23 Best Restaurants in Florence

"As its name suggests, Essenziale, on the Piazza del Cestello, has only the essentials: loud music, bright lights, stone floors, and bare tables save for water glasses and folded napkins. There’s nowhere to hide, and nothing masking the excellent food. Menus are based on seasonal, regional, and local ingredients; add the odd global influence, accomplished technique, and real flair into the mix and the results are always interesting—sometimes sensational. Chef Simone Cipriani has a loyal following among Florentine foodies and this is a serious restaurant; the prices are above average and the menu is edgy. In other words, this isn’t a place to simply refuel." - Nicky Swallow