A Guide to Eating and Drinking in Florence

By Ellen (Updated March ’22)

⏱ 3 min

Do you plan to visit the magnificent Renaissance city of Florence, Italy? Florence is a city bursting with history and beautiful sites to see, but you’re sure to get hungry while exploring the city! There are so many trattorias, osterias, restaurants, enotecas, and wine bars throughout the city. You might feel overwhelmed with options!

In this short post, we share a Google Map with you with ideas for eating and drinking in Florence. You can save the map and refer to it on your travels.

Florence Food and Drink Map

Florence Food and Drink Highlights

Out of the places we tried and the recommendations on the map, these are a few of our honorable mentions.

Le Volpi e l’Uva for Aperitivo

When in Italy, do as the Italians do and enjoy aperitivo! The Italian word “aperto” means “to open” so it’s like opening your appetite (preparing for your meal). Aperitivo is a drink with snacks, to “open the appetite” around 6-8pm before Italian dinner time (8-10pm). There are lots of great places to enjoy aperitivo in Florence, but we highly recommend La Volpi e l’Uva. Opened in 1992, it is a lovely wine bar near the Ponte Vecchio, with a wide range of wines to choose from and delicious snacks. They had a goal to bring wines to Florence from all over Italy, with a special focus on building relationships with smaller wine producers. People in Florence can count on La Volpi e l’Uva to carry a huge selection of delicious wines from regions across Italy.

Trattoria Sergio Gozzi

There is nothing fancy looking about Trattoria Sergio Gozzi from the outside, but on the inside, you’ll find it buzzing with locals and a warm, cozy atmosphere. The smell of traditional Tuscan fare lingers in the air, making you hungrier as you wait. Even on a weekday during the “low” tourist season (winter) this place is busy. We waited for around 15 minutes to be seated, but it was worth it. Delicious local dishes and hospitable service, we’re sure you’ll find something to satisfy your appetite here. If you like truffles, go for the pasta dish with truffles. Truffles grow naturally throughout the Tuscan region, making dishes with fresh truffles extra delectable.

Ditta Artigianale

Looking for more than just an espresso? Hit up Ditta Artigianale for specialty coffees and brunch options, including pastries. You can even find vegan options here, including non-dairy milk options like oat and almond, for your coffee. You won’t find this in most traditional Italian establishments.

Sei Divino

One of my friends who is a wine connoisseur, you can find her at Toast to Tannins on Instagram, said that Sei Divino is her favorite wine bar in Florence. The owner, Simone, and his staff are known for their excellent service, attention to detail, and making Sei Divino’s guests feel at home. With a huge variety of wines, it is another great place for aperitivo or a nighttime glass (or two 😉) of wine.

Bistecca alla Fiorentina

Bistecca alla Fiorentina, or Florentine Steak, is a traditional dish of Florence. You can find it in many of the restaurants in Florence. Bistecca alla Fiorentina is made from a high-quality thick, cut of porterhouse steak. Traditionally it was made from an ancient breed of Tuscan cattle. If you’re meat-lover, it is definitely worth a try.

Pasta Making Class

If you want to get your hands dirty and not just eat the local food, but learn how to make it, we recommend a pasta-making class in the heart of Florence. We had an unforgettable 3-hour experience with Pasta Class Florence, where we learned how to make fresh pasta, and 3-4 delicious sauces. Marco, our instructor, gave us clear directions and made the class very enjoyable. At the end of the class, we got to try our pasta with four different sauces and each was delicious! We left with full bellies and with recipes and knowledge to take home with us. They have just opened a new restaurant in Florence, Diverso, which we will be sure to visit when we go back someday!

Are you hungry yet?? We hope this guide to eating and drinking in Florence is helpful, and that you try some of the places. Let us know if we’ve missed any must-visit spots in the comments! Also, if you’re looking for recommended things to do in Florence, visit our other post: What not to miss in Florence.

Don’t miss our other Italy posts!