The 11 Best Restaurants in Florence Italy 2022

Florence is the cultural capital of Europe and one of the most sought-after destinations in the World. This is due to a cocktail of positive attributes but many would argue that the local cuisine and restaurants draw in the majority of visitors. What is more important? The Birth of Venus or the Bistecca Fiorentina? Luckily, we don’t have to decide – you can have both!

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Travel Tip: Bookmark this post in your browser. It will come in handy when you’re looking for a great place to eat. Also, check out our top foods to eat in Florence when you’re wondering what to order. Our local guides helped compile these lists so you can have the most authentic experience possible. If you want to dig deeper – check out our Florence food tour. It’s led by local foodies who are passionate about local food and folklore.

The Absolute Best Restaurants in Florence for 2022

Twelve in Total

The word “best” is very cut and dry in most uses except with food. Your best meal in Florence could cost you 4€ at Nerbone in Mercato Centrale or 140€ at Il Pilagio. While these restaurants sit on opposite sides of the spectrum in terms of cost they could rank equally in terms of flavor. In our list of the best restaurants in Florence you’ll find beauty and beast seated next to each other. Pizza & street food next to fine dining.

Gurdulù Gastronomia

€€ | Italian Food Cooked with French Techniques | Outdoor Garden Seating | ?  from Pitti Palace

I am a sucker for contemporary restaurants and Gurdulù is exactly that. Chef Entiana Osmenzeza has created a very cool dining atmosphere and her dishes reflect the space. Osmenzeza has taken traditional Florentine and Italian dishes and executed them in a contemporary fashion using French techniques that create a dining experience to be remembered.

I highly recommend this for lunch or dinner. You can come here after visiting the Pitti Palace or make a journey to Santo Spirito/Oltrarno just for this restaurant. Their wine list is cultivated so well–I would be surprised if you’d recognize even one wine on their list.

Address: Via della Caldaie, 12R

Hours: 10:30 am – 9:30 pm | Closed Wednesday

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.

Address: Via dei Conti, 8r

Hours: 7 – 10pm

Il Pilagio*

€€€€ | Fine Dining | Michelin Star

Il Pilagio is considered one of Florence’s finest restaurants if not the finest restaurant in the city. This is due to it’s opulent decor and exquisite menu created by chef Vito Mollica. Mollica earned a Michelin star from his regional recipes which have a contemporary flair.

All in all, Il Pilagio is what I would refer to as “ridiculously nice.” Like any other Michelin Star restaurant, it will come with a price tag but to many, it is worth it.

Address: Borgo Pinti, 99

Enoteca Pinchiorri***

€€€€ | Outdoor Seating | 3 Michelin Stars | Best Restaurants on Earth

Enoteca Pinchiorri has been in it’s location in Florence since 1984. In 1993, it was awarded 3 Michelin stars which it has maintained since then. In 2008, it was voted the 32nd best restaurant in the world. The restaurant not only has 3 Michelin stars but 3 chefs; Annie Feolde, Italo Bassi, and Riccardo Monco.

I honestly can say I am not a talented enough writer to accurately describe the quality of food you will eat here. You have to imagine that they have earned 3 stars which means they operate on a completely different level. My recommendation is to bring lots of money, an empty stomach, and dress fancy.

Enoteca Pinchiorri is without a doubt the best restaurant in Florence. It is also without a doubt the most expensive restaurant in Florence. If you have the money then you should go.

Address: Via Ghibellina, 87

Hours: 7:30 – 10 pm Tues – Th | 12:30 – 3pm Fri – Sun

Osteria Cinghiale Bianco

€€ | Tuscan & Florentine Cuisine | Family Friendly | ?  from Pitti Palace

An Osteria originally was a place you could bring your own food too. Sound strange? Instead of serving food, they’d function more like a low-key bar and serve wine or charge for table service only. They later evolved to having a daily changing menu with one of two options of warm cheap food. Today, they are much more elaborate but Osteria Cinghiale Bianco has that traditional feel and hearty dishes. This is why we’ve recommended Cinghiale Bianco for almost ten years.

At Cinghiale Bianco, they serve traditional Tuscan and Florentine dishes. It is probably the most traditional restaurant near the Pitti Palace in Santo Spirito which makes it a great choice. For all of the above reasons, I love this quaint little place and almost always make a stop there while in Florence.

Address: Borgo S. Jacopo, 43

Hours: Daily 7 – 10:30 pm | 12 – 2:30 Sat & Sun

La Ménagère

€€ | Cafe and Restaurant | Family Friendly

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.

Address: Via de’ Ginori, 8r

Hours: 9am – 11:30 pm Daily

Caffe Dell’Oro

€€€€ | Michelin Plated | Upscale | Outdoor Seating

This treasure is the polar opposite of Nerbone in price, food, and ambiance.  It shows how amazing of a city Florence is to have them on the same list!

Caffe dell’Oro is traditional Florentine cuisine in an upscale but comfortable setting.  Perfect for an evening date or extravagant lunch.

It is recommended by the Michelin guide but does not have an official star. This means the prices are high but not outrageous. The view and feel of this restaurant is one of the best in Florence.

Address: Lungarno degli Acciaiuoli 4 

Hours: Tues-Sun 12-3pm, 7pm-11pm 

Se Sto on Arno Rooftop

€€€ | Terrace Seating | Upscale Atmosphere | Rooftop Bar

In my opinion, rooftop bars and restaurants are the best. Se Sto is exactly that. A beautiful rooftop bar and restaurant in on top of the Westin hotel with great drinks and a refreshing menu. I wouldn’t got here for a four course meal but if you decide to order a second round of drinks and start to get hungry you can definitely have a filling meal here.

The food is not simply expensive hotel food where you pay for the view. You will most definitely pay for the view but the menu was created by a now Michelin Star chef and is exquisite. Dishes range from 18€ – 26€ and are mostly comprised of delicious salads, sandwiches or pasta.

Address: Piazza Ognissanti, 3

Hours: Noon – Midnight

Tours of Chianti & Florence

Coquinarius

€€ | 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!

Address: Via delle Oche, 11

Hours: 7 – 11 pm Tues – Sat | Noon – 3pm Sat & Sun

Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura

€€€ | Contemporary | ?  from Uffizi

If you are willing to try something more gourmet, but still typical Florentine cuisine, you might find the Gucci Osteria appealing. And yes, this restaurant is owned by Gucci which makes it more unique (and expensive). Gucci chose chef Massimo Bottura, the Italian rule breaker is known for his innovative ideas, to create their menu and deploy high-end flavor.

Bottura is, in fact, able to change tradition but somehow still be traditional. This restaurant is open for lunch and dinner and will be a memorable place to eat footsteps from the Uffizi.

Address: Piazza della Signoria, 10

Hours: 12:30 PM – 3 PM, 7 PM – 10 PM

Da Nerbone (Mercato Centrale)

€ | 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.

Address: Inside Mercato Centrale (East Corner)

Hours: Mon-Sat 8am – 3pm 

Looking for local cuisine while in Florence? Try our highly-rated Florence food tour led by local foodies. It is a fun culinary experience in Florence that shouldn’t be missed!