Last updated on November 11th, 2024
Craving a taste of home? We all love Italian food but if you are on a trip to Italy you may feel that just after a week you have had your fair share of pizza or pasta. And that’s ok!
The good news is that by now Italy has gotten on board with international cuisine and has some amazing alternatives to classic Italian restaurants. Based on first hand experience living in Florence since 2012, I am on top of all the hot international restaurants in the city.
In this guide, I will share with you my top 20 international restaurants to try in Florence no matter your hankering. Whether you are in the mood for Mexican, Japanese, Chinese, American or Indian, there is something for you (and even more!).
I will also specify which each restaurant is best for, what neighborhood it’s in and if they are suitable for special diets.
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Map Of 20 International Restaurants in Florence
20 International Restaurants in Florence Quick Guide
Name | Address (Neighborhood) | Cuisine | Good To Know |
Il Gusto di Xinge | Viale Belfiore, 2 (Porta Al Prato) | Cantonese | Serves vegan dishes |
Tijuana | Via Ghibellina, 156 r (Santa Croce) | Mexican | The place to be for margaritas in Florence |
MOMOYAMA | Borgo S. Frediano, 10 r (San Frediano) | Japanese (sushi) | Serves other very good alternatives to sushi |
Il Cuore | Via Romana, 123r (Santo Spirito) | Japanese | Serves vegetarian dishes |
Lo Saj Libanese | Via delle Ruote, 40r (San Marco) | Lebanese | Next to Questura (Italian police station) if you need help with permits, visas, etc. |
Mama’s Bakery | Via della Chiesa, 34R (Santo Spirito) | American baked goods and sandwiches | Mama’s Bakery has a small play section for kids, outdoor area, and a changing table |
Royal India | Via Guelfa, 90R (San Marco) | Indian Food | Plenty of vegetarian options |
En Cucina Casalinga Giapponese | Piazza Lorenzo Ghiberti, 26r (Sant’Ambrogio) | Japanese home cooking | Next to Sant’Ambrogio market in Florence |
Dim Sum Time | Via dei Neri, 37/rosso (Santa Croce) | Dim Sum | Some of the best gelato in Florence is just down the road at Gelateria dei Neri. |
Ruth’s | Via Luigi Carlo Farini, 2a (Sant’Ambrogio) | Kosher Food | Vegetarian restaurant with vegan options |
Wild Buns Bakery | Via di Camaldoli, 1/c (San Frediano) | Swedish Pastry | Close to piazza del Carmine, a good place for kids to run around |
Melaleuca | Lungarno delle Grazie, 18 (Santa Croce) | American/Australian food | Serves great brunch and some of the best coffee in Florence |
Fulin | Via Giampaolo Orsini, 113r (Piazza Ferrucci) | Luxury Chinese food | The peking duck must be pre-ordered |
Com Saigon | Via dell’Agnolo, 93r (Santa Croce) | Vietnamese food | Mostly indoor seating |
Impression Chongqing | Via Sant’Antonino, 34r (San Lorenzo) | Authentic Chinese | Budget Friendly |
Ciblèo | Via Andrea del Verrocchio, 2r (Sant’Ambrogio) | Asian food with a Tuscan twist | Expensive |
Koto Ramen | Via Giuseppe Verdi, 42r (Santa Croce) | Ramen | Budget Friendly |
Tehran | Via dei Cerchi, 25/R (Historic District) | Persian food | Close to some of the best pastries, street food and sandwiches in Florence |
Caminetto | Via Ghibellina, 52R (Santa Croce) | Argentinian food | Specialized in empanadas |
Il Gusto di Xinge
Viale Belfiore, 2
Best For: Cantonese
Il Gusto Di Xinge is my top pick for elegant, fancy gourmet dim sum in Florence. Their menu is small yet refined. They serve dim sum, I bao (buns) and one kind of whole chicken, the Pollo Shibari that must be ordered 48 hours in advance.
I suggest Il Gusto di Xinge if you are looking for a luxurious experience with a unique atmosphere, sophisticated cocktails and innovative dim sum.
Good To Know: Il Gusto di Xinge also serves vegan dishes. For more about eating vegan in Italy and Florence check out How to Eat Vegan in Italy – Tips From A Local and Vegetarian and Vegan Restuarants in Florence.
Tijuana
Via Ghibellina, 156 r
Best For: Mexican food in Florence
Florence does a lot of things well but if we can find one fault, it’s in its Mexican food. There isn’t much! Tijuana is about it and I wouldn’t really say it’s real Mexican food either.
This being said, I must include it because they do create Tex-Mex as it should be with plenty of sauce and toppings.
If you can book a table outdoors, do so! If not, opt for their extensive indoor seating and be sure to order a margarita!
Good To Know: Tijuana also has a second location at Porta Al Prato in Via il Prato 57-59R
MOMOYAMA
Borgo S. Frediano, 10 r
Best For: Sushi
Located between Santo Spirito and San Frediano is MOMOYAYA, Florence’s most well known spot for sushi. The restaurant has a minimalist vibe with pastel colors and white walls.
The sushi is very good (and so are the non-sushi options such as the tempura) but be sure to book your table in advance, especially on the weekends!
Tip: Ask to sit in the small, covered courtyard in the back.
Eating in Italy Like a Pro: Check out How To Order Food In Italian, Tipping In Italy – When & How Much From A Local, What Is A Coperto? All About Italy’s Cover Charge, and A Visitor’s Guide To Eating In Italy.
Il Cuore
Via Romana, 123r
Best For: Japanese Oltarno
Il Cuore is best for Japanese food Oltarno that isn’t sushi. They do have sashimi but there is a well rounded menu with rice bowls, vegetarian dishes, lots of small bites and even a tasting menu.
Lo Saj Libanese
Via delle Ruote, 40r
Best For: Lebanese Cuisine
This hole in the wall serves mostly traditional takeout Lebanese food but there is a small seating area if you wish to dine-in. It’s beautifully simple with wooden interior and a small gourmet section of local Lebanese food products.
The wraps are my favorite but you can also order grilled meats and vegetables.
Mama’s Bakery
Via della Chiesa, 34R
Best For: American Baked goods
Mama’s Bakery was one of the first American spots to pop up in Florence over a decade ago and remains a favorite among American students and locals alike.
Come here for a typical American deli lunch like grilled cheese, bagels and club sandwiches. They also have a large selection of American baked goods such as chocolate chip cookies, brownies, and pie.
And don’t forget the self-serve American coffee and free wifi!
Good To Know: Mama’s Bakery has a small play section for kids, outdoor area, and a changing table. You can read more about eating with kids in Florence in Where To Get A Quick Bite With Kids In Florence and Where To Eat With Kids In Florence.
Royal India
Via Guelfa, 90R
Best For: Indian food
Most people in Florence know of another Indian restaurant but I am here to tell you otherwise. Royal India has some of the best Indian food I have ever tasted IN MY LIFE! It’s simple, homey and the atmosphere is what you would expect at an Indian restaurant.
Pre-book on the weekends if you are planning to come for dinner but no need at lunch.
Tired of eating out at restaurants? Make your own Italian picnic!
En Cucina Casalinga Giapponese
Piazza Lorenzo Ghiberti, 26r
Best For: Japanese home cooking (no sushi)
En Cucina Casalinga Giapponese is a tiny 5 table joint serving up traditional Japanese food from the home. What does this mean? It means food that Japanese eat on a daily basis such as street food, rice bowls and vegetable-based dishes.
Because they have done so well, they have recently expanded next door. In this venue, the food is the same but there is a larger dining room and even a small outdoor street terrace.
Dim Sum Time
Via dei Neri, 37/rosso
Best For: Dim Sum in Historic District of Florence (Santa Croce neighborhood)
Dim Sum is a simple dim sum restaurant best for travelers downtown looking for a quick bite in a central area.
Although they are most famous for dim sum, their stir-fried noodles and rice dishes are very good as well. This is also a good place for takeout in Florence as they are quite quick and cheap.
Ruth’s
Via Luigi Carlo Farini, 2a
Best For: Kosher food in Florence
Ruth’s is located in the small jewish quarter of Florence right off the Sant’Ambrogio food market serving up kosher vegetarian dishes locals and tourists alike.
The decor is goofy with lots of drawing but the food is some of the best vegetarian you can get in the city. The food is classic Mediterranean flavors with items like couscous, hummus and falafel.
Good To Know: You don’t have to be Jewish to eat at Ruth’s. Everyone is welcome!
Wild Buns Bakery
Via di Camaldoli, 1/c
Best For: Swedish Pastry
Wild Buns Bakery was an instant success when it first opened in Florence as a pop up. Sleek and modern, this Scandinavian bakery specializes in sweet buns such as cinnamon rolls. The selection is always changing so check online to see what they are currently making and it’s usually a good idea to pre-order (even if you only want 1 roll – that’s how popular they are!).
Melaleuca
Lungarno delle Grazie, 18
Best For: American/Australian Food
Melaleuca is one of my favorite places to go for brunch in Florence. Their basic menu is so good with classics like tacos, pancakes and eggs but their daily specials are what really keep me coming back with new ideas and options each weekend.
If you aren’t up for brunch, come in for some of the best coffee in the city and excellent pastries.
Good To Know: Melaleuca is a great place to leisurely enjoy a cup of coffee and a piece of cake chatting with a friend in Florence. They won’t ask you to leave and I never feel rushed.
Fulin
Via Giampaolo Orsini, 113r
Best For: Luxury chinese food in Florence
Fulin is my top pick if you want a spendy chinese dinner out in Florence. It’s located on the outskirts just off of Piazza Ferrucci but if you are up for a walk or a short taxi ride, it’s the best peking duck in the city (must be pre-ordered!).
Com Saigon
Via dell’Agnolo, 93r
Best For: Vietnamese food in Florence
Com Saigon is a small restaurant close to Piazza Santa Croce with amazing Vietnamese food. The owner is from Vietnam and the restaurant is often filled with Vietnamese travelers.
The spring rolls and noodle bowls are particularly good but they have a wide selection of appetizers, fish and rice dishes.
Good To Know: Com Saigon does have two small tables outdoors only open in the summer. If you hope to eat at one, be sure to call ahead!
Impressione Chongqing
Via Sant’Antonino, 34r
Best For: Authentic Chinese in Florence
Just around the Mercato Centrale, Impressione Chongqing is my top pick for authentic Chinese food in Florence with something for everyone. Choose from a large menu with plenty of vegetarian, meat and stir-frys. Get here early to avoid a wait (that means noonish!).
Gangnam
Via Guelfa, 94/r
Best For: Korean food in Florence
Gangnam is a no-frills restaurant serving up the best Korean food in Florence with plenty of fermented foods and spicy bites.
It’s a little off the beaten track close to Piazza della Indipendenza but if you are looking for a little bibimbap, this is where you want to be.
Ciblèo
Via Andrea del Verrocchio, 2r
Best For: Tuscany meets Asia
Ciblèo is the newest addition to the Cibrèo restaurant conglomerate in the Sant’Ambrogio neighborhood.
I would best describe it as “Tuscany meats Asia”. Think of pasta with soy and ginger or tortellini in brodo but with a twist. Offering both a tasting and a la carte menu, Ciblèo is best for visitors looking for an upscale restaurant experience in Florence (without the pizza or classic pasta dishes).
Look the Part: Check out these 5 Items Not to Wear When Dining Out in Italy and What to Wear to Dinner in Italy.
Koto Ramen
Via Giuseppe Verdi, 42r
Best For: Ramen in Florence
Koto Ramen was first born as a Ramen noodle bar but now serves poke as well. Come here for a quick lunch or relatively inexpensive dinner. The decor is simple and the food is reliable.
Order the ramen in the winter and warm up after a visit to the damp Santa Croce Church or get out of the sun and cool off with Poke in the summer.
Tehran
Via dei Cerchi, 25/R
Best For: Persian food in Florence
Tehran is a small Persian restaurant in Florence hidden amongst several other eateries tucked behind Piazza della Signoria. I recommend Tehran if you want to stay central in the historic district in Florence but need a change of scenery (smells and tastes!). I advise you to book ahead, especially for dinner. The grilled meat dishes are what they do best, IMHO.
Caminetto
Best For: Argentinian food
Caminetto is a cute Argentinian restaurant specializing in empanadas with plenty of vegan and vegetarian options. The prices are right and the drinks are well made too!
You won’t go hungry here with their combo menu, giving you the opportunity to sample various empanadas with drinks included for an excellent price.
Good To Know: Caminetto has a small outdoor seating area (although on a busy street).
Bonus: Diorama Firenze
Via Pisana, 78r
Best For: Beer and Ramen
I choose to add Diorama as a bonus because it’s actually not considered a restaurant but rather, a pub. But let me tell you, it has one of the best beer selections in Florence.
What also sets them apart is their small menu including ramen made with lampredotto and other traditional Tuscan classics.
Spending Time in Florence? Make the most of your time eating and drinking in bella Firenze!:
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