Where should we eat in Rome and Florence?

Go buy the Rome guidebook. Or better yet, check it out from you local public library along with any travel DVDs for Rome and Florence.

I found late night stand-up food stands in Rome were fantastic, after a concert or opera. I remember an evening when I remarked to my companion that I had not had any leafy greens in several days. Fat chance this late at night, he said. But we stumbled into a stand that had a dish on the cart that looked like sauteed spinach. As a southern-born American who grew up on many kinds of greens, I wanted some of whatever that green stuff was. It turned out to be chickory greens and they were delicious, seasoned with a bit of lemon and garlic butter. plus some great bread. Even better than the beet greens I had resorted to in Tehran back in the 1970s.

I could write a long answer here. Instead, I will make a few suggestions and let you ask more specific questions. My family and I did a walking food/wine tour of Trastevere. We really liked it. Called Eating Italy.
Rome: Cul-du-Sac in Piazza Pasquino which is right next to Piazza Navona.
I heard Taverna Luciferno next to campo Dei Fiori recommended. (unfortunately, I never made it to that one.)
Florence: cheapo-low budget option - Leonardo's cafeteria. It's on the second floor, up some steps. Close to Duomo Cathedral. Not gourmet, but a Wallet saver - cash only. La Spada near Santa Maria Novella area is a casual "family style" restaurant with good food at moderate prices. We enjoyed grilled chicken, prosciutto and melone, Ribollita soup was excellent. Not fancy. Just a good all around place to relax, enjoy authentic food, and not break the bank. This should get you started.

We love the Mercato Centrale in Florence.

http://www.mercatocentrale.it/en/mercato-centrale-florence/

Love the Mercato Central in Florence

Had an amazing meal at Pianostrada in Rome

2 apps I used (that a lot of people recommend):
Katy Parla's Rome
EatItaly

In Florence, you can get a cheap sandwich at Caffetteria delle Oblate, the cafe for the public library that is a block or two from the Duomo.

Last September, my wife and I did 2 weeks from Rome to Florence to CT to Tuscany. We love food but I stick with the the classics (no octopus or tripe for me). Pretty much pasta and gelato every night!! La Scala in Trastevere, possibly our best meal in Rome, but they were all pretty darn good. Tomato & fresh mozz, lasagna, and spaghetti carbonara.. In Florence, Trattoria Sostanza. We could not get a dinner reservation but we heard how good it was, so we went for lunch. Butter chicken for both of us. So basic, but sooo good. Try either one of these and you will probably want to send us a thank you note... Central Market in Florence for very good pizza and a fun food vibe all around.

sharon,

Ask the staff at your hotel. They always know the best local restaurants.

Florence:
• il Latini (http://www.illatini.com/en/) - need a reservation. Don’t order wine; table wine is good. Fun place! I've eaten here several times and always had fun. It's popular and in all the guides.
• Perseus (‎Viale Don Minzoni, 10) is Excellent! (http://www.casatrattoria.com/ristorante-perseus-firenze/)
• Osteria Cinghiale Bianco (http://cinghialebianco.com/it) - very good! Small place.
• 4 leoni (http://www.4leoni.it/4Leoni/en/) - never eaten here but recommended by friend who lives in Italy.
• Santo Bevitore (http://www.ilsantobevitore.com/home.htm) - never eaten here but recommended by friend who lives in Italy.
• Osteria de benci (http://www.osteriadeibenci.it/) - never eaten here but recommended by friend who lives in Italy.

Rome:

Restaurants in Trastevere area (all recommended by a friend who lives in Rome):
Pizza: http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g187791-d1014758-Reviews-Pizzeria_Ai_Marmi-Rome_Lazio.html
Pizza: http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g187791-d946638-Reviews-Dar_poeta-Rome_Lazio.html
Restaurant: http://www.tripadvisor.it/Restaurant_Review-g187791-d1717793-Reviews-Da_Augusto-Rome_Lazio.html
Restaurant: http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g187791-d2019242-Reviews-Zi_Mberto-Rome_Lazio.html
Restaurant: (fish/mussels): http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g187791-d2084911-Reviews-Cozze_Dintorni-Rome_Lazio.html
Sunday Brunch: http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g187791-d2103666-Reviews-Brasserie_CO2-Rome_Lazio.html

Other: Good, authenic Roman food at Al Pompiere (https://www.alpompiereroma.com) Everyone I have sent here says the food is excellent. The restaurant is well-established -- dating back to the 1920’s.

I did not see your comment about wanting to avoid expensive meals. Here is a good place for a sandwich. They are HUGE.

BEST Sandwiches: All' Antico Vinaio (Via de Neri 74R – down the street from Uffizi Gallery). No seating. All take out; sandwiches are HUGE and good with a glass of wine. (http://www.allanticovinaio.com/home-osteria-toscana/)

Terri,
Great info.! Thanks for posting.
My family and I tried to find the sandwich place you mentioned - Al Antico Vinaio. We simply could not find it in florence. We were in the vicinity and failed to find it.

Many thanks to everyone for your posts about places to eat in Rome and Florence! We are excited about the recommendations and will share our experiences after our trip later this fall.

sharonab758

In Florence, we enjoyed these for friendly, less expensive, quick lunches:

S. Forno Panificio --- Via Santa Monaca, 3r
ino --- Via dei Georgofili, 3r/7r
and despite the name, also the Pizzaman --- Via dell'Agnolo, 105/107r

and despite the name, also the Pizzaman --- Via dell'Agnolo, 105/107r

Very interesting name indeed ;-)

Hold onto your hats. The best place you will ever eat in your life, hands down, is Trattoria Mario, Via Rosina, 2r, in Firenze. No reservations, impossible to find (I knew where it was and looked for it for 10 minutes, only to discover I was standing in front of it.), and you will be seated with strangers and treated like you are a guest in someone's home. The veal is amazing, likewise the roasted chicken. Dessert is an afterthought, but don't skip it.

It is very close to Mercato Centrale.

Some recent reviews:

/Wanted a good lunch on our first day in town and found the reviews here. The restaurant is a narrow shop with family style seating; any open seats will be filled with people so get ready to make friends. The service was lovely, they spoke to us in their best English and tried their best to explain things to us. The menu is on the wall with a brief translation in english such as "Roasted Pork" or "Grilled beef". We got two meat plates that were delicious considering they do not come with sides. After eating either they will give you a receipt or you just walk up to the cashier and tell them what you had to checkout. Overall great first meal to start off the trip! /

/visiting Florence and not visiting this local gem equals not seeing the David statue! A MUST VISIT! Honestly one of the best meals I’ve had (and I’ve had plenty). Service was super (even though they could speak only little English) they were helpful and knew how to take care of foreign guests. Price wise you wouldn’t believe how inexpensive all of this was (plus two bottles of good red wine) ps. Don’t miss out on ordering the desert wine with the small biscuit it’s the cherry on top. /

Just ate tonight near the Vatican at Pizza Zizza run buy two brothers, Roberto and Enrico. This is a small friendky shop, very casual, the pizza is 5 star! Stuffed myself and had a beer for 13.40 euros.

Thanks to wbfey1! I am going to check out Trattoria Mario when I next visit Florence.

You. Will. Love. It.

Hi sharon
in trastevere we ate at carlo menta at via della lungaretta 101 was really good, had a pasta dish, pizza, and dessert was tartufo (yummy). like OP says eatingitalyfoodtours.com is in rome and florence. will send you a private message, check your inbox. happy travels
aloha

I have nothing to add except that we will be in Florence in about a month, so we sure appreciate this topic. Thank you.

Same for me ! Thanks for the ideas and keep them coming ! We will stay in trastever, it seems that theres a lot of good options there !

Rome

Emma Pizzeria--Spaghetti alla Carbonara
Forno Bakery--daily Roman pizza slices, pastries
Elle Effe--Sicilian insalata d'agrumi, caponata

Florence

Ristorante Toto--sliced bistec alla Florentine over arugula
Ciro & Sons--tagliatella all' Amalfitana
Nerbone (at Mercato Centrale)--boiled beef sandwich, lampredotto sandwich

Many thanks to everyone for your recommendations! We can't wait to check some of these places out and will report back to the Travel Forum when we get back.
Sharon