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.

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.

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.

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.

Banki Ramen

Restaurant, Asian, Japanese

This restaurant does not serve traditional Italian food, but why not experiment a little whilst in Italy and try Japanese cuisine? For those who want a break from all the calorie-heavy pizza and pasta meals, Banki Ramen is a great choice. Ramen is a broth, which can be meat or fish-based, with noodles and vegetables, and there are many varieties of it, depending on the ingredients added to the soup. They also serve rice and other delicious Asian dishes.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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