text Martina Olivieri
photo cover: Osteria delle tre panche

October 30, 2023

Food

Where to eat truffle in Florence

The king of the wood returns protagonist in the table: the best restaurants where to taste it in the city

It's that time of the year when in Florence the truffle returns to be the protagonist of the table. The scents and flavors of the woods become part of the top dishes of many restaurants in the city. From the egg to the tagliolini, passing through the battuta di fassona (fassona beef), up to menus conceived according to the theme, nobody can resist the king of the woods.

The most important fair to taste the truffle has always been the one in Alba, but in Tuscany there is also the traditional appointment in San Miniato, which is renewed also this year.

But the goodness of the San Miniato truffle can also be found in the city, at the Mercato Centrale at Il Tartufo di Luciano Savini. A passion inherited from his father Zelindo, together with the ability to find and delicately extract the precious mushrooms from the earth. The shop is recognisable by nose: in addition to the most classic recipes using truffles - among them, tagliolini all'uovo - there are many fragrant and tasty combinations, and there are also many products to take home, to bring that precious aroma to every table.

For those who prefer to taste in the restaurants, here are the addresses not to be missed for an unforgettable taste experience.

Il Palagio (Four Seasons Hotel Firenze)
Borgo Pinti, 99
ph. +39 055 2626450

Paolo Lavezzini, chef di origini emiliane de Il Palagio del Four Seasons Hotel Firenze, è pronto a farvi assaporare l’autunno portando in tavola dei golosi Agnolotti di galletto livornese alla cacciatora e tartufo autunnale.

The St. Regis Florence - Winter Garden
Piazza Ognissanti, 1

Winter Garden, the place of choice for hospitality and gastronomy within The St. Regis Florence hotel, presents mouth-watering truffle dishes on the evening menu: homemade tortelli filled with braised duck, onion cream and truffle, as well as chicken three ways (roast breast, fried thigh, honey and vinegar glazed thigh) with tomato and chicken stew, truffle chicken galantine and black olive tapenade.

SE·STO on Arno Rooftop Bar
Piazza Ognissanti, 3

The Rooftop Bar & Restaurant at the Westin Excelsior Florence is famous not only for its excellent cuisine but also for its breathtaking view of all of Florence. This is where you can come to taste various truffle-based dishes on the dinner menu, such as seared scallops, potato cream, black truffle, and lard; as well as homemade Pappardelle, Tuscan roast rabbit with rosemary, and seasonal truffle.

Osteria delle Tre Panche - Hotel Hermitage
Vicolo Marzio, 1
ph. +39 055 583724

After the experience of the historic Osteria delle Tre Panche in Via Pacinotti in Florence, they have opened a second restaurant in the halls and panoramic terrace of the Hotel Hermitage overlooking the rooftops of Florence. Here, get ready for a wonderful culinary journey of truffle flavor and an incredible taste experience that you will hardly forget.

Borgo San Jacopo
Borgo San Jacopo, 62/r
ph. +39 055 281661

Right on the banks of the Arno, Borgo San Jacopo, awarded with a Michelin star, is the ideal place for a refined culinary experience. Among the must-try dishes on the autumn tasting menu created by executive chef Claudio Mengoni is the Porcini mushroom soup with chanterelles, wild mushrooms, buffalo ricotta, and black truffle.

Atto di Vito Mollica
Via del Corso, 6
ph. +39 055 5353555

In the fine dining restaurant overseen by Executive Chef Vito Mollica, savoring all the scents of autumn becomes even more special. A tip? Don't miss the cannelloni filled with Maremman partridge and porcini, served with a salad of Caesar's mushrooms and white truffle. A delight for the eyes and the palate!

Saporium Firenze
Lungarno Benvenuto Cellini, 63r
ph. +39 055 212933

Following the philosophy of Borgo Santo Pietro Saporium, Saporium Florence, executive chef Ariel Hagen and his team also offer a delightful journey to savor the flavors of culinary gardens and estate products. A sensory journey that celebrates autumn with a special dish, Veal Sweetbreads, black truffle, and sweet and sour spring onion. It consists of veal sweetbreads fried in butter, with a base of veal consommé and black truffle emulsion, and grilled sweet and sour spring onion. It's finished with a generous shaving of summer black truffle.

Cibrèo Ristorante & Cocktail Bar
Via de' Vecchietti, 5
ph. +39 055 2665651

Cibrèo, located within the historic Helvetia & Bristol Florence - Starhotels Collection, has created a menu featuring super-selected White Truffle dishes that can also be ordered à la carte. We recommend, above all, the Hand-Cut Steak Tartare with Toasted Natural Bread and White Truffle, the Poached Egg, Mashed Potatoes, Parmesan Cream, and White Truffle, the Fassona Filet with Spinach and White Truffle, but also the Zabaglione with Hazelnut Ice Cream and White Truffle, a warm, intense, and highly aromatic combination. The nearby Cibrèo Caffè on Via dei Pescioni offers, among other options, the Albese Sirloin with Parmesan and White Truffle and the 40-Day Dry-Aged Steak Cutlet with White Truffle.

Cibrèo Ristorante
Via del Verrocchio, 8r
ph. + 39 055 2341100

The white truffle, strictly Italian and highly aromatic, has also made its way to Cibreo. The dishes can be chosen either à la carte or as part of a complete tasting menu. You can find options like the Chianti Oyster and Tagliolini Timbale, as well as Tagliolino with Cheese and Butter topped with White Truffle, and the Haché with truffle at Cibrèo Caffè.

Buca dell’Orafo
Via dei Girolami, 28/r
ph. +39 055 213619

One of Florence’s buche or basements, this tiny restaurant has a dozen tables that are packed every evening with Americans and locals who, ever since it opened in 1945, have demanded its specialities, including tagliolini with truffle and eggs with truffle.

Irene Bistrò - Hotel Savoy Florence
Piazza della Repubblica, 7
ph. +39 055 2735891

With the start of the much-anticipated truffle season, a special evening is coming to the Irene restaurant at the Hotel Savoy, the Truffle Night. On November 17th, a special evening starting at 7:30 PM with a truffle-based menu and live music from Giulio Benuzzi's renowned Truffle Hunter band (cost: 130 euros, for information and reservations, email irenefirenze@roccofortehotels.com).

Ora d’Aria
Via Dei Georgofili, 11/r
ph. + 39 055 2001699

An elegant and somewhat formal setting where attention to detail is immediately apparent in the carefully curated decor. The atmosphere at Ora D’aria reflects the credo of Chef Stabile: exquisite elegance in superb quality cuisine, in which truffles are never lacking.

Cestello Ristoclub
Piazza di Cestello, 8
ph. +39 055 264536

With a splendid view of Piazza del Cestello, where in summer a cool dehor extends in the shadow of the church of the same name, Cestello Ristoclub is an excellent seafood restaurant in Florence. To pay homage to the king of the woods, this year they offer a delicious Scallop, Cuttlefish, Jerusalem artichoke and Truffle. A delicacy that enriches an already refined and elegant menu. There is also the possibility of other truffle dishes, from starters to desserts.