Il Palagio – Four Seasons Hotel
This restaurant, though on the pricey side, might just be the most romantic place to have dinner in Florence. Situated in the charming Four Seasons Hotel, it has different dining settings including a rooftop terrace which gives a spectacular view of Florence from above. The food menu is impressive and, though mostly focused on Italian cuisine, it also features some international meal options. The service is impeccable and the staff ready to make the customers’ evening as perfect as possible. The hotel is very beautiful with Classic French and Baroque décor elements making the environment feel like a movie set.
Address: Il Palagio – Four Seasons Hotel, Borgo Pinti 99, Florence, Italy, +39 055 26261
Golden View Open Bar
This gorgeous restaurant is situated right by the River Arno, overlooking Ponte Vecchio, one of the most beautiful sights in Florence. They provide a great dining experience with a sea-food oriented menu. They also have one of the best aperitivos in the city, tasty and generously portioned, even if you have to pay an extra couple of euros for the drink due to the exquisite location.
Address: Golden View Open Bar, Via de Bardi, 58/r, Florence, Italy, +39 055214502
Enoteca Pinchiorri
Enoteca Pinchiorri‘s contrasts elements of contemporary design and important paintings and artworks from 19th-century Tuscany. The restaurant always has delicate flower bouquets arranged throughout. Enoteca also offers private rooms for special occasions, smoking rooms, and an elegant 16th-century courtyard for use in the summer months. Every meal in the restaurant is arranged to perfection, with exquisite flavor combinations and artistic presentation on the plate. The restaurant has a great tasting menu and sommelier-chosen wines from the so-called ‘wine bible’.
Address: Enoteca Pinchiorri, via Ghibellina, 87, Florence, Italy, +39 055 242777
Alle Murate
This basement restaurant in the heart of Florence offers the perfect combination of historic ambiance and great taste. The fresco-painted vaults and brick cellar walls will take patrons back in time, while the contemporary variations on classical Tuscan dishes and the large wine list will introduce them to the best of the regional cuisine. Although the restaurant is quite costly, it’s an ideal place for special occasions. Don’t forget to have a dessert, their Chianti mousse with pears and salted caramel sauce is delicious.
Address: Alle Murate, 16R Via del Proconsolo, Florence, Italy, +39 055240618
La Giostra
This restaurant, situated right in the heart of the city and just a few minutes’ walk away from Duomo, is a must-visit when in Florence. Offering gorgeous interiors with brick vaulted ceiling covered in fairy lights and many plants and flowers around, exquisite food that is often considered among the best in Florence, and exceptionally friendly staff and owners that will make sure that every visitor gets the best experience they can have. The menu offers mostly Italian cuisine, customers’ favorites include goat chops, linguine with white truffles and tiramisu that melts in your mouth. The wine list is also extensive and fairly priced.
Address: La Giostra, Borgo Pinti,10/12/18 R, Florence, Italy, +39 055 241341
MaMMaMia Firenze
This restaurant, situated in one of the charming squares of the historic center and surrounded by antique palaces, combines simple and elegant décor, friendly staff and a relaxed atmosphere. The food selection and their wines are those typical of the region, some of the patrons’ favorites including Spaghetti de’ Medici, Calzone pizza, Fiorentina steak and scrumptious tiramisu for dessert. The wine list includes over 50 varieties of white, red, sparkling and sweet wines, most of them Tuscan. Be sure to try the Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino red wines which are the stars of the wine list.
Address: MaMMaMia Firenze, Piazza Del Mercato Nuovo,18/R, Florence, Italy, +39055280594
Trattoria da Garibardi
Situated about 5 minutes’ walk away from Santa Maria Novella train station, this restaurant, has an authentic rustic Tuscan feel to it. While the brick walls and wooden vaults are very atmospheric, the food is typical of the region and it’s made to perfection. The stars of the menu are their pizzas which definitely deserve a place among the best in Florence. The restaurant even offers a separate gluten free menu which is surprisingly extensive and includes everything you could wish for, from pizzas to tiramisu.
Address: Trattoria da Garibardi, Piazza del Mercato Centrale 38r, Florence, Italy, +39 055 212267
La Loggia
La Loggia is situated on a high hill overlooking the city right next to the sculpture of Michelangelo’s David.. The menu and wines are typical of the region. They are slightly more expensive than in other places, but it’s all worth it considering the exquisite views. Look out for their spaghetti al ragu (a dish that originated in Bologna and then spread throughout Italy) and their spectacular carpaccio with beef and oranges.
Address: La Loggia, Piazzale Michelangelo 1, Florence, Italy, +39 055 234 2832
Club Culinario Toscano da Osvaldo
This restaurant is truly a unique culinary club situated right in the heart of the city, very close to the Basilica di Santa Croce. It offers some very untypical dishes for Italy, such as rabbit, pigeon, wild boar and goat. Don’t be put off by the unusual meals, the meat here is cooked to perfection and served with delicious garnish or pasta. Their ravioli are also exquisite.
Address: Club Culinario Toscano da Osvaldo, Piazza dei Peruzzi, 3r, Florence, Italy, +39 055 217919
Enoteca Pitti Gola e Cantina
This lovely restaurant-winery, situated right in front of the magnificent Palazzo Pitti, one of the highlights of Florence, is the perfect place to enjoy your aperitivo or dinner. Since Enoteca mostly specializes in wine, this is the ideal place to try Tuscan wines accompanied by tasty meals. The owners and waiters are very knowledgeable and happy to give recommendations for both. For those visitors who want to learn more about the process of making wine, there are wine tasting sessions available. They even offer the opportunity to join ‘The Wine Club,’ which gives exclusive access to the private shelves of their wine cellar which include rare and exceptional wines.
Address: Enoteca Pitti Gola e Cantina, Piazza Pitti 16, 50125 Florence, Italy, +39 055 212704
