Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance, dazzles not only with its art and history but also with its exquisite gastronomy. From haute cuisine to artisanal gelato, this city is a paradise for food lovers. During our visit, we explored four remarkable establishments.

Enoteca Pinchiorri

The only restaurant in Florence boasting three Michelin stars, Enoteca Pinchiorri redefines the concept of luxury in every detail. Upon entering this historic building, you’re greeted by attentive staff guiding you through a labyrinth of small rooms adorned with a blend of antique and modern styles. Having dined at other three-star Michelin restaurants, the ambiance here felt denser, even somewhat heavy, contrasting with experiences where elegance is maintained without becoming pretentious or overwhelming.

We began with the water menu, an entire list detailing pH levels and mineral content, which seemed excessive. Opting for the 10-course tasting menu with wine pairings, the sommelier expertly selected wines to complement each dish. A tour of their vast cellar, housing over 100,000 bottles, left us impressed.

The amuse-bouche featured a beet mousse tartlet achieving a sublime balance between sweet and sour. Next, tagliolini in marinara sauce, accompanied by a gel sphere, showcased simplicity elevated to perfection, reflecting the precision of Italian cuisine. A particularly creative dish was sautéed snails with peas, spicy avocado, and coconut sauce, topped with a frozen element that surprised with its combination of textures and temperatures.

The parade of dishes continued with a spectacular duck magret accompanied by passion fruit and liver parfait, impressive in its combination of intense flavors. The quality of the ingredients and the mastery in their preparation were evident in every bite.

A memorable moment was the cheese cart—truly a spectacle. And as if that weren’t enough, the finale featured a chocolate cart that made us feel like children in a candy factory.

However, not everything at Enoteca Pinchiorri is perfect. Despite the impressive culinary experience, certain eccentricities are hard to ignore, such as presenting menus with prices to men and without prices to women—a practice that feels outdated in haute cuisine. While some extravagances border on the ridiculous, each dish was impeccable. Needless to say, the price is also quite extravagant.

La Buchetta

Located in the heart of Florence, La Buchetta offers a dining experience deeply connected to the essence of the Tuscan region. We started with an appetizer honoring simplicity: a board of prosciutto, traditional Tuscan salumi, and fresh mozzarella, accompanied by honey.

The first course celebrated handmade pasta: the special pici, a type of thick spaghetti, prepared with pecorino from Pienza, black pepper, and truffles. The most memorable aspect was how the pasta was mixed directly in a wheel of Parmesan, adding richness and creaminess that elevated the dish to a sublime level. Each bite was a reminder that sometimes the simplest ingredients create magic.

The star was the bistecca alla fiorentina, Florence’s signature dish. This enormous piece of meat, cooked to perfection, is a tribute to Tuscan tradition. Served juicy, with a golden exterior and a pink interior, this bistecca had the perfect flavor and texture.

For dessert, we chose the homemade lemon cake, which proved to be the perfect conclusion to a memorable dinner. What makes La Buchetta special is its ability to offer a luxury dining experience without pretension and at a much more reasonable price than Enoteca Pinchiorri. Despite the impeccable quality of its dishes, the atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming.

All’Antico Vinaio

This small and vibrant street spot is synonymous with the best panini in Florence, and probably in the world. Since 1989, the Mazzanti family has perfected the art of preparing these sandwiches with schiacciata, a Tuscan bread similar to focaccia that is soft, crispy, and full of flavor.

We tried the famous Il Numero Uno, filled with juicy roasted pork, roasted potato cream, and an onion jam that was the perfect blend of sweet and savory. We also sampled a more classic option with prosciutto, truffle cream, and arugula, a tribute to the simplicity and freshness of Italian ingredients.

The atmosphere is lively and chaotic, with long lines. We ordered our generously portioned panini and enjoyed them sitting on a step with a glass of wine in a plastic cup. Each bite justified the wait.

Sbrino Gelatificio Contadino

No visit to Italy is complete without gelato, and Sbrino Gelatificio Contadino is the best we’ve tried. This small artisanal shop offers ice cream prepared in small batches. We tried the lemon and passion fruit flavors, which were incredibly fresh, creamy, and vibrant. The decor of the place is charming, and their dedication to quality is reflected in every spoonful.

At the end of our visit to Florence, it was clear that Florentines are passionate not only about their food but about enjoying life. We saw a group of locals in a restaurant celebrating their dinner with such enthusiasm that you could almost hear opera in their voices as they toasted. Here, between a plate of pasta and a sip of wine, Florentines celebrate not only gastronomy but everything life has to offer: food, art, wine, and, of course, the good life! From the elegance of Enoteca Pinchiorri to the authenticity of Sbrino, this city reminds us that gastronomy is an art that connects cultures, emotions, and memories.