Let’s begin.
Gonna start with the obvious: All’antico Vinaio
All’antico Vinaio sandwiches are no stranger to Instagram-famous photos, but I promise the hype is worth it. I think I got a sandwich from here at least two times a week, and the three lines that wrapped around the block I had to wait in were worth it every. single. time. All’antico never disappoints and is NEVER stingy with what you want on your sandwich. My personal fav is prosciutto, arugula, mozzarella crema (if they didn’t have just regular mozz sliced), and balsamic glaze. Simple, but perfect.
Of course the Rigatoni from Trattoria Dei 13 Gobbi
Don’t be fooled by my sub-par picture, it doesn’t do the rigatoni justice. Mixed with tomato and buffalo mozzarella, this bowl of pasta is probably nothing like you’ve ever had before. I would recommend ordering a liter of the house wine; don’t finish it before your pasta gets to the table. If you have the opportunity, eat this rigatoni as much as possible, it’s practically impossible to get sick of.
If you’ve been to Florence, you know what this is. Burrata from La Giostra.
I really have no words for this burrata. It looks bizarre and kind of unappetizing, but it’s heavenly. I swear I could eat it every day of my life. La Giostra is known for many incredible dishes, I don’t think anyone can disagree with that, but the burrata, in my opinion, is the best. It comes with three small cups of honey, jam, and walnuts. While they all pair perfectly with the creamy burrata, I recommend pouring some of the restaurant’s famous balsamic on top of it, you will not be disappointed. I honestly don’t know what else to say about it because I can’t quite put into words how amazing it is.
Arguably one of the best gelato places in Florence, La Carraia
I honestly have no idea how many times I’ve eaten gelato from La Carraia, and I was only in Florence for six weeks. My favorite combination of flavors that I got literally every time I went, was the Cookies flavor (request a cookie on top, he’ll say no at first but say you really want the cookie), and the absolutely incredibly delicious Dark Chocolate Raspberry. I think about that gelato every day, I wish I was kidding.
Trattoria Zaza seems like a tourist trap but it’s not. It’s actually really really good.
This is a picture of my lunch from one day in between classes. Yes, lunch. Spaghetti bolognese from Zaza is lowkey good, pair it with a glass of white wine and it gets even better. After this picture, I proceeded to dump another three spoonfuls of parmesan cheese on top of my plate, it was unreal. I sadly never got a chance to go back after this lunch break, but it was on my to-do list if I had more time in Florence.
The Gnocchi Pomodoro fresco e Basilico from Osteria Da Fortunata in Rome is also something I think about a lot.
I really think I could cry looking at this gnocchi, I miss it so much. When we first walked into Osteria Da Fortunata, we were a little iffy and thought maybe we chose the wrong place for dinner. Rest-assured, the Nonna in the window making fresh pasta made us change our mind almost immediately. I accidentally ate wayyyy too many appetizers and could only eat about four bites of my gnocchi, but four bites were enough to understand that what I was eating was astonishing. Every pasta dish my friends and I got at this Rome restaurant was actually incredible, so you really can’t go wrong with whatever you order.
Sandwiches from Antico Noè
Another very well-known sandwich establishment in Florence that sits under an archway off Piazza San Pier Maggiore, is Antico Noè. I frequented this shop during my lunch breaks, and often changed up my order depending on my mood. Add grilled zucchini to your sandwich; it sounds interesting to pair with prosciutto, mozzarella, and pesto, but it works, trust me.
So, so, so, so, SOOOO underrated: Rigatoni Santo Spirito
Okay yeah, I know Osteria Santo Spirito is known for its truffle gnocchi, which I have eaten so I know first hand how good it is, but have you tried the rigatoni? You should. While this dish is seemingly simple with tomato sauce and grated dried ricotta cheese on top, it tastes like nothing I’ve ever had. I’m usually not super excited by pasta with sauce, but this rigatoni really is something else, I was actually tempted to lick the plate but I was in public so.
If you’ve been to Florence, I really hope you know what this is.
It’s the pear ravioli from La Giostra, need I say more? I mean I’m going to because this is an article, but like it’s THE pear ravioli, it deserves a title. While at first you may think you just bit into a regular cheese ravioli, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the strong pear flavor that follows after. To go to La Giostra and not try the pear ravioli is honestly doing an injustice to yourself. PLEASE try it, even if you’re a picky eater like me and you claim you don’t like cheese.
Oddly American, but very good…Le Vespe Cafè
I really do mean it when I say I could eat Italian food everyday for the rest of my life. However, Le Vespe was a great change up to my starchy diet. I ordered a bacon egg and cheese on an everything bagel and was pleasantly surprised. A bonus, Le Vespe has ICED COFFEE, and that’s hard to come by in Florence. (Not pictured, my amazing iced coffee from La Milkeria and Oil Shoppe). Anyway, everything about this place was great, down to the very last potato.
Obviously Badiani made the cut, it’s Badiani.
Conveniently located right around the block from where I lived with my host-family is Badiani. (I miss you guys!!) Badiani Gelateria Pasticceria is famous in Florence; this gelato does not play games it. is. so. amazing. Specifically, Badiani is very well-known for its Il Buontalenti flavor, a simple but unique flavor made from cream, milk, sugar, and eggs. Though my picture is of the flavor cookies, which I clearly have a thing for and cannot find in the United States, the Buontalenti flavor is truly something incredible. I’ve never tasted anything like it.
Spaghetti Carbonara from Il Gatto e la Volpe, periodt
Disclaimer: This is actually a picture of my spaghetti carbonara from a restaurant in Rome because my picture of the AMAZING carbonara from Il Gatto e la Volpe non è buono. I wish I was able to go here more, thank you Coronavirus again for ruining abroad, but at least I had the opportunity to try their carbonara. Honestly anything from Il Gatto is fantastic, but the carbonara is perfect. Order a side of spinach if you’re craving vegetables, it’s a huge portion and so so yumm.
Okay, Gustapizza is ACTUALLY good, and that’s coming from a huge pizza connoisseur.
I’ve tried the Margherita pizza and the one with arugula, fresh tomatoes, and parmesan. Both are equally as good, of course, made even better by the heart shape Gusta is known for. What I did not do that I wish I did, was take my pizza to go and eat it by Ponte Vecchio. What’s better than great pizza by the Arno River? Literally nothing.
And La Giostra strikes again. This time with the truffle-aged prosciutto and fresh mozzarella
I’m gonna say it, I really dislike truffle and normally I’d be repulsed by something like this, but it’s La Giostra so everything’s good and you can’t say no. Add the famous balsamic on top and it’s a food experience like no other; put some burrata on top too, and you’re in for one unmatched food experience.
Unfortunately, I cannot include everything I’ve eaten in Italy. Practically every restaurant in Italy is good (given it’s not a tourist trap), and I don’t think I’ll ever be able to fully put into the words how incredible my short time in Italy was and how much I miss it.
In lieu of pictures, I’d like to give a very special shoutout to my one and only Oil Shoppe Salad (which I’ve strangely never taken a picture of, probably because I ate it too fast). Lemme tell ya, I HATE salad, I am never in the mood to eat it and I never think about it, but this, this salad from the tiny hole in the wall Oil Shoppe, is something I think about every day.
Sidenote, I wish I snuck these cookies into my suitcase
That’s all for now, ciao!