Restaurant Recommendations Per Favore
 

Just 3.5 weeks and we will be in Italy and I'm thrilled to be going back! We will be celebrating my daughter's 36th birthday in Florence and I am wondering if anyone can recommend a nice restaurant there so I can make a reservation for the occasion. I have not been to Florence previously so appreciate your help and will take any and all recommendations for restaurants as we have five nights there. I would also love any recommendations for restaurants in Rome, as we will have five nights there as well, and recs for the Amalfi coast too please.
Thank you!!!

Per the thread's title you could be asking about anywhere in Europe (even with the 'Per Favore' which is at least a hint, the title doesn't say where and you haven't tagged a country)

It might help if you asked the moderators to add an Italy tag and edit the title to something like Restaurant Recommendations in Florence/Rome

Rome is a huge city. Where are you staying? It would make sense to pick a place closer by than far across the city.

Florence is much more compact.

This is a good food site.
https://www.eater.com/maps/best-rest...florence-italy

In Florence, we’ve had good meals at Ristorante Paoli which is a short walk from the Duomo. It’s a lovely interior and good food.

In Rome we really like Colline Emiliane which is about a 5 minute walk from the Trevi Fountain. Be sure to make reservations in advance for either lunch or dinner as they fill up. We had to call to make the reservation a couple weeks in advance as they don't accept reservations online. Very good food!

We also like the Roscioli restaurants near Campo di Fiori, there a several. One is a very casual takeout place, another more formal that you’ll need to make reservations and yet another that offers a wine tasting dinner event which we’ve done twice. It’s fun and your daughter might enjoy it.

Closer to Piazza Navona, we liked Cantina e Cucina. It is one of those places that tourists line up at, but honestly, we really enjoyed the food! Nearby is Ristorante Virginiae where we had a very good meal with excellent service.

Sounds like a great trip!

We also like Ristorante di Paiolo in Florence! My husband and I have had a routine for one of the nights when we're in Florence. Attend the organ concert at Chiesa di Santa Margharita in Santa Maria dei Ricci (Dante's church), have dinner nearby at Il Paiolo (both on Via del Corso) and then have after-dinner drinks, listen to live music and people-watch at Caffe Paszkowski (Piazza della Repubblica). I have heard that the organ concerts were suspended during Covid... I hope they return!! If you want a decadent dessert or afternoon pick-me-up, Rivoire on Piazza della Signoria. For a splurge lunch, there are a few good restaurants that overlook the Arno... easy to google. Or the restaurant at the Villa San Michele in Fiesole.

https://ristoranteilpaiolo.it/en/

In Rome, I like to ask the hotel staff because there are always interesting places opening up, and staff aren't looking to spend a lot. I also think it depends on the food, atmosphere you want (I don't like modern, minimalist decor) and, yes, where you're staying. Lots of neighborhood gems don't pop up in internet or website searches, and Rome has a lot of variety. For a splurge lunch, I like a rooftop restaurant... the Hotel Hassler and Hotel Eden have great views. I'm sure there are others...

As a change of pace, Go to Piperno in the Jewish Quarter of Rome. Wonderful. distinctive food.

Don't listen to advice about staying near your hotel. Dinner can be a great excuse to explore a different neighborhood

Thought I was in the Europe/Italy forum.

Thank you for the link, macdogmom!

Thank you so much for the recommendations, tracilee!

Jean - thank you so much for the recommendations and adding a few interesting other places to try as well!

shelemm-Thank you! I thoroughly agree on exploring neighborhoods! I'm going to check out Piperno!

J62-We are staying near Rione Campo Marzio.

Heres another good list for Rome-

https://www.eater.com/maps/best-restaurants-rome-italy