This unpretentious restaurant is located next to the St. Ambrogio food market. Chef/owner Fabio Picchi presents a menu of traditional Tuscan fare with dishes such as pappa (a typical hearty tomato and bread soup), salt cod with garlic bruschetta, and his signature ricotta, pesto and potato soufflé. The less expensive Trattoria Cibrèo next door is also worth a lunchtime visit. Closed Sundays and Mondays.
CONTACT OUR TRAVEL EXPERTS (800) 375-4685 | (630) 734-4610
Traveling the World in Search
of Truly Enchanting Places
Florence
Overview
From Andrew Harper
The capital of Tuscany is located in the valley of the Arno River — which means that it can be hot and humid from June to August — and today has around 375,000 inhabitants. Perhaps the most agreeable thing about Florence is its manageable size, with nothing of conspicuous interest being much more than a 20-minute walk. Its crowning jewel is its magnificent cathedral topped by Brunelleschi’s extraordinary dome. At the heart of the city is the incomparable Uffizi Gallery, founded by a Medici bequest. Located on a famously scenic height above Florence, five miles from the city center, is the exquisite hill town of Fiesole.
Hotels
All recommended hotels in Florence
 |
Four Seasons FirenzeMagnificent hotel created from a 15th-century palazzo and a 16th-century convent, filled with museum-quality art. The property is set amid an 11-acre private garden a 15-minute walk from the historic center of Florence. |
||
 |
Hotel Helvetia & BristolCharming, old-fashioned 67-room hotel, a short walk from the Duomo and Uffizi Gallery. Rooms are furnished with antique armoires and tables, Chinese porcelain lamps, brocades and silks, and fine 17th-century paintings. |
||
 |
Hotel LungarnoSophisticated 73-room boutique hotel (owned by the Italian fashion house of Ferragamo) overlooking the Arno at the western end of the Ponte Vecchio. |
||
 |
Il SalviatinoA 45-room masterpiece of Old World style and hospitality in a lavishly restored villa near Fiesole, five miles from Florence. Terrace overlooking 12 acres of formal gardens offers a glorious view of the city. |
||
 |
J.K. Place FirenzeCentrally located 20-room boutique hotel. The striking public areas are decorated with a mix of modern furnishings and fine antiques. |
||
 |
Lungarno SuitesThese lovely apartments are located in the heart of the city next to the Hotel Lungarno and with an approximate size of 80 sq. meters they are ideal for families and guests planning a long stay in Florence. |
||
 |
Rocco Forte Hotel SavoyStylish 102-room hotel ideally situated near the Duomo, Uffizi Gallery and main shopping streets. The understated modern interior was designed by the noted Olga Polizzi. |
||
 |
The St. Regis FlorenceRecently refurbished 100-room palace hotel in a Renaissance square overlooking the Arno River, within walking distance of the Ponte Vecchio and museums. |
||
 |
Villa San MicheleSumptuously restored hilltop hotel (15 minutes by shuttle from city center) housed by a 15th-century Franciscan monastery commanding a glorious panoramic view of Florence. |
Dining
All recommended restaurants in Florence
CIBREO
Via A. del Verrocchio 8r
Firenze
50122
Italy
US$80
ENOTECA PINCHIORRI
Pink tablecloths, lemon-colored walls and antique furniture create a gracious and refined setting for chef Annie Féolde’s cucina nuova and traditional Tuscan cuisine at this renowned Michelin three-star establishment. Among the delicacies: agnolotti with polenta and black cabbage in a Parmesan fondue with white truffle; sea bass inflected with capers and served with white beans and a salad with pancetta; and rich suckling pig accompanied by caramelized red onions and potatoes with a mustard sauce. The remarkable wine cellar contains more than 4,500 Italian and foreign vintages. Closed Sundays and Mondays.
Via Ghibellina 87
Firenze
50122
Italy
US$195
IO OSTERIA PERSONALE
Exposed brick walls and low lighting create a warm, relaxed setting in which to discover the excellent contemporary Tuscan cooking of chef Matteo Fantini. Committed to using only local seasonal produce, Fantini changes his menu regularly, but dishes such as crispy porcini mushrooms with Pecorino-spiked potato cream, and Cinta Senese pork fillet with chestnut purée, raisins cooked in Sangiovese wine and fennel show off his culinary imagination.
Borgo San Frediano 167r
Firenze
50124
Italy
US$90
OSTERIA DEI PAZZI
Paolo Paroli is a gracious host at this excellent osteria near the Piazza Santa Croce. The cooking is outstanding, including dishes such as ravioli stuffed with veal and buffalo-milk ricotta, and grilled Chianina beef.
Via dei Lavatoi 1/3R
Firenze
50122
Italy
US$85
OSTERIA DE’ BENCI
Younger Florentines love this animated trattoria, where generous portions of excellent Tuscan classics such as spaghetti dell’ubriacone (cooked in red wine and sauced with a mixture of sautéed garlic, parsley and peperoncino sausage) are served on pretty handpainted ceramic plates. Don’t miss the charcuterie — sublime cold cuts such as fennel-scented salami and wild-boar ham — that comes from Falorni, the famous Chianti butcher.
Via de’ Benci 13r
Firenze
50122
Italy
US$50
OSTERIA VINI E VECCHI SAPORI
Florentines like to keep this simple little trattoria a closely guarded secret, since it serves superb Tuscan comfort food such as pasta fagioli (with beans) and zucchini stuffed with veal.
Via dei Magazzini 3R
Firenze
50122
United States
See map: Google Maps
US$30
From the Member Community