Florence Food Guide: What to Eat, Drink & Experience Like a Local (2026)

This Florence food guide explores what to eat in Florence, where locals actually go, and how to experience the city through its traditional dishes, street food, wine and authentic culinary experiences.

Where to Eat in Florence for an Authentic Local Experience

Curious where Florentines actually sit down to eat? So were we.

There is something special about discovering the places locals return to, especially when it comes to food. We spent time exploring Florence, gathering recommendations that go beyond the usual tourist spots, and we found restaurants where you can truly experience the city’s culinary soul. Warm, authentic places that feel like home.

If you’re looking for an honest meal in a real Florentine setting, keep reading.

Eating in Florence: A Story Told Through Taste

Eating in Florence can feel like flipping through an old, well-loved history book, one told through flavour rather than words.

On the plate, you can sense the simplicity of the Etruscans, the Roman love for order, the refined touch of the Renaissance, and the rural cleverness that kept families fed through difficult years. Florentine cuisine isn’t about showing off. It’s about care, remembrance, and respect for ingredients. And we feel this most clearly in the places locals continue to choose.

The charm lies in simplicity: good ingredients, time, and a little love.

Where Florentines Actually Sit Down to Eat

New places come and go, but locals return to restaurants that feel familiar: warm, lively, and honest. That’s where the real joy of eating in Florence lives.

Trattoria Cammillo

A meal at Trattoria Cammillo feels like stepping into Florentine history. Open since 1945 and still family-run, it balances refinement with tradition. White tablecloths, a serious wine list, and recipes rooted in generations of cooking give it the soul of a true trattoria.

Osteria Santo Spirito

In the heart of the Oltrarno, Osteria Santo Spirito sits on one of the city’s most loved local squares. This is where neighbours meet, long lunches turn into lively dinners, and visitors blend right in. Portions are generous, prices fair, and the atmosphere unmistakably local.

These aren’t hidden gems.
They’re simply where locals feel at home, and that’s exactly the point.

Steak Is Sacred in Florence (and Always Rare)

When it comes to steak, Florentines don’t negotiate.

Bistecca alla Fiorentina is shared, ordered rare, and eaten slowly. At Il Latini, dinner is a celebration: wine flows freely, side dishes are shared, and lively conversation fills the room.

For something quieter, Trattoria Bordino offers the same respect for meat in a more intimate setting. Family-run for over 40 years, Bordino grills its steaks over charcoal, no shortcuts. No background music either – by choice. Conversation is the soundtrack. Rule of thumb: trust the kitchen, take your time, and never ask for medium.

From Pizza to Schiacciata (and Lampredotto for the Brave)

Pizza may not be Tuscan by birth, but Florence has embraced it fully. Locals know exactly where to go when the craving hits, from crisp Neapolitan-style pizza to quick slices grabbed at bakeries like Sartoni.

Street food follows the same philosophy. A schiacciata sandwich is treated with just as much respect as a sit-down meal, especially around Via dei Neri and Piazza della Passera.

And then there’s lampredotto, the true king of Florentine street food. Soft, delicate, served in a sandwich with green sauce. Just eat it standing up, sleeves rolled, and don’t make a big deal out of it.

Aperitivo and the Art of Slowing Down

Aperitivo is when the workday ends and life begins again.

You might find yourself by the Arno, Ponte Vecchio in front of you, a spritz in hand or at Babae, one of the city’s most loved aperitivo spots. Famous for wine, cocktails, and especially the Negroni (invented right here in Florence), it’s always buzzing with conversation.

A simple glass often turns into a long evening with friends, or with someone you’ve just met.

Small Rituals, Big Stories

Some of Florence’s most charming traditions are also the simplest.

Wine windows hidden in old palaces still serve glasses straight through stone frames. Gelato sparks endless debates: La Strega Nocciola, Carraia, or Perché No? Coffee is taken seriously but without fuss: an espresso at the bar, a nod to the barista, and on you go.

Florence doesn’t reinvent its food.
It simply keeps doing what it has always done: cooking with confidence, restraint, and memory.

Eat here, and you won’t just fill your stomach. You’ll begin to understand the city itself.

Local Perspective from Cooking Italy

Florence’s food culture and culinary traditions reveal themself most clearly through experience. Beyond restaurants, it lives in neighbourhood trattorias, wine bars, and kitchens where traditional recipes are still prepared by hand.

Working closely with local chefs, restaurant owners, and artisans across the city offers a clearer understanding of everyday life in Florence. Whether sharing a meal, discovering seasonal specialities, or learning to make fresh pasta, these moments provide insight into the traditions that define Tuscan cuisine.

For travellers planning their visit, understanding these food traditions is often the first step toward experiencing Florence beyond its monuments. Our guided food tour in Oltrarno, Florence and  pasta-making class in Florence offer an opportunity to explore local neighbourhoods, taste traditional dishes and regional wines, and understand the cultural context behind them. Many guests join a food tour in Florence on the first day to get familiar with the city and its cuisine, and later take a pasta making class in Florence for a deeper, hands-on experience.

For those who want to connect more deeply with Florentine cuisine, these experiences offer a closer look at traditional recipes, local ingredients, and the rhythms of everyday life in the city.

FAQ: Florence Food Guide

What food is Florence famous for?

Florence is famous for bistecca alla Fiorentina, schiacciata sandwiches, ribollita soup, fresh pasta, and traditional Tuscan wines.

Where do locals eat in Florence?

Locals eat in neighbourhood trattorias, wine bars in Oltrarno, and traditional family-run restaurants away from main tourist streets.

What is the best food experience in Florence?

Cooking classes, food tours, and dining in traditional trattorias offer the best way to experience Florentine cuisine.

About the Author

Katarina Pavicevic is a food guide and writer for Cooking Italy, specialising in Italian food culture and culinary traditions. Based in Italy, her work explores regional cuisine, neighbourhood food culture, and the historical influences that shape how Italians eat today. She focuses on documenting food as part of everyday life, helping travellers understand Italy through its culinary traditions.