25 November 2025 | Welcome to the corner of Florence’s flavours and its surroundings!
Here you will find stories, impressions and small discoveries born from wandering through the city and nearby hills with a single thought in mind: eating well!
The idea is simple: to explore the world of traditional Florentine cuisine with sincerity and without frills, sharing with you the places that, in our opinion, offer something more than a standard eatery.
We have selected seven venues among restaurants, trattorias, bistros and pizzerias where you can eat in Florence and its surroundings, allowing you to discover Florentine flavours every evening for an entire week, each presented in a different nuance.
Caffè Desiderio
If you are looking for a place where you can enjoy excellent Tuscan cuisine without the formalities of a traditional restaurant, Caffè Desiderio is the right choice.
Caffè Desiderio stands out thanks to its extensive wine list and its cuisine, which combines Tuscan tradition with the informality of a bistrot while maintaining warm hospitality and attentive service. The owner, Michele, will welcome you as if you were sitting at his own family table.
A Must-Try
Acquacotta Maremmana with Poached Egg
This traditional recipe comes from the simplicity of its ingredients.
A main ingredient in terms of quantity is water, considered “cooked” because it is the result of simmering carrots, tomatoes, celery and onions.
The broth is strained, sprinkled with Pecorino Toscano DOP and grated to create a golden crust then a poached egg is prepared separately and placed on top of the acquacotta along with slices of toasted bread.
A dish made from simple ingredients and presented with remarkable elegance.
Contacts
📞+39 055 697687
Opening Hours
Monday – Sunday: Lunch 12:00–15:00 | Dinner 19:00–22:30
Closed on Wednesday
How to get there
From Florence SMN:
→ Bus line 11 from Piazza Adua to L. Il Magnifico Libertà + line 10 to Settignano (approx. 30 minutes)
→ By car/taxi in approx. 10 minutes
From Fattoria di Poggiopiano:
→ By car/taxi from Girone in approx. 10 minutes
Bastian Contrario – Restaurant and Pizzeria
At Bastian Contrario you can taste traditional Tuscan cuisine with a contemporary twist, offering both classic recipes and their own creations.
Matteo and Tiziana devote particular attention to seasonal ingredients and to the long-leavened dough of their pizzas made with 100% natural flours.
If you are looking for a traditional Tuscan restaurant that combines seafood dishes, pizza and grilled specialities with a touch of modern flair, far from mass tourism and loved by locals, Bastian Contrario is the right place.
A Must-Try
Pizza with Onion and Bardiccio
Prepared with long-leavened dough and 100% natural flour, this pizza combines the strong, pungent flavour of onion with Bardiccio, a typical Tuscan sausage from the Florence area, characterised by a bold taste enriched with pepper, garlic and wild fennel.
A decisive and authentic combination absolutely worth trying.
Tiziana, a passionate and curious sommelier, will guide you in choosing the perfect wine to pair with your dishes or pizza…
…speaking of pizza and wine, click HERE to discover the most unusual and extravagant pairings!
Contacts
📞+39 202 6845
Opening Hours
Tuesday – Sunday 19:00–22:30
Closed on Monday
How to get there
→ By car/taxi in approx. 30 minutes
→ By train to Pontassieve in approx. 25 minutes
From Fattoria di Poggiopiano:
→ Bus SI90 from Girone to Pontassieve in approx. 15 minutes
→ By car/taxi in approx. 15 minutes
Terrazza 45
Terrazza 45 is located on the main square of Fiesole, just a few steps from the Roman Theatre, and offers a charming view over Florence.
The venue is warm and elegant, and the staff is young and well-prepared.
Its signature feature is, of course…the terrace! the ideal place to enjoy lunch or dinner with a panoramic view during the summer months.
In winter, the terrace transforms into a private dining area with romantic transparent domes under the starry sky.
Reservation is essential.
A Must-Try
Mugello Tortelli with Young Beef Ragout
These tortelli, typical of the Mugello area, are filled with potatoes seasoned with garlic, parsley and cheese.
The young beef ragout is lighter than a classic meat sauce, perfectly in line with the elegant and refined style of the restaurant.
Contacts
📞+39 055 597 259
Opening Hours
Monday – Friday 17:00–22:30
Saturday – Sunday 12:00–15:00 | 17:00–22:30
How to get there
From Fattoria di Poggiopiano:
→ Bus SI90 + line 7 in approx. 35 minutes
→ By car/taxi in approx. 20 minutes
→ Bus lines 20 + 7 in approx. 20 minutes
→ By car/taxi in approx. 25 minutes
Osteria Staccia Buratta
Osteria Staccia Buratta opened in October 2010 in place of a well-known historic hardware store in the hamlet of Antella, in the municipality of Bagno a Ripoli.
It is defined by a rustic, peasant-style cuisine rich in flavour yet essential, with clear Tuscan influences in both dishes and atmosphere.
A key element of Staccia Buratta’s philosophy is the adoption of a short supply chain, a practice increasingly rare in today’s restaurant industry.
A Must-Try
Stuffed Chicken Neck with Green Sauce and Fried Zucchini Flowers
As with many traditional Tuscan peasant dishes, simple and leftover ingredients are transformed into a rich and flavourful speciality.
The stuffed chicken neck is boiled and served with fried courgette flowers. The dish is completed with the classic Tuscan green sauce, essential with boiled meats.
Contacts
📞+39 055 621 643
Opening Hours
Monday – Wednesday 11:00–15:00 | 19:00–24:00
Thursday – Sunday 12:00–14:00 | 19:00–21:00
How to get there
From Fattoria di Poggiopiano:
→ By car/taxi in approx. 20 minutes
→ By car/taxi in approx. 25 minutes…
…Or you can also include it as the final stop for a delicious dinner at the end of a tour of Tuscan villages!
Osa Bistrot
Osa Bistrot is a non-conventional dining venue where the common thread from breakfast to dinner is relax!
The environment is decorated in Shabby Chic style and the cuisine is inspired by English brunch tradition, combining sweet and savoury dishes in a harmonious balance.
The staff is welcoming, attentive and happy to answer questions and there are also special facilities for children, including a dedicated play area and a child-sized restroom.
A Must-Try
Seasonal Pancakes
Here you can enjoy pancakes paired with sweet or savoury ingredients depending on the season.
Their best-seller is the autumn pumpkin version—absolutely unmissable.
Contacts
📞+39 375 802 2812
Opening Hours
Monday – Wednesday 8:00–15:30
Thursday – Friday 8:00–15:30 | 19:00–23:00
Saturday 8:00–15:30
Sunday closed
How to get there
From Fattoria di Poggiopiano:
→ Bus line 14 from Girone to Lanza Madonnone in approx. 15 minutes
→ By car/taxi in approx. 15 minutes
From Florence SMN:
→ Bus line 14 from Panzani Unità to Sella Bellariva in approx. 25 minutes
→ By car/taxi in approx. 15 minutes
CRU – Cucina Rustica Urbana
As the name suggests, CRU offers rustic family-style cuisine with a twist!
They put particular attention to sauces, plating and flavour combinations that give the dishes a modern and innovative touch.
Owners Gabriele and Talitha are highly committed to sustainability, using local products, DOP, IGP and Slow Food ingredients from nearby farms.
The wine selection focuses on organic, biodynamic and natural wines from the Florentine area.
The absence of a fixed wine list allows CRU to rotate many labels and adapt pairings to the seasonal menu.
A Must-Try
CRU Spaghettoni
Bronze-drawn spaghettoni with Tuscan Pecorino DOP, pink pepper and black cabbage.
A dish with simple yet bold flavours.
Bonus!
Jurassi-tacos
For those who enjoy a creative start to dinner—or a fun snack—the Jurassi-taco is a must.
A vegan taco made with seasonal vegetable caponata, crispy pepper and vegan mayonnaise, served on a dinosaur-shaped stand.
Contacts
📞+39 055 234 4120
Opening Hours
Monday 16:00–23:30
Wednesday – Thursday 12:30–23:30
Friday – Saturday 12:30–24:00
Sunday 12:30–23:30
Closed on Tuesday
How to get there
From Fattoria di Poggiopiano:
→ Bus line 14 from Girone to Agnolo in approx. 20 minutes
→ By car/taxi in approx. 30 minutes
From Florence SMN:
→ Bus line C2 from Scala degli Orti Oricellari to Malborghetto in approx. 15 minutes
→ By car/taxi in approx. 20 minutes…
…or go for a walk in the city centre of Firenze!
Mattacena
Mattacena is a traditional Tuscan restaurant located in the centre of Florence, featuring cosy interiors and professional service.
“The history of Mattacena? You won’t find it online; we’ll tell you ourselves, don’t worry,” says Leonardo, the owner.
To understand the restaurant’s philosophy, you must experience it: book a table and savour traditional Tuscan dishes rich in heritage and paired with local wines.
A must try
Ribollita
A staple of Tuscan cuisine, born from humble, leftover ingredients.
Stale bread, beans, black cabbage and onions are cooked together and then, as the name suggests, re-boiled to achieve their unique texture and flavour.
Contacts
📞+39 055 281193
Opening Hours
Monday – Sunday: Lunch 12:00–15:30 | Dinner 19:00–23:00
How to get there
From Fattoria di Poggiopiano:
→ Bus line 14 from Girone to Stazione Via Panzani in approx. 40 minutes
→ By car/taxi in approx. 35 minutes
From Florence SMN:
→ Bus line 14 from Scala degli Orti Oricellari to Stazione Via Panzani in approx. 5 minutes…
…or while youre here take a tour of Divine Florence: sacred places to visit that you won’t believe!
If you want more
There are many more restaurants where you can eat in Florence and its surroundings—discover the full map of our favourites HERE!
