The Best Food in Florence: An Unforgettable Culinary Experience

Traveling to one of the food capitals of the world comes with high expectations, and Florence exceeded every one of mine. From family-owned trattorias tucked along quiet streets, to unforgettable meals that I’m still dreaming about. Every bite felt like a celebration of authentic Italian cuisine. After spending just 4 weeks eating my way through the city, these are the restaurants, cafés, and food spots that stood out above the rest. Above all, these are the ones I wholeheartedly recommend adding to your Florence itinerary.

Acqua Al 2

Four weeks in Italy gave me plenty of opportunities to find my favorite meal. This restaurant easily earned the top spot. Every single dish we ordered exceeded my expectations. We started with two pasta dishes: the Ravioli con Pecorino e Pere (Pear and Pecorino Ravioli) and the Penne alla Vodka. The pear ravioli was nothing short of incredible. The sweet pear paired perfectly with the salty, nutty pecorino, creating one of the most memorable pasta dishes I ate during my entire time in Italy. Rich, perfectly balanced, and unlike anything I had tried before. It quickly became one of my favorite bites of the trip. My words do not do justice for how delicious this was, and I don’t even like pears!

For our main courses, we first enjoyed the Filetto all’Aceto Balsamico, which is a hand-carved filet mignon seared and finished in a sweet, rich balsamic reduction sauce. Secondly, we had the Filetto al Mirtillo, a hand-carved, tender filet mignon seared to perfection and topped with a savory, sweet, and rich red wine and blueberry reduction sauce. To this day, I still can’t decide which one I preferred. Both were unbelievably tender, bursting with flavor, and cooked flawlessly.

I never would have imagined blueberry paired with steak, but the combination was surprisingly elegant, balancing savory richness with just the right touch of sweetness. It was one of those dishes that completely changed my expectations.

Lastly, we had the Petto di Pollo al Porto, a signature menu item, of a tender, sautéed chicken breast smothered in a rich, velvety Tawny port wine and light cream reduction. I genuinely haven’t stopped thinking about this meal since. Every dish was unforgettable, and if you’re visiting Florence, this restaurant deserves a spot at the very top of your itinerary. It is, without a doubt, a must-try for some of the best food in Florence. View more of the menu here.

Gusta Pizza

Gusta Pizza had a reputation long before we ever took our first bite. Often crowned as serving some of the best pizza in Florence, this beloved neighborhood pizzeria had our expectations set incredibly high. Unlike many restaurants, the menu keeps things simple, focusing almost exclusively on pizza. But don’t mistake simplicity for a lack of options. From the timeless Margherita to indulgent truffle creations and everything in between, the diverse selection offers something for every kind of pizza lover. Don’t be surprised if you find a line stretching out the door, but don’t let it scare you away. Trust me when I say it moves surprisingly fast and is absolutely worth the wait.

We started with a classic Margherita, which was hands down my favorite pizza I had in both Florence and Rome. Next, we tried their popular Pesto Pizza, topped with creamy burrata, and it was absolutely divine. Lastly, we ordered the Truffle Pizza, finished with fresh arugula and burrata. The truffle flavor wasn’t overpowering, allowing the other ingredients to shine and making it an incredibly well-balanced pie. We loved Gusta Pizza so much that we came back for a second visit before leaving Florence just to satisfy our craving—and I’d do it all over again. I would succumb and crown Gusta Pizza as the best pizza in Florence.

Valú Bakery and Cakes

Valú Bakery & Cakes was one of those places that completely exceeded my expectations. Tucked away on a quiet street corner, this bakery instantly caught my attention with the cutest, most charming atmosphere. It felt exactly how I imagine the perfect little bakery would—cozy, welcoming, and almost straight out of a storybook.

What I loved most was how much they had to choose from. Whether you’re stopping in for brunch or just craving something sweet, there’s truly something for everyone. Their brunch menu includes everything from French toast and pancakes to egg plates, sandwiches, and more. And of course, being a bakery, the dessert selection is just as tempting. The display cases are filled with beautiful pastries and baked goods that make it nearly impossible to decide on just one. If you’re anything like me, you’ll probably spend a few extra minutes trying to choose before eventually giving in and ordering more than you planned.

Roosters Cafe

Sometimes traveling across Europe and indulging in the local cuisine every day leaves you craving something familiar from home. We satisfied that craving at the famous Rooster Cafe in Florence. Their menu offers a wide variety of traditional American breakfast favorites, including French toast, breakfast burritos, classic English breakfast plates, bagels, pancakes, and much more. They also serve Caesar salads, chicken wraps, burgers, and club sandwiches. These selections make it the perfect brunch spot for anyone looking for a taste of home.

The food here was excellent and exactly what I had been craving. As dramatic as it sounds, that first bite almost brought tears to my eyes. After weeks of pasta, pizza, and Italian cuisine, having a classic American breakfast felt like the ultimate comfort meal.

After coming back for a second visit, we had the chance to try even more of the menu, and somehow it was just as impressive the second time around. Honestly, every single thing we ordered is something I would recommend. From the crispy chicken and waffles and loaded breakfast burritos to the fluffy pancakes, perfectly cooked eggs, crispy hash browns, buttery toast, and even the burgers, every dish was fresh, flavorful, and exactly what you hope for when you’re craving a taste of home.

Il Teatro

Il Teatro is a restaurant I highly recommend if you’re looking for great food, a lively atmosphere, and the perfect spot for a night out in Florence. I loved the authentic charm this restaurant offered, creating an experience that felt both welcoming and unmistakably Italian. As for the food, it was nothing short of delicious, making it a place I’d happily return to again.

Although I didn’t try the pizza myself, it’s one of the restaurant’s most highly recommended dishes. I would definitely suggest ordering if you visit. They also offer a buy one, get one bottle of wine special that isn’t advertised, so be sure to ask your server about it. It’s a great little insider tip that makes an already enjoyable dining experience even better.

Ozio Bistro

Ozio Bistro was one place that completely took us by surprise. We had no idea we were about to enjoy some of the most thoughtfully curated food of our trip. Like many of my favorite spots, the menu truly has something for everyone. If you’re looking for a lighter meal, they offer delicious Mediterranean-inspired dishes, fresh granola bowls, and other healthy options. For lunch, you’ll find everything from salads, sandwiches, burgers, soups, and pastas to plenty of other choices. My favorite part, though, was the breakfast menu. From delicious toasts and egg plates to fluffy pancakes, French toast, and so many other unique creations, every item looked just as tempting as the last. This is truly some of the best breakfast food in Florence.

Melaleuca

Melaleuca came highly recommended to us, especially for its famous homemade cinnamon rolls. Thankfully, it lived up to every expectation. The warm, freshly baked cinnamon rolls were every bit as delicious as people claimed, but the menu doesn’t stop there. Their breakfast bagels, classic egg and avocado dishes, and other breakfast favorites were just as impressive.

I absolutely loved this spot, and even more so its convenient location. It’s perfectly situated near some of Florence’s best shopping and just steps away from the Duomo, making it an ideal place to grab breakfast before exploring the city.

Trattoria Zà Zà.

Well, well, well… finally, Trattoria Zà Zà. A true staple of Florence’s food scene and easily one of the city’s most iconic restaurants. Loved by both locals and tourists alike, this place has earned its reputation for a reason. If you’re planning to eat here, I definitely recommend making a reservation. That said, don’t let the line scare you away if you don’t have one. We arrived around 8:45–9:00 p.m.—right in the middle of the dinner rush—without a reservation and waited only about 30 minutes to be seated. Trust me, it was more than worth it.

My favorite part was the menu. It has absolutely everything, and I mean everything. The selection is so extensive that you’ll probably spend more time deciding what to order than actually ordering. Whether you’re craving homemade pasta, steak, seafood, pizza, or classic Tuscan dishes, there’s something for everyone. Beyond the incredible food, I loved the atmosphere. It’s lively, welcoming, and feels like exactly the kind of place you’d hope to stumble upon in Florence. Trattoria Zà Zà is famous for a reason, and it’s a restaurant I would absolutely add to your Florence itinerary.

Traveling to Florence means stepping into one of the greatest food cities in the world, and I can confidently say it exceeded every expectation I had. Whether you’re searching for an unforgettable breakfast, authentic Italian pizza, fresh pastries, or the best pasta you’ll ever eat, there’s truly something around every corner. These were the places that stood out to me the most, and every single one is somewhere I would gladly return to. I hope this guide helps you spend a little less time wondering where to eat and a little more time enjoying every bite. Trust me—you really can’t go wrong with any of these. Enjoy the full English menu here!