Florence, Italy - About the City - Restaurants

A legend among the world's culinary critics and justifiably so - food here is a combination of traditional Tuscan and creative cuisines. Cibréo has two dining rooms: a non-booking trattoria (known locally as Cibreino) with rustic tables and benches, and an elegant, paneled restaurant that costs twice as much. Unusually there's no pasta, but there is a fantastic selection of soups and polentas. Dessert is a must: cheesecake with tangerine marmalade, a famous flourless chocolate cake and a raspberry tart that you'll always remember.

Would you like to get away from the center and enjoy a peaceful meal in the neighboring hillside? Omero is along the picturesque Pian dei Giullari seemingly far from the bustle of downtown crowds but actually only a five-minute cab ride from the center. An inexpensive way to receive four-star food quality and service in the most beautiful setting.

When Beccofino opened in 1999, crowds flocked to try out the latest project by David Gardner, who combined a stylish contemporary decor that would be at home in any cosmopolitan city, innovative cooking by one of Tuscany's most talented chefs, and a hefty wine list. A lighter wine bar menu features snacks, salads, pasta dishes, and risottos. Staff are friendly, but the service is often slow so plan on a long evening.

This restaurant, located on the "other side of the Arno", has a lovely trellised garden area for relaxed outdoor summer meals. Known for its gourmet dishes, Pandemonio offers the fish lover a plethora of choices, (best selection on Friday). The fish platter (both shell and non-shell fish) served in a large metal skillet loaded with pieces of Tuscan bread is the most delectable, especially if washed down with a light white wine.

Written up in newspapers, guidebooks, and magazines all over the world, Il Latini stands in a class of its own. The bustling atmosphere and abundant portions cannot be matched. The service is lively and the food overflowing. Sitting at a large table with many other people who have come for the same reason, great food, wine, and atmosphere. The restaurant has a line that forms around the block even at 7:00 P.M.

Located in the very characteristic area of the Oltrarno - or the other side of the Arno, Quattro Leoni is a lovely Tuscan Trattoria with a young and modern feel to it. The atmosphere is Florentine chic and the food, wholesome, delicious and presented perfectly. You can start with an antipasto platter of fresh mozzarella and cherry tomatoes, have some home-made pasta (try the fiocchetti), slices of beef served on a bed of rucola and end the meal with some very fine desserts. Outdoor seating makes the summer meal complete.

Hole-in-the-wall classic of downtown Florence. Here chef Giovanni with his kitchen assistant serve up the food prepared right before your eyes. The chefs manage to serve to only 12 tables where people all enjoy eating and chatting together. A squadron of six waiters will miraculously deliver these dishes in seconds. The atmosphere and the home-cooking cannot be surpassed.

Traditional Tuscan cuisine served by the friendliest and liveliest waiters. Paolo, the owner, will bring out antipasto, pasta, and meat dishes with style and personality. The food combined with this spirit of "allegria" will make your dining experience at the Pazzi one you'll never forget.

Not only do the men at the Noè make the greatest sandwiches in the wine bar of this locale, the Trattoria serves up authentic and equally delicious Tuscan dishes to only 10 tables next door. The Trattoria, located in an antique butcher shop, has a large menu with all local dishes. The clientele is a strictly local, and Massimo and Stefano make wonderful hosts.

The Cinghiale Bianco, the White Boar, serves homemade pasta with tasty Tuscan sauces. Try the house special: Pappardelle con sugo di Cinghiale - large noodles with wild boar meat sauce. Choose a hearty Chianti to accompany the meal and enjoy the low-lit atmosphere.

This seemingly hidden Osteria is one of the reasons one comes to Florence. The Osteria is tiny and the menu written on the chalkboard daily. The food consists of Tuscan specialties with untraditional twists. The tables are tiny and the stools that much smaller. You may want to bring a camera to capture on film the lovely cornucopia fruit arrangement that overflows from the counter.

A new chic restaurant and pizzeria that is owned by the actor Hugh Grant's cousin. Modern and new gourmet additions to traditional recipes. Young atmosphere with a stable "regular" clientele. Candlelit and well decorated, fanciful, and casual, a little bit of everything in this enjoyable restaurant. Worth trying is the cheesecake and all other desserts.

Excellent Tuscan cuisine in the heart of the Mercato Centrale district. Outdoor seating makes for an enjoyable summer meal. From the friendly service, the sensational eggplant parmesan to even the excellent bread, you will definitely have a memorable dining experience.

Every guidebook will turn you on to this restaurant, where the favorite is the Assaggio, where the waiter brings you several different kinds of pasta. Ask for the Assaggio for the dessert as well! The atmosphere is chic, new, and classic all at the same time. The food is delicious and the service laid back. Everyone comes away with a full tummy and happy from the fun that was had at Acqua al Due.

This restaurant is located in the most characteristic Piazza in Florence. During the day, especially the second Sunday of the month, there is a market in the piazza. By night it is a gathering place for just about anyone and everyone. The Restaurant is hip and young. The food is served on enormous decorated ceramic plates. Known for their great pasta dishes, big salads and pizzas.

A lively, young management serves up delicious, imaginative food on cheerful ceramic plates in brick vaulted rooms. There are daily specials, and the menu changes monthly: in summer the emphasis is on light, fresh ingredients (carpaccio of swordfish on a bed of rucola, mozzarella with cherry tomatoes; tagliolini with homemade pesto) while in the autumn and winter hearty soups and stews are a feature. Carne sulla brace (meat grilled over an open fire) is a year-round treat!

Known locally as Carlino after the cook and owner, this reliable neighborhood trattoria serves Florentine classics in a bright, modern-rustic setting peppered with curious artworks. Some of the pasta dishes are a bit bland, but ribollita is good, and arista (a juicy hunk of roast pork served with garlicky spinach) is excellent. For an unusual salad, try the Roman puntarelle, a crunchy and bitter chicory-like leaf that is dressed with a sublime mixture of anchovies, capers, and olive oil. There is a pretty little garden in the back, but in really hot weather it is cooler indoors. Useful on Sunday evenings when a lot of places are closed.

Hole-in-the-wall local favorite for lunch. The chairs are rustic mini-stools and you will be having your meal at long tables with other people. The kitchen is a glassed-in area visible from the family-style tables. Arrive early and leave promptly after you finish eating. The menu changes daily and is posted in felt-tip pen alongside of the kitchen. Pay the cashier as you leave the Trattoria. Delicious, simple Tuscan dishes.