Florence Restaurants
Though Florence itself is old, there is a vibrant restaurant scene here, running from traditional to more avant garde cooking.
Below is a listing of a few of our favorites:
Enoteca Pane e Vino, Piazza di Cestello 3R, Phone: +39-055-247-6956, This is a poor man's answer to some of the other pricier enotecas in Florence. They have an incredible wine list and a great menu to highlight their wines. It's almost impossible to order unless you have an idea of what you like to drink.
Coco Lezzone, via del Parioncino 26R, Phone: +39-055-287-178, this old place is part pub and part osteria. Old style Florentine dishes like ribollita, tripe, eel soup and chine of pork. Not for the faint of heart, but authentic.
Garga, via del Moro 48R, Phone: +39-055-239-8898, An artist in the kitchen and in life, the walls of the restaurant are "frescoed" by the chef/owner, I'Garga. A famous Florentine personality, he's taken over a small piece of the river in front of the Excelsior hotel and turned it into a garden, with weeping willows and roses. His menu is as eclectic as he is such as great pasta dishes with inventive combinations like a tortelloni with mint and orange. Each dish is a still life in itself.
La Buca dell Orafo, Volta dei Girolami 28R, Phone: +39-055-213-619, a hole-in-the-wall near the Uffizi gallery, the traditional Tuscan cuisine here includes roast pork loin with potatoes and a mix of egg and spinach fettuccine with a beefy mushroom sauce. Cash only, no credit cards.
Il Latini, Via del Palchetti 6R, Phone: +30-055-210-916, This unique restaurant serves big portions of Florentine fare. You will dine with strangers at the same long tables, which creates an exciting dining experience. The chef has already decided the meal and the endless bottles of wine to be served for the evening, so you don’t have to worry about selecting from a menu. It’s fun.
Trattoria 4 Leoni, Via dei Velluttini 1R, Phone: +39-055-218-562, is a feast for your eyes and your stomach. Dining is available inside or, in good weather, in the piazza outside. They have a great selection of antipasti to start your meal. For the main course try the fritto di aia, boneless fried white meats of chicken and rabbit, served perfectly and not greasy. It is filled with locals, a good sign.
Teatro del Sale, Via dei Macci 111r, Phone: +39-055-200-1492, this is an interesting spot: part all-you-can eat, part dinner theatre. One of the liveliest spots in town is also one of the cheapest. This private club offers inexpensive one-time memberships (5 Euro) at the door. Once inside, a flat rate buys you all the food and wine you can eat and drink. Get there early, around 7:30 p.m., so you don’t miss all the great dishes that the kitchen continually lays out on the buffet: fresh pastas, grilled meats, sautéed vegetables and all kinds of salads. Plates are small but no one is shy about going back for seconds, thirds and fourths. Around 9:30 p.m., all chairs turn to face the stage for the evening’s performance, which could be anything from “Macbeth” to Gershwin.
Cammillo, Borgo San Jacopo 57R, Phone: +39-055-212-427, a rustic wine canteen that serves up simple, soul-warming food. They frequently serve meals with truffles. It’s been around forever and a day and is still quite good. Closed Tuesday and Wednesday.
Da Burde, Via Pistoiese 6R, Phone: +39-055-317-206, a food store and restaurant in operation since 1901, this places dishes up traditional, hearty Tuscan cuisine, but is only open for lunch. It is slightly out of town, but is full of locals on lunch break.
Olio e Convivium, Via Santo Spirito 4, Phone: +39-055-265-8198, in the frescoed Palazzo Capponi, this restaurant has 60 types of olive oil and 250 Tuscan wines! 
Ora d’Aria, Via Ghibellina 3R, Phone: +39-055-200-1699, the Chef Marco Stabile is an emerging Tuscan chef. His cuisine strives to be contemporary, modern and, at the same time, using the best ingredients which the territory has to offer. Definitely an interesting culinary experience. Open only for dinner, closed on Sundays.
Buca Lapi, Via del Trebbio 1R, Phone:+39-055-213-768, elegant but informal restaurant near the most elegant street of Florence, Via Tornabuoni, it is one of the best addresses to taste the famous Fiorentina steak. Closed on Sunday and open Monday to Saturday only for dinner (7pm-10.30pm)
