My husband and I will arrive in Florence mid-day in a couple of weeks. Once we check in to our hotel, our plan is to do a little light sightseeing and have an early dinner around 6:00 or so. I understand many restaurants don't open for dinner until 7, so that is why I believe we should find a cafe where we won't be expected to linger over a meal. We are staying south of the Arno, so perhaps something around the Ponte Vecchio? It is our first time to Florence so it would be great to get a nice taste of Florence before succumbing to jet lag that evening. Thank you for any suggestions!
Posted by
Chicago
1944 posts
If I am not mistaken, Ciro & Sons on via Giglio opens at 6:00 for dinner. In March we stayed at a VRBO apartment on Piazza Santa Maria Novella, and Ciro & Sons was about a 5 minute walk. Might be a little farther from where you're staying, but worth it. Phenomenal food, more southern Italian although they do have the Florentine specialties.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thank you. I will look it up and see where it is in relation to our hotel. Appreciate your recommendation!
Posted by
NorthCarolina
933 posts
check out Osteria del Cinghiale Bianco on TripAdvisor - they open at 6:30 - even if you don't go the 1st night, try and go while you are there. Ciro & Sons is wonderful too - see TripAdvisor.
Also, places like this are open from lunch and close around 8pm
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g187895-d2686102-Reviews-Il_Bufalo_Trippone-Florence_Tuscany.html
there are many like this in Florence and all fresh, organic, made to order - don't go to the cafes with the sandwiches pre made in glass cases - go to places like the above with a LONG line that moves fast with sandwiches made to order with amazing cheeses, salami, pesto spreads, fresh bread
Posted by
Milan, Italy
308 posts
Try Gucci Cafe on Piazza Signoria. Perfect location if you are already out sightseeing. Great view of the Piazza on its outdoor terrace and is open from 9 am -11pm. Food is great to boot.
http://www.guccimuseo.com/en/museum/gucci-caffe-e-ristorante
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thanks so much for the suggestions!
Posted by
Tucson
4153 posts
We enjoyed the Golden View Open Bar right on the river and a few doors from the bridge. It's open every day from 07:30 to 01:00 with nice views of the Arno, the Ponte Vecchio and the Vasari Corridor. Go to goldenviewopenbar.com and click on the British flag for English.
Posted by
Mpls, MN
1003 posts
In the Oltrarno neighborhood on the tiny Piazza Passera is TRATTORIA 4 LEONI or also just called Quatro Leoni located at Via de Vellutini, 1R. www.4leoni.it They serve delicious traditional Tuscan and Florentine dishes with seating inside, which is very quaint, and out on the piazza. They are open daily from noon to midnight. It is easy to find and just a few steps from the Pitti Palace. It is quite popular so reservations are a good idea. +39.055.218.562. It looks like you can also make reservations right on their website. Also on the same piazza is the CAFFE DEGLI ARTIGIANI where you can get paninis, wine, coffee, baked goods, etc. On a girl's trip to Florence with my sisters we rented a lovely apartment a few steps from Piazza Passera on Via Toscanella. Our kitchen windows overlooked the outdoor tables on the side of Caffe degli Artigiani and we frequented the caffe in the mornings for their delicious croissants and other yummy bakery items. A number of times have been to BORGO ANTICO located on Piazza Santo Spirito (not far from the Pitti Palace) with a view of the church. www.borgoanticofirenze.com We have enjoyed their pizzas, calzoni, & pasta dishes. Open from noon to 11. Have only eaten here in the evenings and always outside on the piazza and I know reservations then are a good idea. If you want to venture a bit further from your hotel for dinner, The "Piano Superiore", which is the upper floor of the Mercato Centrale (the upper level opened in April 2014) not far from the Church of San Lorenzo, has lots of places to eat and is open 365 days/year from 10 a.m. till midnight. My husband & I grabbed some cannoli here that were sooo good. Have been to Florence 6x, most recently last October, and always enjoy time spent here. I wish you Buon Viaggio!
Posted by
45 posts
I SO agree with 4 Leoni! I've never been disappointed either.
I've had good luck with La Martiniccia as well: Via del Sole, 27, 50123 Firenze, Italy
Also: http://www.laspadaitalia.com/it/#_=_
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g187895-d1105456-Reviews-La_Spada-Florence_Tuscany.html
To be honest I'm not sure which starts dinner earliest, but there are always pizza by the slice places in a pinch, and they are GOOOOOD :) A few pizza slices and gelato and I'd be in a food coma already.
I've had good experiences with the Hot Pot cafe and its simplicity throughout my life but I haven't been there in years and recent reviews are unimpressive or mixed so I'd have to visit again to give you an accurate opinion.
Go to one of those restaurants if it works out for you though; you won't regret it!