12 Best Restaurants in Florence, Italy From Bistros to Michelin Stars

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After traveling all around Italy, the cuisine from Florence remains etched as some of my favorite! I’m usually a seafood gal, so even I was surprised by this, but in hindsight, it makes total sense. Forming part of the Tuscan region, and with rolling hillsides, farms, and vineyards just on its doorstep, the produce in Florence (and therefore, ingredients), is just on a whole other level compared to other parts of Italia. 

Naturally, the food scene here is mind-blowing, whether talking fresh markets, street food, or fancy ristoranti. If you are looking for a wonderful sit-down kinda meal, here are 12 of my best restaurants in Florence, Italy — many of which I’ve returned to time and time again. 

These range from casual eateries to osterias to bistros, and even a few fancy Michelin Guide winners, for when you want to treat yourselves! Find yourself in serious food heaven (or comas) in the City of the Renaissance — feel free to thank me later (with an Aperol Spritz!).

Buon appetito a tutti!

1. L’Ortone: For the traditions of Toscana

Stumbling upon L’Ortone by chance — isn’t that how all the best stories go — it was perhaps its gleaming red Michelin square that caught my eye. Enlisted by the Michelin Guide and winner of a Bib Gourmand award, this Tuscany-focused restaurant just outside of the Sant’Ambrogio Market was my favorite of the best restaurants in Florence, Italy. So much so, we went back twice in 24 hours!

Bistro-style vibes, the service was amazing, and the staff were more than happy to answer any questions about the menu.

For lunch, I went with the tuna steak, and the next time for dinner, our table ordered the pigeon (it was my first time trying pigeon, it’s not something I would usually ever order but all I can say is: amazing!), deconstructed caprese (my favorite dish), the beetroot gnocchi (winner), and the char-grilled octopus — divine.

However, the menu here changes seasonally. For me, it’s a no-brainer that this is one of the best restaurants in Florence, Italy for Michelin-worthy food, but without all the pretentious feels. 

2. Alla Vecchia Bettola: For the best bowl of penne alla vodka 

Two words: vodka pasta! 

While it can be difficult to find a table at Alla Vecchia Bettola (the homely ristorante is not overly massive), but it’s very much worth it. In my opinion, if you’re keen on sampling classic Florentine type cuisine, you need to get yourself a seat here. Plus, most times it’s filled to the brim with locals — which is always a good sign. 

The bistecca alla Fiorentina (Florence’s famous T-bone) is sublime. You will also find stuffed courgette (zucchini) blossom flowers, fried to perfection (another one of the city’s must-try dishes), as well as its famed penne alla bettola (as it’s called here), i.e., penne alla vodka.    

3. Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura: Two powerhouses coming together

Massimo Bottura is my favorite chef in the entire world! I fell in love with the man when watching him on Netflix’s Chef’s Table after hearing him proclaim: 

“In my blood there is balsamic vinegar, and my muscles are made by Parmigiano…” 

I’ve tried so many times to book his three-starred Osteria Francescana in Modena, but the waiting list is insane (I’m talking a year in advance), so when he opened up Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura in Firenze, I think the rest of the world sang alongside me. And yes, it is in collab with the famous brand, Gucci, whose birthplace is Florence!

With the acclaim of one Michelin star, you can expect creativity and Italian flair, whether eating from the tasting or a la carte menus. Plus, I’m pretty obsessed with not just the food, but the green and white interiors, too. You’ll often spot it on lists of the best restaurants in Florence, Italy.

4. Ristorante Santa Elisabetta: Michelin winners since 2018 still to 2025

Not to get all star-sign on you, but I’m a libra, it’s a known fact that we love aesthetically pleasing things. That’s only one of the reasons why two Michelin-starred Ristorante Santa Elisabetta captures my heart. I think they put it so aptly: ‘where history meets haute cuisine’ — and I couldn’t agree more. 

The food is beautiful; the interiors ooze that typical Florentine vibe, washed in soft warm lighting and exposed brick walls. I mean, it’s literally located inside the Byzantine-style Pagliazza Tower, dating to the 6th century! Just let that sink in…Not only that, the landmark is the oldest remaining building in this part of the city, so it really suits its historical center positioning. 

Under the helm of Chef Rocco De Santis, the menu is seasonal, and I’m so into the fact that there is both a lunch and dinner tasting menu. I mean, they even offer guests reading glasses to scope out their menu — get outta here!

5. Buca dell’Orafo: Charming, authentic and delicious 

Don’t let Buca dell’Orafo’s location fool you! Whilst it is basically one street down from the iconic Ponte Vecchio bridge (swarming with tourists even in the pouring rain), this local Florentine is a favorite of ours, and is set up in the most authentic setting — a converted wine cellar! (Once a former workshop, and these are known as a ‘buca,’ hence the name.) 

Entering the restaurant you walk down a couple of steps and are seated at one of the few tables, where exposed bricks and low ceilings greet you, and bottles of vino line different crevices. Its roots trace back to 1945, and you can feel its history in the air. 

For antipasti, uncover all the classics from this region, like crostini, prosciutto Toscano, and stracotto con fagioli all’uccelletto (braised beans and sage with slow-cooked meat). And of course, they have the traditional dishes of Florence, such as Bistecca alla Fiorentina, as well as a few from other parts of the country like Rome’s ‘uova con trifola’ and Lombardy’s ‘ossobuco con piselli.’ 

Did you know that pappardelle pasta originates from Tuscany? Carbonara is from Rome! Ravioli is from Cremona in Northern Italy.

6. Alimentari Mescita Di Vini: For authentic Tuscan 

On my last trip to Florence, we ate at Alimentari Mescite Di Vini on our last night, and it served as such a fantastic way to end our time in Firenze. 

Situated in the old neighborhood along San Niccolò (two roads down parallel to the river), every time we walked past it was full to the brim with joyful locals, gathering around the tables outside and chattering away loudly. Within five minutes of sitting down the restaurant filled up, with locals and tourists alike. We love to sit outside, but there’s indoor seating and also tables on the other side too. 

It’s as authentically Toscana as it gets at this osteria, with long dried strips of garlic cloves decorating the interiors, and the likes. I usually order a huge bowl of gnocchi, and my hubby loves the wild boar ragu (a specialty of the Tuscan region). The staff are super-duper friendly, and more than happy to explain the menu, even teaching us typical Italian food sayings. 

7. L’Insolita Trattoria Tre Soldi: All fun and games

If you love a great food illusion experience, dive straight into the unconventional at L’Insolita Trattoria Tre Soldi. 

Speaking of unconventional, choose either a three-, seven-, or 11-course unconventional menu, where each dish is presented as a clue you need to solve — sounds intriguing, right? It is! The cuisine here is all about embracing using all your senses, and not expecting the typical sit-down and order-off-the-menu dining experience. 

Opening its doors in the 1950s, this family generational-run restaurant is now under the wheel of the original owners’ son, Lorenzo (who likes to keep things a little mad in the cucina, and it shows). And I’m just as mad about the creativity!

Life doesn’t always need to be taken too seriously, and this restaurant is a testament to that. 

8. Gunè San Frediano: Marrying the South and Central Italia

For a taste of both southern and central Italy, arrive hungry at Gunè San Frediano — a celebration of cuisine from Basilicata (a rocky hillside region bordering Puglia) and Tuscany. 

Serious emphasis is placed on not just the ingredients, but the cooking techniques. Here, you have multiple tasting menus to choose from. There’s the 5-course gourmet menu, a slightly more complex 6-course, then there’s a complete 6-course vegetarian menu option or a complete 8-course option. Then there’s the a la carte vibes, too. 

I’m especially a fan of the names of each course, like ‘The rooster has crowed’ and ‘When the wild boar in Casentino eats pears.’ You can also opt for a food and cocktail pairing. 

9. Sgrano: For a gluten-free feast 

So, I’ve never been officially diagnosed, however, I am certain I have gluten intolerances. Each time I eat a bowl of pasta or pizza, my stomach unfriends me. However, I’m a foodie through and through, so I put up with the aches in the name of delicious food. Having said that, any time I do find gluten-free options, I’m ever-so-thankful! 

In a place like Italia, where pasta and pizza reign supreme, it can be a little tricky. Therefore, Sgrano saves the day time and time again: a completely gluten-free restaurant.

For the gluten-free among us, this means: (a) you don’t have to miss out on any of your favorite staple Florentine foods and (b) you don’t even realize there’s no gluten! It’s one of our best restaurants in Florence, Italy not simply for gluten-free meals, but for all diners!

On that delicious note, they’ve mastered coccoli (fried and stuffed dough balls) and schiacciata (flatbread that looks a little like focaccia). Both are traditional street foods in Florence, and the latter is typically used as a “sandwich” base, stuffed with toppings like meats and cheeses — there are loads of options on the menu. They also serve spritz cocktails, beers, and wine. 

10. NOTE DI VINO: Antipasti Heaven 

The first time I ever visited Florence, we stayed in the Jewish Quarter and walked the streets in and around the 15-minute parameter every evening. After the second time passing this little spot with its cured meats hanging from the window, the salivating was too much and we popped into NOTE Di VINO for an Aperol Spritz (or four) and a bunch of yummy cured meats and cheeses. 

Fast forward a year later back in Firenze and my husband and I brought my best friend and her fiance here. This time we shared the massive ‘Crudo’ platter which states it’s for 2 pax but was more than enough for four. It was loaded with cheeses, meats, fruit, and a few different antipasti spreads. It was to die for! 

Technically considered a “wine bar,” it’s the perfect spot for an aperitif and a light bite to eat. I recommend sitting outside, and then heading to Soul Kitchen around the corner afterward if you want to carry on the festivities. 

11. Atto di Vito Mollica: The Renaissance meets today 

Most diners who are lucky enough to get a booking at Atto di Vito Mollica often all leave wondering the same thing: how does this spot only have one Michelin star?

An exceptional foodie experience from the get-go, prepare yourselves for a classy fine dining time within the historical Palazzo Portinari. With just 14 tables, service is super-focused, but the dining area is set within the ‘Emperor’s Court,’ lending this elegant, almost royal-like feel. 

Food-wise, the restaurant only opens for dinner service. Choose between two set tasting menus, or there is also the a la carte with starters, first course, and mains. Pheasant galantine, ricotta cheese gnoccheti, and grilled langoustines in a champagne sauce are some examples to get you going.  

12. Gustapizza: The best Napoli-style pizza

For anyone who has ever called Florence home, you’ll agree with us that Gustapizza is an institution! Therefore, it would be a cardinal sin to leave it off this list of the best restaurants in Florence, Italy. 

Before going any further, you should know that Florence isn’t exactly famous for its pizza. Rather, Florence is famous for schiacciata and hence the reason you’ll see so many sandwich shops. But, for those who do serve it, Napoletian-style pizza is usually the most popular. A light pizza base with those billowy soft fluffy edges, originally from Naples. And that’s precisely what you’ll find at Gustapizza!

Ingredients are fresh-to-death, and pizzas are affordable and never loaded with more than four ingredients (including the mozzarella and basil). 

The restaurant is always busy and lively. You’ll want to sit down or grab a pizza on-the-go. There’s a lovely little plaza just up the road, an ideal spot for pizza on the steps.

Heading to Rome next? From food to cool neighborhoods to historical landmarks, we have a handy 3-Day Local Rome Guide. Discover Roman ruins on the road less traveled (i.e., the Italian Alps) in Aosta, or head just two hours from Florence on a day trip to Assisi.

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