Florence for Foodies: 10 Delicious Experiences You Can’t Miss

Florence is a true food lover’s paradise. From cosy trattorias serving handmade pasta to charming bakeries where the aroma of freshly baked bread fills the streets, every bite in this city tells a story.

We’ve spent countless hours indulging in delicate pastries at traditional pasticcerias, joining Florentine food tours that uncover hidden gems, and embracing the city’s beloved aperitivo tradition—sipping an Aperol Spritz with savory small bites as the sun dips behind terracotta rooftops.

Getting lost in the bustling Sant’Ambrogio and Central Markets is a must for any foodie. Here, friendly local vendors offer tastes of aged pecorino, truffle spreads, and peppery olive oil straight from the Tuscan hills.

For a deeper dive into local cuisine, nothing beats wine tasting in historic cellars or taking hands-on cooking classes where you can master fresh pasta from scratch.

These unforgettable food experiences capture the heart and flavour of Florence—and we can’t wait to share our favorites with you.

1. Grab fresh baked goods from a local forno

Follow the inviting scent of freshly baked bread to a local forno (bakery in Italian) — you’ll find one on almost every corner. It’s hard to choose what to take: from classic loaves and schiacciata glistening with olive oil to panini or a hot slice of pizza. Our favourite treat is a piece of schiacciata paired with slices of salami or prosciutto.

We love Forno Canapa, near Mercato Centrale, where you can try delicious little balls of deep-fried dough called coccoli. They’re wonderfully addictive — sweet and salty at the same time. We could nibble on them all day! Choose between plain coccoli or ones filled with prosciutto.

2. Join a walking food tour of Florence (for delicious food and good company)

A foodie in Florence shouldn't skip taking a guided culinary tour. You'll kill two birds with one stone, you'll get to know the city and taste amazing food. A friendly local will show you the best trattorias and eateries, you would normally miss.

We recommend these Florence food tours:

• Florence Food Tour with Truffle Pasta, Steak & Free Flowing Wine
• Florence Sunset Food & Wine Tour by Eating Europe

On these food tours of Florence, you'll eat a food you won't find anywhere else, such as lampredotto, schiacciata sandwich, Tuscan salami and cheeses, pasta with truffles, crostini neri, coccoli... Everyone is welcome to these Florence gourmet experiences!

3. Discover Florence’s best pastries: From brioche to panforte

We usually have a hard time choosing when we visit pastry shops in Florence — the selection is truly overwhelming. Their sweet treats range from croissant-like pastries, called brioche in Florence (known as cornetto in Rome), filled with vanilla cream, chocolate, or pistachio, to fruit tarts and cantucci cookies.

For something truly local, try schiacciata alla fiorentina, a soft flat cake dusted with icing sugar. During Carnival, you’ll find cenci and frittelle — irresistible fried sweets. We also loved panforte, a chewy treat made with nuts, dried fruit, and honey, easily recognizable by its triangular shape.

Our favourite sweet stop is Ballerini Pasticceria (Borgo Ognissanti 132; on our walking route from Casa di Chiara) — a charming caffè-pasticceria where you can find everything from fresh bread and pizza slices to exquisite pastries and artisanal chocolates. The vibe is cosy, and the staff couldn’t be friendlier!

4. Snack on schiacciata sandwiches (repeat every day!)

Schiacciata is a typical Florentine specialty — a Tuscan-style focaccia that’s thinner and chewier than regular focaccia. Delicious on its own or as a bread substitute at meals, schiacciata truly shines when stuffed, especially with prosciutto and Tuscan pecorino cheese.

Every foodie visiting Florence should try schiacciata sandwiches, sold on nearly every corner. They make a perfect brunch or light lunch and pair beautifully with a glass of wine or even beer.

We love the schiacciata sandwiches from a charming spot called I' Girone De' Ghiotti (Via de Cimatori, 23R), located just off Piazza della Signoria. You’ll recognize it by the long line of hungry people waiting outside!

With a wide choice of fillings starting at just €6, it’s an ideal option for budget-friendly eating in the heart of Florence. You can also create your own sandwich if you don’t see your favourite on the menu. Their crunchy, generously stuffed sandwiches are so delicious, you’ll want to come back for more!

4. Taste real Florentine cuisine at local trattorias

A visit to a trattoria in Florence is the ultimate way to dive into genuine Tuscan flavours and culture.

These cosy, family-run spots serve up classic dishes like ribollita — a hearty vegetable soup, bistecca alla fiorentina — the famous juicy grilled steak paired with baked potatoes, and pappardelle al cinghiale — fresh pasta with wild boar ragù.

Trattorias are popular with both locals and visitors, so it’s a good idea to book your table a couple of days in advance, either in person or by email.

What makes dining at a Florentine trattoria truly special is the casual, welcoming atmosphere — the perfect place to savour traditional Tuscan cuisine.

👌 For an authentic local experience, consider joining a 3-hour evening foodie tour in Oltrarno, where you’ll discover trattorias beloved by Florentines themselves!

5. Treat yourself to a scoop of rich and creamy gelato

Gelato, mmmm! Our favorite Italian treat! With countless gelato shops around every corner, grabbing a cone is a must-do sweet experience in Florence.

We enjoyed many cones and cups of gelato in Florence, and here are our favourites:

• Perche No! - it's this amazing family-run spot that's been making gelato for 70 years! You'll find it tucked away in the street between the Duomo and Piazza Della Signoria. They've got some really cool flavours to try. Love trying something different? Go for lavender, rose, or fresh mint. More traditional? Their pistachio and stracciatella are fantastic! You absolutely must try their crema Buontalenti (locals call it 'cream fiorentina') - it's THE most Florentine flavour you can get, made with fresh eggs and sugar.
• Venchi - You'll find them on two locations and there are always lines to get inside. Their gelato is super rich, creamy and they also sell quality chocolates!
• Strega Nocciola Gelateria - You'll find them near the Duomo and Ponte Vecchio (gelateria overlooks the Uffizi Gallery). Their staff is super friendly, and they store their gelato in special steel containers called pozzetti.
• Gelateria La Carraia - Cross the Ponte alla Carraia from historic centre to get there.Their orange chocolate flavour is to die for! Plus, they've got outdoor seating where you can sit and enjoy your gelato while watching the world go by.

5. Try Florence’s famous lampredotto

Whether you’re an adventurous foodie or just curious, you have to try lampredotto — one of Florence’s most famous dishes. It might sound unusual, but it’s absolutely delicious if you’re willing to give it a chance.

Lampredotto is made from cow’s stomach, slow-cooked with herbs and vegetables. It’s served on its own or in a sèmelle — a classic Florentine sandwich bun soaked in hot broth and topped with tangy salsa verde. The texture is soft and tender, with a flavour similar to Trippa alla fiorentina, another local offal specialty.

👌 If you’re up for trying lampredotto and other delicious local bites, this 3-hour morning food tour in Oltrarno is the perfect way to taste all the iconic flavours.

6. Visit local food market for tasting fresh produce and buying edible souvenirs

An obligatory stop for anyone who loves food. San Lorenzo Food Market was once the ‘popular’ market of the city, a couple of years ago it has been completely redesigned to become one of Italy’s top food markets.

Downstairs you have all sorts of food stalls, from veggies to salumi to fish, cheeses and bakeries. Some prepare sandwiches and have a few informal seating areas when you can eat cheaply, Florentine style fast-food. Buy a unique foodie gift here!

The second floor is altogether different with trendy design and lighting, big communal tables, and plenty of food offerings, from traditional dishes to pizza and gelato, and some restaurants where you can sit down for a primo piatto.

7. Have an aperitivo

Come late afternoon, apertivo time begins. A great Italian tradition (and standard at most bars), the apertivo happy hour involves paying a slightly elevated price for your drink in exchange for a heaving buffet of chips, panini, pasta, snacks, olives and salad – almost negating the need to have dinner at all. 

For some of the best views over the city's red roof tiles (if you want to avoid the claustrophobic climb up Giotto's tower), head to one of the hotels with rooftop bars for a sunset aperitivo. Our favourite include Angel Roofbar (Hotel Calimala), Panoramic Bar (Antica Torre Tornabuoni 1), La Terrazza (Hotel Continentale), the Butterfly Terrace (Hotel Il Tornabuoni) and the wonderful loggia of Palazzo Guadagni. Or take the lift to the fifth floor terrace of the Caffè del Verone at the Museo degli Innocenti (open daily until 9.30pm) for your Campari Spritz-with-a-view.

8. Join a Hands-On Pasta-Making Cooking Class

Learning to make pasta might be just what you need to make your gastronomic experience complete. With this Small Group Pasta Class you’ll learn a few tricks and tips from a from a professional chef.

Learn to make a few different kinds of pasta – ravioli, tagliatelle, and spaghetti. Then, try your hand at some authentic Italian sauces and taste some wines for the perfect pairings. Class size is limited to eight for personalised attention from the instructor. Choose from many cooking classes available in Florence!

9. Experience wine tasting in historic Tuscan cellars

Take a break from sightseeing in Florence with a Wine and Cheese Tasting at a family-run wine bar in the heart of the city. Relax in a Florentine “enoteca” and sample three Tuscan wines served with local cheeses, olive oil, and other regional specialties. Learn about each wine and its pairing from a professional sommelier, and get some tips on how to choose and serve Tuscan wines.

10. Go truffle hunting in the Tuscan countryside

Want an amazing Tuscan adventure? Join a truffle hunt in the beautiful countryside! This fun day trip starts in Florence and runs for 8 hours (a driver will pick you up from your hotel/apartment). You'll team up with a local hunter and their skilled dogs for a 2-hour search through the forest.

When the hunt ends, treat yourself to a delicious Tuscan lunch featuring your truffles, paired with local Chianti wines in charming San Gimignano. You'll have free time to walk around this historic town, taste some gelato, and take in the breathtaking views of Chianti. Everyone loves this food-focused journey from Florence into Tuscany's heartland!

Read More from Tasty Italian Travels

• Best Rome food tours
• Why we love I Dolci di Nonna Vicenza
• Top cooking classes in Florence
• Florence on a budget

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