Food
Where to eat in Florence
Bistecca, lampredotto, ribollita and gelato: the dishes to try in Florence and where to eat them, from markets to neighbourhood trattorias.
Updated 22 October 2026
Dishes to try
- Bistecca alla fiorentina: a thick T-bone steak, grilled and served rare. It's sold by weight (often from 1 kg) and meant for sharing.
- Lampredotto: Florence's street sandwich, tripe simmered in broth with green sauce and a little chilli. Eaten standing at the kiosks.
- Ribollita and pappa al pomodoro: Tuscan bread, vegetable and tomato soups. Perfect in winter.
- Schiacciata: Tuscan flatbread stuffed with cured meats and cheese. All'Antico Vinaio on Via dei Neri is the most famous name (and the longest queue).
- Pappardelle with wild boar, crostini neri, cantucci e vin santo.
- Gelato: Florence claims to have invented it. Skip the brightly piled mountains in the window: good artisan gelato is kept in covered tubs.
Where to eat
Mercato Centrale
In San Lorenzo, near the station. The historic market on the ground floor, and upstairs a big food hall with fresh pasta, pizza, lampredotto and wine. Great for a quick lunch or a group who all want different things.
Sant'Ambrogio market
The locals' market, less touristy, near Santa Croce. Produce stalls and simple lunchtime trattorias.
Santa Croce and Oltrarno
The best trattorias for steak and Tuscan cooking are around Santa Croce, Sant'Ambrogio, Santo Spirito and San Frediano. Walk two streets away from the monuments and prices drop.
Food tours and cooking classes
A 3-hour food tour gets you tasting lampredotto, cured meats, cheese, wine and gelato with a guide who explains everything. A fresh pasta class is perfect on a rainy day.
Tips
- A cover charge (bread and service) is normal and shown on the menu.
- Bistecca is served rare: ordering it well done is frowned upon.
- Book dinner at weekends, especially at well-known trattorias.
- Dinner starts from 7:30pm.
FAQ
What to eat in Florence?
Bistecca alla fiorentina, lampredotto, ribollita, pappa al pomodoro, schiacciata and gelato.
How much is bistecca alla fiorentina?
It's priced by weight and the price per kilo is on the menu; one steak usually serves two.
Where to eat lampredotto?
At street kiosks and the Mercato Centrale.
More guides
Prices and hours can change: always check the official websites before your visit.
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