Authentic Florence – Places To Eat
Authentic Florence: The iconic Ponte Vecchio (old bridge) was built in 1345. It spans the Arno River and is home to shops selling jewelry, art, and souvenirs. Photo credit: Art Moldavia.
Authentic Florence was contributed by Art Moldavia, a frequent visitor to Florence. In a note with this trip report, he reminded me that “Florence, once the capital of Italy, is recognized as the ‘Art Capital of the World.’ According to UNESCO, 30 percent of the world’s finest masterpieces can be found in Florence, where the Renaissance began.”
Italians take their cuisine very seriously and Tuscan cooking is an Italian art form. The chefs of Florence proudly prepare culinary masterpieces. Many restaurants are located in and around grand old palaces, with elegant interiors featuring classic works of art on display. Many of these cafes have outdoor patios facing the town’s piazzas, where one can view the charming Arno River and the town’s famous monuments. Here we visit some authentic places to eat in Florence:
Authentic Florence: The elegant Terrazza Brunelleschi Roof Garden Restaurant enjoys a great view of the Duomo through its huge windows. Photo credit: Art Moldavia.
Authentic Florence – dining with a view: Terrazza Brunelleschi
This elegant restaurant sits proudly atop Grand Hotel Baglioni and offers a spectacular 360-degree view of the city and the famous Brunelleschi dome. The combination of delicious cuisine and stunning views deliver a sensory overload. The restaurant features a large rooftop terrace, where locals and travelers enjoy festive times under the Tuscan sun (and moon). The main dining salon is the perfect place for a romantic candlelight dinner. The floor-to-ceiling windows perfectly frame the grand monuments lit up against the night sky.
I started my dinner with an appetizer (antipasti), Involtini Croccanti Ribollita Toscana (crispy rolls of typical Tuscan bread and vegetable salad on Pienza Pecorino cheese fondue). Inside the delicate flaky crust, the vegetable salad and cheese fondue were surprisingly complementary. My choice of soup, the Gnocchi di Patate alle Melanzane (potato dumplings and eggplant) featured delicious spoon-sized dumplings swimming in melted smoked scamorza cheese, with a touch of balsamic vinegar. For the main course, I chose the Spiedini di Scampi e Funghi Prataioli (scampi brachette with mushrooms). This scrumptious work of art featured shrimp on a skewer, surrounded by branches of Chinese noodles growing outward in every direction. The Dark Chocolate Mousse was the perfect finale…smooth as can be.
Location: Piazza dell’ Unità d’Italia.
Authentic Florence: Appetizer, Terrazza Brunelleschi Restaurant. Photo credit: Art Moldavia.
Authentic Florence – dining with amichevole (friendly) locals: Acqua al 2
This modern ultra-hip bistro has a cult-like following inspired by its friendly owners who take turns greeting and serving guests. Community seating at long wooden tables cultivates new friendships and good conversation in this cozy intimate venue. Interesting artwork, barrel-vaulted ceilings and funky lighting combine to make Acqua al 2 the late night haunt of art students, journalists, fashionistas, and visitors looking for a local experience. The food festival of offerings are served up assaggi-style (taste-sized portions). The most popular dish is the house specialty, Assaggio di Primi, a seemingly endless sampling of flavorful pastas or risotti, served one after another. I love a well prepared portobello mushroom and theirs is grilled, tender and tasty. You can also enjoy assaggi tastings of delightful cheeses, salads and desserts.
Location: Via della Vigna Vecchia 40r (near the Duomo cathedral).
Authentic Florence: Roberto Marchetti at the street food stall owned by his family since 1899. Lambredotto (tripe) is the speciality. Photo credit: Art Moldavia.
Authentic Florence – dining with history: L’Antico Trippaio
This historic food cart, located amidst the fashion boutiques, serves typical Florentine street food. The family Marchetti opened here in 1899, and they have been serving up delicious Panino di Lampredotto (boiled tripe sandwich), Panino con Porchetta (sandwich of spit-roasted pork) and other local delicacies ever since. I recommend the shredded beef sandwich (yes, it’s cows tongue) and of course the tripe.
Location: Piazza de’ Cimatori, 9
Authenic Florence: Perche No! Gelateria. Photo credit Art Moldavia.
Authentic Florence – dining with pleasure: Perché No!
The sweetest thing in Florence is the delicious gelato. I recommend the gelateria, Perche’ No! (“why not”) owned by sisters Cecilia and Valentina. This shop has been here since 1939. Their gelato is made in the traditional style every morning using all natural ingredients.
Which to try is always a tough decision: Crema, cooked in the old way with lemon rinds and vanilla; Pistacchio, with natural Sicilian pistachios; or the divine Almond? Even the Cassata Siciliana, made with ricotta cheese and candied fruits, is wonderful. They also offer a variety of mixed flavors like Panna con Amarene with black cherries; Nocciolosa with soft chocolate and hazel-nuts, and Fiordilatte con miele e sasamo with chestnut honey and sesame seeds.
Location: Via dei Tavolini 19r
Enjoy la dolce vita di Firenze,
Authentic Florence: Meats and cheeses at L’Antico Trippaio. Photo credit: Art Moldavia.
Category: Italy
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I am not used to enjoy local food when I travel (i know, it’s a mess…) but I did it at Florence once and now I can’t stay there without taking a famous “bistecca alla fiorentina”, a piece of grilled beef cooked in the best possible way.
We could happily return to Florence (spent too little time there) – and we’d happily spoon that black cherry gelato :-).
Now I’m a little more than partial to a proper Italian Gelato, but my favourite meal in Florence was had at La Cucina del Garga. The food was excellent, reasonably priced and the owner is a lovely guy!