Restaurant suggestions in Florence

In the Oltrarno, you might like Vecchia Bettola in Piazza Tasso and La Casalinga just off Piazza Santo Spirito. Reservations for dinner are essential or expect a long wait. For inexpensive Naples style pizza in a simple setting, try Gustapizza on the same street as La Casalinga. I would avoid Trattoria al Tranvai in Piazza Tasso as my last two experiences there were extremely disappointing.

We enjoyed the pizza at Fermento 1889 and for a quick, good lunch try S. Forno (Via Santa Monaca, 3r) --- it's a bakery but there are small tables and lots of interesting things on their changing menu.

When we were there in June we happened upon the Golden View on via de Bardi ... about a block away from the Ponte Vecchio. It's a terrific little place for lunch or dinner - nice ambience, reasonable prices, good food, and spectacular views of the bridge from the dining room at the rear of the restaurant.
They also operate a little deli next door that features some of the most decadent pastries and desserts in the city.

Also, right across the Ponte Vecchio is a great little sandwich shop called 'ino (Via dei Georgofili, 3r/7r).

1. IL Guscio at via dell'orto 49. We had a memorable dinner there - modern Italian cuisine - it had been recommended by our VRBO apartment host.
2. Alla Vecchia Bettola on the Piazza Torquato Tasso. Excellent neighborhood restaurant.

Osteria Santo Spirito. I'd read on a blog that they have "life-changing truffle gnocchi".
I've always hated gnocchi, but figured I'd give this one a try. It was truly amazing. I would go back to Florence just to eat it again.

Just across the river is Hosteria Il Desco. It's close to the major tourist sites, but doesn't seem to be a tourist trap type of place. We had a wonderful lunch there that wasn't unreasonably priced.

Trattoria Sabatino. We had dinner there our first night in Florence. There was a line out the door, but we decided to wait it out. They sat us at a table with one other couple and another single diner. The food was great, and we had a great time visiting with our table mates. There seemed to be a good mix of tourists and locals.

We went to this place as part of the Eating Europe food tour. For lunch it was full of locals, everything was in Italian, and very good food (we were all served a sample of some menu items). I hoped to go back, but we only had 2 nights total. It is owned by a local Florentine Historical Football star, which is a cool story too if you want to look it up. Anyway, the name is L'Raddi.. 4.5 stars on Tripadvisor, and the 1 bad review sounded like a real complainer....... If we get back to Florence for a 3rd time, we will go here again. BTW, I got my picture with the owner and 4 other football players, pretty cool!!!

Thank you so much for your suggestions. Can’t wait to try some of these restaurants.

A couple more for your list:

• Burro & Acciughe – seafood-centric restaurant right down the street from your hotel, very local feel, welcoming and friendly
• Le Volpi e L’Uva – a wine bar with some food (flatbreads, charcuterie, cheese); we went at “off hours” and didn’t have trouble getting a table but it does get busy; they seem to reserve tables if you want to try calling ahead; about a 15 minute walk but still in Oltrarno

I just remembered, also, that we had some really good gelato at La Strega Nocciola on Via de' Bardi.
It's near the Ponte Vecchio.