What to eat Florence - Firenze? culinary specialties and gastronomy

The Florentines settle down around 13h/13h30 and in the evening around 21h, even 22h in summer. The establishments open their doors around 12pm for lunch (pranzo), they take a break from 3pm to 6pm and finish the service around 11pm/00pm. Some restaurants only open for dinner (cena). Many are closed on Sundays, Mondays and August for annual holidays (chiuso per ferie). Remember to book (prenotazione) on weekends.

From Michelin-starred restaurants to small neighborhood trattorie, in Florence, whatever your budget, you'll eat well! For a taste of traditional Florentine cuisine, the trattoria is a safe bet and generally offers excellent value for money. For around ten euros, you can enjoy a delicious pasta dish(primo piatto). Also worth knowing: despite its low price, house wine(vino della casa) is often of good quality. In the land of Chianti, wine by the jug or by the bottle in a restaurant is rarely an awful mess, as mass production is qualitatively superior to many other countries. A final word of advice: Italians still often pay in cash, and some restaurants do not accept credit cards.

For a quick bite to eat, there's nothing better than pizzerias by the slice (around €5 to €9), or small grocery stores that also make their own sandwiches (around €6). It's also a good time to try the famous lampredotto, a Florentine specialty with tripe!

Excellent Michelin-starred restaurants run by top chefs such as Riccardo Monco (Enoteca Pinchiorri) or Rocco De Santis (Santa Elisabetta) offer an exceptional culinary experience. Set menus cost between €150 and €300.

In Italy, most restaurants charge for bread and cutlery(pane e coperto). And even if you don't eat bread, you can't go wrong! On average, you should expect to pay €2 to €3 per guest.

We're not necessarily used to it, but it's not possible to order a carafe of water (tap water is not allowed in Italian restaurants), so you'll automatically be offered a bottle of still(naturale) or sparkling(frizzante) water for a fee. The average large bottle costs €3.

In Italy, pasta is served al dente, meaning "firm under the tooth"! But we prefer to warn you because some people are really surprised by this difference in texture. Don't worry, this way of cooking is better for your health.

And don't be surprised if you find that the bread has a particular flavor, it does not contain even a pinch of salt! Salt was simply eliminated in 1541, when Pope Paolo III imposed a tax on salt.

The unfortunate tourist traps where they serve an "international" menu, with photos of the dishes. Get away from them! San Giovanni is a tourist district par excellence.

Children are king in Florence, as in the rest of Italy, and they are welcome in all restaurants!

Same legislation on smoking as in France: since 2005, it is forbidden to smoke in restaurants.

Some restaurants charge an exorbitant pane e coperto (check it out, it should be on the menu!), others charge high prices for mediocre quality. Follow your Petit Futé!

As in France, most bars close around 2am on weekends. The peak of attendance takes place at the time of the aperitif or during the dopo cena, just after dinner (for a digestive!).

A beer costs between 3 and 6 €, a cocktail between 5 and 10 €. There are several inexpensive bars in the student district of San Marco (cocktails from 3 €).

Given the richness of the region's wines, a classic Florentine evening begins with a glass of wine in a traditional enoteca. Also, theaperitivo is always in fashion in Florence. For about ten euros: glass of wine or cocktail + unlimited buffet!

Same as for restaurants, prefer bars frequented by locals (we give you the list!).