Florence, Italy, is beloved for its history and culture. Michelangelo’s David? Right over here. Boticelli’s artwork? It’s got that, too. Tons and tons of history dating back to 52 B.C.? Check!
Yet if you’re visiting Florence, you probably also want to know some great ways to enjoy its food. Because after all, there’s no going hungry in Tuscany.
Here are four food recommendations for your visit to Florence.
Piazza del Duomo, 45/R, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy
You’ve got your share of gelato places around the Duomo (Cathedral)–why not pick one that’s highly rated and organic?
Edoardo’s gelato is made without chemicals or artificial colors. Enjoy flavors like pistachio and hazelnut among other choices(including some seasonal changes). Remember what European travel guru Rick Steves says–if gelato comes in neon-bright colors, you probably want to avoid it. Edoardo’s gelato has muted colors, adding to its authenticity.
Via Generale dalla Chiesa, 13 50136 Firenze
When we arrived in Florence, we made an early-morning beeline toward the Duomo so we could see it before big crowds arrived (which is a great tip for just about anywhere you’re traveling in Italy). But really, we were just killing time until Mercato Centrale opened.
Mercato Centrale has food stalls on its first floor, with a colorful mix of food and products that could keep you busy all morning. If you like taking pictures, definitely take your time to find good pics.
One of the first stalls we saw featured the lampredotto sandwich, a Tuscan specialty that uses the fourth stomach from a cow. Further down, we saw pigs’ heads, massive containers of sundried tomatoes, and plenty of vino. There were a few places to buy pastries, like the famous cornetto (croissant) that Italians often have for breakfast.
Some of the vendors were tourist-geared and gave samples of items like truffle cream, cheeses, vinegar, and olive oil.
In an amusing twist, we saw two stands that displayed the Peruvian flag, reflecting the small but mighty Peruvian community in Florence, Much like Italy, Peru is famous for its cuisine, and the stalls included some of the produce and spices better known by its natives.
Upstairs at Mercato Centrale, there’s a food hall with a ton of ready-made food items that you can order–from hamburgers to pizza to American barbecue and more. We tried a caprese sandwich that was perfect for an early lunch. Use this handy guide for the layout of the Mercato Centrale’s second floor.
Piazza del Duomo, 57r, 50122 Firenze
We realize that there are many great places to eat in Florence. There are hidden gems away from the tourist crowds, but there also are some tourist-friendly restaurants that come with fantastic food and a stunning view. That’s what you’ll find at Osteria del Fiore, where we enjoyed a pesto pasta with tomatoes while watching the world go by beside the Duomo.
Our pasta was served with a side of bread, perfect for sopping up extra pesto sauce. On the menu here, our order was Fusilli al Pesto con Pomodorini (fusilli pasta with pesto and tomatoes).
Local Supermarkets
Various locations
After checking into the hotel, the first thing we did was find a supermarket. After all, it was our first time in Italy in a very long time, and we were too tired and impatient for a sit-down meal.
Going to a supermarket was a fascinating way to see how people shop, how pasta and sauce prices (and selection) compared to the U.S., and what other snacks would be good for our trip. In fact, we bought a pre-made flatbread for dinner that night along with some European Ritter Sport chocolate. A few days later, we also ended up buying food gifts there, like pesto and pasta.
4 Tips for Choosing a Better Meal in Tuscany
—Don’t be afraid to eat near the Duomo. Yes, you’ll be there with hundreds of new friends, but as mentioned, one of our best meals in Italy was the pesto pasta enjoyed while staring at the Duomo.
—Take a cooking class. Sadly, this is something we didn’t have a chance to do. It could be a great way to learn about local cuisine and meet others. Here are a few recommendations for Florence cooking classes from a Rick Steves forum.
—Try an Italian breakfast. Italians put a lot of effort into their lunches and dinners. So, it may not be surprising that their breakfast is more simple. The most common breakfast is coffee and a croissant, or “un espresso e un cornetto.” Espresso, of course, is the shorter coffee. If you want more coffee to drink, American style, then specify that you want “un caffe Americano.”
—Use those meal encounters to practice Italian, if you’re learning the language! If not,it still can’t hurt to trhow in the occasional “per favore” and “grazie.” 🙂
Italy Dreams 
Leave a comment