Florence Food

Pecorino Toscano (Tuscan pecorino) is a firm-textured cheese made from sheep’s milk. It is produced in Tuscany and was given protected designation of origin (PDO) status in 1996.

Chianti Classico DOP is a protected designation of origin extra virgin olive oil produced in the Chianti Classico area of Tuscany.

The DOP has several requirements including:

• at least three-quarters of the olives used be from plants included in the official register;
• the olive harvest must be done by hand; and
• the processing in the mills must begin no later than three days after the harvest.

These requirements guarantee the high quality that distinguishes the product.

Chianina is an Italian cattle breed known for its large size, muscular body, and hardiness.

Traditionally, it was bred as a draught animal. However, the main focus is beef production today.

In addition to Italy, many other countries, including Ireland, Australia, the US, Canada, and South Africa, now breed Chianina.

Game meats in Tuscany, Italy are excellent quality due to the region’s long history of hunting. The game meats found in Tuscany include wild boar, venison,  rabbit, duck, quail, pheasant, partridge, and pigeon. These meats are used in many pasta dishes.

Fagioli is the Italian word for beans, and they are very popular in Florence. White kidney beans, called Cannellini beans in Italy and also in the United States, are the most popular beans used. You can enjoy local preparations of beans in the stalls selling prepared food by the kilogram at the markets. They can also be found at traditional restaurants.

Porcini mushrooms grow in Tuscany and are sold at the Florence markets during September and October. They can’t be farmed so you can only find them fresh in the markets near their natural habitat. They’re dried and sold globally, but if you’re in Florence during the autumn months, you should try fresh porcini mushrooms.

Costoluto Fiorentino is a brilliant deep red heirloom tomato variety that has a flattened and heavily ribbed shape with a meaty texture. They are high in sugar and acid, which makes them perfect for a rich tomato sauce or soup.

Tuscan Black Crostini aka black crostini or Tuscan Crostini is a typical antipasto in Florence. It consists of a paté made from chicken livers, anchovies, and capers spread on slices of bread.

Bistecca alla Fiorentina is a classic Italian steak from Florence. It is a thick T-bone-style steak made exclusively with dry-aged beef from the Chianina cattle.

Bistecca alla Fiorentina is prepared simply with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, rosemary, and salt. It is then cooked over a hot flame and served rare in the center.

This Florentine steak is served as a main course in nearly all Florence restaurants and is sure to satisfy the palate of all foodies visiting Florence!

Trippa alla Fiorentina is prepared by cutting cooked tripe into strips and adding it to a sautéed onion. In addition to onions, some recipes also call for chopped carrots, parsley, celery, and a clove of garlic. Finally, salt, pepper, and peeled tomatoes are added and cooked over low heat until the water from the tripe and tomatoes has evaporated.

It is served hot and sprinkled with grated Parmesan and a drizzle of olive oil.

Lampredotto is a popular street food item in Florence. It’s the cow’s stomach that has been slowly cooked and served on a bun.

Some stands offer spicy and non-spicy versions. We opted for spicy and recommend it since that protein can be bland without added flavors.

If you’re interested in street foods, check out our self-guided Florence Food Tour.

Crespelle alla Fiorentina is made by rolling crespelle pancakes filled with a beaten egg mixed with Pecorino cheese, spinach, ricotta, and nutmeg. The rolled pancakes are topped with béchamel sauce and baked until golden brown.

Arrosto di maiale con latte is a roast pork loin in milk. To prepare the dish, rub the loin with salt, pepper, and rosemary and then brown in butter over high heat. Next, garlic and milk are added and simmered on low until the contents become a thick and creamy gravy. Finally, the pork is sliced and topped with the milk gravy and sautéed mushrooms.

Penne strascicate is made with penne pasta, ragu Toscano, and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.

Typically, the ragu is made from beef, sausage, tomatoes, wine, olive oil, onions, carrots, and celery. Next, the pasta is boiled in salted water until partially cooked. It is then drained, and some water is reserved for later. Then, the pasta is added to the ragu to finish cooking, and the cooking water is added to the sauce until it reaches the proper consistency. Finally, grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese is added, and the dish is served.

Despite what the name suggests, there is no tuna in this dish. Instead, it is made with pork leg or loin. The pork is cooked with white wine, peppercorns, juniper berries, rock salt, bay leaves, black pepper, and olive oil. It is then served with fagioli sgranati (white beans), cracked pepper and thinly sliced raw red onion that is finished with olive oil.

Ribollita is a tomato-based stew made with various beans, greens, breads, and cheeses.

aka Florentine meatloaf. Traditional Florentine meatloaf uses ground beef with the addition of local prosciutto. You can also find polpettone in the markets with mushrooms, artichokes, or spinach as the added ingredient instead of prosciutto.

Pappardelle al Cinghiale is made with ribbon pasta and wild boar. Traditionally, the boar is dry-aged and then marinated overnight in a wine sauce before cooking.

Tagliatelle Funghi Porcini e Tartufo comes in many variations, with vegetables used to create different textures and styles.

Gelato is a popular sweet treat found everywhere, especially during the hot summer months. If you want the best, look for places that describe themselves with the word artigianale, meaning their ice cream is made in-house with natural ingredients.

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.

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.

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 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.

Address: Via Andrea del Verrocchio, 8r, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy

Cibrèo Ristorante offers inventive cuisine inspired by traditional dishes.

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.

Address: Via di S. Niccolò, 60 r, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy

Osteria Antica Mescita San Niccolò is a typical Tuscan trattoria serving traditional cuisine.

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.

Address: Via Santo Spirito, 64r, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy

Il Santo Bevitore features classic Tuscan favorites alongside a few more contemporary dishes.

Address: Via Senese, 39r, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy

Want to learn about local food in Florence? Book a highly-rated food tour!

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Book your stay now!