Where to eat in Florence: bistecca, lampredotto and Oltrarno trattorias
Florence has a very strong popular food culture, from street-food lampredotto to bistecca: here's where to find it away from tourist-only venues.
Sailko, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)
Florentine cuisine rests on a few essential ingredients: unsalted Tuscan bread, extra-virgin olive oil from the hills, grilled meats and game, legumes, and Chianti wine. Its signature dish is bistecca alla fiorentina, a thick Chianina-breed T-bone steak grilled rare over charcoal: found in traditional trattorias, often sold by weight.
For a more working-class taste, lampredotto — braised beef's fourth stomach served in a bread roll, traditionally from street kiosks — remains the most authentic way to eat like a Florentine, alongside ribollita (bread and vegetable soup) and pappa al pomodoro. The Oltrarno neighbourhoods, such as San Frediano and Santo Spirito, concentrate trattorias that are less touristy than the centre around the Duomo, with generally fairer prices.
Practical info
When's the best time to go to Florence?
We recommend April, May, June, September and October, the period with the smallest crowds.
How touristy is Florence?
Florence is fairly busy compared to the more visited destinations.
What's the location of Florence?
Florence is found in the area of Tuscany.
Part of the complete guide
How to get there
- 🚆 Nearest station: Firenze Statuto ~2 km as the crow flies
- ✈️ Nearest airport: Aeroporto Firenze Amerigo Vespucci FLR ~6 km as the crow flies
Nearest points as the crow flies (source OpenStreetMap): actual times depend on the roads, often mountain ones.
