The 15 best restaurants in Florence, Italy

Tratorria Giovani is widely considered the peak of local cuisine. With its retro design, white tablecloths, and meat hanging from the windows, this old-school restaurant makes for a perfect lunch with family or a romantic choice for dinner. Papperdele is Giovani's signature dish--the mounds of noodles, sauce, and wild boar will have you coming back again and again. 

Not to be confused with Tratorria Giovani... Osteria Giovani is one of the most dependable restaurants in Florence. It seems to improve with each visit, and the friendly service and charming ambiance help the dishes go down smoothly. Well, that and the wine. You'd be hard-pressed to find a better selection of wines to pair with your steak in Italy. 

This is everyone's favorite pizzeria, so make sure you book ahead for these Neapolitan pies. The restaurant is packed with locals at family tables and offers dozens of mouthwatering options, from classics like Margherita and marinara to more creative options featuring ingredients like salami, buffalo, and anchovies. The best thing you can do here is come hungry, strike up a conversation with a local and ask for tips on what to do the following morning. 

The best contemporary take on traditional Tuscan food can be found at Zeb, a restaurant owned by a mother-son duo. Alberto and Giussepina's take on ravioli is rich with flavor and topped with truffles and olive oil. Their decision to use local ingredients--not local methods--is what makes the dish stand out. 

This trattoria sits on the corner of one of the liveliest squares in town and one that many tourists miss because they don't venture far enough into Florence. It's worth the walk, though: the menu is the size of the bible and the terrace is the size of the Colleseum. And the food? Well, take one bite of their beef escalope and you'll understand why this place is so packed. 

As the name suggests, Caffe Gilli is the place to go if you need a cup of coffee. After a day of walking through museums and strolling across bridges, treat yourself to a dose of energy at one of the oldest cafes in Europe. 

Walking into Del Fagioli feels like walking into a family diner. The traditional Tuscan restaurant boasts a full menu of local favorites, from cheesy appetizers to three-pound steaks. There's no better place to go if you want to eat like the locals, with the locals. 

Gelato is one of Florence's most beloved foods. The ice cream can be found in the hands of locals and tourists as they wander the town's many streets and attractions. The best place to order one of these creamy delights is at Perche No!, a family-owned establishment that whips up gelato that is so good you could swear it was made with holy water. 

Fun fact: Florence is in Tuscany. This means you might be craving the Tuscan countryside that everyone's been talking about. While you could easily take a train to Sienna or a bus to San Gimignano, the easiest way to immerse yourself in Tuscany is to take the bus to Fiesole, where you can dine on the terrace of Casa de Popolo. With three-dollar sandwiches and a view of rolling hills, there's really no better place to enjoy the scenery. 

With its glass walls and green ceilings, Mercato Centrale is one of the loveliest places to grab a quick lunch. It has a Borough Market feel, with tons of shops, vendors and antiques. Make sure to sample local dishes like ravioli and Florentine steak, or grab some groceries and make your own dish at home. 

This newcomer in Santo Spirito is already making waves. Though the restaurants nearby are more old-fashioned, Gurdulu has no trouble drawing in crowds with its modern spin on risotto, fowl, and pate' en croute. There's not much of a dessert menu, but the wine list more than makes up for it. 

Anyone with an Italian grandmother will feel right at home at Il Latini. The dishes are classic Italian, the furniture is more dated than your grandmother's wardrobe and the food is some of the best you'll ever have. You don't come here for the design; you come here for the pasta! 

You come here for the design. Part of the museum is the Gucci Gardens, Osteria Bottura, which is more flamboyant than all the characters in the House of Gucci combined. There are green velvet seats, pea-green walls, and dishes designed by the same people who gave us the Gucci Handbag. Even more impressive? The menu includes Sicilian prawns and beef tartar. 

This hole-in-the-wall eatery is the epitome of Italian street food. Open since 1989, the tiny sandwich shop specializes in bread filled with seasonal meats. The lines can get up to 45 minutes long, so make sure you get here early and have time to eat the entire thing. Note: it's going to take at least 20 minutes to make your way through the mounds of salami, lettuce, and artichoke sauce. 

Santa Elisabetta is on par with any restaurant in the world. The menu is exceedingly avant-garde, and the dishes melt in your mouth like an ice cube on a warm summer's day. There's a reason this place has two Michelin stars--it manages to take classic Italian flavors and rework them into something newer, bolder, and more vibrant. Make sure to try the tasting menu and let chef Rocco de Santis take you on a journey through Italy.