The best restaurants in Florence are ever evolving: In the city center, the traditional favorites continue to serve up reliable versions of the Florentine and Tuscan classics such as ribollita (a classic stew), arista (roasted pork), and the mighty bistecca alla Fiorentina (T-bone beef steak)—although rising prices mean that it’s hard to find any three-course meal in a neighborhood trattoria for less than $45, without wine. And don’t think you can be spontaneous; simple places are often booked up ahead of time too, especially for dinner, so always make a reservation.
For anyone up for a gourmet experience, Florence now boasts 11 Michelin stars spread over some truly excellent fine-dining restaurants—but for my money, the most interesting meals are now to be found well away from the city center, where rents are lower and the clientele is predominantly local. One of Florence’s best-known young chefs, Simone Cipriani, closed his popular Oltrarno restaurant Essenziale in late 2024, for example, because he was tired of cooking for tourists. So anyone looking for something a little more authentic in terms of location and your fellow diners, should be prepared to make the effort by jumping on a tram or calling a cab; it will be worth it. These are the best restaurants in Florence.
Read our complete Florence travel guide here, which includes:
How we choose the best restaurants in Florence
Every restaurant on this list has been selected independently by Condé Nast Traveler editors and reviewed by a local contributor who has visited that restaurant. Our editors consider both high-end and affordable eateries, and weigh stand-out dishes, location, and service—as well as inclusivity and sustainability credentials. We update this list as new restaurants open and existing ones evolve.
