Florence, Shortlisted
Hi all,
I hope you’re all having a beautiful April so far. This month we’re heading to back to Italy!* Florence has been a longtime favorite city since I first visited in 2004 and I have had the very good luck to return many times since (I make sure to eat a tortino di carciofi at Trattoria Sostanza every. single. time. I recommend you do too! If you need a visual, see here.) This shortlist features some more favorite dishes and the places to order them including a raspberry tart I think about on a regular basis, a pasta I attempt to recreate often at home, the best gelato I’ve yet to have and much, much more. I’ve also included where to shop (you’ll be happy to know that while I still regularly use the shockingly sturdy leather duffle bag I bought on the Ponte Vecchio during my first trip 20 years ago, I have even better / less touristy recommendations in 2025!). There are also some things to do between meals and a few favorite stays.
Thank you, as always, for being here, have a beautiful rest of your month and see you in May.
xR
*Should your trip to Italy takes you to Rome and/or Venice as well, check out those shortlists here and here!
[eat | drink]
Trattoria Sostanza | an institution (it opened in 1869) and also a personal favorite for many reasons (not least being that this was one of the first destination meals my partner and I bonded over long before we got the chance to go together). Yes, you can order the bistecca alla fiorentina but absolutely don’t skip the truly special tortino di carciofi (a buttery artichoke omelette). Also don’t skip the equally insane pollo al burro. Also, if it’s on the menu, get the meringue with wild strawberries. Book in advance, cash only
Cibreò Caffè | in nice weather, opt to sit outside and get a cocktail / glass of wine, the tagliolini cacio e burro, the anchovies with salsa verde and a raspberry tart for dessert. The service is truly tops / I would make a res in advance. It’s right by the Sant'Ambrogio market which makes it an ideal post-market lunch. There’s also Cibrèo Ristorante across the street and Cibrèo Trattoria in Sant’Ambrogio (which has a much more casual vibe than the ristorante)
Il Santino | a tiny wine bar with great snacks. It’s just a few doors down from their sister restaurant (Il Santo Bevitore) but I pretty much always prefer sitting at the bar and ordering a bunch of toasts + glasses of natural wine from small producers