Tradition and innovation in Florentine cuisine

The Italian term "enogastronomia" describes the developments in an area between the community and its local food and wine products. More and more people want to experience and taste this relationship for themselves, hence the popularity of food & wine tourism: a journey to discover the flavours and aromas of a region.

Traditional Florentine cuisine is simple and flavoursome: from the famous Chianina beef steak, known as "bistecca alla fiorentina" after the city, to traditional "peasant food" such as “pappa al pomodoro” and “ribollita” (both thick soups). Not to mention tripe or “lampredotto”, a classic dish made of the abomasum, the fourth stomach of a cow, which you can sample at various stalls dotted around the city known as lampredottai in the city's fine street food tradition. Accompanied by a glass of Chianti, of course.

And let's not forget that gelato was invented in Florence thanks to the ingenuity of Bernardo Buontalenti: artisan gelato is the pride of the city, along with the “Gelato Festival”, which promotes exactly this kind of craftsmanship.

The city has more than its fair share of excellent culinary hotspots, with something to suit all tastes and needs. In the San Lorenzo district you will find the historic Central Market, built between 1870 and 1874 by the architect Giuseppe Mengoni, and now renovated as a major food and wine hub. The Sant'Ambrogio Market was also built by the same architect around the same time, and today houses stalls selling quality local produce.

While walking through the city's streets, it is easy to stumble across historic shops, taverns and vinai (wine cellars) which serve excellent traditional dishes, Tuscan cold cuts and cheeses. The city also offers a wide range of ethnic restaurants, with cuisines from Asia to Africa, and from Latin America to the Middle East.

Florence can offer dining experiences to suit all tastes and budgets, from typical trattorias to Michelin-starred restaurants with a wide selection of fine Tuscan and Italian wines and haute cuisine.