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What Food To Try in Florence and Food Prices

How much does lunch and dinner cost

Examples of food prices, cafes, street food and other dining options in Florence for 2024.

National currency: Euro, symbol — € (international currency code EUR).
General Cafe Price Guide
Average prices in Florence cafes and restaurants
$16.4 
Quick Lunch for One
Starting from $8.73
$75.3 
Dinner for Two
to celebrate your trip
Starting from $54.59
$10.9 
Combo Meal
Starting from $9.72

What to Try in Florence

Must-try Dishes
Panino con Porchetta - Porchetta Sandwich (savory sandwich) - Sliced roasted pork seasoned with herbs, served in a crusty roll. Locals grab this filling treat from street vendors for a quick lunch on the go.

Ribollita - Tuscan Bread Soup (hearty soup) - A thick stew made with bread, beans, and seasonal vegetables, simmered until rich and creamy. Typically enjoyed as a comforting dinner, it’s a staple found in many trattorias during colder months.

Trippa alla Fiorentina - Florentine Tripe Stew (traditional stew) - Soft tripe cooked in a tomato sauce with vegetables and herbs, served piping hot. This unique dish is usually enjoyed for lunch, especially among locals who savor its authentic flavors at neighborhood eateries.

Schiacciata - Sourdough Flatbread (simple bread) - A crispy, flavorful flatbread stuffed with various fillings like prosciutto and cheese. Purchased at local bakeries for a quick breakfast or snack, it offers a great start to the day.

Pici Cacio e Pepe - Pici Pasta with Cheese and Pepper (classic pasta) - Hand-rolled pasta dressed simply in pecorino cheese and freshly cracked black pepper. Often served as a final course during special family dinners, it highlights the beauty of regional ingredients.

Fried Olives - Olive Ascolane (stuffed olives) - These green olives are stuffed with a blend of meats, breaded, and fried until golden. Commonly found at wine bars as a shared plate while enjoying a late afternoon aperitivo with friends.

Frittata di Pasta - Pasta Frittata (pasta omelet) - A creative mix of leftover pasta and eggs, pan-fried to crispy perfection. Rich in history, this dish is a practical way to use up leftovers and is often served at brunch, showcasing the local custom of reducing food waste.

Desserts & Drinks
Caffè - Caffè (espresso) - Bold, rich espresso served in a small cup, often enjoyed as a quick pick-me-up. You’ll see locals standing at the bar, sipping their caffè while chatting, but be careful not to say “latte” here; it just means milk!

Schiacciata dolce - Schiacciata (sweet flatbread) - A sweet, soft flatbread typically made with olive oil and sprinkled with sugar, often enjoyed warm. It's a popular treat during the harvest season, especially around the grape harvest in September, and pairs perfectly with a glass of wine.

Aperol Spritz - Aperol Spritz (aperitif cocktail) - A refreshing mix of Aperol, Prosecco, and soda water, typically served over ice with an orange slice. Locals love to enjoy it as an early evening drink during aperitivo, when bars are filled with laughter and chatter.

Gelato - Gelato (Italian ice cream) - Silky smooth and intensely flavored, this frozen treat is made with milk and less air than regular ice cream. Best enjoyed in one of the many gelaterias during the warm afternoons, but don’t miss out on stracciatella, a local favorite!

Cantucci - Cantucci (almond biscuits) - Crunchy, twice-baked almond cookies typically dipped in Vin Santo, a sweet dessert wine. They're a must-have during celebrations like Christmas and are often shared among family at the end of a meal, pairing perfectly with laughter and stories.

Food and Groceries in Florence

Vegetables, Fruits and Bread
Bread $1.97
Bananas $2.17
Oranges $2.67
Potatoes $1.76
Apples $3.09
Beverages
Water 1.5L $0.58
0.5L Local Beer $1.63
Imported Beer $2.16
Wine Rating >4.0 $6.55
Milk 1L $1.49

Various Groceries
Meat (Beef or Pork) $20.9
Chicken $10.48
Cigarettes $6.55
Rice $2.63
Local Cheese $19.31

Overview of Cuisine and Specialties

Strolling through the bustling San Lorenzo Market around noon, the aroma of fresh porchetta being carved filled the air, mingling with the chatter of locals discussing their latest dinner plans. This scene is a daily rhythm for many Florentines, showcasing how meal times here often revolve around communal experiences, rather than just the act of eating.

Typically, lunch is enjoyed between 12:30 and 2:30 PM, often lasting longer if the conversation flows. You’ll find everyone from office workers to families gathering to savor their meals, and it’s commonplace to see tables full of antipasti taking their time before diving into primi and secondi. Prices can vary significantly, with a simple panino at the market costing around €5, while a more substantial lunch at a trattoria could run you anywhere from €15 to €30 per person. Just yesterday, I paid €18 for a plate of homemade pasta in one of the quieter streets near Santa Croce—delicious but a bit on the pricier side for a midday meal (it was worth it, though!).

Payment customs here can catch newcomers off guard. Most places prefer cash unless specified otherwise—it’s a good idea to carry euros for those quaint spots where cards aren't accepted. Tipping isn't expected but is appreciated; if you enjoyed your meal, rounding up the bill or leaving some small change is a nice gesture.

A common tourist mistake is trying to dine during rush hours, especially around noon or 7 PM. Many locals opt for a late lunch or an early dinner to sidestep the crowds. If you can, aim for a table around 2 PM for a peaceful experience without feeling rushed. Also, it’s smart to make reservations in advance for popular places—believe me, it can save you a long wait.

One endearing local habit is the ‘caffè sospeso’ tradition—paying for an extra coffee in advance for someone who can’t afford it. This gesture resonates deeply here, showcasing both community spirit and kindness among residents. It’s a lovely way to immerse yourself in the local culture!

As the seasons shift, with colder months approaching, I’ve noticed more emphasis on hearty dishes, like ribollita and stews, entering menus as Florentines adapt their meals to be warmer and richer. It's a fascinating pivot that brings a comforting atmosphere to simpler dining experiences, perfectly narrating the rhythm of life in Florence.




Tourist Reviews

All photos and texts belong to their authors
@yulia.di
« At Pizza Napoli 1955 in Florence, girls are served pizza in the shape of a heart, while guys get the classic round variety. It's so cute 😊. The food is simply delicious, and the prices are very reasonable - around 7/8 euros for a pizza. If you're nearby, definitely check it out! »
@paprica8817
« Nice enoteca in Florence 👌. Walking through Florence, you discover something amazing at every turn. 😏 In Italy, an enoteca is not just a place to buy wine, but also a spot where you can choose and taste cheeses, meats, and other delicacies. The prices for wine here start at around $20 per bottle, while cheese and prosciutto can be found from $30 per kg. The selection is vast... And there’s no queue! 😄 In this enoteca, you can enjoy a panini and sip a glass of wine... Of course, a bottle of elite wine isn’t opened just for a couple of glasses. If you want to buy cheese or prosciutto to take home, they’ll vacuum pack it for you... so your neighbors won’t wonder what that delightful smell is! 😄 »
@anton4wine
« I absolutely love street art in Florence—the graffiti, stickers, and sketches on the walls and fences. It’s subtle, meaningful, and never vulgar. And here's Chianti Classico 2012. Made from 100% Sangiovese. We're on the hunt for gems around $5 and we find one! It's worthy, elegant, pleasant, and has some age to it!
8 out of 10. »
@anton4wine
« "Trying out small enotecas/wine shops. In the evenings, they're packed: for €14, you get a set for two: wine (not just 150 ml!!!) and snacks. It's just amazing! Today, we left like the gingerbread man from the old lady, with a Nero d'Avola IGT from Sicily, 2015. Now, this one is a bomb! The aroma, the rich taste, the tannins... I recommend bringing your own container: the wine is alive, and in their liter bottle, it might already be 'oxidized.' 8 out of 10." »
@irinakuznetsova23
« God save Chardonnay for 2 euros and Italy with its cheeses and bread! I'm in paradise and there's nothing more I could wish for... except maybe onion soup from Paris haha! »
@annieidea
« "This sweet kingdom of Florence is my paradise)) for some reason, there are always a few people around (even though it's close to the Duomo) and there's a ton of chocolate of all flavors and types, cookies, sweets, wine, and everything else! The prices for all this are quite reasonable. Not cheap, but they really match the quality)) paying $6 for a chocolate bar might seem expensive, but they're truly unique))" »
@irishsheep27
« In Florence, there's this wonderful store with an edible name. In Tuscany, prices for most products are generally lower than in touristy areas. Here, you can grab fresh bread, wine, and cheese and enjoy it right outside the shop at a little café. Honestly, we're completely falling in love with Florence! 😊 »
@svet_sezona
« Here’s another great Florentine story: brut for one and a half euros (not for the faint-hearted). »
@vserealno_project
« This is what I call a sandwich!)) The best fast-food spot in all of Florence. For just €5, I got enough food for an entire day. I couldn't finish it in one sitting, and that says something. »
@viktoria_chaley
« Sam's Cafe has become our favorite spot, and we're dining here for the second consecutive day. The rooftop offers a fantastic view of the main bazaar, the food is delicious, and the ginger tea is simply amazing. For some unknown reason, alcohol isn’t served on the roof—guess there were some unpleasant incidents at some point. By the way, the prices here are quite pleasing! 😊 »
@millayamila
« A simple Italian café... ;) Prices are pretty much the same as everywhere, but you really feel like a lady there, I swear :) »
@lunitaquepasa
« We stopped by a local restaurant for lunch, and they charged us a fee of €2 for cutlery per person. Is this a common practice now, or am I just out of touch? »
@goshakonchev
« In the evening, we headed to a local café for a bite to eat and to sip on some Aperol. Unexpectedly, we stumbled upon a local celebration. A long table filled with about 50-70 people, a huge grill roasting meat and sausages, and live music from a local band. At first, we thought it was a traditional communal dinner for the locals. For just 10 euros, we joined the festivities. 🎉 »
@peregonavto
« The menu said 1/2 kg, but it looked like a whole kilogram. With some potatoes and a bottle of mineral water - 22 dollars. »
@oksanna_
« I could live in this restaurant! The truffle ravioli are divine. Plus, prices here are no higher than in other places. »
@nefalexx
« Dinner for 12 euros ☺️ this is where the real Italy is, not a touristy trattoria. »