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Tourist Trap: 4 Leoni Restaurant, Florence

Like many restaurants that get good reviews from RS, the 4 Leonis has fallen into a complacency of becoming full of themselves, and falling short of their past accolades. Our dishes were skimpy in portion, and way overpriced for what we received. The pear raviolis had 8, yes easily countable, 8 pieces of small puffs of pasta. While tasty, it was not worth 14 euros by Italian standards and compared to other restaurants of equal, if not better quality. The shrimp scampi was shrimp skimpy and bizarre with the heads on shrimp plopped on top of pasta, hollowed out with no meat in them. Our waiter was nice, but seemed to expect a tip after the 7 euro service charge. Based on reviews I've read left by Italians, there seems to be a double standard at this restaurant for locals and tourists. I can not recommend dining here as I think it has lost its luster.

Posted by
8375 posts

TXtwinmama, what time of day were you there?

Posted by
286 posts

We are early diners, so we walked up at 5:30, and ate dinner on the outdoor patio with the other Americans. We also ate another day at the Golden View for lunch, overlooking the Arno River and Ponte Vechio, and had an amazing meal, at half what we spent at 4 Leoni, 1/2 the service charge, and a fabulous view. I highly recommend that restaurant.

Posted by
11052 posts

Sorry you had a disappointing experience. One note, however, about the shrimp. In Europe it is the norm to serve them with their heads on. Of course the. Issuing shrimp meat is outrageous.

Posted by
4138 posts

We too have had disappointing experiences in recommended restaurants, including those recommended by RS. I sometimes wonder if the restaurants show off for the camera and the recommender, then not so much later.

Our experiences based on Forum suggestions, local restaurant reviewers and just walking up and looking at the menu have been much more pleasant.

Last time we were in Florence, we went to the Golden View more than once. One advantage was that it was open all day. That may make it touristy, but we didn't hear much of any language except Italian when we were there. It was "discovered" by our daughter who was traveling with her 4 year when she found it.

Posted by
11507 posts

I firmly believe SOME RS recommendations do get full of themselves and let themselves slip.. because guess what, thanks to being in RS book they get a steady flow of tourists.

Its best to let RS know.. there is an area on this site somewhere where a person can lave a note re updating guide books.

I rarely go to any RS recommended hotel or restaurant because of this anymore.

PS portion sizes are much smaller in Europe..

Posted by
1059 posts

I second The Golden View Restaurant in Florence. They have very good food with an affordable price and the view is the best in Florence.

Posted by
69 posts

I'm so sorry you had such a disappointing dining experience at 4 Leoni Restaurant in the Oltrarno District of Florence. Fortunately, while visiting Florence last June, we had quite the opposite experience. To preface our arrival at 4 Leoni, I share with you our experience at another restaurant I the Oltrarno. After walking 20 min. to enjoy a neighborhood dining experience at a recommended trattoria, we too, experienced the double standard attitude/service that can sometimes be exhibited toward tourists. It was about 7:45pm, the restaurant was clearly "open", but empty, when we entered for dinner. Before we could even request a table for four, we were quickly told that they weren't open yet......."Not for 20 minutes." But since this restaurant was in the middle of a neighborhood, there was obviously no where to wait. It was very clear the restaurant didn't want to serve us. So we headed back towards the Ponte Vecchio.

On our way back, we stumbled upon the outdoor patio of 4 Leoni, which was completely full. (Most diners having made reservations.) We entered the restaurant, and asked if by chance they had a table for four. After a scan of the dining area, we were told that an indoor table would be available in about 10 minutes. We said we would wait. Within the 5 minutes , we were seated at a lovely indoor table, and greeted by the most charming waiter, Mossimo. (I will always remember his name, because he made us feel so welcome!) We ordered drinks and appetizers while trying to make our main course selections. (Never feeling rushed.) When we finally placed our order for four steaks, Mossimo suggested that we order the one huge Florentine steak, which would be sliced for all to share. The huge steak was absolutely amazing, and the side dishes were fresh and complementary. Mossimo explained how authentic Florentine steaks must come on the bone and must be three fingers thick. He was incredibly engaging and attentive, but never intrusive. He could've let us order the four steaks, which would have increased the final total of the bill. But as a true professional, Mossimo advised us on the best option for our group.

Our evening at 4 Leoni was the most memorable meal of our 3 week European trip. My husband and I will be spending a week in Tuscany this September, in celebration of our 35th anniversary. We plan on making a stop in Florence, and will definitely enjoy another Florentine steak dinner at 4 Leoni. I hope that other travelers will give this exceptional restaurant a try.

Posted by
1028 posts

My friends and I had a similar experience to the OP at 4 Leoni. We did have a reservation (lunch) but were seated next to a sewage drain outside. We asked to be moved, were then seated inside which was attractive. The waiters were impatient. The food was below average compared to our other meals in Florence - not as flavourful, served and cleared very quickly, lots more rushing around to get the tables turned over than elsewhere. It wasn't terrible but definitely not memorable and nothing we wanted to return to.