Tourist Restaurants and other Florence, Italy Restaurant Reviews

Restaurant Name: In Centro

I consider all restaurants in the center of Florence to be tourist restaurants. Some are better than others, of course, so I am writing about my favorites and my not so favorites. Comments are based on the food, the service and friendliness, the price, or the usability of the bathrooms without a hassle.


Leave a Comment

Theme: Italian

Restaurant Name: Gnocchi, Gelatto, Gorgonzola Sauce

BEST GNOCCHI is at NELLA at Via delle Terme, 19/r. Tel: 055-21.89.25. It is so light and tender. A real dream. I had the gnocchi al gorgonzola. Service is not pleasant though. Just ignore it. Mostly local Italians seem to eat there.

BEST GORGONZOLA SAUCE. Nella has the tenderest gnocchi, but I like the gorgonzola sauce at RISTORANTE PAOLI better. The waiters are much nicer too.

BEST GELATO places hands down are VIVOLI and GROM http://www.grom.it/ I also like I Medici on Viale Statuto within walking distance from the train station. It is a local hang out where you wont find tourists. The people there are the nicest in town always with a big smile on their faces.


Leave a Comment

Theme: Italian

Restaurant Name: Rivoire

Rivoire is an elegant bar patisserie across from Palazzo Vecchio on Piazza Signoria. It serves the best hot chocolate in Florence. Great place for sitting outside and watching the people in the Piazza.

Favorite Dish: Hot Chocolate

Leave a Comment

Theme: Italian
Comparison: about average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Address: Piazza Signoria

Restaurant Name: Harry's Bar

Update 1/14/06

I went to Harry's last night. Had two delicious Bellinis at 9E a piece and the gnocci with salmon which was delicious, even if not the most tender gnocci that I have ever eaten. The chocolate cake was not my style. More of a mousse cake which I don't like. The bill was about 50E which I consider expensive.

This is a very elegant bar and restaurant and the regulars, who knew each other, were obviously from among the wealthy Florentines. Even in their casual attire they were expensively dressed.

I was sorry that Leo, the owner from 10 years ago, had retired. I did recognize the bartender from that era, but not the maitre d' who has been there for 20 years. I believe all the others were relatively new.

It was still a real pleasure being there and brought back wonderful memories.

Ties are not necessarily required, but dress is still very nice, even if casual.

ORIGINAL POSTING

If you are dying for a real Martini (if you ask for a Martini in an Italian bar you will get a glass of Martini Rossi) or a Brandy Alexander, this is the place to go. Leo knows how to make them. He also makes an excellent Bellini.

This is a very sophisticated place much like Harry's in other cities, although, I believe they are each owned by different people. The drinks and food are excellent.

Since I was alone, I often went there for lunch, rather than dinner, although, I have seen women dining alone at dinner. The wait staff is very nice and they didn't treat me any differently than people who were with someone else.

I would suggest that you dress nicely-probably would not wear jeans nor shorts. They might require a tie. I don't remember.

Favorite Dish: Anything you order here will be good.

Leave a Comment

Theme: American
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$41 and up  » Currency Converter
Phone: 055/2396700
Address: Lungarno Vespucci 22/r
Directions: Along the Arno not far from the American Consulate.
Website: http://www.10best.com/Florence/Restaurants/Italian/index.html?businessID=24140

Restaurant Name: Gilli

This is my favorite place for cocktails. Gilli is a very beautiful bar patisserie. It is frequented by the locals as well as the tourists. The locals usually sit at the back of the restaurant or stand at the bar. Or they sit at the back of the outside sitting area.

Favorite Dish: Cocktails. Don't bother eating here. It is terrible and very expensive.

Leave a Comment

Theme: Italian
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$31-40  » Currency Converter
Address: Piazza Republica
Directions: You can't miss it if you go to Piazza Republica

Restaurant Name: Trattoria Za Za

Trattoria Za Za is on a lot of lists. Tonight was my first time there. I went early as I hadn't eaten a thing all day so combined lunch and dinner. I had tagliatelle with meat sauce. It was delicious. The vin santo and cantucci was a disappointment as they only gave me three pieces of the cantucci which is not enough for a glass of vin santo.

The restaurant itself it about the cutest one that I have been into and it is worth going just for the atmosphere, although the food is very good too. I sat out side, but next time I will sit inside.

By 8 pm there was a line. Probably at 7 you can have your pick of tables.


Leave a Comment

Theme: Italian
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 39 055 215411
Address: Piazza del mercato centrale, 26/r
Directions: Behind the mercato centrale
Website: http://www.trattoriazaza.it/

Restaurant Name: Trattoria Garga

When I lived there, this was my favorite restaurant in Florence, but when I went there for New Year's Eve 2005 dinner it was a big letdown. I remembered that the cuisine was outstanding so I really looked forward to my return. Perhaps I made a bad choice for my dinner, but I was so disappointed. The presentation was beautiful and the ambiance is still charming,, colorful, and lively, but there was absolutely nothing outstanding about my meal and yet it was very very expensive.


Leave a Comment

Theme: Italian
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$41 and up  » Currency Converter
Phone: Tel: 055-239-8898
Address: Via del Moro, 48
Directions: Not far from Piazza Santa Maria Novella on the way to the Arno.
Other Contact: http://www.divinacucina.com/code

Restaurant Name: Il Cantinone

It is very easy to miss this restaurant because the doorway is tiny and it blends in with the walls of the building. The restaurant is downstairs. Unfortunately, for me, but not for the owners, the last time I went there, it seemed that it had been discovered by tour groups because it was crowded with a tour. Try to get there just as it opens so you will get a seat. If you are a foodie, I think you will like the pappa al pomodoro or the ribollito. And since it is an enoteca, of course you will love the wine.

2006 UPDATE
This restaurant is known for ribollito and pappa al pomodoro and that is what I went there for tonight. I didn't realize that they only served the pappa during the summer. I was forced to order something else so I ordered a spaghetti dish and it was so good that I wiped every bit of sauce up with my bread. I didn't care about manners.

NOT HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBLE

This is now my number one favorite in Florence. And it is not expensive.

Favorite Dish: My two favorite dishes in Tuscany are pappa al pomodoro (tomato soup with bread) and pollo arosto with patate arrosti (roast chicken and potatoes). I haven't found these dishes to be better anywhere, whether made at home or in a restaurant, than in Toscana. But the BEST pappa al pomodoro that I have ever eaten was in this restaurant.

Leave a Comment

Theme: Italian
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: Tel:055-225-955
Address: Via San Spirito, 6R
Directions: Oltrarno, not far from the bridge.
Website: http://www.ilcantinonedifirenze.it/
Other Contact: Closed Monday

Restaurant Name: Pork's

Today, I decided to have lunch in the Mercato Centrale, a place that I love to go to just to look. I stopped at Pork's and had the gnocci with a sauce made from zucchini flowers. Although I was told that the gnocci was made there. It was very tender and the sauce was quite good too.

For a small plate of gnocci, a quartino of vino bianco, and a cappucino the cost was 10.50€.

The other nice thing is that the owner, Mama, sat down with me while I ate and we talked. I had a chance to practice my Italian and she spoke very slowly to me.

From another website:
They're open for breakfast, lunch, and snacks until 2 p.m. when the market closes. Friday is fish day. On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturday, try the lasagne made with Benita's hand-rolled pasta.


Leave a Comment

Theme: Italian
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Address: Mercato Centrale
Directions: In the San Lorenzo market area near via Nazionale.
Website: http://www.divinacucina.com/code/benita.html

Restaurant Name: Ristorante Paoli

I had avoided going to this restaurant because it looked so touristy. But it was near the American Express office where I had cashed a check so I stopped there. I was pleasantly surprised. Not only is it a beautiful restaurant, but the waiters are so friendly I could hardly believe it. I haven't found many friendly waiters in Florence even if I have gone there on a regular basis.

Favorite Dish: I have only tried the gnocchi al gorgonzola which is one of my favorite dishes. Gnocchi can be rubbery, but Paoli's gnocchi was very tender. The gogonzola sauce was excellent. I didn't have dessert.

Leave a Comment

Theme: Italian
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 055-216215
Address: Via dei Tavolini, 12/R
Directions: Just off of Via Calzaiouli, the main street from the Duomo to Piazza Signoria.
Website: http://www.frommers.com/destinations/florence/D34452.html