World-class art, iconic architecture, and incredible wine are just a few reasons to visit Florence, but what should you eat? Oh my goodness, if you love trying local food, I’ve got FOUR “must-try” things to eat in Florence—and the places where to best to enjoy them! Be sure to read to the end to discover a truly fabulous food tour.
Want to indulge in local foods? Here’s your list of what to eat in Florence.
This list could be longer! But a few typical Florentine foods weren’t my thing. Like Bistecca alla Fiorentina, a huge grilled steak served rare (ideally paired with a glass of Tuscan wine). Or Florence’s best-known street food, the Panino al Lampredotto, a sandwich made from cow innards. But if you’re a meat-eater, add these two dishes to your list!
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Gelato
People with great taste buds have added sweet flavourings to crushed ice for thousands of years. But it wasn’t until the 16th century that Bernardo Buntalenti invented gelato in Florence. Buntalenti wasn’t a cook but an architect who perfected a frozen dessert created by fellow Florentine Cosimo Ruggeri. Today, there’s no shortage of wonderful gelaterias, but here are two favourites.
Badiani is a 2-minute walk from the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore at 14 via dei Tosinghi. Their signature flavour, Buontalenti, is a recreation of Bernardo Buntalenti’s renaissance recipe for gelato. It’s simple—cream, milk, eggs, and sugar—yet unbelievably delicious. Their luscious Pistachio Simphony is also delightful, ultra creamy and studded with bright green pistachios.
La Soberttiera on Piazza Torqueto Tasso is in the Oltrarno (the other side of the Arno river). It’s worth the +20-minute walk from the Duomo. If I could only recommend one thing to eat while in Florence, it would be a gelato from La Soberttiera. It was the best gelato I have EVER eaten.
Their creamy version of Buontalenti was excellent. But I fell in love with their Catrame a rich dark chocolate, almost fudgy gelato. It was so good that I returned for a second cone less than 24 hours later.
Affogato
The best thing I ate in Florence was an affogato at historic Vivoli il Gelato. Like so many delicious things, affogato was born in Italy, although the creator of this heavenly mix of expresso and gelato is unknown. Since gelato was invented in Florence, I’m going to assume (with zero evidence) that the first affogato was also enjoyed in the city.
Vivoli il Gelato opens at 8:30 a.m., so I might have had one of their affogatos for breakfast. Served in a china coffee cup, a generous portion of Vivoli’s vanilla gelato is moulded inside before it’s filled with delicious espresso. The cold creaminess of the sweet gelato combined with the hot, rich espresso is divine.
Or simply grab a cone with a few scoops of their wonderful gelato (one won’t be enough) and take a stroll to the nearby Piazza di Santa Croce. It’s especially wonderful at sunset when the final rosy rays of the day are cast on the Basilica di Santa Croce.
Schiacciata con l’uva
Schiacciata con l’uva is a seasonal treat only baked during the grape harvest. So, if you visit from September to October, this grape-studded flatbread is one thing you must eat in Florence.
It’s beautiful, with an abundance of grapes crushed into the dough and topped with sugar crystals, making for a jammy bite. And it’s a bit messy to eat, with an odd crunch, as the tiny grape seeds aren’t removed.
Try it from Forno Becagli, a small bakeshop with a glass showcase filled with all kinds of baked wonders. And if it is not harvest season, don’t hesitate to try another Tuscan classic like their Tortina della Nona, a custard tart dusted with shaved almonds and powdered sugar.
Negroni
Another Florentine invention is the Negroni, created for the Count de Negroni in 1919. It is one part gin, one part vermouth rosso, and one part Campari, and it is always served over ice with an orange peel garnish. While in Florence, I hunted for Caffè Casoni, where the Count had his first sip of this vibrant orange cocktail, but unfortunately, it no longer exists. But based on my amateur sleuthing, I believe it was at or near Caffé Rivoire, located on the Piazza della Signoria.
Indulge in the Caffé Rivoire’s Negroni Experience. A tasting of their Classic Negroni, a slight twist on a negroni (which looked and tasted quite similar to the classic) and their Special, which was like a negroni jello-shooter but served in a cut crystal glass with a small silver spoon.
Another great place for cocktails is Bulli & Balene, a Spritz & Cicchetti bar located at via Dello Sprone 14r. I made a pitstop for a couple of Italian open-faced sandwiches (cicchettis) and a negroni before climbing up to Piazzale Michelangelo for sunset.
Florentine Sunset Food & Wine Tour
If you’re in Florence, for even for one night, you MUST do a Sunset Food & Wine tour. And if you are staying longer, do this tour on your first night to discover what to eat from a local.
Travelling solo? Don’t hesitate. The easiest way to make new travel friends is over food and wine.
The evening started with a glass of bubbles in the beautiful Piazza Santo Spirito. We then enjoyed generous portions of local food from several Florentine food purveyors. And the night ended with the BEST gelato that I have ever had!
If there is ONE thing that you do in Florence, this is it!!
Are you planning to visit Italy and love to try local food? Then you absolutely need to check out What to Eat in Rome: 7 Delicious Things You Need to Try!
