The 10 Best Restaurants In Santa Maria Novella Florence

Santa Maria Novella is one of the most beautiful churches in Florence, situated in the center of the city near the main train station. Its façade is beautifully symmetrical, and the piazza is a great place for locals and tourists to sit down and relax whilst admiring the views. Here we explore the best restaurants in the area.

1. La Cantinetta Winebar

Restaurant, Italian

La Cantinetta Winebar, part of Hotel Croce di Malta, is one of the best in the area. In the warmer months visitors can sit outside and enjoy the fresh air whilst tasting some of the delicious dishes that are served at this establishment. Their specialty is crostini di mozzarella e acciughemozzarella, tomato, anchovy paste and pepper on bread with olive oil, a delicious, authentic Italian experience. The wine, drinks and other plates, pizza, fish, and meat, are not to be missed either.

2. Trattoria Sostanza

Bistro, Restaurant, Italian

This has been a local favorite since it first opened its doors in 1869. They strive for simplicity and efficiency, and have no space for superfluous items, food takes center-stage at this bistro. Everything at Trattoria Sostanza is tasty, and they serve traditional dishes such as bistecca alla fiorentina, Florence’s famously big steak, as well as many pasta-based dishes. Diners can also opt for some of the house specialities, such as artichoke and chicken, if they want to be surprised by the original creations.

3. Trattoria da Giorgio

Restaurant, Italian

The Trattoria da Giorgio has a great value menu, for those who do not want to splurge, this is a great place to enjoy a typical Italian meal without breaking the bank. The quality and flavor of the food remains excellent despite the affordable prices, and travellers will appreciate the lively atmosphere. The selection of dishes is varied, and on Fridays they add extra fish-based courses.

5. La Dantesca

Restaurant, Italian

La Dantesca is a typical ristorante-pizzeria situated very close to the Basilica di Santa Maria Novella. Their pizzas are made in the Neapolitan style with thin crusts in a wood-fired oven, with the freshest ingredients in order to achieve the best results possible. Apart from the delicious pizzas, visitors can also try the Florentine steak or a variety of other dishes. The atmosphere is buzzing and the service is friendly, so this is a great stop to rest and gather some strength to continue exploring Florence.

6. Sabatini

Bar, Restaurant, Italian

The historic Sabatani restaurant is said to be over 90 years old, and part of the interior furnishings are made with wood from a 16th century church. The restaurant boasts an entire flambé menu, spaghetti, steak, kidneys, prawns and more, all flambéed. They also have a selection of over 500 wines, and an excellent T-bone steak made exclusively on a charcoal grill. Sabatani features an elegant dining room that can seat over 100 people as well as private dining areas and a bar section.

7. Ostaria Dei Centopoveri

Restaurant, Italian

Minutes away from the Piazza di Santa Maria Novella, Ostaria dei Centopoveri is one of the best restaurants in the area. It is a humble, unpretentious place that nevertheless gives great importance to the quality of their products. The entire menu, from starters to desserts, has great options, such as pizza, pannacotta, and vegetarian calzone. They also have three set menus, a Tuscan degustation menu, a fish menu and a steak menu.

8. Sei Divino!

Bar, Wine Bar, Pub Grub, Italian

This modern little bar has a great atmosphere and is frequented by the locals, especially at night when they go for an aperitivo. At Sei Divino they have an extensive wine list and the waiters are very knowledgeable about the different types of wine, so they have great suggestions for those who want to try something new.

9. Trattoria dei 13 Gobbi

Bistro, Restaurant, Italian, Mediterranean, Vegetarian, Gluten-free

This bistro serves delicious dishes that are well worth trying when in the neighborhood. Trattoria dei 13 Gobbi also has an excellent bistecca alla fiorentina, and they have the option of splitting one between two people, ideal for those who want to try this typical Florentine recipe but do not feel like they can cope with the entire steak by themselves.

10. Ristorante Terraza Brunelleschi

Restaurant, Bar, Italian

Tasty food aside, this restaurant is worth a visit just for its magnificent views of Florence. The Duomo and Campanile can be seen perfectly from this terrace, and at sunset the panorama is breathtakingly beautiful. It is open for lunch and for the aperitivo, which is a typical Italian way of dining, visitors pay for a drink and get access to a buffet. It is located on the top floor of the Grand Hotel Baglioni, and diners will enjoy the atmosphere and exceptional service.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.