The food in Florence is a huge part of what makes Florence so unique, so for my first blog, I thought I would explain my ideal day of eating in Florence, plus some honorable mentions!
To start off, breakfast at my local cafe. It might say it opens at 7, but it’s best to go at 8, slow mornings are very common here, and something you grow to appreciate! When ordering at a cafe there’s take away, and sit down. Funny enough, the kind of “takeaway” you might expect is not what this phrase means. “Takeout” here means ordering your coffee and croissant at the bar and enjoying it standing up, so, if you’re in a rush, no worries. Sit down is the same as home, with the caveat that some places do charge to sit down. My go-to order has recently consisted of a pistachio creme filled croissant and cappuccino, but the pastry options are endless. An honorable mention would be a Bomboloni, which is very similar to a custard filled donut. With the right pastry, the bread is sweet, chewy, and melts into the filling. The American in me comes out when I order coffee, because I always ask for sugar (which I have figured out Italians do not use). Creamer also does not exist here, so I go for a cappuccino because those still have milk.
For lunch, my absolute favorite sandwich spot, Al’ Antico Vinaio. Sandwiches for lunch are very common, but not exactly comparable to sandwiches in the US due to their size and composition. These sandwiches are usually cheap, but are filled to the brim in delicious toppings. Prosciutto, pesto, sun-dried tomatoes, mixed greens, truffle oil, and specialty cheeses are all things you may find on your sandwich here in Florence. And last but not least, the signature schiacciata bread, a thin salty bread to close in the goodness. At lunchtime, most curbs are filled with uni students sitting on the curb chatting and eating sandwiches during their breaks.
For dinner, a fancier outing, at my favorite splurge restaurant for special occasions, La Giostra. Here, it’s important to honor traditional Italian cuisine, so I start by ordering an aperitivo, which is a snack and drink prior to the meal. It literally refers to “opening” the meal! Technically, true Italian dining consists of an aperitivo (including a drink most likely a spritz or wine depending on where you are), followed by the first course, which is pasta or soup, and then second course which would be the protein source, and finally dessert. I tend to order only the first course after the aperitivo so I still have room for dessert, but I definitely recommend trying the full run through at least one time during your stay. At La Giostra, a complimentary bread basket with balsamic and oil is given, which is a standard restaurant experience. For my aperitivo, I have the caprese salad, which has fresh tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella cheese, covered in salt and oil. My first course is something this restaurant is famous for — the pear and cheese ravioli. If I am feeling a bit more casual, my honorable mention is Gusta Pizza, a cheap, cheesy and delicious taste of Florence. The line is always down the block, but it moves fast if you’re willing to wait!
Finally, for dessert, my absolute favorite thing in Florence, an affogato. There are many places across the city to get them, but my personal favorite is Vivoli Gelateria. An affogato is a Florence staple, consisting of ice cream, usually vanilla or pistachio, with an espresso shot poured right over the top. The warm and cold, sweet and bitter combination is divine, and something I will definitely try to recreate when I get back home! Another delicious dessert is gelato, but it’s essential to find a small gelateria instead of the big tourist-trap ice cream places; they taste completely different!
