Five of us will be in Florence in August. A friend told me we don't need to make dinner reservations; we should just walk around and eat whereever looks good. I was under the impression reservations were necessary....any advice?
Thank you!
Posted by
Anaheim, CA, USA
1455 posts
Cory, if there's a restraurant that catches your eye, you can inquire about making reservations. August will be a busier time, so I would check out the place during lunchtime, and make the reservation before they close and reopen for dinner.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23626 posts
I think you can say that having a reservation in Florence is "proper manners" and has nothing to do with space available even if the reservation is for an hour later. I think it is more attitude and it is an attitude that we did not encounter in Rome or other parts of Italy. As the poster recommended we generally make the reservation in early PM or just after lunch.
Posted by
The Hague, NL (AMS)
2207 posts
Cory - I'd definitely get reservations in August. Many restaurants will not be open. Two of our favorites in Firenze fall into this category. One is closed the entire month of August; the other for two weeks of August. This is when Italians, even restaurant owners, go on vacation! So if you have a favorite you might want to check out the times of operation in August.
Ciao,
Ron
Posted by
boulder, colorado
192 posts
I have lived in Italy for several years and return there often - usually spending at least three weeks at a time. I have never made a dinner reservation.
Posted by
Florida
65 posts
If I was going back to Florence I would go back to Il Latini. I originally seen this on Rachel Ray $40 a day (back when the dollar was worth a tad more(smile)). You definately need reservations if you want to go here. There was a HUGE demand to get in, even with reservatioins it was questionable. There is a flat price per person and no menu. I just found their website http://www.illatini.com/ (I am so excited I see they have recipes--the Ribollita soup is fantastic. I actually never liked beans until I went here (I actually took photos of the beans they were so good). When I went there a couple of years back they only did two evening seatings, early and late. It was a great dining experience.
Posted by
Chicago, Illinois, USA
586 posts
I think making a reservation for one or two special meals is nice, and leaving a few others to 'chance' can be fun, as well (although you never can predict what will be available and whether or not you'll like it). Do yourself a favor: book a dinner reservation for one night at Trattoria Gobbi 13 in Florence. A wonderful place, also recommended by Steves in his Italy book.