Hi All,
I will be in Florence for one night in mid August with my husband for big anniversary trip, arriving early morning Saturday and then driving Sunday to Tuscany for the rest of our trip. It has been years since I have been to Florence and my husband has never been. Any recommendations for a one day/night itinerary? Will definitely get tickets to the Accademia Gallery, and see the Duomo - anything else? Including any stand out restaurants for dinner. We don't have to jam everything in the ~2 days but want to show him some of the basics. We are staying in a hotel near the Ponte Vecchio. Prefer non touristy restaurants if possible, but then again we recognize we are tourists!
Thank you as always for the helpful input!!

Piazzale Michelangelo at some point in the day--sunset?

I love the interior of the Baptistery. I thought it was closed for restoration, but according to this website you can take a private tour in English on Saturday morning at 11:00 a.m. (tour in Italian at 3:30 p.m.).

https://duomo.firenze.it/it/630/visi...i-san-giovanni

We've been to this restaurant several times over the years. It's not a foodie's destination, but the food is very good (esp. the steaks) and the atmosphere is traditional, warm, welcoming.

https://ristoranteilpaiolo.it/en/

Just me, but I'm not sure I would take the time for the Accademia unless seeing the original "David" is an absolute must. I would spend time in Piazza della Signoria viewing the copy, other sculptures and the Palazzo Vecchio exterior. And I really enjoy the art housed in the Bargello museum nearby. But if you keep the Accademia on the list, you could easily walk to/through the Mercato Centrale or see the chapel at the Medici-Riccardi Palazzo or visit the Medici Chapel at Basilica San Lorenzo. If you go (instead?) to the Bargello and P. d. Signoria, the Basilica di Santa Croce is in the same general direction. The Santa Croce area was originally an island in the Arno River, and if you go there look for the plaque on the wall near the statue of Dante that shows the height that the floodwaters reached in 1966.

This. Normally I think getting to the top of a building for a view is overrated but this is an exception in part due to the walk to get there. I would also do the bridge.

When I only have 1 day in a city, I don't spend half of it in a museum even though they are my number 1 thing to do in large European cities. But I never spend less than 3-4 hours in one so you may be different. Florence is very walkable and would rather do that. If you are going to do one, make sure you get a tour so that you can at least bypass the queues.

While the museums are amazing, I would prefer Duomo as it is very unique.

We once spent a day in Florence with a private guide and a few years later none of us remembered much about it. Returned for a week including a few day trips and it was a much better experience.

As for the cultural and historical part, I think you will be advised a lot, so I can share where to have lunch. We always go to eat at the PaStation restaurant when we come to Florence. The place is very nice and modern, the staff is friendly and there is a large selection of very tasty pasta. I highly recommend you to visit there. The restaurant is located in the center, so you don’t have to go far from the sights)) Adults will find the pasta they want, there are no problems with wine and other drinks either. Children can take regular pasta with tomatoes "pasta rossa" - our daughter loves it. https://maps.app.goo.gl/mGgpPr9PLQeYR8WMA