Florence Restaurant Tips by cpiers47

Gelateria Cillo: and More Gelato!

Thie neighborhood is a great pedestrian area. It's very close to the well-reputed Gelateria dei Neri...but my advice is to try both! Cillo has flavors that other other doesn't, and the bright interior makes it a great spot to rest on a hot day.

The owner is fantastically nice, as well. One of my friends left her camera here, but didn't realize it for a few hours. He smiled and handed it over from where he'd be keeping it sage behind the counter. In a big city like Florence, little kindnesses are always appreciated.

Favorite Dish: My default gelato flavor is is always coconut...and it's very good here. Try combining it with a couple other fruit flavors - or some dark chocolate!

Address: via dei Neri 51 r

Comparison: about average

Directions: Between Piazza della Signoria and Piazza Santa Croce

Phone: http://www.gelateriacillo.it/ita

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 3

Theme: Ice Cream

Website: http://www.gelateriacillo.it/ita/default.asp

Mavi - Cose Turche: Kabobs to Die For

This tiny shop sells Turkish food - kabob and falafel, especially - in the afternoon, evenings and into the night. Popular with students going to and from the clubs and bars in the area, it's the ultimate late night snack.

Favorite Dish: Doner kabobs...gyros to go...whatever you call them! There are a few other items on the menu, but the lamb kabob with everything (yes, even the french fries...although beware the hot sauce!) is absolutely amazing. It tastes especially good if it just happens to be the middle of the night.

Address: via dei Benci 15r

Comparison: less expensive than average

Directions: Just north of via dei Neri on the way toward Santa Croce

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 5

Theme: Middle Eastern

Dining in Florence: Florentine Restaurant Guide

An expat living in Florence has created this incredibly comprehensive restuarant guide for the city. If you're looking for a restaurant of a certain type or in a specific neighborhood, the categories and maps will prove useful.

This is by far the most accessible resource for Florentine dining that I've seen!

**Disclaimer: I'm in no way connected to the site other than having reviewed some of my favorite places. VT is a great spot to find restaurant locations as well, but this collection for Florence really is worth exploring.

Favorite Dish: http:www.dininginflorence.com

Rating: 5

Theme: Local

Acqua al 2: Exclusive and Eclectic

Acqua al Due is almost impossible to get into without a reservation. They only seat people twice each night and so it's best to call ahead and reserve your time. The decorating is surprising, decorated plates cover the walls. Tables are close together but the quality of the food and service makes it worth the fuss!
Closed Mondays.

Favorite Dish: For a light dinner, try the salad sampler. Three or four pasta dishes and salads are served (for one or to share) and all were excellent. The same type of sample plate is available for dessert.

Address: Via dell'Acqua 2

Comparison: about average

Directions: Near Santa Croce

Phone: 055 28 41 70

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 4

Theme: Italian

I Fratellini: Panini Perfetti!

I read about this place in the Lonely Planet guide and circled it many times so that I couldn't possible forget to try it!

The panini are about 2.50 euro each and the selection is great! I tried a couple different but am sure you can't go wrong. This is an amazing price for the city center and it's no wonder that people line up for the sandwiches. The warm bread and fresh fillings are turned into a sandwich in front of you and it's clear this is a family business.

Service can be a bit brisk and the men working didn't have much patience for tourists - but, it was the high season. Don't be put off by the attitude - persevere for the best sandwich you'll eat in the city!

Favorite Dish: The website below is simply a link to a review. Scroll down for the info.

Address: Via dei Cimatori, 38R

Comparison: less expensive than average

Directions: It's a tiny store front and you order from the street - you'll have to look. Or, during lunch time, just follow the crowd!

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 4

Theme: Local

Website: http://www.divinacucina.com/code/duomo.html

Festival de Gelato: Gelato!

You MUST brave the neon lights to try the gelato here! The gelato is inexpensive compared to the more central gelaterias and the quality (in my humble, well-researched opinion) is superior. If the atmostphere is a bit much (EuroMTV and lots of school kids) head out and eat and walk. . .

Favorite Dish: The fruit gelati are my favorite here. Peach and melon. . .mango and papaya . . .green apple and kiwi. If you want a real treat, try coconut (cocco), pineapple (ananas), and chocolate (cioccolato). . .and put it in a waffle cone.

Comparison: less expensive than average

Directions: Along via Calzaouli nearer to the Duomo than Piazza della Signoria.

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 5

Theme: Dessert

Le Coloninne: Try the Quattro Stagioni Pizze

To Florentines, this is a tourist trap, but there's a reason it's so popular. The staff is friendly and attentive, the service fast, and the prices loew, especially during the off-season. Le Colonnine is located near Santa Croce and is a great place for a quick lunch or dinner. The pizzas and pasta dishes are excellent, but you might want to forego dessert (which are average) and get a gelato at Vivoli instead!

Favorite Dish: The quattro stagione pizza is the best for a quick, inexpensive meal. It seems large for one person but is just enough for a meal: mozzerella cheese, tomato sauce, artichoke hearts, olives, mushrooms, and sausage. If it's the off-season, the menu is larger and you can try the gnocchi with asparagus tips and shrimp.

Address: Via de' Benci

Comparison: less expensive than average

Directions: Between Santa Croce and the Arno

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 5

Theme: Diner

Ciro and Sons: Busy San Lorenzo Restaurant

Ciro and Sons occupies a Florentine palace whose interior is covered in frescos from the 1700's. The frescos are stunning but the atmosphere is still cozy, thanks to the family pictures that cover the walls of the stairway and the pizzeria's warm oven.

Favorite Dish: This restaurant is not far from San Lorenzo and so gets quite a bit of tourist traffic. But, the food retains its authenticity and we repeatedly returned to enjoy both the very attractive waiters and the taglietelle with truffle cream sauce. The house wine is good but don't hesitate to follow the recommendations of the staff.

Check out their rather fantastic website.

Address: Via del Giglio 28r

Comparison: about average

Directions: Between San Lorenzo and the train station.

Phone: 39 055 289694

Price: US$21-30

Rating: 5

Theme: Italian

Website: http://ciroandsons.com

Trattoria Anita: The Perfect Atmosphere

Trattoria Anita is the place that the Florentines take you for a "real Italian" dinner. The back room is tiny and dimly lit, the walls are lined with wine bottles for your selection. The menu is extensive and inexpensive. We were pleasantly surprised to find that we could get 2 courses for the price of one at another restaurant. The wait staff is friendly and helpful and the more you enjoy the food, the more they enjoy having you there.

Favorite Dish: Everything we tried was excellent. This is where we finally took the plunge and tried bistecca fiorentina - and loved it! I'd also highly recommend the Ravioli with Tomato Sauce. It sounds plain but is the best ravioli I've ever had.

Address: Via Perlascio 2/r

Comparison: less expensive than average

Directions: Near Palazzo Vecchio, off of Via de' Neri

Phone: 055 21 86 98

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 5

Theme: Local