Florence Food Finds
Florence, the capital of Italy’s Tuscany region, is an incredible city. Steeped in culture, history and art, the birthplace of the Renaissance has a treasure around every cobblestoned corner. We will chat about that another day, for now we are going to focus on the FOOD!
Italian cuisine is the most popular food in the world. However, what is “real Italian”? Did you know that each region in Italy has their own specialties, using local ingredients, flavors and recipes? I was excited to taste all things Florentine during our visit in March of 2019.
Italians have a strong coffee culture. You will notice many Italians enjoing their morning caffeine fix, standing at a bar, chatting with friends. I started my mornings off by popping into a Cafe for a Cappuccino or Caffe Lungo with the locals. Cafe Gilli and Shake Cafe are perfect spots for your morning espresso.
After a morning of taking in Florence’s sites, head to Il Mercato Centrale di Firenze for lunch! This vibrant food & produce market is a feast for all of the senses. The Mercato Centrale is housed in a stunning building, dating back to 1870. The first floor is full of vendors selling fresh pastas, colorful vegetables, warm breads, and salamis.
Mercato Centrale opened the top floor of their market in 2014. This space serves as a gourmet food hall, featuring a variety of “restaurant fronts”, with full kitchens serving delicious food at a bargain price. We enjoyed mushroom risotto, tuscan chicken, fried sage polenta - all with a glass of local Chianti!
An afternoon spent in the art museums will have you ready to indulge in one of Florence’s most famous dishes - Bistecca alla Fiorentina. This is a large (2-8 pounds!) t-bone steak, fire-grilled, traditionally over roasted chestnuts. Our family enjoyed this carnivore’s delight - accompained by fresh mixed salad, roasted potatoes, and of course, a local red at Trattoria Dall’Oste. This restaurant was recently voted as one of the 50 best steakhouses in the world!
For a less formal, but equally satisfying meal, check out some of the favorite local spots. Hostaria Il Decso, founded in 1954, is a popular pick with the locals. I recommend the gnocchi with gorgonzola fondue, pears & walnuts. Near the San Marco Square, you will find Ristorante Accademia. I would suggest the house-made crispy lasagne and Tuscan beef stew. Finally, Ristorante Il Latini is a Florence food treasure! Il Latini offers family friendly, relaxed service, with excellent food. I would begin your meal with the Tuscan ham slices, followed by the roasted veal or steak.
Florence has a spectacular and rich food history. We tried many of the dishes local to this specific region of Italy and were very happy. It is nearly impossible to find a bad meal in this city, we cannot wait to visit again soon!