Florence, city of art, culture and... good food! The Tuscan capital, a must-visit destination for tourists from all over the world, is targeted every year not only for its monuments and sights to see, but also for its restaurants, its osterias, and its historic places where you can delight your taste buds with street food to die for.
Let's take a trip through the Florentine doc gastronomy and discover the top ten delicacies of the city, and where to enjoy them.
1 - Florentine steak
The jewel in the crown of Florentine food and wine. Take care to recognise the real Florentine steak! It must be really huge to look at. The steak is obtained from the cut from the loin of the Chianina beef, i.e. the one corresponding to the lumbar vertebrae. The most commonly used portion is the one over a kilo (between 1.3 and 1.7). The price is set precisely per kilo, and is around €40.00/60.00.
It is served strictly rare, i.e. it is only cooked for 3 to 4 minutes. Beware of asking for a longer cooking time! Florentines are rather touchy about this: the Florentine steak must be eaten and enjoyed as tradition dictates, i.e. rare.
Recommended for: lunch or dinner
Average cost: €40.00-60.00 per kg
Main ingredients: Chianina or Fassona beef steak of at least 1.2 kg, at least 4 fingers high
2 - Ribollita
Photo by Joy. Florence rhymes with ribollita. The bread and vegetable soup, so called because it is boiled twice, is a real must in the culinary tradition of the city and the entire Tuscan region.
Recommended for: lunch or dinner
Average cost:€5.00
Main ingredients: stale bread, tomato sauce, onion, cabbage, courgettes
3 - Lampredotto
Photo by istockphoto - Francesco Vignali. 
It is the main dish of Florentine street food. Lampredotto - named in homage to an aquatic invertebrate, whose mouth has a similar shape to the design of this tasty tripe - is one of the favourite foods of locals and tourists, who are also wont to label as'legendary' some restaurateurs who provide restaurant or 'fast food' versions of it, in the evergreen takeaway sandwich.
Recommended for: street food par excellence, can be a great lunch or dinner option
Average cost: €3.50
Main ingredients: abomasum (one of four beef stomachs), tomato, onion, celery, parsley, sandwich
4 - Ice Cream
Incredible to believe, the Tuscan capital is also famous for its ice cream. In the summer season this food cannot be underestimated, an excellent meal replacement, but also a quick and tasty snack to be eaten in the streets of the city, provided, however, that it is made in the best ice-cream parlours in Florence.
Recommended: snack
Average cost: €2.00 (cone)
Main ingredients: cream, fruit, chocolate, hazelnuts
5 - Schiacciata dolce alla Fiorentina
Photo by fugzu. A typical dessert of the carnival period, schiacciata can be eaten alone or accompanied by Chantilly cream or whipped cream. Absolutely to be tasted all year round.
Recommended for: as a dessert or snack
Average cost: €15.00 empty; €24.00 the filled version
Main ingredients: eggs, sugar, flour, orange zest
6 - Pappa al pomodoro
Photo by Trattoria Da Mario. Just smelling it is enough to bring to mind the famous song dedicated to it! Loved by young and old, pappa al pomodoro is a classic example of how simplicity at the table can generate a riot of flavours and colours from which it becomes impossible to detach oneself.
Recommended for: lunch or dinner
Average cost: €7.00
Main ingredients: stale Tuscan bread, tomato, garlic, basil, extra virgin olive oil
7 - Tripe
Photo by Alpha. One of the Florentines' best-loved dishes is undoubtedly tripe, to be eaten hot and prepared according to tradition.
Recommended for: lunch or dinner, possibly as a single dish
Average cost: €10.00
Main ingredients: beef stomach, celery, tomato, pepper, parmesan cheese
8 - Cantucci
Photo by Matteo Bertini. The winning combination at any self-respecting end of a meal is cantucci and wine. Cantucci, a type of dry biscuit native to nearby Prato, have quickly become one of the staple dishes of Florentine gastronomy, revisited in numerous variants, all very tasty.
Recommended for: as a dessert at the end of a meal
Average cost: €24.00 per kg
Main ingredients: flour, sugar, eggs, almonds
9 - Schiacciata salata
Photo by RodzillaReviews web site. Known from the Antico Vinaio, it can actually be found in practically every wine shop and bar in the city. It is a focaccia stuffed with cured meats and various creams, there are hundreds of versions, one better than the other.
Recommended for: lunch or dinner, as an alternative to the classic restaurant
Average cost: about €5.00
Main ingredients: schiacciata, vegetables, cold cuts
10 - Black cabbage
Fine vegetable, declined in soups, porridge or as a simple side dish. Florentine chefs are true masters in cooking the delicious black cabbage, to the delight of vegans, vegetarians or simple vegetable lovers.
Recommended for: lunch or dinner
Averagecost: a ribollita with kale or soup costs on average €5.00/8.00
Main ingredients: cavolo nero goes well with pasta dishes or in full-bodied soups, or as a basic ingredient in farinate
Where to eat in Florence: best restaurants, typical venues and street food
The Florentine culinary tradition features many dishes such as Florentine steak, ribollita, stale bread and bean soup, cacciucco and lampredotto. To taste these delicacies, the Mercato Centrale in San Lorenzo is the ideal place with a wide choice and low prices. The historic centre, however, also offers a good number of historic osterias and trattorias, as well as modern and other starred restaurants for good food on a variety of budgets. Here is where to eat in Florence!
1 - Osteria di Giovanni
Description: small, traditional restaurant, often crowded, offering a traditional menu where the quality of the dishes is excellent. In addition to the Florentine steak you can taste a superlative ribollita
Speciality: Florentine steak and ribollita
Average price: from €25.00 per person
Address: via Del Moro 22 - Get directions / tel: 055 284897
2 - Osteria de 'Cicalini
Description: modern furnishings but familiar atmosphere with typical menu and wide choice of local wines
Specialities: lasagna with Florentine tripe ragout and Parmigiano Reggiano cream
Average price: from €30.00 per person
Address: via delle Oche, 15 red - Get directions
3 - Perseus
Description: already from the entrance you will understand what awaits you. The shop window is full of cuts of meat, T-bone steaks, sausages. The top place to eat the real Florentine steak
Speciality: T-bone steak
Average price: from €40.00 per person
Address: Viale Don Giovanni Minzoni, 10/R - Get directions / tel: 055 588226
4 - Buca Lapi Restaurant
Description: an old cellar with retro furnishings and typical Florentine menu, mainly meat-based
Speciality: Fiorentina steak
Average price: from €35.00 per person
Address: via del Trebbio, 1r - Get directions
5 - Trattoria Le Mossacce
Description: restaurant with a retro and familiar atmosphere that offers typical Florentine cuisine and an extensive wine list.
Speciality: ribollita
Average price: from €15.00 per person
Address: via del Proconsolo, 55/R - Get directions
6 - Trattoria Da Mario
Description: Operating for over 60 years inside the historic Palazzo del Gattamelata. It offers typical Tuscan cuisine in a friendly and familiar atmosphere. Tagliata, peposo, ribollita and fiorentina are the real stars. Open Mon to Sat 12pm-3.30pm.
Speciality: Tagliata, peposo, ribollita and fiorentina steak
Average price: from €20.00 per person
Address: via Rosina, 2R - Get directions / Tel: 055218550
7 - Trattoria La Casalinga
Description: Ribollita, wild boar, stracotto al Chianti, baccalà alla livornese and many other delicacies. A family-run restaurant, where for years students and lawyers, tourists and businessmen have been meeting to enjoy good wine in good company. Open Mon to Sat 12:00 to 14:30 and 19:00 to 22:00.
Specialities: Ribollita, wild boar, stracotto al Chianti
Average price: from €20.00 per person
Address: Via Dei Michelozzi, 9R - Get directions / Tel: 055218624
8 - Salt Theatre
Description: buffet restaurant with Tuscan recipes, it is also a real theatre that offers tasteful shows in the evening. Open Tue to Sat 9am to 10.30pm and Sun 9am to 3pm.
Speciality: Tuscan recipes
Average price: from €17.00 per person - evening surcharge of €10.00 per show
Address: via De' Macci, 111R - Get directions / Tel: 0552001492
9 - Trattoria Sabatino
Description: A traditional restaurant offering castrato, tripe, cod, veal tongue and much more. Typical environment of the trattorias of yesteryear, for those who care about the substance of the dishes without renouncing the traditional atmosphere. Open Mon to Fri 12:00-14:30 and 19:15-22:00.
Specialities: mutton, tripe, cod, veal tongue
Average price: from €15.00 per person
Address: via Pisana, 2 - Get directions / Tel: 055225955
10 - Nerbone
Description: inside the Mercato Centrale, this is a kiosk offering lampredotto sandwiches, finocchiona, pecorino and all kinds of Tuscan cold cuts. The long queue at the counter well represents the high quality of the products on offer. Open Mon to Sat 7am to 2pm.
Specialities: lampredotto, finocchiona
Average price: from €12.00 per person
Address: Mercato Centrale - Get directions / Tel: 055219949
11 - The Vinaino
Description: A typical Florentine restaurant that runs mainly lengthwise, with a counter for displaying cold cuts and various delicacies. It offers typical cuisine with cold cuts, meats and fresh pasta. Excellent accompanying wines. Open every day 11.30am-3pm and 6.30pm-9.30pm.
Speciality: Tuscan cuisine
Average price: from €10.00 per person
Address: via Palazzuolo, 124R - Get directions / Tel: 055292287
12 - Wine House
Description: Historic wine shop where time seems to stand still. Wine tasting by the glass and typical Florentine schiacciate and sandwiches. Particularly recommended for a break while visiting the city. Open Mon-Sat 09:30-16:30.
Speciality: schiacciate
Average price: from €10.00 per person
Address: via Ariento, 16R - Get directions / Tel: 055215609
13 - Da' Vinattieri
Description: Little more than a kiosk overlooking the street, it offers freshly baked schiacciate stuffed with lampredotto, finocchiona or other typical Tuscan cured meats, as well as ribollita, pappa al pomodoro, game, soups and fried food. Open daily 11am-7pm.
Speciality: schiacciate
Average price: from €8.00 per person
Address: via Santa Margherita, 4R - Get directions / Tel: 055215609
14 - All'Antico Vinaio
Description: Chopping boards of cold cuts, sandwiches and schiacciate con Sbriciolona (flatbreads with Sbriciolona), sliced meats of all kinds and cheeses accompanied by generous glasses of wine: the quality of the tasting is worth the long queue that is usually found outside the restaurant. Open every day from 10am to 10pm.
Speciality: schiacciate
Average price: from €8.00 per person
Address: via dei Neri, 74R - Get directions / Tel: 0552382723
15 - I Fratellini
Description: Famous place in the centre of Florence, it looks like a small shop serving sandwiches stuffed with typical Tuscan cold cuts and cheeses and accompanied by the inevitable glass of wine. Open every day 10am-7pm.
Speciality: schiacciate
Average price: from €6.00 per person
Address: via Dei Cimatori, 38R - Get directions / Tel: 0552396096
