Home / Santa Croce
Frommers review:
Under a barrel-vaulted ceiling and dim sconce lights, diners sit elbow-to-elbow at tightly packed tables to sample this innovative restaurant's assaggi (tastings) courses. Acqua al 2 is proud of its almost cultish status, attained through the success of its assaggio di primi, which offers you a sampling of five flavorful pastas or risotti. If you order the assaggio for two, you b... read more.
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 ... read more.
Popular with both Florentines and foreigners alike, the small sandwich shop All'Antico Vinaio 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 pr... read more.
At Alle Murate the definition of excellence means combining meticulous, original culinary scholarship with the custody and value of the artistic and historical legacy of the building that houses us in Florence.
With constant, passionate study of the culture, this cuisine always offers balanced flavors, made from pure ingredients prepared with care: the true quality of Italian cooking is its simp... read more.
You can still find the genuine atmosphere of the ancient Florentine trattorias at the Antico Fattore, whose walls once cradled a meeting place for the creative talents in the arts and literature from 1929 onwards.
The Antico Fattore had always been and still is a school for many lovers of good food. It has won the praises of gastronomists of reknown for its famous sage giblets and its roulades o... read more.
Since 1945 Buca Dell' Orafo has been offering to Florentines and tourists, traditional Tuscan plates in an atmosphere that reproduces the typical environment of an ancient Florentine restaurant. It's also open for lunch but isn't the place for a fast meal. To eat properly requires time and as such the service is relaxed. The wines offered include the best that Tuscany has to offer as well as a few... read more.
Osteria del Caffe Italiano is the place for a light lunch at a special price, for a tasty snack with the best salami and cheese form Tuscany, for an aperitif in the evening and dinner after the theater. The food is made of simple recipes, prime ingredients searched with passion in every corner of the region.
The small Pizzeria of Caffe Italiano is connected to the Osteria but has a separate entr... read more.
One of the most characteristic places in Florence, Cantina Barbagianni is well known for its creative cuisine but also for its traditional Tuscan dishes. You can enjoy a delicious meal in the beautiful entrance room or in one of the two ancient cellars that offer an unforgettable atmosphere of Florence of the past.
The restaurants separate areas of the ground floor and basement give Cantina Barba... read more.
Frommer's review:
There's no pasta and no grilled meat -- can this be Tuscany? Rest assured that while Fabio Picchi's culinary creations are a bit out of the ordinary, most are based on antique recipes. Cibrà¨o actually has a split personality; this is a review not of the trattoria branch across the street, but of the fan-cooled main restaurant room, full of intellectual babble, where the elegan... read more.
A newer restaurant, very near where Trattoria Leo used to be on via Torta. We don't know this place personally but it looks like a large, full service, commercial/tourist type of enterprise featuring Tuscan food and pizza (which makes sense being so close to Piazza Santa Croce).
From their Facebook page:
Ristorante, osteria e pizzeria a Santa Croce, nel cuore di Firenze 1000mq di ristorazione.
... read more.
Enoteca Pinchiorri: A Culinary Jewel in the Heart of Florence
Enoteca Pinchiorri, now in it's 50th year, stands as a testament to the confluence of exquisite gastronomy, unparalleled wine selection, and the art of Italian hospitality. This renowned establishment is not just a restaurant; it's an experience that encapsulates the essence of Italian culinary excellence. This recent video really capt... read more.
Trattoria "Il Francescano" is located in one of the liveliest areas of the city. They claim it is "An experience not to be missed, in the name of good food, good drink and the best Florentine cordiality".
You can find a web page about them from the restaurant group Food In Florence: https://www.foodinflorence.com/il-francescano/. They offer Tuscan fare at a high level and in a very warm and welco... read more.
Frommers review:
Despite their considerable skill in the kitchen, Florentines just can't make a decent pizza. It takes a Neapolitan to do that, so business has been booming ever since Naples-born Carmine opened Il Pizzaiuolo. Even with a reservation, you might have to wait for a spot at a long marble table. You've come to the right place for a pizza, but this is also one of the best places in th... read more.
La Giostra is a busy restaurant on Borgo Pinti, well known in tourist circles but a bit ignored by Florentines (but then again what restaurant in the center isn't). We ate there recently, following are my impressions.
The crowd is a healthy mix of tourists and Italians, and the meal overall was fantastic. The room is a little tight (not uncommon in Florence) and got a little noisy from a fine din... read more.
Moyo is a trendy, club-like spot for breakfast, brunch, a light lunch (pranzo veloce), or aperitivo (they call it "Apericena").
At night it is a mostly younger crowd - and I mean crowd. Moyo is on Via dei Benci, just steps 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 a... read more.
L'Antico Noè is two places in one: a sandwich (panino) shop famous for overflowing tuscan panini and a sit-down osteria offering seasonal and regional specialties.
The sandwich shop has always been 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... read more.
Traditional Italian Pastries at Pasticceria Dolci e Dolcezze
Pasticceria Dolci e Dolcezze is a wonderful, old school Florentine pastry shop that has been serving up traditional Tuscan pastries for over 50 years. The shop is located on Piazza Cesare Beccaria, in walking distance from the Piazza Santa Croce. While famous for its baking, it also has a beautiful, almost antique, nostalgic feel. It is... read more.
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, and spaghetti carbonara... read more.
Ruth's is essentially Florence's only kosher restaurant and located next door to the city's beautiful synagogue. The menu, which is enhanced with a number of daily specials, is primarily vegetarian but also contains many fish dishes, all at decent prices. The blends of flavor and aroma are enjoyed in a cosy environment by a clientele which is often a mix of people from all over the globe.
LOCATIO... read more.
This restaurant has been around for a very long time. The cuisine is traditional Tuscan, with some creative modern updates. In the rich menu the fresh fish specialties stand out, as does their pizzas that are cooked in a wood burning oven. Dishes are based on the search for genuine flavor and the quality of the ingredients that compose them. The wine list accompanies the meal perfectly.
Among the... read more.
Update for Trattoria Il Giova: We had the pleasure of dining at Il Giova again this year for the first time in a long time and it did not disappoint! I found out that the ownership changed right around the time we left Florence (over 10 years ago!), but another family took over the business and it is running it in the same friendly way.
We enjoyed our meal and conversation with the new owners an... read more.
Santa Croce
Acqua al 2
Frommers review:
Under a barrel-vaulted ceiling and dim sconce lights, diners sit elbow-to-elbow at tightly packed tables to sample this innovative restaurant's assaggi (tastings) courses. Acqua al 2 is proud of its almost cultish status, attained through the success of its assaggio di primi, which offers you a sampling of five flavorful pastas or risotti. If you order the assaggio for two, you b... read more. Acquacotta
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 ... read more. All'Antico Vinaio
Popular with both Florentines and foreigners alike, the small sandwich shop All'Antico Vinaio 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 pr... read more. Alle Murate
At Alle Murate the definition of excellence means combining meticulous, original culinary scholarship with the custody and value of the artistic and historical legacy of the building that houses us in Florence.
With constant, passionate study of the culture, this cuisine always offers balanced flavors, made from pure ingredients prepared with care: the true quality of Italian cooking is its simp... read more. Antico Fattore
You can still find the genuine atmosphere of the ancient Florentine trattorias at the Antico Fattore, whose walls once cradled a meeting place for the creative talents in the arts and literature from 1929 onwards.
The Antico Fattore had always been and still is a school for many lovers of good food. It has won the praises of gastronomists of reknown for its famous sage giblets and its roulades o... read more. Buca dell' Orafo
Since 1945 Buca Dell' Orafo has been offering to Florentines and tourists, traditional Tuscan plates in an atmosphere that reproduces the typical environment of an ancient Florentine restaurant. It's also open for lunch but isn't the place for a fast meal. To eat properly requires time and as such the service is relaxed. The wines offered include the best that Tuscany has to offer as well as a few... read more. Caffe Italiano
Osteria del Caffe Italiano is the place for a light lunch at a special price, for a tasty snack with the best salami and cheese form Tuscany, for an aperitif in the evening and dinner after the theater. The food is made of simple recipes, prime ingredients searched with passion in every corner of the region.
The small Pizzeria of Caffe Italiano is connected to the Osteria but has a separate entr... read more. Cantina Barbagianni
One of the most characteristic places in Florence, Cantina Barbagianni is well known for its creative cuisine but also for its traditional Tuscan dishes. You can enjoy a delicious meal in the beautiful entrance room or in one of the two ancient cellars that offer an unforgettable atmosphere of Florence of the past.
The restaurants separate areas of the ground floor and basement give Cantina Barba... read more. Cibreo
Frommer's review:
There's no pasta and no grilled meat -- can this be Tuscany? Rest assured that while Fabio Picchi's culinary creations are a bit out of the ordinary, most are based on antique recipes. Cibrà¨o actually has a split personality; this is a review not of the trattoria branch across the street, but of the fan-cooled main restaurant room, full of intellectual babble, where the elegan... read more. Cucina Torcicoda
A newer restaurant, very near where Trattoria Leo used to be on via Torta. We don't know this place personally but it looks like a large, full service, commercial/tourist type of enterprise featuring Tuscan food and pizza (which makes sense being so close to Piazza Santa Croce).
From their Facebook page:
Ristorante, osteria e pizzeria a Santa Croce, nel cuore di Firenze 1000mq di ristorazione.
... read more. Enoteca Pinchiorri
Enoteca Pinchiorri: A Culinary Jewel in the Heart of Florence
Enoteca Pinchiorri, now in it's 50th year, stands as a testament to the confluence of exquisite gastronomy, unparalleled wine selection, and the art of Italian hospitality. This renowned establishment is not just a restaurant; it's an experience that encapsulates the essence of Italian culinary excellence. This recent video really capt... read more. Il Francescano
Trattoria "Il Francescano" is located in one of the liveliest areas of the city. They claim it is "An experience not to be missed, in the name of good food, good drink and the best Florentine cordiality".
You can find a web page about them from the restaurant group Food In Florence: https://www.foodinflorence.com/il-francescano/. They offer Tuscan fare at a high level and in a very warm and welco... read more. Il Pizzaiuolo
Frommers review:
Despite their considerable skill in the kitchen, Florentines just can't make a decent pizza. It takes a Neapolitan to do that, so business has been booming ever since Naples-born Carmine opened Il Pizzaiuolo. Even with a reservation, you might have to wait for a spot at a long marble table. You've come to the right place for a pizza, but this is also one of the best places in th... read more. La Giostra Ristorante
La Giostra is a busy restaurant on Borgo Pinti, well known in tourist circles but a bit ignored by Florentines (but then again what restaurant in the center isn't). We ate there recently, following are my impressions.
The crowd is a healthy mix of tourists and Italians, and the meal overall was fantastic. The room is a little tight (not uncommon in Florence) and got a little noisy from a fine din... read more. Moyo
Moyo is a trendy, club-like spot for breakfast, brunch, a light lunch (pranzo veloce), or aperitivo (they call it "Apericena").
At night it is a mostly younger crowd - and I mean crowd. Moyo is on Via dei Benci, just steps 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 a... read more. Osteria L'Antico Noè
L'Antico Noè is two places in one: a sandwich (panino) shop famous for overflowing tuscan panini and a sit-down osteria offering seasonal and regional specialties.
The sandwich shop has always been 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... read more. Pasticceria Dolci e Dolcezze
Traditional Italian Pastries at Pasticceria Dolci e Dolcezze
Pasticceria Dolci e Dolcezze is a wonderful, old school Florentine pastry shop that has been serving up traditional Tuscan pastries for over 50 years. The shop is located on Piazza Cesare Beccaria, in walking distance from the Piazza Santa Croce. While famous for its baking, it also has a beautiful, almost antique, nostalgic feel. It is... read more. Ristorante Boccadama
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, and spaghetti carbonara... read more. Ruth's Kosher Vegetarian Food
Ruth's is essentially Florence's only kosher restaurant and located next door to the city's beautiful synagogue. The menu, which is enhanced with a number of daily specials, is primarily vegetarian but also contains many fish dishes, all at decent prices. The blends of flavor and aroma are enjoyed in a cosy environment by a clientele which is often a mix of people from all over the globe.
LOCATIO... read more. Trattoria Baldovino
This restaurant has been around for a very long time. The cuisine is traditional Tuscan, with some creative modern updates. In the rich menu the fresh fish specialties stand out, as does their pizzas that are cooked in a wood burning oven. Dishes are based on the search for genuine flavor and the quality of the ingredients that compose them. The wine list accompanies the meal perfectly.
Among the... read more. Trattoria Il Giova
Update for Trattoria Il Giova: We had the pleasure of dining at Il Giova again this year for the first time in a long time and it did not disappoint! I found out that the ownership changed right around the time we left Florence (over 10 years ago!), but another family took over the business and it is running it in the same friendly way.
We enjoyed our meal and conversation with the new owners an... read more. Top experiences in and around Florence:
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