Last updated on May 8th, 2024
Whether you are a foodie or not, one of the ‘must dos’ in Florence is to eat a bistecca fiorentina.
I’ve lived in Florence for over a decade and I still need my bistecca fiorentina fix every once in awhile. And lucky for me, my bistecca fiorentina craving has given me plenty of opportunity to try all of the best spots in Florence.
In this article, I will share with you:
- where to eat bistecca fiorentina in Florence based on my first hand experience
- who each steakhouse is best for
- other items are popular on the menu
- practical information in terms of reservations, if required
For your other evenings in Florence you may want to read
Where to Find the Best Pizza in Florence
Best Restaurants in Florence for Your First Visit
International Restaurants in Florence
Where to Find the Best Gelato in Florence
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What Is Bistecca Fiorentina?
Bistecca fiorentina, sometimes called bistecca alla fiorentina, is a T-bone steak from a Chianina cow, a breed from Southern Tuscany. They an are enormous, white breed that are raised only here.
How To Order And Eat Bistecca Fiorentina
Bistecca fiorentina is a large steak, cut thick enough to share among several people. Another “rule” for eating bistecca is how it’s cooked: rare. And by rare, I mean really rare or al sangue as we say in Italian.
Although most places will ask you how you would like your steak cooked, it’s considered a waste of time, money and steak to cook it beyond anything but rare.
Many restaurants will show you the steak to get your approval before it hits the grill. After being grilled on both sides and then for just a minute standing on the T part of the bone, the steak is ready.
The steak will likely come to the table pre-sliced or they will do it for you at the table, leaving the bone for you to nibble on. Sides typically don’t come with the steak (unless you have chosen a pre-set menu) so you will need to order those separately.
Eating in Italy Basics: If you are curious to know more about navigating dining in Italy, you may be interested in
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
A Visitor’s Guide To Eating In Italy
How To Order Food In Italian
How Bistecca Fiorentina Is Served
Bistecca alla fiorentina is served as one big steak to be shared. It does not come with anything else except a bottle of extra virgin olive oil which most restaurants suggest you drizzle on top before eating.
To accompany your steak, you will need to order a series of side dishes from the contorno section of the menu listed after secondi. Typical sides include:
- patate arroste – roasted potatoes
- fagioli all’olio – cannellini beans
- fagioli all’uccelletto – cannellini beans stewed in tomato sauce
- verdure saltate – sauteed greens
- carciofi fritti -fried artichokes
- insalata – salad
Map Of Where To Eat Bistecca Fiorentina In Florence
Quick Guide To Bistecca Fiorentina Restaurants In Florence
| Name | Address (Neighborhood) | Best For | Other Notable Dishes on Menu |
| Buca Lapi | Via del Trebbio, 1r (Santa Maria Novella) | Historic restaurant experience in Florence | Cannelloni gratinati alla Buca Lapi (stuffed baked pasta tubes with cheese) |
| Il Latini | Via dei Palchetti, 6R (Santa Maria Novella) | Fixed menu | Tagliata di controfiletto di manzo con funghi (grilled sirloin steak with mushrooms) |
| Trattoria Sergio Gozzi | Piazza di San Lorenzo, 8R (San Lorenzo) | Casual bistecca fiorentina / lunch | Coniglio arrosto (roasted rabbit) |
| Osteria di Giovanni | Via del Moro, 22r (Historic District) | Date night | Antipasto di Giovanni (mixed appetizer plate to share) |
| Brindellone | Piazza Piattellina, 10 (San Frediano) | Sports fans | Fried foods |
| Regina Bistecca | Via Ricasoli, 14r (Historic District) | Splurge / Expensive dinner | Charcuterie board |
| Buca dell’Orafo | Via dei Girolami, 28/R (Historic District) | Adventurous eaters | Sweet breads (and other offal) |
| Buca Mario | Piazza degli Ottaviani, 16r (Historic District) | Solo travelers | Pasta con sugo di cinghiale (pasta with wild boar sauce) |
| La Giostra | Borgo Pinti, 10/18R (Santa Croce) | Wine lovers | Ossobuco (veal shank) |
| Perseus | Viale Don Giovanni Minzoni, 10/R (Piazza della Libertà) | Outside the city center | Tartare (raw meat) |
| Trattoria 13 Gobbi | Via del Porcellana, 9R (Santa Maria Novella) | Large parties | Bistecca di maiale (pork chops) |
| Trattoria Coco Lezzone | Via Parioncino, 26/red (Santa Maria Novella) | Cheese lovers | Cheese and dessert menu |
| Trattoria Sostanza | Via del Porcellana, 25/R (Santa Maria Novella) | First time travelers to Florence | Pollo al burro (buttered chicken), tortino ai carciofi (artichoke omelette) |
Look the Part: Check out these 5 Items Not to Wear When Dining Out in Italy.
Buca Lapi
Via del Trebbio, 1r
Buca Lapi is one of the oldest and most well known places to eat bistecca fiorentina in Florence situated in an old wine cellar lined with vintage posters. The white tablecloths and exceptional service makes up for the dim “cave like” feeling of the restaurant. Note that reservations are required and they are only open for dinner.
Il Latini
Via dei Palchetti, 6R
Latini is a family-run restaurant in Florence serving up amazing bistecca and strictly classic Tuscan dishes such as crostini neri, ribollita and pappa al pomodoro. You can either order off the menu or opt for their 5 course dinner menu served family style with the bistecca fiorentina as the star of the show.
Some tables are communal so be prepared to make some new friends under a ceiling lined with cured prosciutto legs. Rustic yet warming, Latini won’t let you down whether you order bistecca or any other classic Florentine dish.
Trattoria Sergio Gozzi
Piazza di San Lorenzo, 8R
Trattoria Sergio Gozzi is my top pick for eating bistecca fiorentina in Florence in a casual setting at lunch time (they are not open for dinner). This easy going trattoria doesn’t get more Florentine than this with a handwritten menu that is posted daily and it’s no-frills service.
The decor is simple, the tables are set with paper placemats and wine can be ordered either by the bottle or housewine by ¼, ½, or 1 liters. The bistecca fiorentina here is delicious but so is everything else, especially their roasted meats and daily pasta specials (look for gnocchi!).
Osteria di Giovanni
Via del Moro, 22r
Osteria di Giovanni is run by the same family that owns Il Latini but is more of a local hangout. Expect similar food but in a more rustic atmosphere.
Brindellone
Piazza Piattellina, 10
Brindellone is a really authentic neighborhood trattoria catering primarily to residents in the San Frediano neighborhood.
Characterized by their love for the Fiorentina soccer team, this is the best restaurant in Florence to eat bistecca fiorentina if you love sports. The owners are happy to chat you up about soccer but don’t mention any other team than Fiorentina.
Good To Know: Monday-Friday at Brindellone you can eat off their affordable lunch menu (no bistecca though).
Regina Bistecca
Via Ricasoli, 14r
Regina Bistecca is one of Florence’s newest additions to the bistecca scene and boy, are we locals glad it opened!
Just to the side of the Duomo, this beautiful dining room is decorated with large paintings and dark walls, creating an elegant and intimate atmosphere.
The bistecca fiorentina is considered some of the best in the city but everything else on their menu is amazing as well including the cured meats, bone marrow and raw beef tartare. You can either order à la carte or choose either of their fixed menu which includes bistecca (either Chianina or Selezione Regina).
Buca dell’Orafo
Via dei Girolami, 28/R
Buca dell’Orafa is my top pick for adventurous eaters who are also looking to eat awesome bistecca fiorentina in Florence.
Find all the traditional Tuscan foods under the sun plus plenty of offal (although the availability is determined by the day of the week and local butchers). Choose from items like brain, sweet breads, liver and more to accompany your steak.
Buca Mario
Piazza degli Ottaviani, 16r
Buca Mario is one of those historic steakhouses in Florence that cannot be missed. I suggest this restaurant to single travelers looking to eat bistecca fiorentina in Florence because of their unique mono-bistecca portion.
Unlike other restaurants in Florence, Buca Mario prices its steak per person, not by weight. If you are alone, they will carefully select a steak just the right size for you.
La Giostra
Borgo Pinti, 10/18R
La Giostra is one of Florence’s most famous restaurants for bistecca fiorentina but also many other traditional Tuscan foods and contorni or side dishes.
Prices at La Giostra are high but well worth the extra bucks for the extensive wine list, candle-lit dining room and well curated menu. If you are a wine connoisseur, come to La Giostra to enjoy your bistecca fiorentina with some of the best wines to choose from.
Wine Lovers: Read all about what wines to try with your bistecca in Wines to Try in Tuscany.
Perseus
Viale Don Giovanni Minzoni, 10/R
Perseus is my top pick for eating bistecca fiorentina in Florence if you are staying outside the city center or would like to explore beyond the city walls.
Serving the residential neighborhood of Piazza della Libertà, this steakhouse is a favorite among families these days as going downtown is evermore difficult with parking and a continual increase in tourism.
Trattoria 13 Gobbi
Via del Porcellana, 9R
Trattoria 13 Gobbi is the best spot to eat bistecca fiorentina if you are in a large group or for a celebration in Florence. Their dining room is large enough to prepare large, banquet-style tables for you as long as you notify them in advance.
The steak here is the most famous item to order but they are well known for their other grilled meats and fish (such as my favorite grilled octopus). With your steak, be sure to order the fagioli all’uccelletto and patate arroste.
Trattoria Coco Lezzone
Via Parioncino, 26/red
Trattoria Coco Lezzone is considered one of the historic trattorie in the Historic District serving up some of the best bistecca in town. This is a simple and no-frills restaurant with traditional food, service and trattoria atmosphere.
I particularly suggest this trattoria for bistecca fiorentina if you happen to also love cheese. The menu at Coco Lezzone has a dessert and cheese section from which you can choose a variety of Italian cheeses to enjoy after your steak. Not exactly a night meal but hey, if not now, when?
Trattoria Sostanza
Via del Porcellana, 25/R
If this is your first time to Florence, Trattoria Sostanza is for you! Trattoria Sostanza is perhaps Florence’s most famous restaurant in general with unique dishes that will have any patron coming back for more (me included). Unlike other touristy restaurants in Florence, this one is so good that despite the streams of tourists, it still remains a beloved favorite among locals like myself. To learn more about where locals prefer to dine, read Where Locals Eat in Florence.
The steak is amazing and cooked in a slightly different way than at other Florentine steakhouses but what is also worth noting is their buttered chicken and artichoke omelet, both dishes that you can only find here!
Spending Time in Florence? Make the most of your time eating and drinking in bella Firenze!:
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