Where To Eat With Kids In Florence - 10 Places I Actually Enjoy Eating Out With My Four Kids

Last updated on June 22nd, 2024

You have finally decided to come to Florence with your kids (or maybe you are already here!) and have your itinerary down to a ‘T.’ But what about food? Where are the best restaurants to eat with kids in Florence?

I can help! I am a mom of four living in Florence since 2012. I have been eating out with my kids downtown from day one, giving me expert insight on family-friendly restaurants in Florence.

In this article, I will share with you where to eat with kids in Florence based on first hand experience. I’ll also include:

specialties
what my kids like to order
tips on ordering
restaurant hours
what to expect from menus

And don’t miss my quick reference guide and map if you are in a hurry and need food close to your current location.

Florence Quick Bites: If you are hoping to grab a quick bite with kids and avoid long waits or crowded restaurants, you may want to read my recommendations for Where to Get a Quick Bite with Kids in Florence.

Heading to Venice Too? If so, check out Kid-Friendly Restaurants in Venice.

Travelling with Your Bambino? Be sure to read
What Do Babies Eat in Italy?
Italian Baby Food – A Traveler’s Guide

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Map Of Where To Eat With Kids In Florence

Quick Guide To Where To Eat With Kids In Florence

Name	Address (Neighborhood)	Best For	What My Kids Order
Berberè	Via dei Benci, 7 (Santa Croce)Piazza dei Nerli, 1 (San Frediano)	Sourdough Pizza	Margherita or Bologna pizza
Trattoria del Carmine	Piazza del Carmine, 18 (San Frediano)	Traditional Tuscan off the beaten path	Pappardelle con sugo di cinghiale
Ditta Artigianale (no dinner)	Scattered throughout city center with locations in Via dei Neri, 30/32 R, Via dello Sprone, 5/R, Lungarno Benvenuto Cellini, 1r, Via Giosuè Carducci, 2/4r, and Lungarno Soderini, 7R	A taste of home and brunch	Croque Monsieur and sweet potato fries
Tamerò	Piazza Santo Spirito, 11r (Santo Spirito)	Homemade pasta & eating in a car-free zone in Florence	Spaghetti carbonara
Trattoria Sabatino	Via Pisana, 2R(San Frediano)	Budget Friendly	Tortelli di patate al sugo
Santarosa Bistrot	Lungarno di Santa Rosa(San Frediano)	Eating outdoors, brunch	Hamburger (on lunch menu)
Forno Ghibellina	Via Ghibellina, 41r(Santa Croce / Sant’Ambrogio	Breakfast in Italy, pastry, snacks, bread and sandwiches	Pangioccoli (chocolate chip roll) and schiacciata
Il Gatto e la Volpe	Via Ghibellina, 147/r(Santa Croce)	A large classic Italian menu	Pici alla Senese
Serre Torrigiani Bistrot	Via Gusciana, 27(Piazza Tasso / Porta Romana)	A fun outdoor experience	Spaghetti alla chitarra ai tre pomodori
Trattoria Da Rocco	Piazza Lorenzo Ghiberti (Sant’Ambrogio)	Tuscan food fast or for takeout in Florence	Lasagne al pesto and the poached pears for dessert

Pizza Berberè

Via dei Benci, 7 (Santa Croce)
Piazza dei Nerli, 1 (San Frediano)

Best For: Sourdough Pizza

Pizza Berberè is one of the best pizzerias in Florence serving up sourdough pizza (with vegan options, whole wheat and other special grain pizza dough) in a casual, fresh atmosphere perfect for families, making it one of my favorite restaurants to eat with kids in Florence.

No matter the size of your family or the ages of your kids, Berberè can accommodate you with large tables, highchairs and quick service.

What I love about this pizzeria is how casual it is with two convenient locations and the attention to quality ingredients. I never have to worry about my kids breaking expensive glassware or ending up with a mediocre experience.

Pizza Lovers: You may be interested in the Best Pizza in Florence, Italy and Best Pizza In Venice, Italy – My ‘Don’t Miss’ List.

Trattoria del Carmine

Piazza del Carmine, 18

Best For: Traditional Tuscan Food

Trattoria del Carmine is famous among locals in Florence for serving up some of the best quality classic Tuscan cuisine inelegant yet simple style making it my top pick for families in Florence who want a taste of the local Florentine cuisine in a traditional sit-down restaurant setting.

This family friendly trattoria has a large menu with a lot of variation and seasonal dishes, making it easy to find something for everyone in your family.

This trattoria is a bit more upscale but not too fancy. You will find anyone from couples to businessmen and rowdy Florentine families of 5 pouring in for lunch and dinner specials.

What To Order: To read more about what you might find at Trattoria del Carmine, read 10 Foods You Must Try On Your First Visit To Florence (Italy).

Ditta Artigianale

Scattered throughout city center with locations in Via dei Neri, 30/32 R, Via dello Sprone, 5/R, Lungarno Benvenuto Cellini, 1r, Via Giosuè Carducci, 2/4r, and Lungarno Soderini, 7R

Best For: A taste of home

La Ditta Artigianale is my top pick for eating out with kids in a casual yet cool setting when you are looking for something familiar. Come here anytime from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm for food (defying all rules of italian meal schedules!) and order from their brunch menu.

You will find a very eclectic selection of dishes including items like pancakes, bagels, sandwiches, salads, avocado toast, scrambled eggs, and green curry.

The cafe has done so well for itself that it now has 5 locations in Florence, all of which have a different amount of indoor/outdoor seating (Piazza Ferrucci location has enormous gated outdoor seating while Via del Neri location only has indoor seating).

Good To Know: La Ditta Artigianale is also one of the best places in Florence for coffee and cocktails, both of which you can read more about in The Coolest Places to Drink in Florence.

Tamerò

Piazza Santo Spirito, 11r

Best For: Homemade pasta dishes

Tamerò is my top recommendation for eating with kids in Florence if you are looking to eat in a car-free zone. Located right in Piazza Santo Spirito, Tamerò has several tables outdoors on the square. This is my favorite place to take the kids to eat in town because I don’t have to worry about cars too much.

The square is completely traffic-free (except for police and trash collection) so I can feel good about letting my kids run around while we wait for our homemade pasta, which brings me to my second point.

The homemade pasta is to die for but the menu is large for families who want a wide selection. Choose from seafood, meat and also pizza.

Keep In Mind: Tamerò is extremely popular, especially in the summer so be sure to book your table well in advance and specify that you would like an outdoor table.

After dinner be sure to take your kids to get gelato at either Gelateria della Passera or Sbrino, both of which serve some of the Best Gelato In Florence.

Trattoria Sabatino

Via Pisana, 2R

Best For: Budget friendly Tuscan food

Trattoria Sabatino is my top choice for affordable Tuscan cuisine in Florence if you are eating out with kids. Although not exactly central, this no-frills family run trattoria is located just outside the Porta di San Frediano Oltrarno.

The restaurant is very welcoming and intimate, as if you are stepping into a friend’s home. The menu is classic Tuscan but I didn’t meet a family that didn’t find something for even the pickiest eater here. And it changes every day so it’s worth coming here more than once if you enjoyed what you ate.

If you have foodies in the family, opt for their amazing secondi, meat dishes, such as roast beef, stewed rabbit and roast chicken. Pickier eaters can choose from simple pasta dishes, rice and ravioli.

Good To Know: Trattoria Sabatino is not open on the weekends. They only serve lunch and dinner Monday-Friday.

Santarosa Bistrot

Lungarno di Santa Rosa

Best For: Outdoor seating

Santarosa Bistrot is my top pick for families who are looking to eat outdoors in a safe place in Florence. The restaurant has a very large outdoor area large enough for kids to run and play while you wait.

The menu is much more creative and innovative than other restaurants in Florence but it’s still anyhow very Italian. For example, their pasta dishes won’t be the typical pappardelle or tagliatelle that you find anywhere. Rather, they will serve these ribbon pastas with flavors such as with seafood and pesto.

The lunch menu is more kid-friendly from my experience with items such as gnocchi, burgers and sandwiches as well as seafood and large salads for adults.

What To Do Closeby: Opt for a stroll along the Arno river as you make your way down to Santarosa Bistrot. It’s a great chance for kids to get a sense of the city from a different angle (one not well traveled by tourists). After you have eaten, check out the Parco Ghiochi Santa Rosa, just 3 minutes down the river and enjoy some playtime outdoors in the shade.

Forno Ghibellina

Storefront of Ghibellina bakery and coffee in Florence, Italy. White building with large windows and people sitting at tables inside.

Via Ghibellina, 41r

Best For: Breakfast in Florence

Ghibellina Forno is my top pick for family-friendly bakeries in Florence. Not only do they make some of the best schiacciata in Florence but they also have an amazing selection of sweet treats including frosting covered cookies, regional cantuccini, chocolate chip bread rolls, Carnival treats and even coffee for tired parents.

The bakery has most recently added a decent sized indoor seating area, making it perfect to sit down and get a bite to eat (either a quick sandwich lunch, breakfast or snack).

Don’t Miss: The Sant’Ambrogio Market (one of Florence’s best food markets) is just a couple blocks away. It’s one of the best open air markets in Italy with lots of great coffee shops and bars. Closeby is also the Giardino di Borgo Allegri, a small park (and the only one) in the Santa Croce neighborhood in Florence.

Il Gatto e la Volpe

Via Ghibellina, 147/r

Best For: A large classic Italian menu

Il Gatto e la Volpe may be a bit touristy and be a favorite among students but it has made quite the name for itself over the decades.

Their menu is big but they do it all well. They serve simple traditional Italian food (not just limited to Tuscan cuisine), making it great for everyone. Find plenty of Tuscan dishes mixed with other Northern Italian favorites such as polenta and gnocchi and well as Southern specialties such as burrata and mozzarella.

Good To Know: Il Gatto e la Volpe have daily specials to choose from and they are happy to whip up pasta with pesto or tomato sauce for the pickiest of eaters.

Serre Torrigiani Bistrot

Via Gusciana, 27

Best For: A fun outdoor experience

Le Serre Torrigiani Bistrot is an amazing experience for anyone, including families. The bistrot is located within the garden’s greenhouses, making for a unique and fun experience. Outdoors in the garden is the bar, perfect for families with kids of any age who can play freely while adults can talk, have a cocktail and an aperitivo.

The menu is a bit more sophisticated than other restaurants in Florence so this might be a better option for a pre-dinner drink if you are worried that your kids won’t like the food (my kids did like it though).

The aperitivo formula is great because there are items like charcuterie and cheese boards, hummus plates, spring rolls and baby burgers. Sit at large tables, couches or bar stools while kids play among the lemon trees and palms. It’s a one of a kind experience for sure.

Keep In Mind: To arrive at Le Serre Torrigiani, it’s a bit far because you need to go on the backside of the gardens (head to Piazza Tasso and then swing over to the gardens). There is, however, a good park in Piazza Tasso to break up the walk.

Trattoria Da Rocco

side view of white sign written da rocco on top of side of restaurant with wooden tables in background.

Piazza Lorenzo Ghiberti

Best For: Good food fast

Trattoria Da Rocco is my favorite place to eat with kids if I am in a rush or I want to get some takeout without waiting.

Located within the Sant’Ambrogio Market (one of Italy’s best food markets), Da Rocco serves up pre-made Tuscan classics that are re-heated or packed up for takeaway on the spot.

It also costs next to nothing. Don’t expect great wine, fine table service or your own table. It’s all about sharing, sitting with others and enjoying your food fast at Trattoria Da Rocco.

Don’t Miss: The small playground Parco Giochi D’Azeglio just a couple of blocks from the market. It’s small but there is a decent climbing structure, several benches and two swing sets.

Kids in Italy: Curious to read more about eating with kids in Italy? Check out
Best Squares To Eat And Drink With Kids In Venice
8+ Kid Friendly Restaurants In Venice – From A Mom Of Four Living In Italy
Where To Get A Quick Bite With Kids In Florence (Without Going Out Of Your Way!)
Where To Eat With Kids In Florence
School Lunches In Italy – What An Italian School Lunch Menu Looks Like
Kid-Friendly Foods to Order at Restaurants in Italy
Dining Out With Kids In Italy – What To Expect + Tips
Italy’s Best Supermarket Snacks for Kids
School Lunches in Italy

Spending Time in Florence? Make the most of your time eating and drinking in bella Firenze!:
Best Pizza in Florence
Best Gelato In Florence
Best Coffee In Florence
10 Foods You Must Try On Your First Visit To Florence
The Best Cheap Eats in Tuscany
Eating Vegan and Vegetarian in Florence
Best Rooftop Bars in Florence
Where to Have Aperitivo on a Budget in Florence
Where to Eat on Your First Visit to Florence
My Favorite Places to Eat Bistecca Fiorentina in Florence
Where to Have Brunch in Florence
Coolest Bars in Florence
International Restaurants in Florence
My Favorite Wine Bars (Enoteche) in Florence
Wines to Try in Tuscany
Where to Find Florence’s Best Schiacciata
Florence’s Best Panini
Food Markets in Florence
Where to Find Florence’s Best Pastries
Best Bakeries in Florence
Eating Gluten-Free in Florence
Where to Have Apericena in Florence
Where to Get Takeout in Florence
Where Locals Eat in Florence
Florentine Food Souvenirs
Where to Buy Specialty Food Items and Gifts in Florence
Where to Eat with Kids in Florence
Where to Get a Quick Bite with Kids in Florence
Traditional Tuscan Food

Tips & Useful Information For Eating Out With Kids In Italy

Italians have a much different eating schedule than Americans. Typically, Italians don’t eat dinner until 8:00 pm but this can vary depending on where you are on the peninsula.

You can depend on most restaurants in cities to open up at 7:30 but some may serve earlier or open later (Northern regions tend to open earlier, Southern regions tend to open later). You can get more specifics on Italian timetables and eating in What Time Do Italians Eat Dinner? + Dinner Info From A Local Living In Italy.

My biggest tip for families eating out in Italy is to book your table on the earlier side to avoid long waits and a full house. These tips may be helpful as well for eating out with kids in Italy:

Most restaurants don’t serve food all day. They open for lunch and then take a long break in the afternoon before reopening for dinner again. Unless you are at a very tourist restaurant, you can’t eat dinner at 5:00 pm in Italy.
If you travel with picky eaters, you don’t have to worry too much. Most restaurants (even international and high end) can make simple pasta dishes that may not be listed on the menu such as pasta with butter and cheese or with tomato sauce or grilled meats without added sauces.
Many restaurants don’t have kid’s menus in Italy. Just order off the regular menu and ask for a smaller plate if your kids are sharing a dish.
If you sit down at a restaurant and your kids are starving, you can quickly order for them first so that something comes right away for them while you take your time.
Most kids in Italy order their own pizza but if your kids plan on sharing, that is fine too. You can read more about pizza in Ordering Pizza In Italy – A Traveler’s Guide To Ordering Pizza A Taglio, Take-Out Pizza And Pizza Pinsa!
Don’t expect to find coloring sheets, activities or other entertainment for kids at restaurants in Italy. I highly suggest you travel with a notebook and a couple pens.
Always make reservations, you can always cancel later.
Look for restaurants with outdoor seating in piazze (open squares) so that kids can play around while you finish your meal.