Things to do in Florence
Aside from visiting the main museums, monuments and piazzas in Florence, there are obviously lots of other things to do in Florence. Guided walking tours is one, eating out at great restaurants is another, trying out the various flavors of gelato another one! There are lots of things to be done, and so work on this section will be ongoing. In the meantime I hope the rest of the site is giving you some ideas on things to see and do in Tuscany and Florence.
Eat Gelato, of course!
While many tourist guides will tell you the best gelato is to be found at Bar Vivoli near Santa Croce, I personally find it a bit too sweet and way overpriced! Some of the best gelato I've had in the center of Florence are at the Gelateria dei Neri (via dei Neri 22r) and at Gelateria Carabe' (Via Ricasoli 60r). If you've been to Florence and have places to recommend, write to us and we will post a few more recommendations.
Great Dining
It is hard to not eat well in Florence (well, as long as you stay away from those few extremely touristy places). While in Florence, you should take advantage and taste the local specialities you won't find elsewhere in Italy, such as the bistecca Fiorentina if you like your steak rare and traditional Tuscan dishes such as pappa al pomodoro, ribollita or pastas with truffles and funghi porcini!There are so many restaurants, I'll start by posting a list of some of them and keep adding comments and news ones as I get a chance.
Acqua al 2
Via della Vigna Vecchia 40r
Phone: 055 284 170
Area: Duomo
Famous for the assaggi, a series of different pasta/risotto dishes which allows you to taste several of them. There are also assaggi of cheeses and salads.
Baldovino
Via San Giuseppe 22/r
Phone: 055 241 773
Area: Santa Croce
Closed Mon. and 2 wks in Aug.
Baldovino makes excellent pizzas to tempt the kids and more
sophisticated dishes to satisfy the parents.
Cantinetta Antinori
Piazza Antinori 3, on Via Tornabuoni
Phone: 055 292 234
Area: near Santa Maria Novella
Closed weekends, 20 days in Aug., and Dec. 25-Jan. 6.
Restaurant inside the 15th-century palazzo that serves as the administrative offices for the Antinori winemaking family. The food is upscale versions of traditional Tuscan favorites, with country pâté with truffles served on
bread and crayfish and prawn salad with shaved raw artichokes on the menu. Only Antinori wines are available.
Le Campane
Borgo La Croce 85-87/r
Phone: 055 2341 101
Area: near Santa Croce
This pizzeria specializes both in (Roman) thin crust and Neapolitan (thick) crust pizzas, quite yummy!