Hi

I'm off to Florence next week and after that I'm spending a few days in Tuscany. I would love to get recommendations for places to eat in Florence :-) I have already put down a list of options but it is always great to get some personal recommendations ^

I'd try a search or look in the Italy forum.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=634

Vivoli for the Gelatto, it's worth finding

I really like this place, restaurant Toto (their website stinks)

http://www.ristorantetoto.it/

It's not fancy at all, but they offer good food at a good price, and a fairly decent wine list. The Nozollo (may have that wrong) Chaianti is very good, they don't recommend it to tourists because as our waiter told us tourists want name brands or they think they are being cheated (those pesky tourists).

They do magic with slabs of beef and veal in that open fire.

It's very close to the Ponte Veccio if that gives you a location, just a couple blocks. But it's far enough off the main path to have many tourists, locals and people staying in the hotels nearby.

A DUE PASSI DAL PONTE VECCHIO

BORGO SS APOSTOLI 6/R 50123 FIRENZE
TEL 055212096
FAX 0556802816
E-MAIL [email protected]

We had a great time at Cafe Bibo.

http://www.ristorantebibo.it/

Acqua al Due

(I don't remember where it is, but get the 5 pasta sampler. Yum!)

Yes, we enjoyed both of those places, wish I was going back!

Trattoria ZaZa

Hey Gard,

We came back from a trip to Florence (2nd time) this May and had some fairly good eats. We used Judy Witt's website for suggestions... http://www.divinacucina.com/code/florence.html. We ate lunch twice at Mercato Centrale: Once at Nerbone and once at Pork's. Both were very good meals and great value. My highlight was the lasagna at Pork's.
For dinner, we ate once across the Arno. I think it was Trattoria La Casalinga. We were able to slip in without reservations. Food was decent but a little salty for our tastes. Very warm in there too. For our other dinner, we ate at Trattoria Anita. Probably one of our best meals during this trip to Italy. Friendly atmosphere.

One place we wanted to try for lunch but missed was Mario's just outside the Mercato Centrale.

We really enjoyed the gelato at Grom (steps from the Duomo). Word of caution though. My friends made the mistake of buying gelato near the Ponte Vecchio at a place that didn't list prices on the cups and ended up paying 8 or 9 Euro for gelato in a cone.

Sostanza. Sostanza. Sostanza.

Did I mention Sostanza?

Its a block from the Excelsior. Its about the size of a school bus and its family seating. Don't let that scare you. You must go there and get the "Pollo il Burro." Bring your Lipitor. I was not a fan based on the description but it was one of the best meals I have ever had.

Il Latini

http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguid...ini_florence-i

This is going to sound too touristy to be true, but MammaMia restaurant near the square with the fake David on Via Porta Rossa--I had the best steak in my entire life, along with the best Bruschetta (Olive oil, salt and garlic).^

For the ultimate dining experience, in terms of food, service and elegance I would suggest 'Enoteca Pinchiorri'. The First Lady of this place is culinary art! Beware though, this restaurant is on the expensive side....

we agree, fun, outdoors (if you want), and good food

Completely agree on recommendation. This is considered the "best" restaurant in the northern half of Italy.

Price put into context: relatively good bargain when compared to Tier 1 restaurants in Paris.

I strongly second this reccomendation. Over the past 10 years, I've steered dozens of people here and everyone loves it.