence Food
What Food Is Florence Famous For?
Florence, Italy is known for its delicious cuisine, which features fresh local ingredients and traditional Tuscan flavors. Some of the most famous foods in Florence include:
1. Bistecca alla Fiorentina: This is a thick, juicy steak that is grilled over wood or charcoal and seasoned with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
2. Lampredotto: A popular street food made from the fourth stomach of a cow, which is slow-cooked in a broth with tomato, onion, parsley, and celery.
3. Ribollita: A hearty vegetable soup made with bread, kale, beans, and other seasonal vegetables.
4. Pappa al Pomodoro: Another classic Tuscan soup made with bread and tomatoes.
5. Truffles: Florence is also known for its truffle dishes, such as pasta with truffle sauce or shaved truffle on top.
If you ever find yourself in Florence, be sure to try some of these delicious local specialties!
What food is most popular in Florence?
Florence is known for dishes like bistecca alla fiorentina (a grilled T-bone steak), ribollita (a hearty vegetable soup), pappa al pomodoro (a tomato and bread soup), and lampredotto (a traditional street food made from cow stomach). The city is also famous for its gelato and pastries.
What kind of food is Florentine?
Florentine cuisine refers to the traditional dishes and ingredients of the Tuscan region surrounding the city of Florence in Italy. Some common ingredients used in Florentine cuisine include olive oil, bread, cheese, vegetables (such as fennel, artichokes, and beans), meats (such as beef and game), and pasta. Overall, Florentine cuisine is known for its simplicity, use of high-quality ingredients, and emphasis on flavor over complexity.
What is the food of Florence Italy?
The food of Florence, Italy is a celebration of Tuscan cuisine, renowned for its simplicity and use of fresh, local ingredients.
One dish that Florence is famous for is Bistecca alla Fiorentina. This thick, juicy steak is grilled over wood or charcoal and seasoned simply with olive oil, salt, and pepper. The result is a mouthwatering masterpiece that captures the essence of Tuscan cooking.
The food is all about celebrating the natural flavors of fresh, local ingredients. From succulent grilled steaks to savory soups, Florence offers a range of traditional dishes that will leave your taste buds begging for more.
What Cheese Is Florence Known For?
The most popular cheese in Tuscany is Pecorino, a hard cheese made from whole sheep’s milk between September and June, when the grass is best for grazing. It can be eaten ‘fresh’ when it is relatively soft and creamy or aged in various ways until it is pretty firm but crumbly, nutty, and sharp in flavor.
What is typical Tuscan food?
Tuscan cuisine is renowned for its simplicity and use of high-quality ingredients. Some typical Tuscan dishes include:
1. Ribollita: a hearty soup made with bread, beans, and vegetables.
2. Bistecca Fiorentina: a thick, juicy T-bone steak grilled over wood and served rare.
3. Pappardelle al Cinghiale: flat noodles served with a rich wild boar ragu.
4. Panzanella: a salad made with stale bread, tomatoes, onions, and basil.
5. Cantucci: almond biscuits typically served with Vin Santo, a sweet dessert wine.
Additionally, Tuscan cuisine often features local cheeses like pecorino and ricotta, cured meats like prosciutto and salami, and olive oil from the region’s abundant groves. The cuisine is best enjoyed alongside a glass of Chianti or other Tuscan wine.