We will be in florence in less than two weeks and I came up with this list so far. I like to know if they are still good or they have gone downhill. I appreciate any help.

13 Gobbi
Il guscio
Trattoria II poeta
Osteria dell'Olio
Leo
Mesopotamia (donner kebab)
Quattro Amici
Zibibbo
Cafe Gilli or Rivoire- Which one has the best hot chocolate?
Il pizzaiuol

Thank you

I am sure someone has something to say about this list. Please help me out.

I've been to Florence quite a few times but haven't heard of any of the places you list, except Rivore. Of course, finding great places not known to every tourist would be ideal but I can't give you any feedback on them. Take a look over at the Slowtalk website for Italy and see if any are listed on their restaurant reviews. You could also post this question there and may get better response as several regulars on Slowtalk live in Florence.

Thank you. I will do that.

I can say that Il Guscio and Leo's were both FANTASTIC. Both were well worth seeking out for delicious, authentic, reasonably priced Tuscan cuisine, especially Il Guscio (where you will need reservations as it is small and very popular with locals.)

Riviore is supposed to have the greatest hot chocolate but what you're really paying for (and pay you will) is the ambiance. It's on a fantastic piazza with some of the best people watching anywhere. I ate a fabulous profiterole there followed by an expresso. Cost: 14 E. View: priceless.

Try Buca Mario - our hotel guy recommended it. The best meal we had in Florence, may even Italy - my husband still talks about it - we went in 2003!

The link is below.

http://www.bucamario.it/eng/index-eng.html

Mrs. Jou-I commend you for putting together a list of Florence restaurants that are not ones you see mentioned all the time, but are quite well known and frequented by the Florentines, so good on you for that!

Starting off: 13 Gobbi-I'd make reservations, because the place is jammed, and I went there last August 2006, couldn't get a table for anything-and August is considered low season, and you will be there for high, so keep that in mind-the place is fun, filled with trees, little lights, and pretty tableware, but jam-packed-I went there years ago and loved it, but didn't make it last year. It's right there on via della Porcellana, you have to walk quite a ways down this street, very near Piazza SMN (like I've said before, some of Florence's best trattoria are located in and around Piazza Santa Maria Novella)

Quattro Amici-loved it, great seafood-house made desserts, hopefully you can sit outside in their al fresco dining area-also right around the corner from the train station-their mussels were excellent,

Caffe Gilli-the best-try the truffles, have a fantastic coffee, and sit outside and people-watch

Trattoria il Poeta-where is that?

Osteria dell'Olio-I've heard nothing but good things about this osteria, so close to the Duomo, lovely Tuscan decor, very popular with the locals-will try it out if I get to Florence within the next 6 months or so (which I am aiming for)

I would add my very favorite, for years, a place that is jammed with locals on the weekend, but in the best of locations-AL SASSO DI DANTE-Piazza delle Pallettole -right off the Duomo, on the right side of the Duomo, towards the back turn and go right, and you should see the awning-tiny place, excellent house-made pastas and desserts, a bit of a vegetarian bent, but there were meat specials when I was there last August, which I hadn't seen before, excellent salads as well-and a fantastic view of the Duomo while eating, particularly at night-it's right there. Less crowded at lunch than at dinner.

I would also recommend the Trattoria Il Cibreo-not the restaurant, which is much more expensive-the trattoria shares the same kitchen as fancy restaurant, but not the fancy prices-excellent food and service

Girlspytravel,thank you very much. I feel much better now. We will be there only for four nights,so I try to go to as many places as possible.

We were at Zibibbo shortly after it opened and it was excellent...worth the short journey from the center of Florence. Actually it is owned by the ex-wife of the owner of Cibreo, which is also excellent

How far is it? I read that you take the bus#14c from the Dumo stop.

You can take the 14B, 14C or 14CB from in front of the Farmacia del Moro on Piazza San Giovanni (which is where the Duomo is).

The trip takes 19 minutes; you get off at the Careggi stop. The address is
Via di Terzollina 3.

On Saturday, Zibibbo is only open for dinner, and on Sunday, only for lunch.

Incidentally, before you go tearing off to any or all of the restaurants on your list, make sure you know what day(s) they are closed.

Thank you Zerlina. I think, I will skip Zibibbo. I have been checking days and hours of this restaurants all day.

You have to go to La Giostra
http://www.ristorantelagiostra.com/i.../frameset.html
Just make sure you don't order a lot of food. They give an appetizer on the house. Very close to Doumo

Hi!

I've lived in Florence for several years now, and would definitely recommend Il Desco in via delle Terme, just two minutes walk from Piazza Signoria!

You'll let me know!

Jo

What a great list, thanks! I also had not heard of these places but for Rivoire. I can say their hot chocolate is wonderful. Mom and I sat outside and watched the Mille Miglia there, while drinking hot chocolate. (ok, so it was already warm out in May, we still had to have it).

This may be timely as I think I'll be back in Florence around New Years...

Another vote for La Giostra.

I am going to Florence next week and I will try to make good use of these suggestions.

I would highly recommend Quattro Amici.

bookmarking

13 Gobbi brings back wonderful memories of delicious dinner last year but you must book.