What to eat in Florence: 12 must-try local delights

Italian food is a central part of the culture, and nowhere is this truer than in Florence. Food to eat here is typically simple and flavorful, with fresh, locally grown ingredients. There’s an Italian phrase: ”Buon cibo. Buon vino. Buon amici” — ”Good food. Good wine. Good friends.” Food and wine are central to life in Italy, and when you visit Florence, you’ll understand why.

Work up an appetite seeing Florence’s famous landmarks, wandering through its cobbled streets, and seeing its world-renowned art galleries. Then stop into a trattoria (a traditional Italian restaurant) for a hearty meal of fagioli all’olio (cannellini beans), or enjoy an aperitivo (pre-dinner snack) of cheeses, meat, olives, and bread with a glass of Chianti wine. Whether you’re looking for a gastronomic experience for one, a family aperitivo, or a romantic date, there’s food for every occasion. Don’t be misled by the food’s simplicity: Tuscan cuisine is among the most delicious in the world.

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1. Savor a Florentine steak

At the top of any list of what food Florence is known for has to be the famous Florentine steak. A dish with a long history, it typically uses beef from the famously flavorful Tuscan Chianina cattle, cooked to perfection: it will melt in your mouth.

How to eat the best Florentine steak in Florence?

This Guided Walking Tour With Florentine Steak culminates in one of the best trattorias in Florence, where you can enjoy Florence’s most famous food.

2. Pig out on truffles

Florence is one of the best spots in Italy for truffle hunting, and this delectable luxury ingredient is an important feature of Tuscan cuisine. Truffles of different types can be found year-round, with the most highly-prized white truffles in season in the fall.

How to eat the best truffles in Florence?

Truffles are one of the world’s most expensive foodstuffs. Learn how to gather your own with this unique Florence Truffle Hunt and Lunch in the Countryside experience.

3. Indulge in olive oil

In Italy, it’s all about using the finest quality ingredients — and olive oil is a staple. Often credited for the health and long lifespan of Mediterranean people, this popular and delicious food has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

How to try the best olive oil in Florence?

Enjoy this Horseback Ride and Olive Oil Tour: ride through the stunning olive groves of the Tuscan countryside, to one of the region’s most famous olive oil estates. Learn how to identify the best-quality produce with a tasting of the finest cold-pressed extra virgin oil before enjoying a sumptuous lunch.

4. Enjoy an antipasto of pesto

Fresh, homemade pesto is one of life’s great pleasures and is definitely a top food to try in Florence. The famous basil and pine nut sauce originated in the Ligurian region near Florence. This tasty treat can be enjoyed over pasta or with fresh bread.

How to eat the best pesto in Florence?

For the most authentic Ligurian pesto, head out of the city to the beautiful Cinque Terre coast. With this Pesto Making Class in Cinque Terre, learn from a local foodie to create the delicious sauce yourself, using the finest fresh ingredients.

5. Polish off a plate of pasta

There’s more to Italian food than pasta — but it’s an extremely good place to start. Pasta’s a world-famous food for a reason. You’ll find a huge variety of pasta dishes and sauces, each one more delicious than the last. Pasta la vista, baby.

How to eat the best pasta in Florence?

A famous phrase in Italy says ”Pan di sudore, miglior sapore” — ”if you sweat making it, the bread tastes better,” referring to the satisfaction of hard work. By this reasoning, the tastiest pasta will be the one made with your own hands: learn from a professional chef how to make pasta from scratch with this fun Pasta Cooking Experience in Florence.

6. Peck at pecorino cheese

Pecorino cheese has a long history: 2,000 years ago, this sheep’s cheese was used to feed Roman armies. It’s still produced today and is a top food to try on your Tuscan vacation. Flavorful and less salty than other variants, pecorino toscano is generally enjoyed on bread or on its own.

How to eat the best pecorino cheese in Florence?

This Tour of Valdorcia, Brunello Montalcino and Montepulciano is a feast for all the senses: enjoy a tasting in a family-run winery before heading to Pienza, famous for its pecorino cheese, and enjoy a gourmet 3-course lunch.

7. Savor the simplicity of ribollita

One of the top foods to try in Florence, ribollita is a hearty soup made with vegetables, the city’s beloved cannellini beans, olive oil, and bread. It’s a good example of cucina povera — ”poor kitchen,” a tradition of cooking using simple, seasonal, and locally sourced ingredients to create appetizing dishes.

How to eat the best ribollita in Florence?

Take this Guided Food Walking Tour with Tasting for an introduction to cucina povera cooking, and to sample these must-try foods.

8. Try a schiacciata on the street

It doesn’t all have to be fine dining in fancy restaurants. Florence is well-known for its fresh, delicious, and affordable street food. Popular food includes schiacciata, a delicious Florentine flatbread with toppings, and pappa al pomodoro, a traditional tomato soup.

How to eat the best street food in Florence?

As with anywhere, the quality of street food in Florence varies. Take this Street Food Tour with Local Expert Guide to discover the best spots for Florence’s tastiest traditional street eats.

9. Perk yourself up with a coffee

Coffee plays another central role in Italian food culture. Generally speaking, Italians will drink certain types of coffee at specific times of the day: cappuccinos are never drunk after 11:00 AM, macchiatos are a mid-afternoon pick-me-up, and espresso is served after dinner.

How to enjoy the best coffee in Florence?

This Florence Food Walking Tour will take you on a journey through some of the best foods to try in Florence, and will introduce you to different types of Italian coffee in a typical Italian bar, before making further stops to try local delicacies, truffles, cheese, wine, and gelato.

10. Sip on exquisite Chianti wines

Tuscany is one of Europe’s most acclaimed wine-producing regions, with Chianti wine exported worldwide. Known in particular for being an excellent accompaniment for food, these wines tend to be medium-bodied, earthy, and delicious and are known as some of the best wines in Italy.

How to taste the best wine in Florence?

In the heart of the city, enjoy this Wine Tasting Tour, where you can taste some of the finest local wines from Montepulciano and Montalcino.

11. Partake in some prosciutto and parmesan

A central ingredient in any Florentine aperitivo worth its salt, prosciutto is a delicious thinly-sliced cured ham. This popular food has a delicate flavor and is often served alongside fresh figs or sweet melon.

How to eat the best prosciutto in Florence?

Head out of town to the Emilia-Romagna region. On this fun Parmesan, Balsamic Vinegar, and Prosciutto Tour, you’ll discover fascinating production techniques and sample some of the region’s most sumptuous produce. Buon appetito.

12. Keep your cool with plenty of gelato

If you have a sweet tooth and you’re looking for what to eat in Florence, look no further. Gelato is one of Italy’s most famous foods — denser and creamier than most ice cream, but with less fat and a wide range of delicious flavors. You’ll find a gelateria on practically every street corner in Florence.

How to eat the best gelato in Florence?

Learn how to make your own gelato with this Gelato Making Class, run by experts at one of Florence’s oldest gelato academies, renowned for its exquisite gelato. Learn the secrets of this artisanal establishment and enjoy eating the fruits of your labor.

FAQs

What are the must-try traditional dishes in Florence?

Florence is famous for a number of dishes. Try an artichoke pie as a starter, then follow it up with a baked arista, a delicious pork loin dish. If you’re feeling brave, try trippa alla Fiorentina, a typical Florentine dish made from tripe.

What are the best food tours in Florence?

There are food tours for every taste in Florence, from traditional Italian food to luxury gourmet experiences. Take a tasting tour of the food markets, or head out to the Chianti countryside for some traditional Tuscan fare.

What are the top local food markets in Florence to visit?

The famous Mercato Centrale is the best-known market, and its food court is a great place to grab a snack. For a more local and authentic vibe, head to the Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio, where you can find fresh fruit and vegetables, and artisan produce.

What is the best time of year to visit Florence for food lovers?

Spring is a great time to visit for foodies: the weather is mild and pleasant to sit outdoors, there is an abundance of fresh produce, and the wine is at its best in springtime as the newest vintages are released. Fall is when wild forest delicacies, such as Tuscany’s delicious white truffles, can be enjoyed.

How much should I budget for food in Florence?

While this varies according to your tastes, you can eat well in Florence on a budget of €35-€40 per day: expect a main course to cost around €15.