Dining
Below you'll find our most recent articles in "Dining"
One of our favorite all time places to eat in Florence is the Ristorante Boccadama. Located in Piazza Santa Croce, this is real Tuscan and other regional Italian food in a great setting, with prompt, efficient and friendly service. In season you can dine al fresco too. Lunch is amazing, and prices are very reasonable. Some of our favorites are the lasagna, pasta & fagioli soup, and spaghetti carbonara. Everything is home made from quality ingredients. At dinner the kitchen staff and menu change, and you will find some more refined cooking. Make sure to have one of their special desserts - either tiramisu or the pear and chocolate cake! Buon appetito -
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This home-style trattoria is always closely packed with its regular clientele. The simple decor of red-checked tablecloths is the epitomy of "Italian", and the food follows suit. The menu includes classic Italian dishes like fried (fritto), boiled (bollito) and roasted (arrosto) meats, plus fish specialties on Friday. The pastas and soups are fabulous. If you're looking for a welcoming atmosphere and outstanding traditional food, look no further.
Aquacotto
Via dei Pilastri 51r
Firenze
Tel. 055 242 907
Closed Sunday (and August)
Antico Noe has two restaurants side-by-side and both under the same ownership - one is a sandwich shop famous for overflowing tuscan panini and the other a sit-down osteria offering seasonal specialties.
The sandwich shop is popular with the student community and local shopkeepers because it's a great place for a quick, cheap and delicious lunch. Order a sandwich from their menu, or create your own combination, and follow it with a glass of house wine.
The osteria offers Tuscan dishes with a strong emphasis on local seasonal ingredients - truffles, porcini and artichokes to name a few. The tagliatelle ai porcini is a local favorite, and the truffled eggs are a tasty bargain.
Both locations are found in an arcaded alley off the Piazza San Pier Maggiore (sometimes frequented by a local community of friendly vagrants). You'll know you've found the place when you see the line of lunch customers forming at the door.
Antico Noe
Volta di San Piero 6r
Firenze
Tel. 055 234 0838
Closed Sun (and for several weeks in August)
Credit Cards accepted
Popular with both Florentines and foreigners alike, this small sandwich shop is the perfect place to grab a quick bite and wash it down with some local wine. With a convenient location on a pedestrian street behind the Uffizi Gallery, you can choose from a wide range of reasonably-priced crostini, sandwiches, cheeses, Italian cold cuts and roasted meats. Some of the dishes are prepared at the rotisserie across the street under the same ownership - the roast pig (porchetta) sandwich is a favorite not to be missed. They offer a handful of stools to perch on, but most people prefer to grab a snack, pour up a glass of wine and socialize with the other patrons on the street in front - especially popular in the early evening for an inexpensive aperativo.
All'Antico Vinaio
Via dei Neri 65r
Firenze
Tel. 055 238 2723
Closed Sunday
no credit cards (unless you pay at their rosticceria across the street)
Moyo is another trendy spot for breakfast, a light lunch, or an aperitif - and unlike the recent move of nearby establishments, they do offer free WiFi (of course you have to buy something to use it though - like this €4 Coke I am nursing at the moment!)
At night it is a mostly younger crowd - and I mean crowd. Moyo is on Via dei Benci, a couple of blocks from the Arno. From the corner of Via dei Neri up until around Piazza Santa Croce, Via dei Benci is party central on most nights with people spilling out of the various clubs and restaurants, basically turning the area into a block party.
Moyo
Via dei Benci 23r
Firenze
Tel. 055 247 9738
info@moyo.it
http://www.moyo.it
Rifrullo is a great place to get a coffee, an aperitivo, or a full lunch or dinner. Located in San Niccolò, across the Arno and towards the Porta San Miniato, in one of the quieter, less touristy spots of Florence - yet only a 5 minute walk from the Ponte Alle Grazie.
The bar is open all day, and they have free WiFi. There is also outside seating in the warmer months, a cozy dining room with a fireplace in the winter, and a famous Sunday brunch all year round. This is a great spot to relax, and there are several other good places to eat in the area also.
Via San Niccolò 55/r
Firenze
055 234 26 21
http://www.ilrifrullo.com
OIBÒ is a newer restaurant/bar/club at the corner of Via dei Benci and Borgo dei Greci - right next to Piazza Santa Croce. This is a great place for cappuccino and pastry in the morning, a light lunch, or an aperitivo. Owned by the Peruzzi family who have a giant leather emporium across the street, and a Piazza in their name nearby. Free Wi-fi is available too - as a matter of fact, we made this post from the bar!
OIBÒVia dei Benci 53r
Firenze
tel-fax 055 2638611
info@oibo.net
http://www.oibo.net
What sounds like another great restaurant - Trattoria Garga:
"Trattoria Garga is a mecca for citizen food lovers and renowned chefs in their own rights, such as the Food Network's Rachel Ray, who said about Trattoria Garga: "The more I dine out, the clearer the distinction has become between good food and soulful food. Garga has a soul all its own, and the dishes I've eaten here, such as Pasta Magnifico, Veal with Avocado and the famous cheesecake, taste of love, passion and curiosity as much as they do of their ingredients. I dream of this place. Sogni d'oro. Sweet Dreams.'"An article about house wines and food - it made me hungry!
"In my favorite no-frills eatery in Florence, Trattoria Mario, you sit at communal tables with workers and tourists and they bring you Tuscan bean soup, rigatoni with meat ragu and a massive bistecca all fiorentina. They pour a sturdy red wine that goes well with the beef. I have no idea what it was, probably Chianti, but nothing could have been better with the blood-rare beefsteak."
The full article is here, and the restaurant's website is here.
