Welcome to our 24-hour guide to the best Florence restaurants. Florence is easily one of our favorite cities in Italy. From the stunning duomo to the charming cobblestone streets to Michelangelo’s David, there are literally endless reasons to visit The City of Lillies. And while there are plenty of great Florence restaurants to choose from, most visitors typically don’t have endless time to try every last restaurant in the city. This 24-hour dining guide to Florence will take you through our perfect day in the city- with recommendations for breakfast, lunch, dinner, late-night pizza, and gelato. What are your favorite Florence restaurants? We’d love to hear in the comments.
SEE ALSO: 20 BEST RESTAURANTS IN ROME, ITALY
Breakfast: La Ménagère
A true Italian breakfast is a pastry and coffee at most, but if you’ve planned to see the entire Ufizzi Gallery, Galleria dell’Accademia, and the Duomo all in one day (not recommended), then you’ll need a giant and hearty breakfast to start your day. La Ménagère is our very favorite place for breakfast in Florence. The restaurant is gorgeous but the food is also very good as well. Not sure what to order? Split the continental breakfast with a friend for a little bit of everything- perfect scrambled eggs and bacon, pancakes, orange juice, and yogurt.
La Ménagère
Lunch: All’Antico Vinaio
A Florentine sandwich with schiacciata bread is an absolute must-try when eating in Florence, and the very best place to enjoy this is at All’Antico Vinaio. The sandwiches here will change your life. Not only is All’Antico Vinaio one of the very best Florence restaurants, but it’s one of the most popular (if not the most popular), too. Arrive just as they’re opening to avoid lines and order to your heart’s content. “La Flavolosa” is our favorite- salami, pecorino cheese cream, artichoke cream, and eggplant. Swap the eggplant for sundried tomatoes if you’re feeling adventurous.
All’Antico Vinaio
SEE ALSO: 48 HOUR GUIDE TO VENICE, ITALY
Dinner: Trattoria Sostanza
Trattoria Sostanza is, simply put, one of the best Florence restaurants you will ever encounter. The atmosphere is homey and comfortable but still special enough for a nice night out or perhaps your final lunch or dinner in Florence. It’s a family-owned and operated restaurant, and the attention to detail is evident from the minute you walk in through your last bite of dessert. We love Trattoria Sostanza because not only is the food incredible, but the menu is a great balance of traditional Florentine dishes and a couple of off-the-cuff items. Start with the pasta al sugo or “pasta with sauce” for a simple but flavorful pasta dish. Must-try entrees include the Florentine steak (bistecca alla Fiorentina) and the chicken breast in butter sauce (petti di polla al burro). The Florentine steak is a quintessential dish to enjoy while you’re in Florence and you won’t find a chicken dish like the petti di polla al burro anywhere else. The meringue cake with fresh berries is a non-negotiable, reservations are a must.
Trattoria Sostanza
Late Night Pizza: Pizzeria Giovanni Santarpia
Florence isn’t the pizza capital of Italy but there are still great pizza options in town. If you’re looking for exceptional pizza in Florence, head straight to Pizzeria Giovanni Santarpia, away from the hustle and bustle of the city center and very much a locally-loved restaurant. You’re here for Neapolitan pizza (Not sure what that is? Read this blog post.) Order the margherita for an irresistible classic or ask what their special of the day is for something unique and seasonal. Takeout is an option but we recommend dining in the restaurant to enjoy the pizza right as it comes out of the wood-fired oven.
Pizzeria Giovanni Santarpia
Gelato: My Sugar
Florence is known for its fantastic gelato options, but not all Florentine gelaterias are created equally. If you can only stop at one place for gelato after lunch or dinner at one of our favorite Florence restaurants, make it a trip to My Sugar. Open midday until late at night, 7 days each week, My Sugar serves high-quality, flavorful, fresh gelato. With over one dozen freshly made flavors, you can’t go wrong whether it’s stracciatella, mango, salted caramel, or chocolate.