WHERE TO EAT

RESTAURANTS

1. Cibrèo Caffè – All-day service and a menu of elevated classics. A local institution from the late Fabio Picchi. Must Order: Antipasti selection, tagliolino cacio e burro, and la braciola taglio bistecca. 
2. Teatro Del Sale – Part of the Cibrèo family, theater/restaurant. Help yourself to a Tuscan feast followed by a lively show. 
3. Trattoria Sostanza – The epitome of cucina povera done right, with open-fire cooking. Strict hours, cash only. Must Order: Pollo al burro and il tortino di carciofi.
4. Enoteca Spontanea – Friendly ambience, natural wines (let Nicola advise you), and an always-changing menu. Must order: Fegatini with orange jam and chocolate cake.
5. C-ucina – Garage-turned-Scandi-style-restaurant with an innovative menu. Order one of everything and share. 
6. Alla Vecchia Bettola – Chaotic, communal tables, and rustic, home-cooked food. Wash it down with endless jugs of Chianti. Must Order: Fried artichokes, penne alla vecchia bettola, and torta alle mele.
7. Trattoria Cammillo – Old-school restaurant with an extended repertoire of classics and mind-blowing desserts. Must Order: Sedano-rapa with bottarga, pasta alla carrettiera, chicken curry, and pear tart.
8. Osteria Tripperia Il Magazzino – Honors the Tuscan tradition of using all parts of the animal. Must Order: Trippa, lampredotto, bollito, lingua. 
9. 5ecinque – Upscale vegetarian spot in a local-favorite piazza. Must order: Cecina. 
10. Osteria Vini E Vecchi Sapori – Small and tucked in an alley behind Piazza Signoria, traditional food is accompanied by unexpected music and Madonna. Must Order: Pappardelle al sugo d’anatra.
11. Trattoria Sergio Gozzi – Lunch-only spot for solid classics, since 1915. Must Order: I pici and il peposo.
12. La Trattoria Del Pesce* – One of the few–if not only–places to have good fish and seafood in Florence. Must Order: Spaghetti alle vongole con bottarga.
13. Da Padellina* – Two words: Dante and steak. Must Order: Penne al gallo and bistecca.
14. Da Delfina* – Refined and traditional with a great view. Must Order: La Francesina, il piatto del buon ricordo, and the rice cake with orange jam.
15. Da Burde* – One of the most renowned and longest-standing Florentine restaurants. Must Order: Tagliatelle al ragù bianco di Chianina and the fig tart or castagnaccio when in season. 
16. Giorgio* – Hidden Venetian-inspired restaurant in the back of an equally delicious bakery. Must Order: Crudi.
17. Da Ruggero* – Handwritten menu, original ‘70s decor, and a very Tuscan menu. Must Order: Farinata di cavolo nero, arista, carciofi al tegame, and patate arrosto.

ALIMENTARI/DELI 

1. Deli 1891 Firenze – Top-tier build-your-own sandwiches and a counter of premade vegetables, meats, and salads to eat there or takeaway. 
2. C.BIO – Local-product grocery store and vegetable-forward deli with noteworthy sourdough. Eat on the “secret” terrace upstairs.
3. La Bottega di Rosano* – Hidden gem for schiacciata and great, local produce to go.  

GELATO

1. La Sorbettiera – Can’t go wrong, especially with one of their many chocolate flavors. Make sure to pick the waffle cone. 
2. Sbrino – Three locations of well-executed classics: zabaione and raspberry-ginger are musts. 
3. Gelateria della Passera – Expect pure flavors: the coffee is bitter, the grapefruit is sour, the melon is fresh, and the pistachio is the nuttiest we’ve had. 
4. *La Gelatiera – Go for the peanut or one of their nontraditional flavors. Look up before you leave. 
5. Edoardo il Gelato Biologico – Freshly-made waffle cones and vegan options just steps from the Duomo. 

CAFÉS

1. Wild Buns Bakery– Scandinavian breakfast buns and specialty coffee in a bright space with few seats. 
2. Melaleuca – Light and airy Australian-style café/brunch spot with the best cinnamon buns in town. 
3. Todo Modo – Cute bookstore with a café hidden in the back among the stacks. 
4. SimBIOsi* – Third wave coffee shop with shabby chic decor, enough seating, and good WiFi. 
5. Coffee Mantra – Third-wave coffee shop to-go or to sit outside. Try a coffee made with the monorigin bean of the week. 
6. FLUID – Grab one of the city’s best specialty coffees from the window to go and wander Sant’Ambrogio. 
7. S.forno – Modern pastries and pizza al taglio, a tight menu of sandwiches and salads, and filter coffee in a homey environment.  
8. Pasticceria Buonamici – Classics done right with a cozy communal table in the back. 
9. Caffè Lietta – a neighborhood café with an in-house bakery is the perfect place for coffee and their signature sweet, “Il Priulo,”
10. Pasticceria Gualtieri dal 1933 – Just past Porta Romana, locals’ breakfast spot with vegan/gluten-free options and incredible bongo (profiteroles). 
11. Base V – Vegan salads, toasts, smoothies, and juices, plus the best chocolate-peanut butter cookies you’ll ever have. 
12. La Cantinetta dei Verrazzano – You can come for a cappuccino or a quick lunch,  but, either way, you must order the pea focaccia and/or the cecina.

WHERE TO DRINK

1. Il Santino – A wine bar so cozy that people overflow into the street. Best for aperitivo with one of their crostoni.
2. Vineria Sonora – Hip, alternative natural wine bar with some small plates to share.
3. Il Conventino – Former convent, now artists’ studios and café. Take a spritz and drink it in the cloisters.
4. Le Volpi e L’Uva – Classic, mainly-outside wine bar by Ponte Vecchio with large crostoni and cheese and charcuterie platters.  
5. La Loggia – Bar/lounge on the terrace of Palazzo Guadagni. Ideal for aperitivo at sunset overlooking Piazza Santo Spirito and a nice slice of the Florentine skyline. 
6. Enoteca Bellini – Young, female-run wine bar with crostoni, high tables, and cheerful energy. 
7. Bar dell’Angolo – A corky, no frills neighbourhood bar which serves cheap drinks and an aperitivo made with a great home made tuna pate and hummus (and when looking at it from outside don’t forget to look up!)
8. Casa Del Vino* – A wood-lined wine bar run by Gianni and Nicoletta. A wine glass, a sandwich, and a good conversation. 

 WHERE TO SHOP 

ARTISANS

1. Moleria Locchi – Family-run glassware studio that also offers customized engraving.  
2. Ippogrifo Stampe d’Arte – Long-standing workshop of acqua forte-etched and hand-painted prints. 
3. Argentiere Pagliai – Custom and ready-made silver objects since 1930. 
4. Antico Setificio Fiorentino – Appointment-only Florentine fabric workshop. 
5. Giovanni Baccani – The Blue Shop – 1900s-style shop with handmade frames, boxes, prints, and chandeliers. 
6. Alberto Cozzi – Bookbinders who specialize in marbled Florentine paper and leather-bound journals. 
7. GF98 Giuseppe Fanara – Store and workshop for small leather goods: wallets, keychains, and glasses cases. 
8. Atelier Rina Milano – Tailor-made women’s clothing on appointment. 
9. Sartoria Marinaro di Mario Shciales – Neapolitan tailor for suits and blazers on appointment. 
10. 54 Calzature Don Francesco Da Firenze – Made-to-order and ready-made leather sandals. 
11. Heart to Heart in Florence – If you can’t bring home a carpet from around the world, the velvet Friulane will do.  
12.  Antica Occhialeria* – Funky, custom-made glasses near Piazza della Libertà. 
13. Giacomo Bacci – Made-to-measure shirts by appointment, plus a ready-to-wear collection available in store.

DESIGN STORES

1. Simone Begani – Art gallery with pieces by notables like Ettore Sottsass and Enzo Mari.
2. Domus Aurea – Mid-century design store with furniture and home decor. 
3. Elena Pinna  – Art and furniture in a cool, vaulted space. 
4. Lisa Corti – Outpost of a Milanese shop; known for floral tablecloths and bedcovers. 
5. Loretta Caponi – Old-school sheets of your dreams, plus a recently-launched collection of female wear. 

VINTAGE

1. Celeste Vintage – Well-curated, tight selection of high-end pieces. Check the rack in the back for steals. 
2. Epoca Vintage – Stalwart overflowing with vintage from all decades. 
3. Only Usato – Private collection open for one week a month (check their IG). Can find designer pieces at a fraction of the price. 
4. Silvyargé – Small shop with a lot of Mod and an extended selection of accessories. 
5. Street Doing Vintage Couture – Vast collection of both designer and accessible vintage. 
6. Recollection by Albrici – Glamorous collection in a historic palazzo in Oltrarno. Ask to see their showroom across the street for even more.
7. I VISIONARI – Vintage and new independent eyewear shop.
8. Momo Vintage – Robust designer collection with a bit of flair.  
9. Vannaty – Personal collection of owner Nonna Vanna, open by appointment only and for purchases via IG.

WHAT ART TO SEE (BEYOND THE CLASSICS)

1. Palazzo Strozzi – Reaching for the Stars: From Maurizio Cattelan to Lynette Yiadom-Boakye running until June 18th, 2023.
2. Villa Bardini – Lisetta Carmi Suonare Forte photoshow running until October 8th, 2023. 
3. 74 Collezione Roberto Casamonti – Private collection of modern/contemporary art, including works by Schifano, Basquiat, Mirò, and Boetti. 
4. Fondazione Mascarade – A Foundation dedicated to providing professional training and opportunities to emerging opera artists. The foundation organizes Opera Events and Galas year-round.