The top 5 would be difficult without clarification. It will be interesting to see the results this question will bring. There could be a top 5 fancy; top 5 truly Tuscan; or, top 5 best flavor for value. My husband and I have been debating this issue. Our top for fancy plus value is Belcore, via dell'Albero, 30, in the Santa Maria Novella neighborhood. It is opened for Sunday lunch and it is a lovely, serene, room with delicous food that is not inexpensive but is a good value. Close behind only becuase the space was cramped and the chairs not terribly comfortable is La Giostra, Borgo Pinti 10r, between the Duomo and Santa Croce. We had an unbelievable delicous meal there with very inventive food, a bit pricey, but well worth the price. The setting is more rustic than Belcore but the food is very good. A tiny bit outside of the center of town, a short cab or #14 bus ride away, is Zibibbo, via di Terzollina, 3r, for Fabulous food for value. The room is lovely, overlooking the countryside, although still in Florence. They have a very in-depth wine list from very low to very high. We spent a wonderful afternoon there. Down a notch in price, but not quality is Ristorante la Maremma, via Verdi 16r, near Santa Croce. Again, a very good wine list, a rustic atmosphere with food more upscale than most but at a very good price. For the best value on seafood we loved Osteria dei Centopoveri, via Palazzuolo 31r, in the Santa Maria Novella neighborhood. My baked seabass was succulent and flavorful and the price of most pizzas. They recently re-modeled and added a pizza oven. Don't be put off by the cafeteria style decor. This is really good food. Now that didn't cover the Bistecca Fiorentina Trattorias or the low priced great food for great value places like Zio Gigi on via F. Portinari 7r, behind the Duomo, off of Oriuolo. But, the most incredible experience we had was taking the bus to Panzano and eating at Dario Cecchini's restaurant, Solociccia. Good luck with your quest for the top 5.
Originally posted by BOB THE NAVIGATOR: www.divinacucina.com By neighborhood by a local expert
Thanks Bob, I have definitely checked out her site over the years. Thought it would be fun though to hear from others. I pretty much know what my favorites are, but I enjoy the forums where people list their favorites for sight seeing, restaurants, etc. and I wanted to see what people are thinking these days about Florence restaurants. I haven't been able to be on this forum much for the past 3 years because of being in grad school.
I second SK's suggestion of Belcore. It is very quiet (they mainly cater to businessmen groups during the week), the cooking is top, and you do not feel either rushed or crushed. Generally speaking, most of the restaurants in the centre are too cramped for my personal taste and Belcore is one of the few where eating is relaxing.
L'Osteria di Giovanni on Via del Moro is very good and the staff most accommodating. Highly recommend this restaurant for good, upscale Tuscan menu.
Trattoria Pandemonio in the San Frediano quarter, near Santo Spirito. This is somewhat out of the way unless you are parking by Porto Romana but it is very good.
Now--for some heresy--I do join others in recommending Solo Ciccia but.......primarily because it is unique and fun and for the pleasure of enjoying Dario and an unusual dining experience. I do not think that it is one of the best culinary experiences you will find in Tuscany. You will get a variety of meat dishes prepared in traditional ways. If you like other aspects of a meal--salad, vegetables, seafood, pasta,lamb, dulce etc. this is not what you will experience at Dario's. You will have some of these things but that is not the focus or emphasis in preparation. Dario is a butcher and loves meat (along with his love of Dante)--it is his family's history and passion. He loves to share these things with strangers who come to his table. So, when you go to his restaurants the draw is him.
Well, my question will indicate that my inclinations run to the "cheap but unexpectedly good" rather than to the "haute cuisine (don't know the Italian equivalent) and expensive." [I just don't see spending a lot on food as long as it's decent.]
There's a place in Florence where we've eaten at least twice over the decades (literally), and I've wondered occasionally if it's still there, in case we return to Florence one of these years. It's where a lot of local working people eat or did eat, and it may have been open only for lunch. It was in a large, unpretentious room with long tables. I believe it was/is located on a side street between the Piazza Vecchio and the Accademia.
www.divinacucina.com By neighborhood by a local expert
When planning for our first trip to Florence a couple of months ago I was so overwhelmed by all of the restaurant selections that I ended up only taking Judy's recommendations. All of the places we tried were great.
Our favorites:
Trattoria Garga Via del Moro, 48 - I had a wonderful asparagus risotto here amidst the interesting artwork.
Trattoria Croce al Trebbio Via Delle Belle Donne, 47-49R - Scott had a great pasta with rabbit sauce and the waitstaff were very nice.
Casa del Vino (wine bar)Via dell'Ariento, 16R - not a restaurant but wonderful antipasti. We had a selection of great crostini - my favorite was the anchovy with unsalted butter.
Sergio's behind the San Lorenzo market - this is not on Judy's list but we had a fantastic bistecca, gnocchi, potatoes, and braciola.
Posts: 915 | Location: North of Seattle | Registered: 28 February 2003
Originally posted by SK: The top 5 would be difficult without clarification. It will be interesting to see the results this question will bring. There could be a top 5 fancy; top 5 truly Tuscan; or, top 5 best flavor for value. My husband and I have been debating this issue. Our top for fancy plus value is Belcore, via dell'Albero, 30, in the Santa Maria Novella neighborhood. It is opened for Sunday lunch and it is a lovely, serene, room with delicous food that is not inexpensive but is a good value. Close behind only becuase the space was cramped and the chairs not terribly comfortable is La Giostra, Borgo Pinti 10r, between the Duomo and Santa Croce. We had an unbelievable delicous meal there with very inventive food, a bit pricey, but well worth the price. The setting is more rustic than Belcore but the food is very good. A tiny bit outside of the center of town, a short cab or #14 bus ride away, is Zibibbo, via di Terzollina, 3r, for Fabulous food for value. The room is lovely, overlooking the countryside, although still in Florence. They have a very in-depth wine list from very low to very high. We spent a wonderful afternoon there. Down a notch in price, but not quality is Ristorante la Maremma, via Verdi 16r, near Santa Croce. Again, a very good wine list, a rustic atmosphere with food more upscale than most but at a very good price. For the best value on seafood we loved Osteria dei Centopoveri, via Palazzuolo 31r, in the Santa Maria Novella neighborhood. My baked seabass was succulent and flavorful and the price of most pizzas. They recently re-modeled and added a pizza oven. Don't be put off by the cafeteria style decor. This is really good food. Now that didn't cover the Bistecca Fiorentina Trattorias or the low priced great food for great value places like Zio Gigi on via F. Portinari 7r, behind the Duomo, off of Oriuolo. But, the most incredible experience we had was taking the bus to Panzano and eating at Dario Cecchini's restaurant, Solociccia. Good luck with your quest for the top 5.
Have you submitted reviews?, even a short review either pro or con is very helpful for our database! RR
Originally posted by AppalAnnie: Well, my question will indicate that my inclinations run to the "cheap but unexpectedly good" rather than to the "haute cuisine (don't know the Italian equivalent) and expensive." [I just don't see spending a lot on food as long as it's decent.]
There's a place in Florence where we've eaten at least twice over the decades (literally), and I've wondered occasionally if it's still there, in case we return to Florence one of these years. It's where a lot of local working people eat or did eat, and it may have been open only for lunch. It was in a large, unpretentious room with long tables. I believe it was/is located on a side street between the Piazza Vecchio and the Accademia.
Does anyone know what I am talking about?
Ann
I wonder if you're thinking of Le Mossacce on Via Pronconsolo
I love le mossacce which is very near the Duomo on Via P... It was good in 93 and again in 04. I will be going a few times next visit I'm sure but remember its closed weekends! RR
I should qualify this with the fact that I'm kind of a food snob. I'm super picky and critical, particularly when it comes to freshness of ingredients. (I'd say the restaurants below are all more along the lines of traditional trattorie, although Pandemonio is way more expensive than a typical trattoria, and is definitely more of a place for a good splurge).
That said, I've had some extraordinary dishes at Trattoria Pallottino (Via Isola della Stinche, 1), near Santa Croce. Of the highly mind-blowing dishes I've had here, a few worth mentioning were a risotto with funghi porcini (the best risotto I've *ever* had), and farfalle with scrumptiously potent truffle oil and zucchini shavings in a light cream sauce. It's a cool, low-key place, w/ a mix of tourists and locals. Had some of the better veal scallopine (w/ porcini) I've ever tasted here, too, not to mention their pasta dishes with pesto are excellent.
On our last trip to Florence, we tried Pandemonio (Via del Leone, 50) in Oltrarno, which is pricey but from our experience, quite good. Grilled veal was exceptional, as was the risotto con scampi and the tortacelli w/ pesto and tomatoes. Service here was extremely friendly, and the place seemed to be packed with locals.
Back in 2005, I had an awesome dinner at Trattoria Baldovino (right next to Santa Croce), which included insanely juicy and tender grilled veal slathered in a truffle-cream sauce, and some yummy tortacelli. When I came back here in 2007, the experience was quite mediocre, so I'm really hesitant to recommend this place.
We had some excellent pasta at Trattoria Quattro Leoni, but found their meat-based secondi to be somewhat mediocre. I'd come here again, but I'd ask the waitstaff for advice on the secondo, or pay closer attention to any specials.
I've got reviews for most of these places in the review section. You can also find some of my reviews of places to be avoided!
I'll be paying close attention to this thread, because I'd really like to try some new/good places on my next visit to Florence.
Originally posted by Robert Rainey: [QUOTE]Originally posted by SK:
Have you submitted reviews?, even a short review either pro or con is very helpful for our database! RR
We are still eating our way through Florence but I will be doing restaurant reviews when the Florentine dust settles. I posted our March restaurants on our blog, but haven't had time to do April. Susan & Arnie Travel
I agree the top 5 is misleading. i love Il Latini and Tarttoria Garga. both never a dissapointment for food and quality. For lunch it is always Cantinetta Verazanno or Gusto Pannni for foccaccio or pasta. and we love Baldovino for pizza. Best wild boar is Chingale Bianco over the river and Borgao Antico for lively crowd, outdoor eating,hugh italian portions and good price at P.Santa Spirito.La giosta for ravioli and elegant meal that is perfect always.
Posts: 47 | Location: Virginia | Registered: 18 February 2004
Originally posted by Terran: I agree the top 5 is misleading. i love Il Latini and Tarttoria Garga. both never a dissapointment for food and quality. For lunch it is always Cantinetta Verazanno or Gusto Pannni for foccaccio or pasta. and we love Baldovino for pizza. Best wild boar is Chingale Bianco over the river and Borgao Antico for lively crowd, outdoor eating,hugh italian portions and good price at P.Santa Spirito.La giosta for ravioli and elegant meal that is perfect always.
A lot of those are ones I have enjoyed over the years although I haven't been to I Latini in quite a few years, (like at least 8 years) and I had heard the quality had gone down quite a bit. Anyone else want to weigh in on this?
I have always liked Borgo Antico but they raised their prices quite a bit when I was living there in 2004 and I was disappointed by that, because it used to be great value with the huge portions and low'ish prices.
I agree that pizza is very good at Baldovino and in my experience everything was very good at Baldovino. I was last there in 2004 though, and someone (I think on this forum?) said that they'd been disappointed with Baldovino recently. Anyone else been there recently?
And yes, Cinghiale Bianco has always been good, although again, for me it's been quite a while since I've eaten there.
So, once we have critical mass weighing in here on these categories: Top 5 fancy Top 5 traditional trattoria I will then write up the results. I may need to narrow down to a certain amount of restaurants that people have mentioned and then I'll talk to Pauline and see how we could set up an actual vote. Might be interesting to see results of the votes of Slow Travelers to Italy, on those two categories for Florence. And we could do it for Rome and Venice too.
Chandi Price ranges are always helpful and based on what 1st+2nd or a smaller meal. Ones person "it's a bargain" means 50 euro/person and to another it's "it broke the bank it was 50 euro" euro amounts are more a guide than cheap/expensive etc.! Rr
