Where to eat the best chicken liver crostini in Florence

A guide to Florentine establishments where you can enjoy the iconic Tuscan appetiser

In Florence a table is not complete without crostini with chicken livers. This seemingly simple antipasto is actually a distillation of history, tradition and flavour. Toasted Tuscan bread – without salt, as local custom demands – becomes the perfect vehicle for a rustic paté of chicken livers, enriched with anchovies, capers, white onion, garlic, olive oil, stock and a splash of white wine or Vin Santo. Every family has its own recipe, handed down through the generations and with small variations that make all the difference: some like it more creamy, others prefer a coarser texture. But it is above all in trattorias and traditional restaurants that crostini ai fegatini come into their own, served as an indispensable prelude to a Tuscan lunch. As you walk the streets of Florence, from the working-class districts to more upmarket neighbourhoods, you’ll find these crostini everywhere, a culinary rite loved by locals and visitors alike. It’s not only an antipasto, it’s an act of hospitality. Here you don’t just eat crostini, you experience them, tasting the city’s memory in every bite. From the temples of popular food to the most elegant tables, here’s where to sample some of the best chicken liver crostini in Florence.

Il Santo Bevitore
Via S. Spirito, 64/r
ph. +39 055 211264

A sophisticated contemporary restaurant, Il Santo Bevitore revisits tradition without distorting it. The chicken liver here is served on toasted brioche, the texture soft and the flavour elegant, the result of meticulous preparation of carefully selected ingredients. An antipasto that speaks of Florence today: true to its roots but appealing to an international audience.

All'antico Ristoro di Cambi
Via S Onofrio, 1r
ph. +39 055 217134

Antico Ristoro di Cambi in Oltrarno is famous for its steak, but it’s well worth a visit for the chicken liver crostini alone. Prepared the classic way, they have a deep flavour with that rustic note that only local trattorias can achieve. This is quintessential home cooking.

Cibrèo Trattoria
Via de’ Macci, 122/r
ph. +39 055 2341100

The Cibrèo is a name that has made history on the Florentine restaurant scene. The crostini here become a signature dish: sophisticated presentation and beautifully balanced flavours in a creamy paté that’s deliciously delicate. An antipasto that proves that the simplest of cooking, in the right hands, can become a fine dining experience.

Trattoria Da Burde
Via Pistoiese, 154
ph. +39 055 317206

A historic trattoria in Via Pistoiese, Da Burde is a bastion of authentic Florentine cuisine. Here the chicken liver crostini come to the table in their most classic form: crispy bread, velvet-smooth yet bold in flavour, balanced by a light hint of Vin Santo. It’s the perfect antipasto to enter into the spirit of a Tuscan lunch that continues with iconic dishes including peposo and bistecca alla fiorentina.

Trattoria Baldini
Via Il Prato, 96r
ph. +39 055 287663

A fixed point in traditional Florentine cuisine. The chicken liver crostini are served the classic way, rich and flavourful with that home-made touch that takes you back to the cooking of bygone days. Every antipasto here is a tribute to simplicity and authentic flavour.

Buca Mario
Piazza degli Ottaviani, 16/r
ph. +39 055 214179

Located in the very heart of Florence, Buca Mario has been a culinary institution ever since 1886. The crostini ai fegatini embody the spirit of this storied restaurant and are served up in surroundings steeped in tradition. The perfect introduction to the food in a place that retains its connections with time-old recipes.

Osteria tripperia Il Magazzino
Piazza della Passera, 2/3
ph. +39 055 215969

Luca Cai has turned Il Magazzino in Piazza della Passera into a laboratory for Tuscan cuisine. The chicken liver crostini are rustic, confident and deeply tied to tradition, enriched by the skill of a chef who likes to utilise offal. An appetiser that speaks of Florence’s most authentic soul.

Regina Bistecca
Via Ricasoli, 14r
ph. +39 055 269 3772

Next door to the Duomo, Regina Bistecca is a combination of elegance and respect for tradition. The chicken liver crostini are meticulously prepared and served in sophisticated surroundings that evoke the age-old spirit of Florence. An antipasto that becomes a culinary experience, and the perfect prelude to one of the very best bistecche alla fiorentina.

Trattoria 13 Gobbi
Via del Porcellana, 9/r
ph. +39 055 284015

With its retro charm and walls packed with atmosphere, 13 Gobbi offers chicken liver crostini that are a blend of tradition and character. The paté is utterly delicious, served on well-toasted bread, the flavour full-bodied and harmonious. An appetiser that speaks of Florence’s most welcoming and convivial side.

Trattoria Mario
Via Rosina, 2r
ph. + 39 055 218550

Trattoria Mario is one of the temples of popular Florentine cooking, a stone’s throw from Mercato Centrale. The chicken liver crostini here taste of home and tradition; they’re served without frills but with all the warmth of genuine hospitality. The perfect start to a menu that celebrates real food.