Your ultimate Florence & Tuscany Dining Guide for Every Budget

Florence is commonly referred to as one of the most cultural and historically significant cities in Italy, and in all of Europe too for that matter. It is located right in the heart of the Italian region of Tuscany and has a distinct culture in every possible aspect. There is so much to do and see in Florence, and it quickly became one of my favorite cities in Europe because of the stunning scenery, the rich cultural heritage and most of all, the amazing food. This dining guide will help you devour some of the most delicious food that this city has to offer.

Keep on reading to learn more about these places and a lot more!

Florence offers an impressive dining scene with a wide variety of high-quality food options at affordable prices. Whether you have a small budget or not, you will find delicious food and treats everywhere. I have had numerous great food experiences in Florence and nearby areas in Tuscany. Check out my categorized recommendations in my dining guide below to plan your own culinary adventure.

But first, a few ground rules to live by when choosing restaurants in Florence:

• Try to make plans so that you don’t have to rely on the restaurants that are open all day. The good, local restaurants in Florence close in the afternoon and open again in the evening. If you’re trying to get a spontaneous late lunch you’ll see that only the tourist traps are open, so to avoid wasting money on a mediocre experience, choose something that is a bit more simple (like a take away panini spot). This way, you won’t overspend and get subpar quality. Also, you’ll still have room for a proper dinner as well.
• Try to choose places on the southern side of the Arno River. Of course, there are exceptions to this rule, but generally speaking, you’ll get better quality and value for money if you stick to places on this side of the river, or just avoid the most touristy areas when choosing where to sit down for dinner.

Pizza

Florence has some of the best pizza’s available in Italy and it is something you cannot miss while visiting the city. In this dining guide, you will find two of my favorites.

Gusta Pizza

This popular pizza restaurant in Florence is known for its long lines. To avoid waiting, go early and have a 4,50 EUR Aperol Spritz at Gusta Bar nearby. Make sure to be among the first in line when the restaurant opens. It is highly recommended, but there was a memorable incident where a bird dropped poop on our pizzas. We got replacements, but it left a lasting impression. Check out my Florence stories on Instagram @foodieonvacay for more details.

Address: Via Maggio, 46r, 50125 Firenze FI

Toto Atto II Pizzeria

This is a cozy local joint on the southern side of the Arno River, far away from the noisy tourist quarters and on a quaint little side street near Boboli Gardens. If the weather is good (which it usually is), why not order take away and organize a picnic?

This is a hole in wall-kind of restaurant with really attentive staff which will provide an authentic and personal experience when visiting the city. Pizza is rarely the most aesthetic food, but this Margarita and calzone pizza’s were some of the best I’ve ever had, and they were very affordable too. There’s seating available, so you can sit there too if that suits you better. We ordered take-away and took it to our Airbnb which was close by. You can find a link to that HERE if you’re looking for a good, yet affordable place to stay while visiting Florence.

The pizza’s aren’t the most good looking in the world, but I can assure you that they are delicious. This is their Margherita and Calzone.

Address: Piazza San Felice, 2, 50125 Firenze FI

Florentine Steak

This is another classic dish that you need to try when visiting Florence. Florentine steak is a must-try and you won’t find many other golden opportunities to have it. There are many great restaurant options for this, and I really had a hard time deciding which one to go for.

Osteria Vecchio Cancello

This restaurant may not look that special from the outside, but it is really cozy and larger than it may look from the outside. I’d recommend making reservations in advance if you want to visit. They don’t have a website, but you can contact them through their Facebook page HERE. You can also have a look at their Tripadvisor page HERE. As you can see, they don’t have a website and their Facebook page is in 100 % Italian, which is a great way to know that you’ve found a local spot that doesn’t primarily cater to tourists.

Address: Via Guelfa, 138/R, 50129 Firenze FI, Italy

Trattoria Dall’Oste

Trattoria Dall’Oste is a popular restaurant in Florence known for its Florentine steak. It is highly recommended by many people. While I haven’t visited it personally, it is considered a must-try. The restaurant has a slightly commercial vibe and is frequented by tourists. For more information, visit their website HERE or check out their reviews on TripAdvisor.

Address: Borgo S. Lorenzo, 31, 50121 Firenze FI, Italy

Pasta

Osteria Del Pavone

I am so glad that we actually made it to this restaurant cause we had no reservations and it was full so we had to wait for a bit. It was well worth it though. Osteria Del Pavone offers regional fine dining in a beautiful location on my favorite side of the Arno river. They offer a lot more than pasta on the menu, but we went for a truffle pasta and a pasta bolognese which were both delicious choices. The staff is extremely accommodating and the venue is absolutely stunning. This is a perfect place to celebrate a special occasion or just have a memorable meal together. It is also probably my favorite spot in this dining guide.

Address: Via del Pavone, 1r, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy

Brunches

Ala Grande Caffé/ Caffe Rosáno

What would a dining guide be without brunch? Welcome to one of the most popular but also best places for brunch in Florence! Make sure to arrive early as there might be a line. It is, however well worth it because here you’ll find a wide array of savoury and sweet brunch dishes, beverages and sides.

They have a few gimmicky items such as a huge cappuccino that could easily be shared between at least two people. We went with regular cappuccino’s (they have pistachio cappuccino’s too), an omelet and pistachio pancakes. We couldn’t resist their filled croissants so we got one with lemon filling and one with pistachio filling. YUM!

The food made its way to our table quickly and the staff was very kind and attentive. The prices were definitely fair although maybe on the more expensive side when it comes to cafés in Florence. It is, however half the price of a similar brunch in many other European cities.

The croissants are amazing so make sure that you don’t miss out on those. We even got to try the vanilla one for free as well.

This is where all those pistachio dreams come true! I could easily see myself coming back here when visiting Florence again!

Address: Via S. Gallo, 29R, 50129 Firenze FI, Italy

Rooster Cafe

Rooster Cafe in Firenze has two locations in the city and it is a top rated brunch spot. The theme is American style and the portions are so generous, everything is delicious and looks amazing too. It is a popular spot but we had no trouble getting a table without reservations. There are a ton of fun options to order and the staff is overall very accommodating.

Address: Via Porta Rossa, 63R, 50123 Firenze FI & Via Sant’Egidio, 37r, 50123 Firenze FI

Toscanini at Rinascente Firenze

This is one of those places that you come to for the views as it offers striking views of the famous cathedral in a very central location. It is perfect for a drink and a light bite. We shared an avocado toast and had a glass of rosé.

Address: Piazza della Repubblica, 4, 50123 Firenze FI

Markets & Shops

Mercato Centrale – The Florence food market

The Central Market in Florence is perfect if you’re looking for a full meal, a quick bite or just culinary gifts for friends and family. There is so much delicious food to choose between although I do think the gift and souvenir shops are slightly pricier than they should be. It is quite obvious that they cater towards tourists rather than locals so keep that in mind when shopping and don’t buy items that you can easily purchased for a lot less in a grocery store or other, less touristy location. The place is a total vibe though so make sure not to miss it. Also make sure to try homemade pasta at Pasta Fresca.

Address: Piazza del Mercato Centrale, Via dell’Ariento, 50123 Firenze FI, Italien

Nino & Friends

This is one of those places that we always come back to when in Italy and it made me so happy to see that they have a shop in Florence. I simply had to feature it in this dining guide. Nino & Friends started off as a Limoncello factory in Sorrento near the Amalfi Coast and later expanded into a patisserie & chocolate products. We took the time to repurchase all our favourite items which includes their Cappuccino biscuits, Pistachio biscuits as well as their Limoncello, the Sorrento Lemon Cream and melon cream (meloncello)

In addition to their own products, you can also find a careful selection of niche Italian products such as olive oil, truffles, balsamic vinegar and much more in the shop. I always say that I’m going to start ordering from them online as well, but I feel like it’s not a good idea to have too much of their delicious sweet treats lying around at home.

Address: Borgo S. Lorenzo, 26 R, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy

Cafes & Quick bites

Cafe Gilli

This is the most iconic cafe in Florence, and although I was too full from all my other foodie adventures I think it deserves to be mentioned here. It was established in the Medici era and has an impressive pastry selection and a lovely atmosphere. I particularly enjoyed their seating area outside overlooking the famous Piazza Della Repubblica. You are, however paying for the brand and the location, so expect higher prices.

Via Roma, 1r, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy

SimBIOsi Organic Cafe & Lovely Bistro

This is the perfect hole in the wall-location if you’re looking for a quick but high-quality Espresso or cappuccino. Their coffee looks and tastes delicious, but we never tried the food or brunch and I’ve seen mixed reviews on it. Some very good and a few bad ones. It may, however be worth checking out if you’re in the area.

Address: Via de’ Ginori, 64r, 50123 Firenze FI

All Antico Vinaio

No Florence dining guide would be complete without this. I’m not even kidding if I say that you will find this Panini spot in every food guide of Florence. It is an iconic spot and people are more than willing to spend hours in line to try their infamous Paninis. It may be a good idea to familiarize yourself with their menu before you’re at the counter to order, You’ll find a link to it here. It went for the one that is called La Summer, and although I really enjoyed it I would probably try one of their top sellers or one of the truffle options for a second visit.

There is no seating available, but try to find a park, a square with suitable stairs or something to enjoy the paninis while they are still warm. This is a perfect lunch that won’t set you back as much as a restaurant, and it is especially good if you’re late and all the good restaurant choices are closed for their afternoon break.

Address: There are two locations in Florence, one at Via dei Neri, 65r, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy, and one at Via Ricasoli, 121r, 50121 Firenze FI.

Panini Toscani

This is the hidden gem version of All Antico Vinaio and it is hidden in plain sight. You’ll find this small spot right next to the famous cathedral. People may, wrongfully classify it as a tourist trap and move on because of the location, but it deserves a lot more credit that it is getting. If you don’t want to stand in the line for All Antico Vinaio, this is the perfect choice for you. The paninis are just as good, it is easier to customize them to your liking, and they actually have space where you can sit as well. It is also more affordable than its famous competitor, so you really can’t lose with this one.

Address: Piazza del Duomo, 34/R, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy

Gino’s Bakery

To prove my own personal dedication to this dining guide, I took it upon myself to find the best tiramisu in Florence during my visit and after a lot of research I finally went to this hole in the wall bakery on my favourite side of the Arno River. It was completely empty and I got the very last slice of the tiramisu that they had available. Since they didn’t have any seating, we ate it picnic style at a park near our Airbnb, and it was so delicious. It had the perfect texture, perfect amount of sweetness, and everything was just on point. You just have to try it on your own!

Via de’ Guicciardini, 3/5, 50041 Firenze FI, Italy

Wine Bars

L’Uva E il Vino

This, charming little wine bar serves affordable wine on tap, and delicious pizza in a beautiful but homey setting. It has a very local feel and it is also quite far from all the touristy streets.

Address: Via del Leone, 39, 50124 Firenze FI, Italien

Caffe Notte Bistrot

This is one of those places that you hardly believe exist in a quite large and famous city like Florence. You’ll find wine for only a euro per glass, and they also have delicious small bites and lunch options. It is very affordable and has a truly local feel. No one really speaks English, and it is away from all the crowds.

Address: Via delle Caldaie, 18, 50125 Firenze FI, Italien

Gelato

That very first bite of gelato you get once you’ve landed in Italy is one of those core memories that really stick with you. In a city with so many options, it can be hard to know where to gom but luckily for you, I also took it upon myself to find the best gelato in town! Below you’ll find a few, really good options as well as my number one favourite for this dining guide!

La Strega Nocciola

La Strega has a prime location close to the famous cathedral in Florence, and it prides itself for having top quality ingredients. Their gelato is on the pricier side, but I especially recommend trying their Nocciola flavour at least once.

Address: Via Ricasoli, 16R, 50122 Firenze FI

La Sorbettiera

This is more of a hidden gem, located on the best side of the Arno River. You’ll find them right at Piazza Torquato Tasso. They have been serving gelato since 1998 and prices are really good for the top quality that you’re getting. The flavours are on the slightly more unique and modern side (try lemon sage and lavender peach for instance). They also have Sgroppino’s which is a delicious iced sweet beverage that is perfect in the summer heat!

Address: Piazza Torquato Tasso, 11r, 50124 Firenze FI

Sbrino

There are so many top- level gelato spots in Florence (and in this dining guide), and this one is no exception. It has slightly less variety in terms of flavours than the previous ones, but they also do Sgroppino’s. The staff is so nice there, we came back twice and was in awe of how good the gelato is there (especially in relation to the price). Just like all delicious food options, you’ll find this on the right side of the Arno River, slightly off the beaten path and far from the expensive tourist traps.

Address: Via dei Serragli, 32r, 50124 Firenze FI

Gelateria La Carraia

This is my number one favorite gelato in this dining guide, and the main reason is that it tastes just as good if not better than the other ones, it is relatively affordable, the texture of the gelato is creamier and softer, and they have so many choices and toppings. I love it when you can actually see the gelato before ordering it because you get a much better sense of what the flavour and texture will be like, and it is also very pretty to look at.

Address: Piazza Nazario Sauro, 25/r, 50124 Firenze FI, Italy

Vivaldi

This is not just a gelato spot, it is also a restaurant with plenty of all-day choices. It is one of the oldest and most iconic gelato spots in Florence, and also very affordable. It is very charming, cozy and located in a very peaceful and quiet part of the city.

Address: Via dei Renai, 15, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy

Further afield

Cooking class

Taking a cooking class is one of the best investments you can make in yourself and your future cooking skills when visiting this part of Italy. You can find my instagram reel from this activity HERE.If you want to book your own Tuscany cooking class with Lorenzo, you can reach him Lorenzo through Whatsapp, +39 328 545 4649. Make sure to reach out at least 1-2 months ahead if you’re visiting Tuscany during peak season. 

Truffle hunt

If there is one thing you should do when visiting this part of Italy, it is to go truffle hunting with dogs. You can also find my instagram reel from this acitivity HERE. If you want too book the same activity for you Tuscany trip, you’ll find the link to that HERE.

Have you ever visited Tuscany, or is it still on your bucket list? Leave a comment if you have any questions for your future trip or if you enjoyed this dining guide. Also, if you have been in the area and have tips of your own, I’d love to learn about them in the comments as well!

Are you looking for more Southern Europe travel inspiration? Don’t forget to check out my Positano dining guide or my Athens Dining guide.