Top 10 best restaurants not to miss in Florence in 2024

Visit Italy has selected for you top 10 places to have a great meal in Florence. So here are the best restaurants worth trying during your visit to Florence in 2024.

Art, history, and good cuisine in Florence are always intertwined by an indissoluble fil rouge. Buca Niccolini is a perfect example of this. Located in the heart of the historic center, just a few steps from the homonymous theater and only 50 meters from the splendid Santa Maria del Fiore, this beloved restaurant was established over a century ago in the cellars (buca) of the theater named after the famous playwright Giovanni Battista Niccolini. In a romantic yet welcoming atmosphere, at Buca Niccolini, the centuries-old Florentine passion for good food and exceptional local wines combines with a taste for innovative recipes and flavors of excellence. If you want to enjoy Florence in the vibrant atmosphere of the post-theater, you can't miss a visit.

Florence, via Ricasoli 5/7 r 

Trattoria dall'Oste is a paradise for meat lovers. Born from a passion for Florentine steak, this trattoria is now a benchmark in the city's dining scene. It stands out for its selection and exclusive use of certified top-quality meats, boasting collaborations with international suppliers and partnerships with local breeders. Thanks to this great passion and dedication, the restaurant has achieved amazing results, such as being ranked among the best steakhouses in Italy and securing the 43rd spot in the World’s 101 Best Steak Restaurants 2024 ranking. The culture of meat is also reflected in the setup of the Trattoria's 5 locations situated in the historic center of Florence. Each one features minimal decor reminiscent of old butcher shops, where the display of meats puts the customer in direct contact with the raw material, the true protagonist of the scene.

Firenze, via de’ Cerchi 40 r / Via Borgo San Lorenzo 28 r / Via Alamanni 3-5 r / Via Orti Oricellari 29 / Via Borgo San Lorenzo 31

Founded in 1992 in the San Ferdinando neighborhood, the heart of the Oltrarno district in Florence, Trattoria Pandemonio is the perfect place for those who love to savor the traditions of an excellent home-style cuisine. Ensuring that the recipes of Grandma Fidelma and Mama Giovanna are faithfully executed is Cecco, who runs the kitchen with his entire staff. The entire menu is complemented by a great selection of the finest Tuscan wines from the cellar. Rolando, the father, will guide you through their small wine world, while Giovanna will welcome you to the restaurant with her infectious warmth. If you want to discover the culinary secrets of the most genuine and authentic Florence, the Brogi family awaits you.

Florence, via del Leone 50 r

Love and passion for traditional Tuscan cuisine can be felt in every breath at this venue located in the heart of Florence’s historic center, on Borgo S. Lorenzo, just a short distance from the stunning Piazza Duomo. Il Grande Nuti Trattoria is indeed a special place, perfectly blending a tourist-friendly location with a gastronomic history boasting over 70 years of experience. Here, you can discover the most authentic flavors of handmade fresh pasta, embarking on an unforgettable journey through the tastes, colors and aromas of local recipes, meticulously prepared using only top-quality ingredients. Because only with such a rich history behind, Il Grande Nuti is able to offer today an authentic cuisine, with delicious and genuine dishes, as the true Tuscan tradition dictates.

Florence, Borgo S. Lorenzo 22/24

In the vibrant heart of Florence, not far from Piazza della Signoria, stands Antico Ristorante Paoli, the city's longest-running restaurant, established in 1827 and still located in its original premises. This remarkable venue, originally a delicatessen, has evolved while preserving its historical charm, becoming a cornerstone of the city's gastronomy. The walls, adorned with frescoes and heraldic coats of arms, create a captivating atmosphere that transports you back in time. However, Antico Ristorante Paoli is not just a simple guardian of Tuscan tradition: its menu modernizes classic dishes using fresh, genuine ingredients. Specialties such as the Florentine steak and truffle dishes are prepared with care and passion, while the wine list, featuring local selections, completes a culinary journey in perfect balance between the past and the present.

Florence, via dei Tavolini 12 r

Just a few steps from Santa Maria Novella stands the historic Florentine restaurant La Spada. Established over a century ago as an old place of refreshment, La Spada has developed a formula that has led to more than twenty years of success: a simple ambiance, genuine cuisine, and excellent value for money. The restaurant is particularly renowned for its roast meats: the exquisite and prized meats cooked on the spit or over the grill are its crowning glory, along with the large rotisserie, one of the few remaining in Florence, with its ever-burning flame enhancing the atmosphere. Among the standout dishes are the large mixed roast on the spit, always served with roast potatoes, and the Florentine steak, cooked strictly over oak and hornbeam coals, which imparts a unique and inimitable flavor to the meat. Can you already smell the aroma?

Florence, Via della Spada 62 r

Trattoria Zà Zà overlooks the central Piazza del Mercato Centrale, nestled in the vibrant cityscape of Florence, just under 200 meters from the historic Basilica of San Lorenzo. It features numerous rooms where a blend of architectural and decorative styles offers a nostalgic journey through Tuscan, exotic, colonial and bohemian atmospheres, creating a varied and charming environment. The menu offers classic Tuscan dishes while embracing creativity with culinary influences from both national and international cuisines. It’s no surprise that Trattoria Zà Zà is frequented by Florentines, Tuscans, tourists, and famous personalities, all drawn by the quality and originality of the cuisine and the unique atmosphere that only this restaurant can provide.

Florence, Piazza del Mercato Centrale 26 r

In the heart of Florence, just steps from the majestic Palazzo Pitti, lies Osteria Le Pietre, a venue that stands out for its rustic and cozy atmosphere, blending the warmth of tradition with a continuous quest for innovation. The Osteria models itself after the stone facade of Palazzo Pitti, with a harmonious alternation of long and short stones: the long stone represents tradition and quality, while the short stone symbolizes innovation and creativity. Thus, the stones in the Osteria's logo reflect this balance between culinary tradition and innovation. The menu offers genuine and creative dishes, along with a wide selection of extraordinary Tuscan wines, making every meal an unforgettable experience.

Florence, Piazza de’ Pitti 7

A breathtaking view for a unique and special experience, combining the quality of excellent products with the opportunity to admire the magical panorama of Florence. Discover the B Roof and head up to the Terrazza Brunelleschi on the fifth floor of the Grand Hotel Baglioni, a historic hotel that has hosted figures such as Guglielmo Marconi and Giacomo Puccini. Here, even from the indoor dining room with its splendid panoramic windows, you will enjoy a timeless atmosphere, especially in the evening, when you can admire the illuminated dome of the Duomo, the tower of Palazzo Vecchio, and the nearby Santa Maria Novella. In addition to an unparalleled view, the B Roof offers a journey through the typical flavors of regional cuisine, with high-quality ingredients that will take you on an authentic voyage through the extraordinary Tuscan cuisine.

Florence, Piazza dell’Unità Italiana 6

In a charming setting within a historic cellar of Palazzo Antinori, Buca Lapi stands as a restaurant established in Florence in 1880: over the years, it has become a true emblem of Tuscan culinary excellence. Here, history meets gastronomy, offering you a unique experience. The open kitchen allows you to watch the chefs at work as they prepare traditional dishes with fresh, high-quality ingredients: because tasting is as important as seeing. You will discover (or rediscover) extraordinary flavors, from Florentine steaks to homemade pasta dishes, always plentiful as tradition dictates, in a welcoming atmosphere with meticulous attention to detail. Each visit to Buca Lapi reveals the true essence of Florentine cuisine, characterized by simplicity and respect for ingredients and tradition.

Florence, Via del Trebbio 1 r