A Foodie's Guide to Florence: 10 Must-Do Culinary Experiences

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Florence is a food lover's paradise, and as passionate foodies, we can't get enough of this magnificent city's culinary treasures.

Nothing brings us more joy than settling into a cosy trattoria for a plate of handmade pasta, or starting our morning at a local bakery where the aroma of fresh-baked bread fills the air. We've spent countless happy hours sampling delicate pastries at traditional pasticcerias and joining food tours that reveal hidden gems we'd never find on our own.

One of our favorite rituals is participating in the beloved aperitivo tradition, sipping Aperol Spritz alongside tasty small bites as the sun sets. We love getting lost in the bustling Sant'Ambrogio and Central Markets, where vendors greet us with samples of aged pecorino and fresh olive oil.

Wine tasting in historic cellars and taking hands-on cooking classes where we learn to make perfect pasta from scratch have given us an even deeper appreciation for Florentine cuisine. Let us share our favourite food experiences in this amazing city that has stolen our hearts!

1. Grab baked goods from local bakery (forno in Italian)

Follow the inviting scent of freshly baked bread to a local forno (bakery) to eat freshly baked schiacciata (glistening with olive oil), panini or a slice of hot pizza. Pair these baked good with slices salami or prosciutto and have an amazing meal.

We can recommend Forno Canapa, close to Mercato Centrale for these products. They also sell delicious "coccoli" - little balls of deep fried dough. Their coccoli are so soft and delicious, sweet and salty at the same time. Choose from the plain one or paired with prosciutto and stracchino.

Read also: Finding Pasta Making Class in Italy

2. Enjoy sweets from pasticceria (so tempting)

Sweet lovers will love to visit Italian pastry shops, "pasticceria" in Italian, selling a selection of pastries, those with cream, chocolate, pistachio filling... Or grab some dry cookies, like cantucci to pair with a cup of coffee and tea.

Some cafes sells Schiacciata alla Fiorentina, a flat cake dusted with icing sugar - delicate and soft. During the Carnival period in February, you can find cenci and frittelle in pasticcerie - a good reasons for visiting Florence in February. Or opt for panforte, a chewy sweet made of nuts, dried fruits and honey, usually sold cut into small triangles (so delicious!).

We adore Ballerini (Borgo Ognissanti 132), a cute cafè/pasticceria, where you can have a slice of warm pizza, buy a piece of schiacciata, grab a freshly baked pastry or buy artisanal chocolates. The atmosphere is always amazing and the staff is helpful! The quality of their products is high!

Go to Caffè Lietta (Piazza della Libertà), to try their "pirulo", a special pudding with short pastry filled with ricotta cheese, available in different variations according to the seasons (fresh apple, gianduia cream, frutti di bosco).

3. Snack on schiacciata sandwich (repeat every day)

Schiacciata is something typical of Florence - it's a Tuscan-style focaccia (thinner and chewier than regular focaccia). While delicious on its own or as a bread substitute at meals, schiacciata truly shines when stuffed - perhaps with prosciutto and Tuscan pecorino cheese.

Every foodie must try various schiacciata sandwiches while in Florence. Sold on every corner, these sandwiches make a great brunch or even a light lunch. Pair them with a glass of wine or even beer!

We love schiacciata sandwiches from a cute place called I' Girone De' Ghiotti (Via de Cimatori, 23R), located on a street close to Piazza della Signoria. They offer a wide choice of fillings with prices starting at €6. You can always create your own combination if you don't like the ones on the menu. Their sandwiches are crunchy, richly stuffed, and so yummy! You'll be back for more!

3. 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.

Among the most popular Florence foodie tours are Streaty food tour in Sant' Ambrogio market (starting at 10:30am) and Eating Europe's sunset food tour in Santo Spirito (with various departure times:

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!

4. Visit local trattoria for authentic Tuscan food

A visit to a trattoria in Florence is the perfect way to experience authentic Tuscan cuisine and culture. These cosy, family-run restaurants offer traditional dishes like ribollita - vegetable soup, bistecca alla fiorentina - the juicy grilled steak served with baked potatoes, and pappardelle al cinghiale - pasta with wild boar.

You'll love casual and welcoming atmosphere in trattoria! Enjoy a glass of Chianti with your meal and finish with cantucci dipped in Vin Santo. For going straight to the trattoria, join this 3-hour food tour in Florence!

A list of most-loved trattorias/restaurants in Florence:

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

Let us tell you about one of Florence's greatest treats - gelato! As the weather warms up, there's nothing better than enjoying a scoop (or three!) of this creamy treat. With countless gelato shops around every corner, grabbing a cone is a must-do, sweet experience.

Sure, you'll see crowds lining up at GROM, the popular chain store. But want our insider tip? Check out Perche No! - it's this amazing family-run spot that's been making gelato for 70 years! You'll find it tucked 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.

Looking for other great spots? Venchi is one of our favorites - their gelato is super creamy and rich, plus they sell amazing chocolate too!

Then there's 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.

And here's a little secret: cross the Ponte alla Carraia bridge from historic centre to find Gelateria La Carraia. 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. Eat lampredotto (something unique)

Whether your are adventurous foodie (or not!) you should try lampredotto, one of Florence’s culinary symbols. It’s ingredients might not sound appetising, but it’s truly delicious if you are prepared to give it a go.

It’ s made from cow’s stomach boiled with herbs and vegetables, and served on its own or in a bun (‘sèmelle’, the quintessential Florentine panino) soaked in hot broth and with pungent salsa verde. Soft, tender and with a similar taste to Trippa alla fiorentina – Florence’s other offal speciality. Simply irresistible.

Join this morning food tour of Oltrarno, to eat one of the most delicious lampredotto in Florence!

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. Take a cooking class to learn how to make fresh pasta

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. Wine tasting (with eating cheese and salami)

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!

More to Discover in Italy

Best Food Tours in Rome

What to See in Florence

Rome to Florence by Train

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