March 31, 2025

Food

The best restaurants for a lunch in Florence

From the most elegant to well-known trattorias: the perfect addresses for lunch in the city centre

Looking for a place to have lunch in the centre of Florence but don't know where to go? Here are our suggestions, ranging from trattorias to elegant restaurants, for a pleasant moment of sharing or a quick lunch break.

Click here to discover all the best restaurants in Florence, here for the historic holes in the city and here for the best steaks in town.

The eateries for a casual lunch

Trattoria le Mossacce
Via del Proconsolo, 55/r
ph. +39 055 294361

The Fantoni-Mannucci family is ready to welcome you to the Trattoria le Mossacce that they have been running for more than 50 years. Here you can savour typical local dishes prepared according to the seasonality of the products. A meeting place for many Florentines for lunch, the trattoria is the perfect place for conviviality and sharing.

Buca San Giovanni
Piazza San Giovanni,8
ph. +39 055 287612 / 055 219151

Founded in 1882, it is one of the historic restaurants in the city. It began as the former sacristy of the Baptistery of San Giovanni, Florence's ancient cathedral before Santa Reparata was built. It later became the haunt of famous personalities such as the Prince of Bulgaria, who celebrated his bachelorette party, and President J.F. Kennedy's stopover. The restaurant is open for lunch from 11:30 to 15:00 and offers a typical Tuscan menu with a wide choice of dishes including appetisers, soups and first courses, meat and traditional Italian musts.

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

A restaurant that has been changing with the seasons since 1979. Started by chef Fabio Picchi, a great ambassador of Florentine cuisine, the Cibrèo Ristorante, together with the Cibrèo Trattoria, was the first piece of the taste empire he put together in the Sant'Ambrogio district. Broad beans in summer, Tuscan cabbage in winter, chicken liver, traditional dishes such as stuffed chicken neck... A skilfully crafted blend of nature and tradition for a mouth-watering lunch.

Coco Lezzone
Via del Parioncino, 26/r
ph. +39 055 287178

A typical Florentine trattoria from the early 1900s with checked tablecloths and on the walls portraits of artists and famous people who have passed through here. Typical dishes include pappa al pomodoro, ribollita, baked arista and an excellent steak that has the secret of being marinated in olive oil, salt and pepper before cooking.

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

In the heart of the Oltrarno. Contemporary yet intimate ambience. Don't miss the chicken liver terrine with Vin Santo and pan brioche or the beef tartare with crispy vegetables. Also on the menu are dishes for coeliacs and vegetarian options. The wine list is extensive and well researched. For an aperitif stop at Santino, a small wine bar right next to the restaurant.

Trattoria da Sostanza
Via Del Porcellana, 25/r
ph. +39 055 212691

Also known as 'Il Troia', the trattoria is one of the city's historic ones. It welcomes customers in a simple and traditional ambience. Some of the must-try dishes, apart from the unmissable steak, are tripe, zuppa paesana (country soup) and chicken breasts in butter accompanied by artichoke pie.

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

Specialities of the house are the unparalleled rigatoni served in the glass soup tureen and the ever-present tagliata di manzo served on the log. All accompanied by a wine list that includes the best labels. It is also possible to request a celiac or vegetarian menu. There is something for everyone!

Restaurants for an elegant lunch

Salotto Portinari Bistrot di Vito Mollica
Via del Corso, 6
ph. +39 055 535 555

Located in the charming Corte Cosimo I of Palazzo Portinari, Salotto Portinari Bar & Bistrot is a refined space with a café and cocktail bar. With an intimate and private atmosphere, it is perfect for a business lunch, but also for a more elegant family lunch. A welcoming urban lounge designed for Florentines and Tuscans, not just for tourists, where tradition and innovation come together to offer a unique experience.

Atrium Bar - Four Seasons Hotel Florence
Borgo Pinti, 99
ph. ph. +39 05526261

The elegant bar and lounge at the Four Seasons Hotel Firenze is the perfect place for an elegant lunch surrounded by decorations, marble and fine furniture, overlooking the marvellous Giardino della Gherardesca, the largest private garden in the historic centre of Florence.

Loggia Roofbar
Piazza Santo Spirito, 9
ph. +39 055 2658376

Overlooking Piazza Santo Spirito, La Loggia is the panoramic terrace of the Hotel Palazzo Guadagni and one of the most charming places in the Oltrarno district to enjoy a special lunch. From the rooftop, the first of its kind in Florence, the view stretches over the rooftops of the city and the hills, in an intimate and relaxed atmosphere that retains all the charm of authentic Florence. The lunch menu, served daily from noon to 3 p.m., combines local and international dishes: seasonal salads, avocado toast with burrata, a reinterpretation of vitello tonnato, club sandwiches, and pulled pork burgers, accompanied by tuber chips. To finish, à la carte desserts such as tiramisu and profiteroles. A tasty break suspended between beauty, panoramic views, and contemporary flavors.

Alassio
Via San Gallo, 97
ph. +39 0550986092

Inside the refined The Hoxton, Florence, Alassio offers a gastronomic journey through Mediterranean flavors, with strong references to the Italian Riviera and Ligurian influences. The concept is all about conviviality. At lunchtime, the menu ranges from sophisticated dishes such as red mullet ravioli rolls to Focaccia Alassio, enriched with grilled zucchini and tuna tartare. The atmosphere of the restaurant evokes the elegant charm of Alassio, with vaulted ceilings, Italian artwork, vintage posters, and precious details such as Murano chandeliers and marble surfaces.

Café Ginori
Piazza Ognissanti, 1
ph. +39 055 27163754

Located inside one of the city's most iconic hotels, The St. Regis Florence, Café Ginori is a new landmark for Florentines and visitors seeking a timeless luxury experience, combining artisan excellence and authentic flavors. Designed to celebrate the maison's unmistakable style, the café stands out for its sophisticated setting, enriched with porcelain details, refined furnishings, and an atmosphere that recalls the great tradition of Italian coffee. Here, guests can enjoy a selection of fine coffees and sweet and savory specialties served in Ginori porcelain, in a perfect combination of aesthetics and taste.

Giardino 25
Piazza della Signoria, 37r
ph: +39 055 75927012

In the heart of Florence, Gucci Giardino 25 is not only the Maison's first cocktail bar, but also a refined landmark for a sophisticated lunch break. Located next to the Gucci Garden, the space combines the historic charm of the city with the sophisticated aesthetics of the fashion house, creating a welcoming and refined atmosphere inspired by an old florist's shop. The gastronomic offering follows the rhythm of the seasons and highlights authentic ingredients, creatively reinterpreting the flavors of the Tuscan countryside. The lunch menu offers elegant yet balanced dishes, ideal for those seeking a refined yet accessible culinary experience. Among the offerings are recipes inspired by local tradition, accompanied by light cocktails or a selection of fine wines.

Caffè dell'Oro
Lungarno degli Acciaiuoli, 2P
ph. +39 055 27268912

A contemporary Italian café boasting a privileged location on Ponte Vecchio. The menu offers a contemporary interpretation of traditional Italian dishes that will win over even the most cosmopolitan palates. A perfect combination that invites you to taste and travel.

Cantinetta Antinori
Piazza degli Antinori, 3
ph. +39 055 292234

Located on the ground floor of the prestigious Palazzo Antinori, in Piazza Antinori, a few steps from Via de' Tornabuoni, Cantinetta Antinori offers an elegant and refined setting, ideal for an authentic experience steeped in tradition. Wine is the undisputed star of the show: guests can taste a wide selection of Antinori labels, among the most renowned in the world. Accompanying the wine is cuisine that highlights seasonal and local products, with ingredients selected from the Tuscan territory. Among the dishes not to be missed are cecina with squid and shrimp, Florentine veal ossobuco, and pappardelle with Tuscan ragù, perfect for those seeking the authentic flavors of the region.

Colle Bereto
Piazza degli Strozzi, 5
ph. 39 055 286601

Nestled in the heart of Piazza degli Strozzi, Colle Bereto is the go-to place for those seeking a refined, dynamic environment with a multifaceted soul, capable of transforming itself from day to night. Lunch here is welcoming and informal, perfect for both social gatherings and business meetings. The menu offers a wide variety of dishes, from classic Tuscan favorites with a modern twist to delicious meat and fish main courses, not to mention gourmet burgers, fresh salads, and vegan and vegetarian options.