Top 5 Italian Restaurants in Florence

Across Italy modern fine dining often embraces food from around the world. However, true Italian restaurants in Florence tend to focus on local produce and a personal take on some of the more traditional family recipes.

If you are seeking top-notch cuisine during your stay in Florence, you're certainly in the right place for an authentic Italian food experience. Many of the local restaurants in the city do indeed have an Italian chef or were once family-owned trattorias. Although that said, it doesn’t necessarily mean the full menu remains exclusively Italian... but those dishes that are, make our top 5 Italian restaurants in Florence well-worth booking.

Top 5 Italian Restaurants in Florence

With the above thought in mind, let's uncover our personal choice for the top 5 serving the very best in Italian cuisine.

Trattoria la CasaLinga (Via dei Michelozzi, 9/R, 50125 Firenze FI)

Founded in the 1960s is the glorious Trattoria La Casalinga, offering guests flavours that come straight from the Tuscan countryside.

Serving wholesome pasta dishes and classic Tuscan beef stews, along with roasted rabbit and pork dishes – these classic options are simply delicious. With generous portion sizes, we strongly recommend you visit this restaurant when you are feeling particularly hungry!

Giovanni Santarpia (via Senese, 155r, 50124 Firenze FI)

If you're searching for the best Italian restaurants for a slice of iconic Neapolitan pizza, then chef Giovanni Santarpia is famous for his skills in the kitchen.

Having recently ranked highly in Italy's official 50 Top Pizza list in 2022, it's no wonder the restaurant is always busy. With a promise only to serve high-quality ingredients and a menu that really only focuses on making superb pizzas - customers are in for a gourmet treat! The soft dough is shaped into a high crust to frame a range of toppings and baked in an authentic wood-fired oven.

Osteria Belle Donne (via delle Belle Donne, 16R, 50123 Firenze FI)

Here's another very popular authentic Tuscan trattoria that serves Tuscan delights, making it one of the top Italian restaurants in Florence. Although there are certainly some wild cards on the menu too!

Traditional dishes include Pappardelle with wild boar Ragù or a succulent rack of lamb and truffles is ideal in the colder months. Alternatively how about a real home-comfort dish? Try a tasty Osteria Belle Donne speciality dish of pasta with bacon, cabbage and egg.

Trattoria Mario (Via Rosina, 2r, 50123 Firenze FI)

This is a busy family-owned restaurant that's known for its wonderful atmosphere, attracting regular customers due to changing their menu on a weekly basis. As a result, the kitchen always guarantees the freshest seasonal and Italian ingredients available.

Included within the seasonal dishes are timeless Italian classics, such as a meaty Ragù and Ribollita - a Tuscan soup. Also, regularly served as part of ‘Fish Friday’ at Trattoria Mario is the Catholic tradition of ‘Baccalà’ - stewed salt cod in a rich tomato sauce.

Frescobaldi Firenze (P.za della Signoria, 31, 50122 Firenze FI)

The Frescobaldi is situated on the corner of Piazza della Signoria. As well as running one of the best Italian restaurants in Florence, the Frescobaldi family are one of the most prominent families in Tuscany.

As well as historically being highly influential in the political and economic development of the region, the family also has one of Italy’s most respected wineries. As such, expect some fine wine as Chef Roberto Reatini serves his take on traditional Tuscan dishes with a modern twist. There is also a private dining room on the second floor, a cocktail bar and outdoor seating with fabulous views overlooking Palazzo Vecchio.

Experiences Top Italian Restaurants in Florence with tabl.

Take some time out from your sightseeing itinerary and book a table at one of the top Italian Restaurants in Florence. Alternatively, grow to understand true Italian gastronomy with our wide selection of food and drink experiences.