12 Great Places to Eat Near the Florence Cathedral in 2025
Sean Finelli
Are you near the Florence Cathedral, or il Duomo, and looking for a bite to eat? You may be standing in front of a restaurant and wondering if it is an authentic trattoria or an overpriced tourist trap? We love this Renaissance city, so we created this list of the best places to eat within a short walk from the Duomo in the center of Florence.
Best Restaurants Near the Florence Cathedral (Il Duomo)
The Florence Cathedral is undoubtedly one of the top attractions in Florence. The official name in Italian is la Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore which translates into the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Flower. When we say “flower” we are referring to the giglio which is the flower of Florence. That said, the cathedral goes by more than one name. Locals refer to it as Il Duomo which refers to the main church in town.
Il Duomo is located in Piazza del Duomo and is more of a complex of structures. You also have Giotto’s bell-tower and the baptistry. All significant points of interest. Frankly, visiting all or even one of them can spark a hungry, but where are you supposed to eat in such a touristy area? Luckily, we employ many guides in Florence who compiled this list of the best places to eat near the Florence Cathedral.
Eating in Florence Italy | Authentic Food, No Tourist Traps + Dinner
Konnubio*
€€€ | Contemporary | Beautiful Interior | Michelin Star
Chef Beatrice Segoni has really earned the Michelin Star with Konnubio. When you walk in you’ll know two things. First, you will walk out of this restaurant more relaxed than when you walked in. And second, that you will eat really well.
This is a professional dining experience that you’ll really want to mentally prepare for and enjoy. You can tell they spend particular time and attention on the ingredients in which the cook with. Everything is done to perfection.
€€ | Tuscan | Restaurant with Extensive Wine List | ? from the Duomo
I really love this restaurant due to how authentic it is. They are not just a restaurant in the center of Florence near the Duomo. They have another location in Fiesole which is a small hill-top town outside of Florence. This means they have to focus on their cuisine and not rely on their central location.
Both restaurants have a similar menu while the restaurant in Fiesole has a much much better view. If you eat at the Florence location you may just find yourself taking a quick trip to Fiesole for a scenic lunch the next day!
For me, this is the coolest place in Florence. It is a coffee shop by day. They serve coffee, breakfast, and lunch. If you are looking for a break from pizza and pasta or a substantial breakfast it is perfect. You can also sit, have a cappuccino, and soak in the scenery.
By the way, this coffee shop is much more than meets the eyes. It was formerly a hardware store and reopened as a coffee shop, restaurant, flower shop, and general seller of cool things. The feeling of this 16,000 square foot complex makes you want to stay and hang out. They have a full restaurant that is very stylish and the food is killer.
€ | Traditional | Lunch | 1st Floor Central Market | ? from the Duomo
The “best” can be widely misinterpreted or misrepresented. It could mean the nicest, oldest, tastiest, most authentic, or most revolutionary which leaves a lot up to interpretation. Da Nerbone is not the nicest or most revolutionary. It could be the tastiest and possibly the oldest, “dal 1872.”
You’re going to want to come here for lunch as this part of the market is closed for dinner. The food is traditional Florentine cuisine. Bollito is among the most famous but they will host a variety of options.
As always, ask the person serving you what you should get. If you’re nervous by the looks of things, order it anyway and pick a back up plan. Worst case scenario you like everything and will need to walk off your larger meal.
This location is not for the faint of heart. Cafeteria-style seating and possibly the drunkest and most grumpy staff in Italy. I’ve heard them say things I wouldn’t want to repeat but I go continue to go back for the grub.
The Second level of Mercato Centrale or the Florence Central Market is one of my favorite places to pop into due to it’s authentic but modern Italian style. Trust me when I say that Italians don’t go crazy over restaurants with fake ivy painted on the walls. They like great food and definitely appreciate modern style. It’s in their blood.
Here are three great places to try inside Mercato Centrale on the second level:
If you have read through a few of our lists on best places to eat in Florence you are probably starting to understand that beef is a big part of the diet. I recommend you take advantage of that as well. While Italian food is one of the greatest cuisines on Earth, eating pasta two meals a day can get a little boring after day 9.
Trattoria dall’Oste Chianineria is considered one of the best steak houses in the city and its a few blocks from the Duomo. It is a great choice for a hearty lunch after visiting the Duomo or a wonderful and long dinner.
I have been going to this little Trattoria for over ten years and love it due to their old-school style. They only have 10 or so tables but they’ll make use of every seat – literally. You could be sitting down with your travel partner when all the sudden a few other people sit down at your table as well. That is traditional Osteria style. That means every seat is utilized.
It may feel a little gimmicky today and it is but they’ve been doing this since 1953 when they opened. That said, their food is inexpensive and delicious which makes it a great place to try some more traditional dishes.
Florence Day Trip to Tuscany: Siena, San Gimignano & Winery Lunch
Planning a day in Tuscany’s countryside can be tricky, with winding roads, remote villages, and countless wineries to choose from. With a 3-course lunch and 5 wine tastings, allow us to take the guesswork out of your Tuscan experience. Start in Florence, drive through Siena’s rolling hills, walk the medieval streets of San Gimignano, and tour a family-run Chianti winery. Along the way, learn the stories behind Chianti’s renowned wines and soak in the charm of Tuscany’s most stunning landscapes.
Planning to hit all of Florence’s highlights in one day can be a lot to manage. We’ll take care of every detail so all you have to do is enjoy the experience. With skip-the-line access, insider stories, and a charismatic guide who knows the city inside and out, you’ll see everything from Michelangelo’s David and the Florence Duomo to Ponte Vecchio and masterpieces by Caravaggio and Botticelli at the Uffizi Gallery. Experience Florence with all the must-sees, and none of the stress.
Not ready to book a tour? Check out our Florence Guide for more info.
La Giostra
€€€ | High-end | Romantic | RSVP
La Giostra is a great place for a fancy dinner. They have great presentation and fantastic food. If you are looking for a romantic night out this would be among my first choices.
€€ | Restaurant & Wine Bar | Outdoor Seating | ? from the Duomo
This one of those places you’ll eat lunch at then end up coming back for dinner or after dinner for a drink. Why? Because it has lovely outdoor seating, good service and high quality food and wine. It has a traditional but elegant interior design that will make you feel comfortable enough to order that dangerous second bottle of wine after dinner!
The name comes from its location right outside the Basilica of San Lorenzo – patron saint of Lorenzo dè Medici. Many of the Medici are entombed a few meters away from the restaurant in the Medici Chapel which is what this restaurant is named after. Best part, this great pick is only a 5-minute walk from the Florence Cathedral.
Florence is the capital of the Tuscany region in Italy, and it’s a positively enchanting city to visit. Find out the best neighborhoods and hotels we recommend!
Sean is a co-founder and owner of The Tour Guy and its subsidiary The Roman Guy. He studied finance and statistics, but that is his "Dr. Jekyll" side! His "Mr. Hyde" is in love with travel, art, history, and culture. Sean has read libraries of historical text and believes that all internet content should come from books. A practice he follows!
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