Cheap Eats Guide to Florence
Florence is a wonderful city full of fantastic options for foodie’s and lovers of Italian cuisine.
It can be hard knowing what is ‘good’ in the center since there is an abundance of choice and not always the most accurate reviews on tripadvisor. These are my suggestions after living in Florence for many years on a budget and by living with a hungry local (literally). Try and learn a little Italian to at least make your waiters laugh, it helps! Don’t forget that wine is cheaper than water so take advantage (and be responsible).
I Due Frattelini
Via dei Cimatori 38R, 50122 Firenze, 055 2396096.
This is a famous sandwich shop run by two brothers near Piazza della Signoria, you will know you’re in the right place by the long line of people waiting for their 2.50 Euro paninos and cheap glasses of wine. Try goat cheese and spicy salami, that’s my favourite!
Gusta Pizza
Via Maggio 46R, 50125 Firenze, 055 285068.
A local favorite near Piazza Santo Spirito, this is one of the best pizzeria’s in town and for a cheap price, think €5-€8 euros per pizza it’s a great choice on any given night (except Monday when it’s closed). Usually crowded, go early if you want to eat inside but the better idea is to grab your pizza and drinks to go and sit on the steps of Santo Spirito church to eat your pizza like a local.
All’Antico Vinaio
Via de’ Neri 65, 50100 Florence, Italy.
One of my personal favorite streets in Florence, very lively and this is a great example of an Italian sandwich shop. People calling out their orders above one another, wine by the glass that you pour yourself and pay later, the ambience itself is worth a visit. They have great focaccia and I highly recommend the gorgonzola & salami panino, don’t forget to add sundried tomatoes. Cost is €4.50 per (huge) panino.
Cheap lunch & dinner spots
Osteria il Buongustai
Via dei Cerchi, 15r, Florence, Italy (close to piazza signoria) 055 291 304.
My favorite restaurant in Florence and located near Piazza della Signoria this is a small trattoria that’s easy to miss if you’re not looking. The same three ladies make lunch every day and you can see them working their magic when you walk in.Try the daily menu for new pastas/risotto/salad, all of which is top-quality. Prices range from €5-€8 euros for a primo piatto. Pasta alla carbonara is my favorite and all of their desserts, especially their tiramisu (all made in house). Come early.
Trattoria Anita
Cuisines: Italian 2 Via del Parlascio, Florence, Italy +39 055 218 698.
Closer to Piazza Santa Croce, they offer menu deals (around €10-€12 for a first, second and side dish) – all of the food is Tuscan home-cooking. Great house wine and coffee. Go on Thursday, when they make fresh lasagna, also open for dinner
Hosteria il Desco,
Via Delle Terme 23R, 50123 Firenze, 055 294882.
Perfect for lunch (also open for dinner but during lunch they offer cheap specials) this is a classier joint with great food. Very close to Ponte alle Grazie in a swankier area of Florence, this is a recent find even for me (and I have lived here since 2007). I recommend trying the lunch menu which they offer M-F, they have great soups & seconds all for under €10 including water/glass of wine. Make reservations as it can get crowded.
Other top tips
Also don’t forget to try out the many food festivals/sagre around town. They are the perfect place to mingle with locals and eat local specialties for a cheap price. I prefer to drive outside the city for food-festivals but if you don’t have access to a car, try Piazzale del Gusto in Florence which starting this year has run a permanent festival near Piazzale Michelangelo usually offering seasonal specialties and occasionally even artisan beer festivals.
Where to stay in Florence on a budget
My favourite hostel in Florence is Ostello Bello Firenze– run by a great team, you have beautiful rooms, excellent self catering kitchen, a really nice onsite bar plus really filling breakfast.
Plus Florence hostel with its two swimming pools ( outdoor and indoor) and rooftop terrace with great views of the Duomo is a good option for those looking for a fun, no frills experience. If you’re looking for something more comfortable but stylish, then The Social Hub Florence with its nice ensuite rooms, cowering space and amazing rooftop bar with swimming pool is a great choice but pricey.
Check out her blog, Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/GirlinFlorence follow her on twitter at https://twitter.com/Ggnitaly84
Such a useful information in terms of food options you have mentioned.
Can save some amount and at the same time enjoy real street food as well.
Thanks for the lovely blog…
Its like you read my mind! You appear to know a lot about
this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you can
do with a few pics to drive the message home a little bit,
but instead of that, this is great blog. An
excellent read. I will definitely be back.
“the better idea is to grab your pizza and drinks to go and sit on the steps of Santo Spirito church to eat your pizza like a local”
Great idea – you do know that Florence has an arcane law, punishable by a fine, where it is illegal to eat/drink in/near a church or public building?
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2403745/Eating-church-chewing-gum-trains-wearing-camouflage-Bizarre-ways-British-tourists-arrested-abroad.html
Sounds arcane indeed. I’ve had pizza al toggle a few times in Santo Sprito with no problem. Have you had a bad experience?
Stumbled upon this blog and wanted to address the fine question! I just arrived in Florence (literally…an hour ago maybe) and I received a 50 euro fine on the bus on the way to my Airbnb for not buying a ticket. It was right before my stop, too. I was just too tired to try and figure out how to get one and was going to do it for the next trip, so yes I was in the wrong, but the official was very unforgiving and rude. So, I would say to follow whatever rules Florence has if a fine is involved…they don’t care whether you knew the rules or not.