La Giostra

The place looks really nice, we had a reservation and waited no time at all! The food was alright, the pear ravioli was pretty good, the straciatella starter was too much straciatella (maybe to share for 3-4 people), the steak was pretty nice. But the waiters were pretty annoying, they literally took our entree plate as we were eating it, we requested some time between the plates and they still brought it as soon as they could, we felt a bit rushed out (even though we didnt even stay for 2h).

By far one of the most highly recommended restaurants when we were making our plans for Florence. Highly recommend making a reservation because the wait without one would have been quite long. This restaurant is such a VIBE. Cozy, romantic and a total scene. Service was great as was the food. It was tough because there was so much on the menu that I wanted to try but we couldn’t not order the pear ravioli and the Florentine steak. If I went back I would want to try the ossobuco which I saw at the table next to us and looked dynamite. If you only had one night in Florence this is the restaurant I would recommend.

We went to this restaurant for a dinner and we reserved in advance ( recommended ). When we reserved we needed to guarantee with a credit card and I did t wanted to do this. I spoke with the restaurant and they found a solution to guarantee our reservation. We arrived there and they were customer focus to ensure we have a great experience. The restaurant is set in an old building , very nice setup, good vibe and excellent food. We spent more than 2 hours with food and a good Chianti. Except experience and will do again when back in Florence.

Wonderful dining experience at La Giostra in Florence. It came highly recommended and truly did not disappoint. Such a beautiful restaurant and wonderful ambiance. The service was warm and welcoming from start to finish, making us feel genuinely cared for. The wine was delicious and thoughtfully suggested, and the food was absolutely outstanding. Every bite felt special. Simply loved it and would happily return.

I started to read reviews after our experience and couldn’t disagree more with the negative comments. The only thing I can say is to try to come earlier to get seated in a more timely manner. We came for dinner and were seated quickly at 7pm. There was ample staff who waited on us. We had a crew of 4 serving us quickly. Our meals were delicious and served piping hot! The price was on par with the quality.

The chicken liver was a revelation. Rich, and deeply flavourful, it struck that perfect balance between indulgent and refined, with layers of depth that lingered after each bite. Then came the pear ravioli, which was pure magic. Delicate pasta filled with subtly sweet pear, paired with a light buttery sauce that brought everything together in a way that felt elegant and comforting at the same time. Sweet, savory, and perfectly balanced. And of course, the undeniable star of the night: the Florentine steak. Cooked to absolute perfection, it was everything you hope for—beautifully charred on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside, rare, with bold, clean beef flavour paired with zucchini frites. Arguably the best meal I’ve ever had! Well done!

After 7 years of finding this spot and visiting over 40 countries, this restaurant continues to be my favorite in the world. I’ve tried all sorts of dishes here from pastas to steak and they’ve all been delicious. Great atmosphere and service. The dimly lit rooms with memorabilia on the walls makes you feel like you’ve been transported to another time. The warm cheesecake is also the best I’ve ever had. 10/10 a MUST!

I arrived when the restaurant opened and I ate my myself withiut a reservation, but I'd definitely recommend making a reservation as they had guests waiting for my table when I left. Great ambiance, decor and friendly staff. They can accommodate all allergies very well. The portions are huge so pace yourself if you want a primi and secondi. I'd have preferably shared the veal as it was too much food after the pasta. They also had a surprise welcome dish of chicken liver with artichokes, which varied across tables.