Where to Have Lunch in Florence

This small trattoria is set up right inside the Sant'Ambrogio market and offers one of the most authentic lunch experiences in the city. It serves lunch only, takes cash only, and the tables are almost always full of locals. Traditional Tuscan plates like ribollita and the day's fresh pasta arrive fast; it's perfect for sitting down in the middle of your market shopping for a quick, honest meal. The address for anyone after a real Florentine lunch with no frills.

On the edge of the Sant'Ambrogio market, this is a cult corner for its creative panini eaten standing up. It's little more than a counter, but it has made a name with sandwiches built from unexpected pairings that change daily. It's ideal for a fast but considered lunch while you're working your way through the market. For anyone who isn't looking for a seat but wants a gourmet midday bite.

A seasonal, contemporary trattoria facing the market quarter. With its fresh pasta and Tuscan plates that change with the season, it's a more relaxed and calmer lunch address a short walk from the market. It opens for lunch every day; it's an ideal stop to sit down and eat a proper plate after wandering the stalls. A neighbourhood place that reads tradition with a contemporary hand.

A bakery known since 1925 for the schiacciata that comes out of its oven at San Marco. The warm, filled slices of bread explain the queue that stretches out at lunchtime. There are no tables; the idea is to take it away and eat on the piazza. It's worth joining the line at the counter for a fast, cheap and deeply Florentine lunch.

In San Lorenzo, right beside the market, this is a historic trattoria run by the same family for generations. It serves lunch only, and sharing the communal tables with strangers is a natural part of the experience. It's known for Tuscan classics cooked with fresh market produce and for its bistecca alla fiorentina. A classic stop for a real Florentine lunch, crowded and deeply local.

In San Lorenzo, again beside the market, this is a family-run trattoria open for lunch only. It's an honest, good-value address with no frills; the menu is short and built on traditional Tuscan plates. It's a comfortable spot even for solo diners. A genuine neighbourhood trattoria where Florentines keep up the habit of the everyday lunch.

In Santo Spirito, this is a traditional, family-run trattoria serving home cooking. The name means 'the housewife' and the kitchen delivers exactly that: unfussy, sincere Tuscan plates at honest prices. It opens for both lunch and dinner; it's a reliable address for anyone who wants to sit down to a hearty, familiar plate at midday. A classic the neighbourhood loves, with no need to show off.

In the Oltrarno, this is a small osteria specialising in offal and especially in lampredotto, the symbol of Florence. It's a traditional, honest and specialist kitchen, serving classics like tripe and lampredotto in their most authentic form. It opens for lunch and is ideal for anyone who wants to taste the city's real street-food culture at the table. A fearless, genuine lunch experience.

In San Niccolò, this is a small, family-run spot built around eating at the counter. It's known for its handmade pasta and serves lunch every day. Its intimate, snug atmosphere is welcoming even for solo diners; a considered lunch address loved by food lovers. For anyone who wants a quiet, quality meal away from the crowds of the classic trattorias.

A few steps from the Duomo, this is a cosy, central address that is both an enoteca and a bistro. With its handmade pasta and wine selection, it's a practical option for a proper lunch in the centre. The atmosphere is warm and casual; it's ideal for anyone who wants a plate of pasta with a glass of wine. The address for anyone who wants to avoid the main-street tourist traps and find a solid meal in the centre.

In Santa Croce this is a hidden corner: both a bookshop and a vegetarian bistro. With its creative vegetarian plates and out-of-the-ordinary atmosphere, it lets you have lunch in a quiet corner among the books. The kitchen is open at lunch from 12:00 to 15:00; it's for anyone who wants a meat-free, well-considered meal while browsing a few books along the way. An address that brings Florence's more bohemian, creative face to the table.