We just left Florence where our daughter is studying abroad for the semester. It’s a lovely city with countless good restaraunts and fine shops. We got so much help from the RS boards, we wanted to return the good karma.. We stayed in Oltarno right near the Pitti Palace on Sdrucciolo de Pitti (through VRBO). This tiny pedestrian street had a few unique shops and restaurants that we recommend and purchased from :
La Casa della Stampa - litho printing of maps and paintings. You can smell the ink and the prints are lovely.
Le Telerie Toscane - hand painted Italian linens.
Gioielli Di Camilla - handcrafted jewelry
La Cava Tapas Bar - great Spanish food and sangria in a cool atmosphere.
Right around the corner was Gusta Pizza (yum!) for takeaway and Santa Spirito - its a peaceful pedestrian square with several trattorias which we had cocktails at every day . The Augustinian church itself is lovely and has a Michaelangelo crucifix and a lovely grotto.
Ditta Artigianale - coffee, capacchino,espresso and breakfast
Our other favorite restaurants were:
Trattoria Sostanza - get the butter chicken ..it is spectacular
13 Gobi - same street as Sostanza ..their specialities are in red..wow! The Rigatoni..the sauce will make you weep it’s so good
Za Zas - pesto gnocchi, duck bolognese
4Leoni - reserve an outdoor table..
Always make a RESERVATION EVERYWHERE.
Additional shopping recs
Massimo Leather - great reviews on the RS forums and we had a good experience as well
T.A.C.S. - Italian wool clothing.