Florence Restaurants and Bar recommendations

Look at therooftopguide.com for ideas.

Rooftops I know -
Grand Hotel Baglioni
Westin Excelsior
La Rinascente - the La Terrazza Bar

Fun place for a drink - Golden View that overlooks the Arno

Use the search bar above for past forum answers for restaurant ideas. But here is my list:
Mama Gina's
Trattoria 4 Leoni
La Ghiotta
Trattoria Casalinger
Osteria Antica

I don't know about the steak idea. I eat steak in Texas and Buenos Aires !

A good friend of mine has a daughter who lives in Italy. She recommended Mayday Club. I haven't been there yet, I leave for Italy Monday. I read reviews & will definitely be going. So I don't know when you plan on going, I could always check back & let you know what I thought. Have a great trip.

As a Texan I don't say this lightly, but the best steak I have ever had was in Florence at this restaurant:

http://www.hostariaildesco.com

Well, then, I must go the next time we visit our favorite city, Florence !

I think the bistecca alla fiorentina at Trattoria Mario is wonderful. They are only open for lunch and do not take reservations. Another restaurant in Florence I love is Trattoria Sostanza. Reservations are necessary for dinner (they have two seatings), not sure if you would need reservations for lunch. Their pollo al burro (butter chicken) is delicious, but many people seem to enjoy their bistecca as well. Both of these restaurants have communale seating. We don't mind this, but I know some people do not like it.

I just returned last week and once again, Florence satisfied my Italian culinary & cultural cravings.

Trattoria Sostanza is hands-down my favorite for Tuscan fare, their bistecca alla Fiorentina and tortino di carciofi are without compare. Cash only, reservations several days in advance are necessary, setting is very simple without any flourish. Two seatings, 7-730 usually American/Canadians/British, second seating usually locals.

Trattoria da Mario arguably is the best value, Trattoria ZaZa, La Giostra, 13 Gobi are also solid steak restaurants to fulfill your protein needs.

Rooftop bars..Westin, and Golden View get the most recommendations, don't forget the St.Regis across the street.
Not a bar per se but, if you're looking to grab a coffee in a non-cafe setting or apertivo, one of the local secrets is the cafeteria atop the library. Caffetteria delle Oblate is positioned a block behind the Duomo and the rooftop view is unique while college students all around study and converse.

Thanks everybody for all the. Great recommendations. We are leaving next Thursday for Italy. I received such great advice from this forum.

Remember that if you ask an Italian about a bar you will get something different than what you are looking for.

A bar is a (usually) small or very small store selling coffees and pastries and also liquor, but in no sense a bar like you are looking for. More people reading the local paper or light chit chat, or run in, drink a caffe standing at the counter and run out, all in considerably less than 5 minutes.