Paper table covers, long tables, large servings, snug, red brick-enclosed interior and exquisitely central. This traditional place exudes character, as does the food that sometimes pushes the boundaries of simple Tuscan cuisine with bold twists and a view to presentation. They do a variety of grilled meat as well as catering to vegetarians. In nice weather, they also have seating...
This cramped, basement space is so close to the Ponte Vecchio you can smell it. Despite its tenuous tourist trap location, it’s loved by locals for well-prepared Florentine dishes like linguine with tuna, ravioli in cream and black pepper, and a secondo plate of fried chicken and rabbit with artichokes. Their pride and joy is the stracotto (t-bone steak) with...
DJed music, giant cocktails and an incredibly long salads list are among the enticements here. There’s a Saturday and Sunday brunch from noon to 5pm, and food on weekdays after 7pm, such as hamburgers and enchiladas in addition to the typical Italian fare. Wednesday nights are theme nights (e.g. sushi, Mexican). It’s also a trendy daytime hangout. Italy wi-fi sticker-shocked...
Wildly popular, second generation place started in 1953 and run today by Mario’s sons Fabio and Romeo and their kids. It’s a local institution – some customers have been coming here daily for decades – appealing to working-class folks seeking a quick refill and visitors looking for an undiluted, shoulder-to-shoulder, Italian lunch experience. Seating is intimate (i.e. tight) and arriving...
This locally loved budget place has a long menu with all variety of antipasti, soups and secondi, including lots of roasted meats and a few doozies like “boiled stomach, tongue with green sauce.” They also do “cheek in green sauce” if that’s more your speed. Their daily specials menu is a fine read as well.
This no nonsense place, bordering on the budget side of the meal spectrum, has a small outdoor seating area on a quiet intersection, though inside is where the character is. The regular menu is filled with simple but satisfying everyday fare, but the hand written daily menu (“oggi“) is where they play with dishes like pasta stuffed with spinach and...
No one can agree on the name. Trattoria Gozzi Sergio? Da Sergio? Even the sign above the door seems to be uncertain. Whatever the case, I’ve listed it here exactly as it appeared on the hand-written menu presented to me during my visit. This miniscule Slow Food-recommended place has a bad rep for openly loathing tourists, but I was treated...
In business since 1869 and at its current location since 1932, Sostanza is a small, traditional trattoria with a historic feel serving simple (e.g. simple-looking) dishes like pasta al sugo and tortellini in brodo (beef-filled pasta in broth). The butter chicken (“petti di pollo al burro“; 16 euros), their signature dish, may look plain, but preparation is labor-intensive. It’s also...
They may be super-sized, they may have touts in the square trying to snare customers, their menu may be three times longer than any other Italian restaurant I’ve ever seen, they may sell their own cookbooks and music compilation CDs, but you know what? The food’s not bad. A reliable choice especially if you’re looking for a little variety (omelets...