These are the Best Trattorias in Florence

From hole-in-the-wall eateries to dining in historical settings, Florence trattorias never disappoint. You’ll find local, classic, comfort cuisine sampling the best of the region, paired with local wines, for a truly Tuscan food experience.

La Giostra

La Giostra is a Fiorentine classic near Piazza Santa Croce set under 16th-century brick vaults and twinkling lights run by a Hapsburg Prince. Tuck into Italian dishes with a twist – plus an extensive wine list. Maccheroni with gorgonzola cheese, pear and pistachio, to tagliata of manzo (sliced beef) flavoured with garlic, olive oil and rosemary. Or Spaghetti Carbonara with asparagus if you can’t make it to Rome.

Buca Mario

Take a seat under the vaulted arches in Buca Mario‘s elegant dining room, ripe for a dinner date. Deep in the basement of a sixteenth-century Florentine palace, this former cellar is now an upmarket trattoria serving classic Tuscan fare. On the menu, thick pappardelle pasta with wild boar sauce or a warming bowl of ribollita is a good winter soup starter. Then order the famed Florentine ‘Bistecca’ steak to enjoy in one of the Tuscan capital’s finest settings.

Buca Lapi

Another classic Tuscan trattoria, Buca Lapi was founded in 1880 in the cellar within Palazzo Antinori, home to one of the oldest winemaking families in Florence. Dishes are also classic – from Tripe Florentine style, considered a local delicacy, to hand-made pici pasta with meat ragu seasoned with wild fennel. Wild boar and Bistecca alla Fiorentina (Florentina steak) make up a meat-heavy menu.

Parione

Just a few steps from Ponte Vecchio the bright yellow dining room at Parione welcomes you in an instant or ask for a table in the cellar for a more romantic atmosphere. Then order off the menu – from ossobuco (crosscut shanks of veal) to gnocchi with truffle when in season. All matched with local wines from Chianti (including their house wine) to Bolgheri. Save room for the desserts – the strawberry cheesecake and tortino al cioccolato (chocolate fondue cake) are well worth it.

La Casalinga

Casalinga’s name translates to ‘housewife’, a nod towards its homemade menu. Bustling all day and a leisurely stroll over Ponte Vecchio to reach, it’s a good lunch spot in-between visits to the southern city attractions of the Oltrarno by Piazza Santo Spirito. Expect fresh pasta rolled that morning tossed in a juicy ragu of rabbit or dive into mains like sliced grilled beef with sautéed spinach.

Sergio Gozzi

Tucked between the leather shops in bustling Piazza San Lorenzo, an area famed for its street markets and 19th-century food hall, Sergio Gozzi has been serving on this site since 1915. On the menu are hearty Tuscan dishes like ravioli with ragu di Chianina, peposo (stewed beef in red wine and tomato sauce), and pork chops cooked in the oven. Only open for lunch, with the kitchen closed by 3pm, it’s best to arrive early to secure a seat.

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