I just finished putting together an elaborate travel itinerary to Italy for one of my travel planning clients. One of their stops is to the beautiful capital of Tuscany – Florence. There is no argument that one of the best things about Italy is the food. Here are my picks for the best restaurants in Florence.
Gusta Pizza
Best pizza ever. Do not miss this place! Order your personal-sized (via Italian standards) pizzas at the counter where they pop them into the pizza oven right in front of you. Don’t be surprised if you have to wait for a table as this is one of the most popular pizza places in the city! It’s owned and operated by southern Italians who make a mean Margherita, but the Calabrese is another top pick. Via Maggio, 46R | facebook
La Bottega Del Buon Caffè
Although not an entirely new restaurant, this is the sister restaurant to Borgo San Pietro’s Meo Modo at the Relais & Chateaux property in Chiusidino – undoubtedly one of the most magnificent properties in all of Tuscany. La Bottega Del Buon Caffè, while setting itself apart from Meo Modo, has brought its innovative farm-to-table Michelin star concept to the heart of Florence, along the Arno River. Lungarno Benvenuto Cellini 69 | website
La Giostra
La Giostra, which means “carousel” in Italian, was created by the late Prince Dimitri Kunz d’Asburgo Lorena, and is now expertly run by Soldano and Dimitri, his handsome twin sons. For dessert, this might be the only show in town with a sublime tiramisù and a wonderfully gooey Sacher torte. Borgo Pinti 12/r | website
La Ménagère
This newcomer is making a statement as bloggers, designers and travelers extraordinnarie are flocking here for the excellent coffee and cocktails in a furniture to florist space in the heart of San Lorenzo. La Via de’ Ginori, 8 | website
Fishing Lab Alle Murate
Serving traditional Tuscan fare with a modern twist and focus on seafood, this restaurant is an all around design standout seeing as it’s housed in an exquisite 14th century palazzo. Via del Proconsolo, 16R | website
Signorvino
Outdoor seating along the Arno right next to Ponte Vecchio. Signorvino is actually a wine shop but they modestly offer a lunch and dinner service worth making a visit to, especially for wine lovers wanting ample selection yet in a casual setting. Via de Bardi 46R | website
Coquinarius
Meeting point, of food and wine. This beautiful wine bar is situated in Via delle Oche. In the heart of Florence, next to Piazza del Duomo. Via dell’Oche, 11/R | website
L’Osteria di Giovanni
You will feel as if you’ve stepped back to Renaissance times with the murals on the wall and the gorgeous table settings. Their wine cellar stores over five thousand bottles of an enormous variety of wines coming from Piedmont to Sicily. Via del Moro 22 | L’Osteria di Giovanni
